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News for 17 March 2018

All the news for Saturday 17 March 2018


Men's Asian Games Qualifier 2018 - Day 8
Muscat (OMA)

HKG v AFG (7th/8th Place)     16 - 0   
KAZ v TPE (5th/6th Place)     0 - 4

Upcoming 17 March 2018 (GMT+4)

18:00     SRI v THA (3rd/4th Place)
20:15     BAN v OMA (Final)

FIH Match Centre



Women’s National Team Names 2018 Commonwealth Games Roster



The 2018 Commonwealth Games is taking place on April 4-15, 2018 in Gold Coast, Australia. Canada’s Women’s National Team is currently ranked 21st in the world and will play their preliminary matches against Australia, New Zealand, Ghana and Scotland. Click HERE for the full schedule.

Field Hockey Canada is announcing the following 18 athletes to the 2018 Commonwealth Games official roster.

Playing Roster
PLAYER NAME
Caashia Karringten
Hannah Haughn
Maddie Secco
Kathleen Leahy
Rachel Donohoe
Brienne Stairs
Steph Norlander
Alison Lee
Amanda Woodcroft
Nikki Woodcroft
Natalie Sourisseau
Shanlee Johnston
Kate Wright
Dani Hennig
Sara McManus
Karli Johansen
Lauren Logush
Kaitlyn Williams

“We’re thrilled to congratulate our men’s and women’s field hockey teams bound for the 2018 Commonwealth Games in Gold Coast,” said Chef de Mission Claire Carver-Dias. “Field hockey is a strong Commonwealth sport and the level of competition is sure to be impressive.”

Travelling Staff

Team Manager – Carrie Trumpy
Head Coach – Giles Bonnet
Asst. Coach – Steph Andrews
Video Analyst – Stef Sloboda

Field Hockey Canada media release



Argentina and Mexico to meet again in finals (MEN)

Canada’s first loss sends them to play for 3rd place against Paraguay


MEX vs. CAN. Photo Mariano Avila

Dominican Republic played against Brazil for the second time since the start of the 2018 Pan American Youth Championship. Brazil managed to double the score from the previous encounter, making it 8 goals. Captain, Bryan Froelich gave his team an early start when he put one pass the goalkeeper in the 1st minute of the game. The first half ended with 3 goals in favour of Brazil. Improved organization from Brazil in the second half helped them to score 5 more and walk away with the win.

The following game featured Jamaica and Guatemala hoping to improve on their previous performances. Shemar Gordon got the ball pass goalkeeper Jeremy Gochez in the 5th and 6th minute to put Jamaica 2 goals ahead. Kevin Borrayo scored in the 8th minute for Guatemala and a 3rd goal from Nickoy Stephenson increased the gap between them going into the half-time break. Second half goals from Carlos Villatoro and Stephenson produced final result of 4-2.

The first semi-final saw Argentina and Paraguay matching up for the second time in the competition. Paraguay started out strong in hopes of securing a spot in tomorrow’s finals. An early shot from Elias Vera went just over the crossbar to deny Paraguay of the lead. Facundo Sarto of Argentina scored his 3rd hattrick in four games. The first of his three goals came in the 8th minute. Ignacio Ibarra and Martin Fernandez added two goals to make it 5-0.

Mexico and Canada put on an action packed show for the crowd in the Pan American Hockey Stadium. The first goal came just before half time when Jorge Gomez fired the ball pass Ethan McTavish. Canada got off more shots at goal in the second half, but was unable to get them pass goalkeeper, Jesús Pérez. Luis Villegas and Erik Hernandez made it 3-0 to join Argentina in the finals tomorrow afternoon. Villegas is now tied on 9 goals with Sarto of Argentina.

Pan American Hockey Federation media release



Finals for Argentina and Uruguay (WOMEN)

Paraguay and Mexico to play for 3rd place


URU vs. MEX. Photo Mariano Avila

The semi-finals of the Youth Olympics Qualifier 2018 opened with Argentina and Paraguay. By the 3rd minute of the game, Argentina was three goals ahead. At the sound of the half-time whistle Argentina was leading 6-0. Paraguay fought for a chance to play in tomorrow’s finals, but Argentina’s fast pace and remarkable display of skills kept reaping more goals. The game ended 11-0 to send Argentina into the finals, while Paraguay will play for 3rd/4th. Celina Di Santo sits at the top of the goalscoring table with 14 goals.

