News for 29 September 2018
All the news for Saturday 29 September 2018
The FIH reveals Women’s Hockey Champions Trophy 2018 Schedule
Find out who will play who and when
The International Hockey Federation (FIH) has revealed the women’s Hockey Champions Trophy Changzhou 2018 playing schedule.
Taking place at the Wijun Hockey Stadium between 17-25 November, fans can now see the full schedule on the official event website here.
As the hockey world’s entertainment showpiece, the Hockey Champions Trophy is a prestigious event that demonstrates the true glamour of hockey, featuring six of the world’s leading international teams. They will battle for what will be the 23rd women's Champions Trophy title and a place in hockey’s history books.
In line with the event qualification criteria, the hosts - China, reigning World Cup and World League champions Netherlands, 2016 Olympic champions Great Britain and the previous Hockey Champions Trophy winners Argentina, all qualified automatically. Tokyo 2020 hosts and recently crowned Asian champions Japan and reigning Oceania champions Australia, were invited by the FIH Executive Board.
All six teams will play over nine days, with rest days scheduled for Monday 19, Wednesday 21 and Friday 23 November. Their goal will be to reach this historic event’s final, which will be played at 18:30 (all times local - China Standard Time) on Sunday 25 November. Earlier that day – teams will battle for the bronze medals at 16:15.
The opening match between the hosts China and Rio 2016 Olympic gold medallists Great Britain at 14:00 on Saturday 17 November is sure to get local fans excited for the week ahead. That’s followed up by a showdown between four continental champions. First up, at 16:00, Pan American champions Argentina take on Oceania champions Australia. Then 2017 European and 2018 World champions Netherlands take on recently crowned Asian champions Japan at 18:00.
The following day, the all Asia clash between rivals China and Japan (16:00) will further fuel the passion of local fans whilst another schedule highlight includes a rerun of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games final between Great Britain and Netherlands at 18:00 on Thursday 22 November.
With the schedule now confirmed, tickets will be made available within the next few weeks, with all key information posted on the official website.
The Hockey Champions Trophy Changzhou 2018 will round off a truly spectacular year for the women’s game following the hugely successful Vitality Hockey Women’s World Cup London 2018 which was won by Netherlands in August.
Keep up to date with all the latest news about this event via the official website and through FIH social media channels - Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and Snapchat.
#HCT2018
FIH site
Hockeyroos’ 2018 Champions Trophy Schedule Confirmed
Ben Somerford.jpg)
The International Hockey Federation (FIH) has revealed the Hockeyroos’ playing schedule at the 2018 Women’s Hockey Champions Trophy to be played in Changzhou in November.
Taking place at the Wijun Hockey Stadium between 17-25 November, fans can now see the full schedule on the official event website here with matches LIVE on Fox Sports Australia.
World number three Australia will meet Argentina (fourth) on Saturday 17 November from 6pm (AEST) in their first game, followed by meetings with Great Britain, the Netherlands, China and Japan.
As the Hockey world’s entertainment showpiece, the Champions Trophy is a prestigious event that demonstrates the true glamour of Hockey, featuring only six of the world’s leading international teams.
They will battle for what will be the 23rd Champions Trophy title and a place in Hockey’s history books, in the last-ever edition of the tournament.
In line with the event qualification criteria, the hosts - China, reigning World Cup and World League champions Netherlands, 2016 Olympic champions Great Britain and the previous Hockey Champions Trophy winners Argentina, all qualified automatically.
Tokyo 2020 hosts and recently crowned Asian champions Japan and reigning Oceania champions Australia, were invited by the FIH Executive Board.
All six teams will play over nine days, with rest days scheduled for Monday 19, Wednesday 21 and Friday 23 November.
Their goal will be to reach this historic event’s final, which will be played at 8:30pm (AEST) on Sunday 25 November. Earlier that day – teams will battle for the bronze medals at 6:15pm (AEST).
Following confirmation of the schedule, tickets will be made available within the next few weeks, with all key information posted on the official event website here.
The Champions Trophy will round off a truly spectacular year for the women’s game following the hugely successful Vitality Hockey Women’s World Cup London 2018 which was won by Netherlands in August.
The Hockeyroos team for the Champions Trophy will be announced publicly in early November.
