News for 09 May 2018
All the news for Wednesday 9 May 2013
Hockeyroos coach Gaudoin plays long game in search for gold
Hockeyroos Head Coach Paul Gaudoin. (C) Hockey Australia / Grant Treeby
Silver was not the colour Australia women’s head coach Paul Gaudoin wanted from the 2018 Commonwealth Games and so some changes have been made for the next international challenge that the Hockeyroos will take on.
A Tri-Nations round robin tournament against New Zealand and Japan will give the coach a chance to try some new variations with his squad as he seeks a winning formula ahead of the Vitality Hockey Women’s World Cup London 2018.
The charismatic Gaudoin was not holding back as he assessed his team’s performance in the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games. “It was pleasing to make the final but our performance in the final was disappointing. I think credit to New Zealand, who played a very good game and came to play. We need to learn from that.
“We need to recognise when you get an opportunity, you’ve got to take it. We’ve got to be more ruthless in terms of when we play big matches. That’s important for us. I’d rather this be now than the World Cup but at the same time, when you play in a final, it’s an opportunity to get that feeling and the pressure that goes with that. We didn’t get the result we wanted. We didn’t deserve to get the result we wanted on our performance on that day. We want to make sure we’re learning, building and improving every time we get an opportunity to represent Australia.”
Gaudoin has made six changes to the squad that contested the gold medal. Kristina Bates, Lily Brazel, Kalindi Commerford, Madison Fitzpatrick, Kathryn Slattery and Ashlee Wells all come into the team for the tournament, which runs from 19-27 May.
But that is not to say the squad is anywhere near settled yet for the challenge in London. “We want to ensure we’re still unpredictable when we get to the World Cup,” he said. “And this will give us better knowledge and information for when we select the final group for the World Cup.”
While success at the Vitality Hockey Women’s World Cup is the main target, with the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games in the not too distant future, Gaudoin is playing the long game. Since he took over as head coach in 2016, after the Rio Olympics, he has been introducing his own style of play and his own team ethos, but, he says, there is still a way to go.
“I think the girls are starting to understand how I want them to play. Our style of play still has a lot of work to do. We’re starting to build players who are a bit more flexible, who are owning their decisions on the field and we need to continue that if we’re going to be a team that’s reckoning for a medal in Tokyo.”
The Tri Nations might be a chance for his team to get more international experience under their belt but there is also a danger of giving away tactics as both Japan and New Zealand are in the same pool as Australia at the World Cup. Is that a problem for the head coach, particularly as New Zealand are such close rivals geographically and in the FIH Hero World Rankings [New Zealand are ranked fourth in the world and Australia fifth].
“At the end of the day New Zealand have played in the last three major international finals, including Commonwealth Games, World League Final and World League Semi-Final. They’re a very good team. They’re in a bit of form at the moment. In terms of competition, it’s a great opportunity for us to challenge ourselves against one of the top teams in the world.
"We are reasonably familiar with them but at the same time they’ve got some excellent players, an excellent style of play that’s aggressive and we want to be able to challenge ourselves to continue to be able to perform against them, recognising that we’ll see them at the World Cup.”
The final weeks of preparation before the World Cup will involve an intensive training block before they board a place and fly to Europe. In 2014 Australia were ranked fifth in the world and took home a silver medal. The squad has been through some tumultuous times in the past four years but under the careful and steady tutelage of the former Kookaburra, there is a sense that Gaudoin and his team are determined to make a return to glory days.
#HWC2018
FIH site
Confident India begin title defence on 13 May against Japan
File image of the India women's hockey team. Image credit: Facebook/Hockey India
New Delhi: Defending champions India will begin their campaign in the 5th Asian Women's Champions Trophy hockey tournament against Japan on 13 May at the Donghae City in Korea.
The other teams in the fray are China, Malaysia and hosts Korea.
After having won the title in 2016 followed by the Asia Cup victory in 2017, we want to make this yet another memorable event, defender Sunita Lakra said before team's departure.
While India finished outside podium at the Commonwealth Games, the experience will help Indian women, feels Lakra.
Though we believe we could have returned home with a medal, we did well against teams like Australia and England. We will be carrying this confidence into the Asian Champions Trophy which will help us understand where we stand ahead of the much-important Asian Games in Jakarta, Lakra added.