Uruguay and Mexico later challenged each other for the opportunity to join Argentina in the finals. Mexico held the defence together for the first five minutes, but Victoria Jover found goal and gave her team the lead. Karla Sosa scored in the 9th minute to even the scores going into half time. In the 15th minute Lucia Dieste made it 2-1 for Uruguay and Magdalena Verga scored the third goal to secure the win. Uruguay will face Argentina in the finals tomorrow while Paraguay will play Mexico for a chance to qualify for the Youth Olympic Games in Buenos Aires.

Pan American Hockey Federation media release



Growth Continued to be Present in Junior USMNT Matches Against Chile


Images Taken by Esteban Araya

SANTIAGO, Chile -  A day of rest contributed greatly as the U.S. U-16 and U-19 Men's National Teams displayed continued growth in the third and fourth matches of the five-game series against Chile's junior teams. Game three matches were hosted at Santiago College, an American school for grades kindergarten to 12, where their students were excited to see the junior USA teams compete. Both squads found inspiration in their somewhat 'home crowd' as the U-16 USMNT fought to tally their first goal of the series as they were presented with many more scoring opportunities. For the U-19 USMNT, a lot of grit and intensity showed especially in the fourth quarter as they broke a deadlock to earn their first victory.

Played at the Prince of Wales Country Club, U-16 USMNT's game today was played in a similar fashion to yesterday's as they made strides late in the game by cutting the goal margin but were unable to produce more. The U-19 USMNT led at halftime in game four but some defensive errors allowed Chile to score two goals in rapid succession ultimately giving them a loss.

Wednesday, March 13, 2018
 
U-16 USMNT 1 - 3 Chile

Despite a sluggish start in the contest, Game 3 was a moral victory for USA for a multitude of reasons.  During the first quarter the squad could not get out of their own half, forcing them to defend furiously. Chile scored within 3 minutes which fired up the much younger squad. USA managed to get an offensive penalty corner and a cracking shot on goal a few minutes earlier from Namrit Mangat (Glendale, Ariz.). With a few goal line saves and and a late shot on goal save by goalkeeper Russell Smith (Camarillo, Calif.), USA found a way to finish the first half only trailing by one.
 
At halftime, the game plan was adjusted slightly and USA came out inspired and ready to play thanks to the sound advice from Coach Brian Schledorn. Chile added another to the scoreboard off a field goal in the 7th minute to extend their lead to 2-0.
 
Wyatt Katz (Santa Rose Valley, Calif.) had an incredible fourth quarter allowing the team to move forward on numerous occasions and ultimately earning their second penalty corner. Gerald Cutone (Reading, Mass.) sent his drag flick just right of center requiring Chile's goalkeeper to get a glove on it which deflected into the cross bar. On the rebound was Corey Dykema (Newport News, Va.) who followed the action all the way and leaped up to bat the ball into the net to cut Chile's lead to 2-1.
 
Chile went on the attack after that which led to a penalty corner with just over a minute remaining in regulation. Due to some official technical error, Chile had well over a minute to setup up their penalty corner with time expired which led to an option play that was converted. Despite a losing score of 3 - 1, the young USA team continues to progress, earning more attacking play and time along with penalty corners.

U-19 USMNT 2 - 1 Chile
 
The preparation and time spent reviewing the prior two games paid off as the U-19 USMNT pulled off an exciting 2-1 win.
 
After a scoreless first quarter, Team USA scored first in the second quarter from a low bullet from Garry Singh (Corona, Calif.) off a penalty corner. The low hard drag to the bottom left corner was to much for the Chile's goalkeeper to handle. The match was fairly even with both teams having chances at both ends. Jack Galluci (Trumbull, Conn.) found two opportunities to get a few shots off making Chile's defense and goalkeeper work to keep the ball out of the net. The halftime score stood in favor of USA 1-0.
 
The hard work continued from USA as they kept the pressure up finding ways down field on both sides of the field. They started to exploit the outside lanes finding their way deep into the corners and working the ball toward the goal, getting closer and closer every time. Late in the third quarter Chile would convert off a field goal to tie the match, 1-1.
 
The rotation from the entire forward line was evident as Chile struggled to mark man to man and cover the zones. Finally a quick paced outlet up the right side connected with Christian DeAngelis (Doylestown, Pa.) at a full sprint heading over the Chile 25-yard line, when he cut and started to make his way into the right side of the Chile's circle. It appeared as though he was heading for an old school baseline run which was to end up on the penalty spot for his teammates to finish but as he was 5 yards from the baseline he ripped a shot into the left side of the net, not giving Chile's goalkeeper any chance of making a save. The score finished at 2-1, giving USA their first well-deserved win. In the back, Wander Hommes (Westlake Village, Calif.) had another great game keeping his defense under control and distributing some impressive balls downfield.