Hockeyroos 2018 Champions Trophy schedule (all times AEST):
Saturday 17 November 6pm – Australia v Argentina
Sunday 18 November 4pm – Australia v Great Britain
Tuesday 20 November 4pm – Australia v Netherlands
Thursday 22 November 6pm – Australia v China
Saturday 24 November 4pm – Australia v Japan
Sunday 25 November – Finals
Hockey Australia media release
Burras Prepare To Fly For Sultan Of Johor Cup
Ben Somerford
The Burras will fly out for Malaysia on Saturday for the 2018 Sultan of Johor Cup as they attempt to defend their title.
The 2018 edition will take place from Saturday 6 October to Saturday 13 October in Johor Bahru.
Natonal Men’s Junior Coach Ben Bishop will be away with the Youth Olympics side, so in his absence Chris O’Reilly will take the reigns.
The Burras triumphed last year with a 2-0 win over Great Britain in the final and will this year take on Malaysia, Great Britain, India, Japan and New Zealand.
Bishop added: “The Sultan of Johor Cup is an excellent Junior International Tournament that we thrive on competing in each year.
“We have performed well as a program in this tournament since its inception, especially over the last two years winning the tournament.
“This year we aim to expose more athletes to the rigours of an international touring opportunity while providing a rewarding and enduring hockey experience.”
Stay tuned for more details on how to watch the tournament. Follow @SOJCup on Twitter for updates.
Burras' 2018 Sultan of Johor Cup schedule (all times AEST):
Saturday 6 October 8:05pm - Australia v Japan
Sunday 7 October 10:35pm - Australia v Malaysia
Tuesday 9 October 6:05pm - Australia v Great Britain
Wednesday 10 October 6:05pm - Australia v India
Friday 12 October 10:35pm - Australia v New Zealand
Saturday 13 October - Finals
Burras’ 2018 Sultan of Johor Cup team:
Cade Banditt (QLD)
Hayden Beltz (TAS)
Lachlan Busiko (SA)
Hayden Dillon (NSW)
Nathan Ephraums (VIC)
Matthew Finn (QLD)
Matthew Fisher (WA)
Liam Flynn (WA)
Coby Green (WA)
Niranjan Gupte (ACT)
Ehren Hazell (NSW)
Brayden King (WA)
Dylan Martin (NSW)
Daniel McBride (VIC)
Alec Rasmussen (WA)
Ben Staines (ACT)
Damon Steffens (VIC)
Blake Wotherspoon (QLD)
Hockey Australia media release
Malaysia to feature in Asian Champions Trophy
KUALA LUMPUR: Only 18 out of the 27-member national team have been selected to feature in the fifth edition of the Asian Champions Trophy in Muscat, Oman, from Oct 18-28.
Nine players, who did not make it, will be released to play in the Razak Cup hockey tournament at the National Hockey Stadium in Bukit Jalil from Oct 26 to Nov 3.
Malaysian Hockey Confederation (MHC) competitions committee manager Brian Fernandes said: “We’ll release the names of the nine players by October 13.”
Six teams will feature in the Asian Champions Trophy and they are defending champions India, Japan, Pakistan, South Korea, Oman and Malaysia.
In preparation for the Asian Champions Trophy, Malaysia played a four-nation tournament in Darwin last week and finished third behind champions Australia and Argentina. Asian Games gold medallists Japan finished last.
Malaysia, who were silver medallists in the recent Asian Games in Jakarta, featured in the last four editions and finished fourth in Ordos, China in 2011. They bagged bronzes three times in Doha, 2012, Kakamigahara, Japan in 2013 and Kuantan in 2016.
The Star of Malaysia
Remembering Roger Self, Britain's tenacious Olympic hockey coach - 30 years on from 1988 Seoul triumph
Simon Briggs
Britain's bunch of amateurs triumphed against the odds Credit: Simon Bruty/Getty Images
October 1, 1988. Great Britain v Germany on the biggest stage. Except that this time, after 22 men had chased a ball for 70 minutes, the Germans didn’t win. Instead, “We had them by the Sean and Kerlys,” as the Daily Telegraph gleefully reported.
A colourful new book, Seoul Glow, tells the story brilliantly. To celebrate Monday’s 30th anniversary, author Rod Gilmour spoke to all 16 members of the British Olympic hockey squad. In the days before UK Sport funding, this motley bunch of amateurs included two computer programmers, a barrister, a newsagent and an aspiring tennis player.