The team will be missing the experience of captain Rani, forward Poonam Rani and defender Sushila Chanu, who have been rested but Lakra believes this won't deter the team's target of defending the title.
Yes, they will be missed but the team is a good mix of experience and youth. The younger players have had good international exposure over the past year and have played together for a while.
"We understand each other's strengths and weaknesses, and this is also a good platform for youngsters to show their game ahead of the World Cup and Asian Games. The team has had good preparations in SAI, Bengaluru over the past three weeks and we are confident of a good show, Lakra said.
Firstpost
Indian hockey team can’t be used as chopping board: Rajinder Singh Jr
Pratyush Raj
CHANDIGARH: They say, “Change is constant,” but the notion can also boomerang and Indian hockey stands witness to it. Former Indian coach Rajinder Singh Jr would second it. According to him, the process is in bad taste and defies logic.
“It’s in bad taste. I’m not blaming the coaches. A coach must be given a stretch of at least three to four years to deliver. It is not going to help Indian hockey,” said the 58-year-old.
After an abysmal run in the recently-concluded Commonwealth Games held in Gold Coast, Australia, where both the men’s and women’s teams finished fourth, India swapped coaches.
Hockey India (HI) sacked Sjoerd Marijne as coach of the men’s team on Tuesday and named Harendra Singh as his replacement. Marjine was given back the responsibility of the women’s side. Harendra, who led the junior boys team to the World Cup title in 2016, had succeeded Marijne as the women’s team coach last October. Both have been given contracts till the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
"I have nothing against Marijine or Harendra, but I don't understand this logic. You just can't have a new coach after one bad series,” he added.
Tough ask for Harendra
Though Singh welcomed the appointment of Harendra, he wondered whether he had enough time to fine-tune the squad for the tougher battles ahead.
“It’s a good move because he is in tune with the latest in Indian hockey and knows all the Indians players. But his only handicap is paucity of time. Will he be able to prepare the team for the Asian Games and other tournaments?” he asked.
India are set to take part in two major events this year- the Asian Games in Jakarta in August followed by the World Cup in Bhubaneswar in November-December.
According to Singh, Harendra as a coach, has the Junior World Cup to his credit and should have been put in charge of the men’s team immediately after the World Cup in Lucknow in 2016.
“The core group of junior boys moves up to the senior ranks. If look around, such is the trend everywhere. For example in Germany, they have always elevated the junior team's coach to the post of that of the men’s team. That would have been a step in the right direction and it would have given Harendra ample time to build on his strengths and make a formidable unit," he said.
No to foreign coaches
Singh is all for Indian coaches and feels they should be given freedom to select their squads. “I think the problem with foreign coaches is the language barrier. Cultural differences too create an impediment. We need coaches with local sensibilities to go places,” he said.
Mission Tokyo
Singh sounded realistic on India’s medal hopes at the Tokyo Olympics.
“The team should focus on becoming the Asian champions first. To be honest, an Olympic medal will be a surprise for me but the team should concentrate on tournaments like the Asia Cup and the World Cup,” he said. And the former Indian coach thinks a top five finish in the Olympics will be a morale booster for the current Indian side.
Time to resume HIL
The Dronacharya Award winner hopes that HI would restart the Hockey India League (HIL) soon because that would give Indian players an opportunity to rub shoulders with players from abroad. “It should continue or else, we will take two steps backward. The tournament must go on as it has more pros than cons," asserted a hopeful Singh.
The future of HIL looks jeopardised after only five seasons with the organisers postponing the next edition of the cash-rich tournament to 2019. However, Hockey India is confident of bringing it back.
The Times of India
Afghanistan hockey team invited to Pakistan international event
By The Hockey Paper
Afghanistan, whose national team don’t have an FIH outdoor world ranking, have been invited to compete in a six-nation international tournament later this year in Pakistan.
The Pakistan Hockey Federation announced that the event will be held between September 2 and 10 in Rawalpindi.
Afghanistan are slated to join hosts Pakistan, Oman, Kazakhstan, Turkey and Sri Lanka in an event sanctioned on the FIH international calendar.
Pakistan Hockey has attempted to revive the country’s fortunes by staging international events in the country and this tournament is part of the nation’s latest efforts.