Thursday, March 15, 2018

U-16 USMNT 1 - 4 Chile

Similar to their start in Game 3, USA started slowly as Chile's offense allowed them a little space at the back but did not allow the ball out into their half at first. The first quarter remained 0-0 early on despite Chile shooting on goal three times in the opening minutes. Back the other way Cutone got a shot off on USA's penalty corner chance, not result to show. As the opening period wound down, Chile capitalized on a penalty corner opportunity, where Rafael Martell (Miami, Fla.) made the initial save and rebound attempt, but Chile was persistent and found the net on their third attempt for the opening 1-0 score.

A quick chat at the break refocusing on a few key positions and ball movement opened up some chances to move downfield and get into Chile's 25. USA created a few chances to get into the circle, including a cross attempt that Jasper Pouw (Santa Rose Valley, Calif.) just missed on execution. Chile doubled up on offense early on with another field goal score alongside several penalty corner attempts, but USA was able to defend each one successfully before the half came to a close.

USA's game plan was reinforced for the second half as the squad saw better passing and long balls after the adjustment. The team's efforts resulted in more penalty corner opportunities but could not find net on all their chances. The fourth quarter however opened with a field goal for Chile as Smith stepped toward the far post to block the shorting attempt. The ball then pushed across the goal area where it was tipped in to make it 4-0. Ultimately a small breakthrough came for USA off a penalty corner where Chile's goalkeeper made the save, but the rebound was sent into a small skirmish in the goal mouth where Mangat forced it into the goal for the team's lone score of the day.



U-19 USMNT 4 - 5 Chile
 
With the series on the line, USA was focused from the get-go on trying to get another victory. The intensity was immediately recognized as both squads took turns pushing the other up and down the field through a scoreless first quarter. It was a much different tale the following 15 minutes as Chile struck first off a field goal attempt in the 17th minute. USA responded almost immediately, tying the game courtesy of a shot by Colin Hennessy (Marlborough, Mass.). Chile could not convert on a penalty corner attempt in the 25th minute, but were able to get the go ahead score off another field goal moments later to make the score 2-1. Just following, USA set up on a penalty corner chance. Hommes swept the ball toward the goal where Alberto Montilla (Allen, Texas) was waiting to pounce for the tying score. As the half was coming to a close, a final push downfield saw Dean Schiller (Alexandra, Va.) pass over to Alex Curtis (London, United Kingdom) who challenged the goalkeeper and succesfully back handed it into the goal for the 3-2 USA lead at half.
 
The second half started with a quick goal that came from Singh connecting with Liam Hawley (Ventura, Calif.) to extend USA's lead to 4-2. Chile would not remain down for long despite USA's control of the game late in the third quarter. Chile pressed downfield and even harder to keep USA on the defensive. Inside the circle, Chile took advantage of a USA mistake to close the gap to 4-3. Moments later, another miscue on defense set up a tying score by Chile to make it a deadlocked, 4-4 contest heading into the final frame.
 
Tempo remained to the opposition's advantage to start the fourth quarter. In the 47th minute a field goal gave the lead back to Chile. It remained that way through the final minutes where both teams were pushing for the win. This gave Chile numerous tries on break aways and counter attacks, controlling the remainder of the match and shutting down USA's offense for good.
 
Both Junior teams will play their fifth and final game of the series today, March 16. The U-16 team will play at 4 p.m. ET before the U-19 squad hits the pitch at 5:30 p.m. ET.

USFHA media release



Coaching Staffs Announce Rosters for U.S. U-17 and U-19 Women's National Team Tours

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. - After an extensive training camp March 9-11 in Winston-Salem, N.C., rosters for the U.S. U-17 and U-19 Women's National Team have been confirmed for their respective tours. The U-17 USWNT will venture to Uruguay from March 25 to April 4, while the U-19 USWNT will head to Ireland from March 22-29.

"We are excited for the tour to Uruguay," said Jarred Martin, U-17 USWNT Head Coach. "The squad has been working hard during our training camps and improving on various aspects of the game. Now we will be able to put things together and see team USA against a great opponent. Uruguay has a strong hockey history with their skills and speed so it will be a fun series."