The result is an unlikely story of triumph against the odds. Most of the other top sides in world hockey were either professional or near as dammit, whereas the likes of goal-poacher Sean Kerly and captain Richard Dodds spent their mornings running up hills before driving to work.
Yet the squad had a unique advantage in the shape of manager Roger Self – a grim-faced, beak-nosed accountant who sadly died last year at the age of 77. Self’s uncompromising style of “motivation” would never pass muster in 2018. But Seoul Glow reveals that he – even more than Gary Lineker lookalike Kerly – was the single most important ingredient behind Britain’s success.
Self, who passed away last year, understood how to make a team function
“Would it be fair to say that most of his style and actions were PC today? Most probably not,” said David Faulkner, who was part of a defensive unit that the revered Daily Mail sportswriter Ian Wooldridge rated as the bravest people in sport.
In one typical training session, Self told Faulkner’s defensive partner Martyn Grimley to bear down on goal and then whacked him across the knuckles with a plastic corner-flag as he prepared to shoot, saying that German centre-half Volker Fried would have hit him even harder.
But Self’s most famous moment – the ultimate “selfie”, if you will – came in 1984, when he laid into the team on the eve of their bronze-medal play-off at the Los Angeles Olympics. Norman Hughes was told “Since you’ve been captaining England, English hockey has gone downhill.” Dodds got simply “You’re a loser”, while for right-half Mark Precious it was “What sort of f---ing name is that for a hockey player? You would rather be sitting in an embassy somewhere, drinking a gin and tonic.”
Sean Kerly of Great Britain celebrates after defeating Germany 3-1 in the 1988 final Credit: David Cannon Collection
As Gilmour relates, “A few players instinctively told Self to ‘F--- off’.” The next day, the whole team woke up so fuelled by anger and resentment that they outran the Aussies in 40-degree heat, scoring a 3-2 win that put British hockey on the map.
Since the 2016 Olympics, several abusive coaches have been rooted out of British sport. Yet the line is a fine one, for a great boss needs one quality above all: fear.
The obvious comparison, made repeatedly in Seoul Glow, is with Sir Alex Ferguson. You could also point to another long-serving Olympic coach, rowing’s stony-faced Jurgen Grobler, who escaped from East Germany to guide Britain’s rise. While these men often have ambivalent relationships with their charges, they always earn respect.
Kerly describes Self as “Like a father figure … awkward, cussed, yet he understood how to make a team function.” Dodds acknowledges “All of us would have hated him at some point or other.”
But Self’s wife, speaking to Dodds in the lead-up to the 1988 final, revealed another side to the story. “Roger absolutely loves you boys,” she said. “He would do anything at all if he thought it would help you.” It’s a shame that Self didn’t live to read this book, but Seoul Glow provides a fine epitaph for a tenacious, obsessive man.
The Telegraph
Great Britain Hockey investigating larger venue for one FIH Pro League matchday
As a result of unprecedented demand for FIH Pro League tickets, Great Britain Hockey are pleased to announce that we are investigating the possibility of hosting one of our matchdays at a larger London venue.
Great Britain Hockey received applications for more than 105,000 tickets in the recent ticket ballot, following on from the Vitality Hockey Women's World Cup which was witnessed by 115,000 people this summer.
The FIH Pro League sees our men's and women's teams face eight of the best nations from around the world, and home games take place from April to June 2019.
Our games are scheduled to take place at Lee Valley Hockey and Tennis Centre, which has been integral to the sport's continued growth and will host up to 7,500 people for FIH Pro League fixtures.
Now, in order to satisfy growing demand, we are in advanced discussions with regards to a new location for one of our double-header matchdays, when both Great Britain's men's and women's teams play back-to-back on the same afternoon. All other matches are confirmed for Lee Valley Hockey and Tennis Centre.
As a result, those who entered the FIH Pro League ballot will now be notified in the week commencing 8 October with details of successful applications.
If supporters did not apply in the ticket ballot, they can still secure their seat now with a Season Ticket, up to 16 November when tickets go on general sale.