“The World XI team visited Pakistan last year and played one match each in Lahore and Karachi which was a great step towards the revival of international hockey. Hopefully, the six-nation hockey tournament will be very beneficial for the Pakistan hockey,” the PHF said in a statement.
The association has chosen Rawalpindi as its first choice venue, with the Naseer Bunda Hockey Stadium in Islamabad another option, as well as Karachi.
Meanwhile, sources have suggested to the Times of India that Hockey India would continue with their recently revealed coaching changes until the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
The men’s and women’s coaches swapped their roles last week following fourth place finishes at the Commonwealth Games.
The Hockey Paper
Durst Elevated To National Senior Men’s Squad
Ben Somerford
Hockey Australia today confirms Victorian goalkeeper Johan Durst has been added to the National Senior Men’s Squad.
Durst, 25, joins the 26-member squad following the retirement of 30-year-old goalkeeper Tristan Clemons.
The young goalkeeper hails from the Hawthorn Hockey Club in Melbourne and was part of the Victorian side which has won the past two Australian Hockey League titles.
Durst was named Goalkeeper of the Tournament at last year’s AHL and starred in the gold medal match shootout.
He spent time with the Kookaburras squad earlier this year on a Visiting Athlete Agreement (VAA) and has now been elevated to the senior squad.
Kookaburras coach Colin Batch said: “We’re delighted to offer this opportunity to Johan.
“He’s a promising goalkeeper who has been instrumental in Victoria winning the title in the past two AHLs.
“We’ve had him across for a VAA and he’s performed very well.
“He’s very coachable and we’re looking forward to him coming across to Perth to assist in his development.”
The Kookaburras resumed training in Perth on Monday following a leave period after their 2018 Commonwealth Games gold medal triumph.
Hockey Australia media release
Hayward Shows Off Gold Medal As Pilbara Community Hockey Program Commences
Ben Somerford
Kookaburra Jeremy Hayward’s Commonwealth Games gold medal was on show last week in Western Australia’s north as Hockey Australia’s Pilbara Community Hockey Program (PCHP) commenced for 2018.
Darwin product Hayward along with WA’s-own Hockeyroo Georgia Wilson visited schools in Roebourne, Wickham and Karratha on Thursday and Friday as part of the PCHP which is in its seventh year and is proudly sponsored by Fortescue Metals Group.
Hayward proudly showed off the gold medal he claimed with the Kookaburras at the 2018 Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast last month.
Wilson missed the Commonwealth Games where the Hockeyroos managed a silver medal due to a knee injury sustained in January but she is on the road to recovery.
The pair’s tour was the first of eight to WA’s Pilbara region over the next two months, which this week will head to Port Hedland where players and staff will visit six different schools and the local hockey association.
The PCHP’s visits will alternate between Roebourne, Wickham and Karratha and then Port Hedland across eight weeks, with a view to delivering clinics and teaching hockey skills throughout term two ahead of a term three carnival involving all of the schools in Roebourne (Friday 10 August) and Port Hedland (Friday 17 August).
With Fortescue’s support, the program enables Hockey Australia to make a difference in remote Western Australia.
The PCHP is a unique opportunity to provide inspiration and a can-do-attitude for children in remote areas.
Hockey Australia media release
Argentina hockey great Luciana Aymar inspires Mexico’s Nancy Gamboa
By The Hockey Paper
Mexico goalkeeper Nancy Gamboa in action (PIC: Pan American Hockey Federation)
Mexico’s 17-year-old goalkeeper Nancy Gamboa aims to keep showing her form at the Youth Olympics – in front of hero Luciana Aymar.
The Argentinian is a Buenos Aires 2018 ambassador who will spend time with the young athletes and share her sport experiences when the October event is staged for future budding Olympians.
Gamboa said: “To participate in the Youth Olympic Games is a dream that I’ve always wanted to fulfil.
“It would be a good opportunity to continue representing Mexico, to evaluate ourselves against the best in the world and demonstrate the quality of our hockey.”
Gamboa shone in the Youth Pan American Hockey 5s as part of Mexico’s team and was named best goalkeeper at the Pan American tournament.
“It feels nice when something you’ve dreamed of for so long becomes reality”, she added.