Details regarding the game days and times of the tour are still being finalized and will be made public once available.

U.S. U-17 Women's National Team Uruguay Tour Roster:
Sarah Beers (Fleetwood, Pa.), Leanne Bough (Whitney Point, N.Y.), Isabella Bressler (Leesport, Pa.), Margo Carlin (Drexel Hill, Pa.), Anna Castaldo (Endicott, N.Y.), Bethany Dykema (Newport News, Va.), Peyton Halsey (Reading, Pa.), Kara Heck (Berlin, N.J.), Adele Iacobucci (Malvern, Pa.), Margot Lawn (Pasadena, Md.), Caylie McMahon (Stow, Mass.), Hannah Miller (Malvern, Pa.), Alexandra Morgan (Winnetka, Ill.), Kelsey Reznick (Drums, Pa.), Hope Rose (Dauphin, Pa.), Annabel Skubisz (Houston, Texas), Josie Verney (Smithfield, Maine), Madeline Zimmer (Hershey, Pa.)

U.S. U-19 Women's National Team Ireland Tour Roster:
Mackenzie Allessie (Mount Joy, Pa.), Gabrielle Barraco (Allentown, Pa.), Kayla Blas (Pendleton, N.Y.), Leah Crouse (Virginia Beach, Va.), Emma Deberdine (Millersville, Pa.), Lindsay Dickinson (Glen Mills, Pa.), Riley Donnelly (Doylestown, Pa.), Greer Gill (Virginia Beach, Va.), Kyler Greenwalt (Gambrills, Md.), Katherine McGuire (St. Louis, Mo.), Marykate Neff (Villanova, Pa.), Kathryn Peterson (San Diego, Calif.), Abigail Pitcairn (Aspinwall, Pa.), Samantha Popper (Blue Bell, Pa.), Megan Rodgers (San Diego, Calif.), Meghan Schneider (San Diego, Calif.), M. Grace Wallis (Blue Bell, Pa.), Brynn Zorilla (Vista, Calif.)

USFHA media release



Racing continue their perfect record in French league after winter break



Racing Club de France returned to action in the French league after the winter break with a solid 2-0 win over Lille in north France last weekend.

They did so without the services of Simon Martin-Brisac who is out injured for the remainder of the season but they did have Jules Francotte back in the line-up along with a couple of recruits from Malaysia.

After a scoreless first quarter, Racing moved into top gear in the second with Jean-Laurent Kieffer and Amaury Bellenger pushing them on to create the first goal.

Adrien Coffigniez added the second from a corner flick moments later and they were well on their way to victory, 2-0 at half-time.

Mathieu Regniez did suffer an ankle injury in the second half which they hope will not be too bad while no further goals came despite a number of opportunities.

Nonetheless, it was an 11th successive victory in the league, keeping their five point lead over Saint Germain who were 3-1 winners over CA Montrouge. Racing face the third placed Montrouge next Sunday in the final round of the regular season standings, knowing they will already be the top seed going into the playoffs.

Euro Hockey League media release



Final fever in Leinster and Munster with eight titles up for grabs


Railway Union’s Zara Delany celebrates during last year’s Jacqui Potter Cup final. Pic: Adrian Boehm

Its final fantasy time in Leinster and Munster with five finals set to take place at Grange Road on Saturday while there is a tranche of important showdowns in Munster and a trio of Irish Senior Cup quarter-finals on the card.

All this is in the hope that the weather does not wreak further havoc to the schedule with another cold one predicted across the country for the St Patrick’s weekend.

On the women’s side, Railway are playing in their sixth successive Jacqui Potter Cup final and looking for a fifth title since their maiden success in 2011 when they face UCD.

From that first win, Holly Jenkinson, Orla Fox, Kate Lloyd, Grace O’Flanagan, Emer Lucey, Cecelia Joyce and Kate Dillon are still available again on St Patrick’s Day.

Colm Blennerhassett, though, selected an Under-25 side for the semi-final against North Kildare and so could shuffle his deck once again for the decider.

They smashed an understrength UCD – who did not have access to their internationals – 7-0 last season. Miles Warren will be shy the services of Leah McGuire, Lena Tice, Katie Mullan and Ellen Curran who were in the Irish side who played two training matches against GB at Bisham Abbey during the week.

The students will have Deirdre Duke, however, following the conclusion of her exams along with Emma Russell and Clodagh Cassin. They beat Hermes-Monkstown on Wednesday evening in the semi-final with Katherine Egan scoring twice in the second half with Abbie Russell nabbing the other.