England Hockey Board Media release
Grit and determination key for Canada's Paul Bundy
Canada's Paul Bundy is looking forward to leading his team in Bhubaneswar Photo: Field Hockey Canada/Yan Huckendubler(PAHF)
Paul Bundy is Head Coach to Canada men, a position he has held for just over a year, since Anthony Farry left to take over as Head Coach to the Japanese women’s team.
Prior to his appointment as Head Coach, Bundy was Assistant Coach to the men’s team for five years. Here, he shares some of his thoughts on how Canada will perform at the Odisha Hockey Men's World Cup Bhubaneswar 2018. Canada have competed at five previous World Cup competitions, with their last appearance in 2010, where they finished 11th.
FIH: What preparations will Canada be doing between now and the Odisha Hockey Men’s World Cup Bhubaneswar 2018?
PB: The majority of the athletes are training full time at home in Vancouver at the moment. We head off to New Zealand for a series of games in October, at which point our overseas athletes join us. On the way to the World Cup we also have four games in Japan and then some warm-up games at the World Cup venue in Bhubaneswar itself.
"Major tournaments in India can be unpredictable at times. I think that with the current World Cup format, there is good chance we will see upsets in the Pool stages."
Paul Bundy, Canada Head Coach
FIH: What is your approach to competitions such as a World Cup, where you are one of the lower-ranked teams (Canada are ranked 11 in the FIH Hero World Rankings)? Is it a case of every game is a final or do you take a different approach?
PB: It’s important for us to have a good start. The warm-up games in Japan will ensure that we are ready for the first game. From there we will take one game at a time.
FIH: What would you say are the strengths of the Canadian squad?
PB: We are a hard-working team, with a good amount of grit and determination. There is an element of unpredictability with us as we have shown over the last couple of years. We have the ability to beat higher ranked teams when it matters. 
Canada will be hoping to inspire fans with their performances in Bhubaneswar Photo: FIH/WSP
FIH: Playing in India will be a very special, but highly pressured experience. How will you and your coaching staff help your players deal with the pressures of the event?
PB: We have played in India a number of times over the years, so I think the athletes and staff will have an idea of what to expect.
FIH: Are you able to say, just in general outline, how you plan to play against the other teams in Pool C – Belgium (WR:3), India (WR:5) and South Africa (WR:15)?
PB: Looking at the World Cup schedule, not to mention the recent women’s World Cup results, the format to qualify out of the Pool puts pressure on every team to get a result in the Pool stages. Teams always shift the way they play against different teams and we will do the same. Teams will also chase goal differences earlier and risk more to have a chance to place higher in the pool.
FIH: What is the best advice you have been given as you prepare your team for this challenge and what one piece of advice would you like to imprint in the mind of your players as they take to the field?
PB: Stay healthy and manage your time between games effectively. The message to the team is to embrace and enjoy the challenge of another major event and play with no fear from the first game to the last.
Canada play in the opening match of the Odisha Hockey Men’s World Cup Bhubaneswar 2018 against Belgium. For the full playing schedule click here. For further information on the Odisha Hockey Men’s World Cup Bhubaneswar 2018, click here.
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FIH site
Wettingen to host Euro Trophy event next June
©: Sander Uijlenbroek / World Sport Pics
The men’s 2019 EuroHockey Trophy has been confirmed to take place in Wettingen, Switzerland next June as eight clubs hope to boost their EHL ranking points total.
The hosts Rotweiss Wettingen are in a group with Irish side Glenanne, Belarus’s SC Stroitel Brest and the promoted side Casa Pia Atlético Clube from Portugal.
The other group features Welsh champions Cardiff & Met, Ukraine’s HC OKS-SHVSM Vinnitsa, WAC from Austria and Czech Republic’s HC Bohemians Prague
On being awarded the event Björn Ahrendt, Member of the RWW Board said: "We are truly excited about the award decision and would like to thank the EHF for the continuous trust in RWW's abilities to properly host such an important hockey event.
“The RWW family sends a warm welcome and "Grüezi" to the participating teams, their supporters and all those who will join this Trophy in 2019. We will give our very best efforts to make this a story of success again for all who will come to Wettingen in 2019. We are looking forward to meeting you in Switzerland."
The third tier – the EuroHockey Club Challenge I – will take place in Poland at Siemianowice Śląskie; Slavia Prague welcome the Challenge II; Alanya in Turkey hosts the Challenge III while the Challenge IV is Kordin in Malta.