Now she knows that she will be rubbing shoulders with Aymar, who was billed as the equivalent of Lionel Messi in world hockey.
Gamboa said: “She’s a great inspiration to all girls who are starting to play hockey. She’s an example of how with strength, training and dedication you can achieve anything”.
Luciana Aymar (c) Andy Smith
Argentina clinched the qualification trophy but as hosts, Uruguay made it to the final while Mexico celebrated a third-place finish.
“To participate in the Youth Olympic Games is a dream that I’ve always wanted to fulfil. It would be a good opportunity to continue representing Mexico, to evaluate ourselves against the best in the world and demonstrate the quality of our hockey”, the 17-year-old keeper told buenosaires.com.
“The team was very united both on and off the field. We’ve worked with discipline since we started training. National hockey has improved in recent generations. There’s a good quality of players”.
The Hockey Paper
Polo the Spanish regular season champions once again
©: Jose Maria Llorens
Real Club de Polo won the Spanish Honor Division regular season title by beating RS Tenis de Santander 4-2 last weekend.
The players, led by Carlos García Cuenca, only needed a point to mathematically achieve first place but they kept their foot on the accelerator and added their 14th victory in 17 games.
It means they have an eight-point gap to Club de Campo – who drew 2-2 with Junior FC – with just one game to go.
For the coach, he said this is: "the most important title for us, since it is the reflection of the work developed throughout the season and also the fairest prize".
Five of the last six regular seasons have been won by Polo which has allowed them to continue in the Euro Hockey League.
"Real Club de Polo cannot afford to fail in the KO16 of the EHL. With this regular league title, we seal our presence in next year's edition where we will try again to get into the FINAL4".
"Now, we have to focus on the preparation for the last part of the year with a play-off quarter-final and a final four which we want to be in and win, especially because it will be held in our Eduardo Dualde Stadium".
The Spanish champions will be crowned at that final four on June 2 and 3 with the last stage of the playoffs.
Euro Hockey League media release
Tuks top Varsity Hockey log at half time
Photo by: Christiaan Kotze/SASPA
Good but not good enough is how Guy Elliott (coach) describes the performance of the Tuks men’s hockey team after their first four matches in the South African Varsity Hockey tournament.
Tuks top the log with four victories in four games. Maties are the only other unbeaten side in the tournament. The two teams will clash on Saturday night on the Tuks Astroturf. The outcome could decide where the final will be played.
Elliott, however, does not even want to think that far ahead. During the last Varsity Hockey tournament, he has learned as a coach that it is a mistake to take anything for granted as there is always that one unexpected result that changes everything. Any team is only as good as their last outing. Therefore, he is a firm believer in taking it game by game.
On Friday night Tuks will be playing the University of Cape Town which judging by what has happened during the first four days of the tournament is not going to be an easy game. The Capetonians are currently fourth on the log with two wins from four games.
Tuks’ last pool game on Sunday is against Kovsies. According to Elliott, they are a better team than the results would suggest.
“I suppose I can’t complain getting four victories from four games, but we still got a lot work to do if we want to kick on in this tournament. It is only going to get more and more difficult from now on.
“What was worrisome is seeing how we got wholly outplayed against Wits. The statistics are proving. They had 23 penalty corners while we only had one. The team pulled through due to brilliant play on the defence and pure tenacity. We just scored the winning goal during our Power Play in the dying minutes of the game.
“Last night against the Madibaz our general play was better. We had a bit more time on the ball, and we moved it better. Personally, I think we can still be sharper in the goal circle.
“The players will need to polish up on few things. If they do we will definitely play better hockey.”
Elliott is never keen to single out a specific player’s performance as he is a firm believer in teamwork however he can’t help to be excited about Hendrik Kriek’s performance as the goalkeeper.
In Tuks’ first game, UJ was brilliant in the second half looking to get themselves on the scoresheet, but Kriek stood tall in spite of being bombarded with shot after shot at the goal. He deservedly got the man of the match-award.
Against North-West University, the game was decided by a penalty shootout. Kriek again kept his cool to ensure a Tuks victory.
So far Tuks have beaten UJ 5-0, NWU in a penalty shootout after the fulltime score was 4-4, Wits 6-5 and the Madibaz 6-1.