Another great addition to finals day is the ParaHockey blitz with Three Rock Rockets, Railway’s Railblazers and the Monkstown Strikers taking part. Loreto have also recently launched a ParaHockey section, adding to the number of clubs taking part.

The Junior Jacqui Potter Cup pits Railway Union against Muckross for a third successive year, something that is usually a great indicator of future talent coming through.

Enniscorthy contest the Junior Jacqui Potter Shield against Three Rock Rovers in a big day for the Co Wexford club.

Corinthian are in the Jacqui Potter Shield for a second successive year, looking to make amends for a final defeat a year ago against Trinity. This time around, they will be clear favourites against Division Two side Old Alex II who, incredibly, beat their first team en route to this final.

In the Mills Cup, Three Rock Rovers face Corinthian in a big Rathfarnham derby. While Rovers will be the fancied side, going well in the EY Hockey League, Corinthian have a better recent record with five final appearances in the last 10 seasons, winning in 2009 and 2015.

Rovers, meanwhile, have just one win in 20 years in the competition but have hoovered up three trophies already this term with Neville Cup, National Indoor Trophy and EuroHockey Indoor Challenge II golds.

Rovers won through to the final with a 3-1 win over Monkstown on Tuesday with John Mullins, Conor Empey and Daragh Walsh all scoring.


Corinthian’s Jonny Bruton won the Mills Cup title with TRR in 2014. Pic: Adrian Boehm

Jamie Carr, Ross Canning, Harry Morris, Ben Walker and David Kane were rested for that tie but some could play a part on a busy weekend with and Irish Senior Cup quarter-final on Sunday against Cork C of I also on their agenda – their fourth game in eight days.

For Corinthian, last weekend’s loss to UCD makes them potential outsiders in the Leinster Division One title chase with goal difference likely to prove crucial.

But their breathtaking win in the semi-final against Glenanne shows the damage Ian Stewart can do up top. There are plenty of returnees from the David Howard inspired 2015 vintage when they beat Glenanne 5-3 while Jonny Bruton will face his former club with whom he won the trophy back in 2014.

To the Irish Senior Cup and C of I will look to end their run of tough results against Three Rock on Sunday. The Garryduff side have impressed since Christmas, especially in light of the unavailabilty of Philip Sweetnam and Andrew Daunt while Alex Deane has gone on Erasmus to Spain.

Draws with league leaders Glenanne, 2016 national champions Lisngarvey and Annadale have seen them put six points between them and any relegation danger with John Jermyn leading the charge.

YMCA will test their EYHL credentials when they go up to Lisnagarvey, looking to add to their earlier win over Annadale in the Irish Senior Cup with Grant Glutz and Ben Campbell banging in nearly 50 goals between them. Glenanne vs Monkstown is the other outstanding last eight tie.

Down south, opportunity knocks on Sunday as the men’s and women’s Munster Senior Cup finals take place at Garryduff with the potential for new names to carve their names into the trophy.

The decision last summer of the EY Hockey League teams to be withdrawn from the provincial cups means the line-up has a fresh look to it with both reigning champions sitting it out.

On the men’s side, Cork C of I have been the dominant side in recent years but their absence means Bandon have the favourites tag when they host Limerick.

It is part of the west Cork side’s drive for a treble. With the league looking all but done and dusted, they also have an Irish Hockey Trophy semi-final to look forward to next week.

Clinton Sweetnam, Ali Smith – both capped by Ireland – and the David Smith give the side plenty of top-line ability and experience. Sweetnam has weighed in with plenty of corner goals while the latter Smith has been similarly prolific.

Conor Robinson, meanwhile, is one of the country’s most promising young goalkeepers. They face a Limerick side they beat a week ago 4-2 in the league at Villiers.

The Treaty City side’s young guns will be on a high, though, with Villiers’ Ger Hodkinson, Quinten Eacrett, Craig Morrow and Jannis von Maydell among those coming into the tie off the back of their Munster schools cup success. Neither side have won the competition before.

On the women’s side, with Cork Harlequins out of the game, Rosbrien’s Catholic Institute take on Bandon.

Insta were winners back in 2011 and have won it three times since with the likes of Christine O’Shea, Rosie Pratt and Kym Daly now looking to impart their know-how from that day onto a new generation. Chief among them is Laura Foley who was named in the Irish Under-21 panel this week.