On the women’s side, AH&BC Amsterdam will provide a spectacular host venue at the Wagener Stadium for the European Club Cup with Den Bosch, Amsterdam, UHC Hamburg, Club an der Alster, Real Sociedad, Surbiton, Ritm Grodno and Loreto competing.
The next tier will be played at Holcombe’s home in Rochester in England; the Challenge I is in Lille, Challenge II in Vienna and Challenge III in Boryspil in Ukraine.
Euro Hockey League media release
Second CNS Hockey commences from October 1
Lahore - The Second Chief of Naval Staff (CNS) All-Pakistan Hockey Tournament, featuring eight of the top departmental sides of the country, will be held here at the National Hockey Stadium from October 1 to 7.
The competing teams are Wapda, National Bank of Pakistan, Sui Southern Gas Company, Sui Northern Gas Pipe Lines Ltd, Police, Port Qasim Authority, PAF and Pakistan Navy. The eight sides are divided into two pools. On the first four days, the pool matches will take place. After a rest day on Friday, the two semifinals will be played on Saturday with the final scheduled on October 7.
Speaking at a press conference here at National Hockey Stadium, Station Commander Navy Lahore Commodore Naimatullah thanked the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) and Sports Board Punjab (SBP) for their cooperation. “Sports are very dear to Pakistan Navy. Presently, Pakistan’s national teams in hockey and cricket both have representation from the Navy. Rashid Mahmood is a regular in the national hockey team since 2010 while Fakhar Zaman is a part of the cricket squad.
“Hockey is our national game but unfortunately Pakistan hockey is on the decline for quite some time. In this regard, Navy is trying to make its own little contribution for the revival. The first CNS Hockey Tournament was held at Karachi in 2016. Now, we are privileged to have the second edition at world’s biggest hockey stadium. Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Zafar Mahmood Abbasi is a sports lover and he wishes the best to all the participating teams,” he added.
Tournament carries handsome prize money of Rs 500,000 for the winners, Rs 300,000 for the runners-up and Rs 200,000 for the third position holder. There are also individual prizes which include Rs 50,000 for the player of the tournament while the top scorer and the best goal keeper will get Rs 25,000 each.
For all this, Commodore Naimatullah expressed gratitude to the sponsors, who have supported Pakistan Navy for this tournament. The sponsors include PSO, HBL, Vivo Juice, KPT, National Bank of Pakistan, Netsol, Bahria University, Bahria Foundation, Berger Paints, Shezan Bakers, and Adam’s. He also thanked the media for turning up in a good number for the press conference and hoped that the tournament will get good coverage from both the print and electronic media.
The Nation
Tumilty looking to add performance to strong opening result
Banbridge coach Mark Tumilty. Pic: Adrian Boehm
Banbridge coach Mark Tumilty feels there is room for improvement, despite his team’s impressive 4-3 victory over last season’s Champions Trophy winners Three Rock Rovers last weekend.
They face Cork C of I at Havelock Park in week two of the competition and will look to build on that result with, perhaps, a more polished performance from their coach’s perspective.
“The result was more important than performance but we need to better this weekend against Cork. We don’t have a good record against Cof I in recent years so it will be a really tough test for us,” Tumilty said.
“I feel we have a good squad that can be competitive this year but will need to perform better than Saturday. I was impressed by Rovers, and as many have said, they probably were favourites, it is good to have a three point advantage on them early in the season.”
Rovers, for their part, will look to get on the board in the first EY Hockey League game to be played at Wesley College against YMCA who had a chastening first time out last week, falling 7-1 to Cookstown.
The Grange Road side welcome back Jamie Carr after he missed last weekend’s tie with former Rovers Eoin Buttanshaw and Ross Henderson meeting their old club.
Pembroke and Monkstown both enjoyed productive starts to the season with wins over Ulster opponents ahead of their meeting on Saturdy at Serpentine Avenue.
For Pembroke, it was a smash and grab as Garvey could not take advantage of statistical positives. They meet a Town side who found their mojo in front of goal, something they really struggled for with Gareth Watkins, Davy Carson and Kyle Good back in tandem.
Cookstown’s big win over YM sees them in confident mood for the visit of Lisnagarvey to Steelweld Park. The Co Tyrone side’s corners were particularly impressive last week and something for Garvey to be wary of.