The top goal scorers are Michael Forest (4 goals), Brad Sherwood and Steven Paulo (both 3 goals).
Varsity Sports media release
Maties in driving seat on road to Pretoria
Mbuso Mgobozi of Maties during UCT v Maties varsity hockey match Photo by: Christiaan Kotze/SASPA
Maties will go into the Tuks leg of Varsity Hockey unbeaten after a clean sweep at the Wits Hockey Astro.
The men from Stellenbosch will top the Varsity Hockey log at the Wits tournament after winning three games from three.
Maties just managed to topple Madibaz 6-4 in fiercely contested game. The men from Port Elizabeth took the lead early on, scoring a field goal but Maties rallied well with Reece Arendse equalising. Luke Schooling made it 4-2 to the men from Stellenbosch at the end of the first quarter. The second quarter didn’t bring much in terms of goals but the contest remained fierce with Maties increasing the deficit to 6-2 at the interval, which would be enough to win the game before Madibaz revival.
The men in maroon then claimed a 4-2 victory over the hosts. Neither side were able to get the ball in the net in the first-half, but Wits player Kingsley Botes broke the deadlock with a well-taken field goal to earn his side a narrow 2-0 lead at the end of the third quarter. It looked as though Maties were dead and buried but two quick field goals from Reece Arendse and Luke Schooling saved their side’s blushes and would go into the last day of the Wits series with two wins under their belt.
On the final day of the Wits leg, Maties came back to vanquish NWU to take control of the Varsity Hockey log, with a 6-5 win over the old enemy.
At half-time Maties found themselves at the mercy of a tough NWU side who were up 3-0. Maties came out of the changing rooms with a new lease on life. With 11 minutes left in the quarter, Maximillian Pike finished a team goal to cut NWU’s lead to 3-2. In the final quarter, NWU scored through Clayton Tait putting the pressure on the Stellenbosch side.
Maties struck back just afterwards though, to make the score line 5-4 and keep themselves in the game. Maties called a Power Play and used the numerical advantage to get up field. With 20 seconds left on the clock, and the Power Play time now run out, Reece Arendse managed to finish off a field goal to claim the win and four log points, shooting Maties to top of the log tied with Tuks.
Maties coach Ashlin Freddy’s side explained that his side are focused on getting a good start in Pretoria and that recovery this week is vital.
“Next weekend, our attention is firmly focused on Friday evening, making sure we make small improvements and concentrating on the simple things.
“We have an important recovery week, we have some tired bodies in our camp. We have had four really tough fixtures this weekend, there are no easy games in Varsity Hockey, and we face three more tough fixtures next weekend.”
Maties will have a tough few fixtures in Pretoria next week with the men in maroon facing Kovsies, the current log-leaders Tuks and then traditional Varsity Hockey powerhouses UJ in the Jacaranda City
Varsity Sports media release
Series victories for NAGS against Ulster
England U16 Girls' NAGS v Ulster 2018
England’s U16 Boys’ and Girls’ took on Ulster U17s across the bank holiday weekend, with each team playing three games against their Irish counterparts.
Having suffered a slow start, the boys secured a 2-1 series victory thanks to dominant displays in their final two games.
Sat 5 May – England U16 Boys’ 1-5 Ulster U17 Boys’ (Goal: Weaver)
In the first fixture an energetic Ulster side played a high tempo style and were clinical in taking their chances, running out 5-1 winners. Alfie Weaver scored the consolation goal for England, with a fierce flick low into the bottom right of the goal mid-way through the fourth quarter.
Sun 6 May – England U16 Boys’ 4-2 Ulster U17 Boys’ (Goals: Robson [2], Ashaye, Weaver)
In Sunday's game, England produced a much improved performance to earn an impressive victory. England started the game with more composure and Ellis Robson opened the scoring with a penalty stroke before AJ Ashaye’s penalty corner goal doubled the lead.
Ulster pulled a goal back just before the break leaving England ahead 2-1 but Robson added his second in the third quarter and, although Ulster replied immediately, the win was secured when Weaver scoring his second goal of the weekend with eight minutes remaining.