Bandon are looking forward to both men and women’s Munster Senior Cup finals. Pic: Adrian Boehm

Like their men’s side, Bandon still have a couple of irons in the fire and this match-up will be replicated on March 24th in west Cork in the Irish Hockey Trophy semi-final.

It is part of a busy St Patrick’s weekend with Cork C of I facing Three Rock Rovers in the much delayed men’s Irish Senior Cup quarter-final at Garryduff.

Saturday 17th March 2018
Men
Leinster Senior Mills Cup final: Three Rock Rovers v Corinthian, 12.30pm, Grange Road (front pitch)

Women
Jacqui Potter Cup final: Railway Union v UCD, 3.15pm, Grange Road (front pitch)
Jacqui Potter Shield final: Corinthian v Old Alex II, 2.15pm, Grange Road (back pitch)
Junior Jacqui Potter Cup final: Muckross v Railway Union, 10.30am, Grange Road (front pitch)
Junior Jacqui Potter Shield final: Enniscorthy v Three Rock Rovers, 11.30am (back pitch)
Munster Division 1: Waterford v Cork Church of Ireland, 12.30pm, Newtown School
Munster Senior Plate – Final: Belvedere v UCC, 11.30am, Farmers’ Cross

Sunday 18th March 2018
Men
Irish Senior Cup, Round 3: Cork C of I v Three Rock Rovers, 2.30pm, Garryduff; Glenanne v Monkstown, 2pm, St. Andrews College; Lisnagarvey v YMCA, 3pm, Comber Road.
Munster Senior Cup – Final: Bandon v Limerick, 4.15pm, Garryduff.

Women
Munster Senior Cup – Final: Bandon v Catholic Institute, 12pm, Garryduff.

The Hook



Tuks men’s hockey must win to qualify for the Presidents Cup-final

Tuks’s men’s hockey team is one victory away from qualification for the final of the Presidents Cup Tournament.


Matthew Davies was one of the Tuks men's hockey team's stalwarts so far this year. Photo: Reg Caldecott

The Tuks men’s hockey team is on course to qualify for the final of the Presidents Cup Tournament all will depend on what happens on Saturday when they play Old Edwardians in Potchefstroom, South Africa.

It is a must-win game for Tuks.

“If we win Sunday’s final in Potchefstroom will be a repeat as it will be us against ‘Old Eds’ again. However, if we lose or draw it will depend on Beaulieu’s results, I can’t see them losing. The problem for Tuks is that the game against the University of Johannesburg was cancelled due to rain and lightning. Thus we had to share the points. That’s why we are not guaranteed a spot in the final,” explained Tuks’ coach, Guy Elliott.

The Tuks men were in impressive form over the weekend. In the first game on their home turf Tuks beat Old Albanians 4-0 and on Sunday at the St Albans AstroTurf Tuks ran near amok against Pukke winning 7-1.
James Redfern Photo: Reg Caldecott

Many a coach would be happy if a team scores 11 goals in two games and only concede one but Elliott emphasised that it is vital for the players not to lose focus of what the primary goals for the season are. It is to win the Varsity Tournament as well as the USSA Tournament.
Website

“It is crucial that we remain critical of each game we play. Obviously, I’m happy with the performances as we keep improving, but we must not get carried away – there is still so much we need to get right and improve on.

“I felt that on Saturday, although we got a good result, we didn’t execute what we wanted to but on Sunday the guys played well especially considering that our two top players were not available to play.

“Against Pukke we went down 1-0 in the first five minutes but the players never got flustered or panicked and kept on executing their tactics to perfection. I can’t single out any player in particular, and that’s the nice thing. All the guys contribute in their way to the success of the team,” Elliott concluded.

The Pretoria East Record



DGC stronghold on hockey competition to be tested

It has been seven years of victory for Durban Girls’ College in the SPAR Hockey Challenge.


St Henry’s Captain Jodi Biggar and Vice Captain Chelsea-Lea Smith. St Henry’s will host the Durban Central Regionals of the SPAR School Girls’ Hockey Challenge at the 3 Schools Trust astro in Glenwood. PHOTO: Sophie Thompson

IT HAS been seven years of seamless victory for Durban Girls’ College in the Durban Central Regional of the SPAR KZN School Girls’ Hockey Challenge.

Since the tournament’s inception the school has held a tight grip on the regional honors, as well as claiming victory in three out of seven grand finals. On Saturday (17 March) teams participating at this year’s Hockey Challenge, hosted by St Henry’s at the 3 Schools’Trust astro turf in Glenwood from 7.30am, will be itching to challenge DGC’s stronghold.