Annadale, meanwhile, will be looking to bounce back from their opening day defeat to Monkstown. They host Glenanne who are looking to find their rhythm after a low-key 1-1 draw at Garryduff.
Day two of the Leinster Division One season’s highlight is probably the meeting of Corinthian and Railway Union, two sides keen on promotion to the EYHL1 this season.
The Munster league also makes its belated return after a postponement last weekend due to the lack of registrar for the provincial board to oversee the leagues. Catholic Institute have been promoted and make their return against Cork C of I B.
Waterford’s return to the top level for the first time since 2006 is delayed due to a bye weekend.
Men’s weekend fixtures (all Saturday)
EY Hockey League: Annadale v Glenanne, 2.30pm, Strathearn; Pembroke v Monkstown, 2.30pm, Serpentine Avenue; Cookstown v Lisnagarvey, 2.30pm, Steelweld Park; YMCA v Three Rock Rovers, 2.30pm, Wesley College; Banbridge v Cork C of I, 2.45pm, Havelock Park
Leinster Division One: Kilkenny v Dublin University, 12pm, Kilkenny College; Avoca v Portrane, 12.30pm, Newpark; Rathgar v Clontarf, 12.30pm, High School; UCD v Dublin North, 1.30pm, Belfield; Corinthian v Railway Union, 2pm, Whitechurch Park
Munster Division One: Bandon v Cork Harlequins, 12pm, Bandon GS; Cork C of I B v Catholic Institute, 3pm, Garryduff; UCC v Ashton, 3pm, The Mardyke
The Hook
The intriguing Scottish National League 1 season continues
The race for the men`s National League 1 title could be wide open this season with no obvious favourite in place yet as the competition enters its third week this weekend.
David Knipe, coach to current champions Grange, seems to incline to this view. “It feels like it will be very competitive this season with lots of teams able to beat each other.
“I`m not sure where we fit in here, but we want to push as hard as we can to make the top four.”
The champions entertain Western Wildcats at Fettes on Saturday in a fixture that can often throw up unpredictable outcomes. Last season both encounters ended in draws; 3-3 followed by 1-1, and the dropped four points was perhaps not helpful to either side`s aspirations.
On the forthcoming confrontation Knipe simply said: “Saturday is a really good match, we just want to play as well as we can.”
But the Edinburgh side will be short of several players who were in the championship-winning squad; gone are Luke Cranney and Hamish Imrie to Harvestehuder; Joe Waterston to Beeston; Callum MacKenzie to Cardiff & Met, Robbie Croll to Edinburgh University; while Aussies Nathen Doherty and Dominic Wild have returned `down under`. Although in compensation Duncan Riddell has returned from Reading and Robbie Shepherdson from Loughborough.
Knipe concluded: “So we start again with a new team, but we are used to this.”
However, after beating Gordonians 6-1 and being held to a 1-1 draw by Clydesdale, Grange are in pole position in the table on goal difference from Hillhead – but it is as yet early doors.
Wildcats were impressive in their only outing so far, their power play left Kelburne chasing shadows for much of the contest, but sadly they left their shooting sticks in the Auchenhowie pavilion. Doubtless coach Harry Dunlop has been working on that in subsequent training sessions.
Grove Menzieshill, third in the table last season and also the winner of the European play-off, continue this year`s campaign under new coach Neil Allan with a home fixture against Uddingston. Last season the Taysiders completed a 3-2 double over the Lanarkshire side, a similar outcome would suit Allan fine.
This could be a high scoring affair with Cameron Golden, Aidan McQuade and Albert Rowling already on target this season, on the other side Aussie striker Brad Hughes has already notched six goals in Uddingston`s two matches, all four against Watsonians and another couple in the Hillhead game.
Kelburne have a double header this weekend against Clydesdale on Saturday and Edinburgh University the following day, both at Glasgow Green. The results here could provide an indication whether the Paisley side will be championship contenders this season or that the rebuilding process under the aegis of coach Gordon Shepherd is likely to be a longer process.
There have been many changes to the Kelburne line-up over the last few years with the departure of several experienced and talented campaigners, so Shepherd will give the next Whitehaugh generation their chance in the maelstrom of National League 1.