Mon 7 May – England U16 Boys’ 5-1 Ulster U17 Boys’ (Goals: Robson [2], Moorhouse, Phillips, Payton)
A dominant performance in the final game saw England take the series victory. Two goals in the first quarter from Robson and Tom Moorhouse got England off to the perfect start before a further goal from Robson gave England a 3-0 lead at half-time.
That lead became four shortly after the restart as Jake Phillips found the goal before Jacob Payton added another in the fourth quarter, with Ulster only able to respond with two minutes left.
After the final game, Head Coach Mark Bateman said: “The response of the players to Saturday’s below par performance was very encouraging. The players took responsibility and showed the ability to learn from the experience and then play two games which were much more reflective of how we want to play.”
The girls also took a series victory, although their path was slightly more straightforward as they won every single game.
Sat 5 May – England U16 Girls’ 2-1 Ulster U16 Girls’ (Goals: Jowett, Cantrell)
Despite this being the first England game for many of the players, they showed impressive maturity to weather plenty of Ulster attacks and take the victory.
Chrissie Jowett opened the scoring in the 17th minute before Georgie Cantrell doubled the scoring ten minutes later and they controlled the game from thereon, although Ulster did give themselves a brief glimpse of hope with a late goal but it was to no avail.
Sun 6 May – England U16 Girls’ 4-0 Ulster U17 Girls’ (Goals: Brown, Alexander [2], Polley)
England were ruthless in the hot conditions as they proved effective both on the counter attack and at penalty corners to take victory in the second game.
Georgia Brown opened the scoring after just two minutes before a double from Beth Alexander and a corner goal from Caitlin Polley gave England an unassailable lead after just 38 minutes. Ulster offered plenty of threat themselves from corners but could not breach the girls’ defences.
Mon 7 May – England U16 Girls’ 4-1 Ulster U17 Girls’ (Goals: Alexander, Tillings, Hall, Gilgrass)
It was another clinical finishing masterclass from England in the final game as they notched up four goals for the second consecutive game.
They took a 2-0 lead into half-time thanks to Alexander and Tilly Tillings before Ulster pulled a goal back in the 37th minute. However further goals from Emily Hall and Imogen Gilgrass secured a third straight victory to cap a good weekend for the side off in the best possible fashion.
England Hockey Board Media release
Hockey NZ releases concussion policy
Photo: www.photosport.nz
Hockey New Zealand has released a new Concussion Awareness Policy to cover all levels of the sport.
The purpose of the document is to provide an increased awareness of concussion and guidance on the identification and management of concussion.
Concussion (and hockey player welfare in general) is everyone’s responsibility.
Players, parents, coaches and officials need to act in the best interest of hockey player safety and welfare by taking responsibility for the recognition, removal and referral of hockey player to a medical doctor.
CLICK HERE to view the Concussion Awareness Policy
Hockey New Zealand Media release
Young Clarendon side ready for SPAR battle
Clarendon’s Paige Jacoby will be part of the squad to defend their title in the East London Coastal tournament of the SPAR Schoolgirls Hockey Challenge at Stirling in East London on Sunday. Picture: Supplied
Clarendon High are up for the fight when they defend their title in the SPAR Schoolgirls Hockey Challenge in East London on Sunday – despite having lost a majority of their title-winning squad from last year.
After winning the East London Coastal tournament a year ago, the team went on to capture the overall title in the provincial finals at Woodridge, near Port Elizabeth, in August.
Coach Cheryl Pope knows they will be a marked side going into Sunday’s action at Stirling, but said they were excited about the tournament.
“Obviously there is a bit of pressure as is always the case when you are out to retain a title,” she said.
“We have seven new players in our squad this year, but the girls are always up for a challenge and they will definitely embrace the competition with a 100% effort and focus.”
She said she thought the format of the Schoolgirls Challenge was a wonderful chance to see how the players of all schools could perform under pressure.
“Playing these shorter games (over 25 minutes) with no halftime is always adrenaline-fuelled and unpredictable,” said Pope.
“This brings a ‘sudden-death’ mentality and a high level of intensity to the competition.”
She said their approach would be to try to remain as composed as possible, while aiming to dominate from the start.
“An early goal is always first prize and decision-making, therefore, takes a central role.”
In addition to the unpredictable nature of the format, Pope said there was healthy competition among the participating teams which made for an exciting event.