Seven central Durban schools will take to the astro, including defending champs Durban Girls’ College, Durban Girls’ High School, Inanda Seminary, Hoërskool Port Natal, Maris Stella, Ridge Park High School and hosts, St Henry’s.

Speaking from the sidelines during team selections, Durban Girls’ College coach Kerry Gaze said: “We will pretty much have a similar team to last year, as we only lost two matric players. It is looking good. The indoor league has provided us with some good games and we have enough time to prepare for this regional. We are looking forward to it.” Gaze is supported by seasoned hockey coach Bell Meek, who will manage the team.

The tournament will take the form of a round robin with a total of 21 games being played. Each game is played one-way and lasts 20 minutes. A win will get a team 4 points, a draw with goals 2 points, a goalless draw 1 point and a loss 0. First and second places will then go head to head in a final match to determine the Durban Central champs.

The winning team will join nine other teams from regionals around KZN at the Grand Finals at St Mary’s DSG in Kloof on 21 and 22 July.

Berea Mail



Countdown begins for SPAR KZN girls’ hockey challenge

The host school is one-time winner, Kuswag Hoërskool.

Earl Baillache


Pictured before training are Kuswag Skool hockey captain, Chrizelda Delport and vice-captain, Chantel Botes. Kuswag hosts the Durban South Regional of the SPAR KZN School Girls’ Hockey Challenge at the Three Schools Trust on Sunday, 25 March. PHOTO: Sophie Thompson

Eight schools will converge on the Three Schools Trust astroturf to participate in the Durban South Regional of the SPAR KZN School Girls’ Hockey Challenge on Sunday, 25 March.

The host school is one-time winner, Kuswag Hoërskool. Kuswag took the honours in the inaugural tournament in 2011 and are eager to topple defending champions, Amanzimtoti High School. In their first outing to the grand finals, Kuswag finished ninth overall in the KZN SPAR tournament.

Toti have represented this region in the last three consecutive years, advancing through to the grand finals where they finished 10th overall in all three appearances. This year, the defending champs start an exciting new chapter and will be taking to the pitch under the guidance of new coach, Cris Clarke.

In last year’s regionals, it was anyone’s trophy with an epic Amanzimtoti three-way duel developing between Amanzimtoti, Kingsway and Kuswag, with Toti knocking one goal against Kuswag to claim 2017 victory.

In the build up to this year’s tournament, Kingsway and Kuswag have stretched their legs at the Scottburgh Festival held two weekends ago. Kuswag drew in all three of their games, and Kingsway faired marginally better with two 0-0 draws and one victory against Scottburgh.

Taking to the field for this regional: Pool A consists of host, Kuswag together with Amanzimtoti, Grosvenor and Rossburgh. In Pool B are Werda, Kingsway, Queensburgh and New Forest. The games are 23 minutes long with a one minute change over at half-time. Once the pool games are concluded, the tournament advances to a cross pool play off with the two semi-finals taking place. Once the semis are done and dusted the third and fourth positions will be played for with the main game taking place mid-afternoon.

The winner of the Durban South Regional will be the fifth team to secure their spot at the grand finals taking place at St Mary’s DSG in Kloof at the end of July.

South Coast Sun



Ikhwezi players stars of hockey

Zila Spear-Mkonto


Norma Mayeye and captain Olwethu Mafutha.

Ikhwezi Lesizwe Primary school principal has urged other township schools in South Africa to follow suit and emulate her hockey playing wizards.

The team has been ruling the school’s hockey scene, winning the Western Province title for three consecutive years.

In December at a lavish Sports Awards ceremony hosted by the Department of Arts, Sports and Culture in Jozi, the school was voted the second best in the development section.

Norma Mayeye was in a buoyant mood when Sports Vision visited her office on Wednesday morning.

Her arms outstretched, Mayeye, gave us dollops of information on how the school developed into the “fearsome opponents for other teams”.

“It’s not been easy but our coaches, parents and players showed so much dedication and now we are reaping the rewards,” she said.

Mayeye remembered how she spotted two boys “playing with the locals after school hours in an open field”.

“That drew my attention as a principal. I wanted to know more about this sport. I requested to meet the coach to inquire further. The coach was Gloria Baartman and she immediately availed herself,” she explained.

From then on she invited Gloria to start coaching interested learners inside the premises.

“It was a strategic move to invite these boys to come in a safe environment.