“At Clarendon, we love taking part in this tournament and are looking forward to a thrilling day of hockey.
“Schools like Hudson Park and Stirling have very talented teams, but the way the format is structured means all teams have a chance of winning.
“I can only encourage hockey players and supporters of the game to come and watch the girls in action.
“The tournament provides a wonderful platform for up-and-coming players to get involved in a competitive but fun environment.”
SPAR EC sponsorship and events manager Alan Stapleton said they were excited at the resumption of the competition at Stirling.
“The Hockey Challenge is so important to us as it allows us to talk to and be involved with communities in our bigger geographical area,” he said.
“SPAR has an impressive footprint in the area because of a really, motivated and innovative group of retailers, so it will be good to wave our banners in East London again on Sunday.
“We are looking forward to another competitive day of camaraderie and quality girls hockey.”
Fullstop Communications media release on behalf of SPAR Schoolgirls Hockey Challenge
The life of schoolgirl Emily Deldot will be celebrated on Friday with a hockey game named in her honour
Andrew Dawson
Hockey girls from Easts, Sophie Disteldorf and Kirby Allendorf pose with Megan, Lauren and Avio Deldot, and All Hallows hockey girls Claudia Kerr and Chloe O'Connell. (AAP Image/Jono Searle)
The life of former Australian schoolgirl Emily Deldot from Cannon Hill will be celebrated on Friday when her peers come together to contest an inaugural hockey game named in her honour.
The Emily Deldot Memorial Match will be contested between All Hallows School, where she attended, and the Easts club, whom she also played junior hockey for.
The hockey loving Emily passed away last December aged 15 after a battle with cancer.
Her parents Avio and Megan Deldot said the fixture was an appropriate way to remember their hockey-loving daughter.
“Emily was well known and liked within the junior hockey community of Brisbane and spent many years at Rasey and Downey Parks playing and spectating with her friends and family,” Mrs Deldot said.
“Even when she was having treatment and couldn’t play, she loved going to the various hockey venues around Brisbane to support her younger sister Lauren or her old teammates, trying to get to as many games as she could.’'
Mr Deldot added: “She also enjoyed the sideline banter and her grace and smile touched so many”.
Easts official Jo Williams said the club was “honoured we can do this for the family’’.
“They are a beautiful family in the club,’’ Williams said.
“They are happy we can keep her memory alive.’’
Emily’s parents said the Emily Deldot Memorial Trophy would be contested annually between the two highest division junior girls teams of the All Hallows’ and Easts clubs.
The inaugural match on Friday will be held at the Clem Jones Sports Complex at Carina.
Courier Mail
Obituary: Desmond J Roberts
It is with great sadness that England Hockey has learned of the passing of Desmond Roberts, who passed away last month the day before his 83rd birthday.
Des played with Liverpool Sefton Hockey Club, mainly on the left side of defence and was notoriously difficult to beat. He had some games with the Lancashire County XI but it was as a mover in coaching, schools and youth Hockey where Des was best known.
Always associated from the mid-1960s with Lancashire Schools Hockey Association, Des served in a variety of roles being Head Coach to the coach of the U18 Boys’ and subsequently became its Chair, leading the Association until it was overtaken by JACs.
He was also a co-founder of the North West Schools and Youth Hockey Association, serving as its Chair until the end of the JRPC transition in 2009. He then became Chair of the Manchester JRPC and led it for its first three years. Des served on the associated NHA Committees and was a member of the EH Single System Strategy Committee during the planning stages for its implementation.
Des was particularly well known also for the delivery of coaching to players – he was a selector and coach with Lancashire U21s – as well as aspiring coaches. He delivered countless coaching courses and was an examiner and mentor to many as coach educator
After taking early retirement Des had many club coaching appointments and he devoted himself almost full-time to coaching delivery. He was Lancashire HA Director of coaching from the late-1970s, a member of the North Hockey Association Coaching Committee and was North Chief Coach from 1990 until 2000 when the Association merged with the women.
Des was nominated for a Life Time Achievement Award in EH’s inaugural awards year in 2012 and he was very proud of the trophy with which he was presented.
Everyone at England Hockey would like to pass on their sincere condolences to Des’ family, friends and teammates.
England Hockey Board Media release