Gloria agreed despite the conditions of our grounds. I felt that they are within my reach. “The motive behind all this was to get more learners to benefit and have an opportunity to develop the skill and to play a sport largely associated with Model C Schools,” she said.

Mayeye then sold the idea to the School Governing Body, who were immensely “bowled over and welcomed it with open hands.”

“I took this further by scouting for interest amongst the teachers and we were set for a long road in developing the game,” she boasts with a smile.

Later the Department Culture Arts and Sport heard about their school involvement in hockey and started building a relationship with them providing some equipment.

The team got a boost when they roped in coach Akhona Mlambo.

“Within no time with Akhona’s tactics we outplayed all the schools in the Western Province that had long history in playing hockey,” she said.

But Mayeye’s quest is to see her school’s success rubbing off on other township schools.

“We are the only township school involved and I am appealing to other principal to encourage children to take part in this game,” she said.

Director of School Sport, Francois Lubbe, hailed Mayeye for her passion.

“We have seen her school grow from nobodies to champions.

Trophies will carry dust but memories of them lifting it will last forever,” he said.

Western Cape chairperson of primary schools hockey, Noreen Wannacot, said it was a “bold to decision” on their part to introduce hockey to the school.

“This has paid dividends, we have champions today, champions who are supported by loving parents and teachers,” she said.

Wannacot also heaped praises on the team’ s head coach Gloria Nobuntu Baartman and Akhona Mlambo.

She made a special mention of Mayeye.

“The principal’s passion is infectious and she leads from the front,” she said.

News24



Guatemalan growth generating international progress


Guatemala's nationwide development is beginning to deliver results on the international stage Photo: Jevon Williams/PAHF

The Pan American Youth Championships for both men and women is currently taking place between 11-17 March and are a continental qualifier for the 2018 Youth Olympic Games taking place in Buenos Aires, Argentina, in October.

The Youth Olympic Games are so often the launch pad for a young hockey player’s international career, and so the continental qualifier, which takes place in Guadalajara, Mexico, is eagerly awaited by the players who are in the final stages of preparation.

While some of the players at the Pan American Youth Championships – from Argentina, USA and Canada for example – may already have tasted plenty of international action either with their youth sides or with the senior teams, for others this will be their first taste of international competition.

One such nation is Guatemala, who will be entering their men and women into the competition for the first time.

We caught up with Pablo Reyes, President of the Guatemala Hockey Association and he  explained how and why hockey had grown in recent years and how the Guatemala men’s and women’s youth teams have been preparing for this event.

Reyes explained that hockey in Guatemala has really taken off since 2012. Prior to that, the sport had been slowly growing in the country but in 2012 the government body, the Sports Confederation of Guatemala, recognised hockey as a viable sport and funding was released to help develop hockey. As Reyes says: “This was such an important moment as it let us to play in international events, allowed us to run sustainable development programmes and helped to promote hockey outside Guatemala City.”

And following a week that celebrated International Women’s Week, it is great to hear that the plans for Guatemala hockey development are in line with the International Hockey Federation’s (FIH) own Gender Equality strategy. “We pay equal attention to men’s and women’s hockey,” said Reyes, “We want to give women a new opportunity to be involved in sport and the Olympic Movement of our country.”

Reyes and his team are also keen to promote hockey as a development tool across Guatemala: “We have an equality policy, we have a right gender balance and also hockey is played by people of differing economic status,” says Reyes. “We're very proud of it, because Guatemala is a country with resources in the Metropolitan Area, but not necessarily in the towns. We try to give opportunity and access to all, because one of the main social problems is the lack of opportunities for personal development. We strongly believe that sport is a tool for development and equality and the investment in hockey has given benefits to many players of the national team.”

The investment is paying off at international level. Guatemala has entered the Central American and Caribbean Games for the first time and also competed in the 2016 Hockey World League Round One in Salamanca, Mexico. The men’s team also won the 2015 Central American Indoor Hockey Championship, with the women’s team finishing in second place.

The strategy of the Guatemala Hockey Association has been to build from its youth section, so the Pan American Youth Championships will be a great test of how far this ambitious hockey nation has come.

Guatemala Hockey Association is a shining example of a nation that is developing in-line with the FIH's own 10-year strategy, the Hockey Revolution, which places an emphasis on equality and professionalism within the sport with a long term aim of making hockey a global game that inspires the next generation.

For more information on hockey in Guatemala, contact the Asociacion Deportiva Nacional de Hockey de Guatemala - contact details here.

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