Even with Johnny Christie and Iain Scholefield in the ranks Shepherd`s charges had a tough match against the Wildcats in the first outing of the season at Auchenhowie.
And Clydesdale and the Edinburgh students will be no pushover either. The Titwood-based outfit have opened with two draws against Hillhead and Grange, the latter result was arguably a promising performance.
University have only had one outing so far, they travelled up to Aberdeen and handed out a magnificent seven to Gordonians with Nathan Leggett, Kevin Wong and Sam Robertson all scoring twice.
Graham Moodie will have a chance to sharpen up his squad when they meet Watsonians at Peffermill in a Friday night venture. Moodie would hope for another three points here as Watsonians have opened with a brace of 4-2 defeats at the hands of Grove Menzieshill and Uddingston.
However, Watsonians have another chance to collect their first points of the season when they entertain Hillhead on Sunday.
That might not be such an easy assignment as Mark Ralph`s Hillhead side have made a promising start to the campaign, they currently occupy second spot in the table with four points from a draw with Clydesdale and a 3-2 win over Uddingston.
The Glasgow side should further consolidate that position on Saturday with a home game against a Gordonians side that have conceded 13 goals in their two defeats at the hands of Grange and Edinburgh University.
The only fixture in Women`s National League 1 is the varsity clash between newly promoted Glasgow and champions Edinburgh.
Edinburgh need the points if they are to catch up on Clydesdale Western and Dundee Wanderers at the top of the table, they trail by six points, but with two games in hand. Although there have been several changes in Edinburgh`s line-up this season, coach Sam Judge remains optimistic and stated that her charges would fight to retain their title.
Although this is Glasgow`s first time in the top flight, they have already got points on the board with a 1-0 victory over Hillhead, and their defeats have been at the hands of Grove Menzieshill and Watsonians who both finished in the top four at the end of last season.
Scottish Hockey Union media release
Sliders dare Telkom in hockey league Super Sunday
By AYUMBA AYODI
Kenya Police midfielder Willis Okeyo passes the ball to a teammate during their Kenya Hockey Union men premier league match against Western Jaguars at City Park Stadium on September 22, 2018. PHOTO | CHRIS OMOLLO | NATION MEDIA GROUP
Hockey enthusiasts are in for a great treat on Sunday when Sliders and Greensharks take on champions Telkom and Kenya Police in their respective Premier League matches at City Park Stadium.
Telkom have won all their nine matches this season and have only conceded three goals. Two of those goals came against Sliders in the first leg where the champions rallied from behind to win 7-2.
Sliders are placed fifth in the seven-team women’s Premier League with seven points drawn from two wins, a draw and four losses.
Sliders is the last team to have won the title in 1998 before Telkom, who are chasing a record 21st title this season, began their dominance.
Telkom, who are perched at the top of the log with 27 points, expects a tough match against Sliders.
Sliders coach Nixon Nyaganga warned Telkom to prepare for a thrilling battle saying they are now a different side from the one that gave away a 2-0 lead in the first leg.
“Experience cost us but the girls have been learning the ropes and I think we are ready for Telkom,” said Nyanganga. “They should expect a good fight from my players.”
His opposite number Jos Openda insists they have to be at their brilliant best to overcome Sliders adding that he has fixed the complacency in the 11-0 rout of Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT) last time out.
"We missed nine clear chances and that is what we want to polish on heading into the continental championship where they are no rooms for mistakes," said Openda, who missed the first leg match.
"Our preparations are actually geared towards Africa Clubs Championships due in December hence Sliders should provide a good challenge for us. We shall go for a fast-paced duel if we hope to stop Sliders," added Openda, who notes that his charges are 50 per cent ready for the continental showpiece.
Meanwhile, in the men's Premier league, Police coach Patrick Mugambi will be without skipper Oliver Echenje and defender Samuel Ougo - who are suspended.
Mugambi said Brian Saina and Edmond Makona will cover up at the positions adding that they are ready for revenge, having learnt great lessons from the 4-3 first leg defeat.
“We have gained the momentum and are going for the three points,” said Mugambi, adding that what messed them in the first leg was the cards they received towards the end of the match. “What compounded us more were Greensharks long balls and deflections but we are ready.”
Police are currently placed second in the league with 36 points, six adrift of leaders Butali Sugar Warriors. Greensharks are fourth with 24 points.
In other men’s Premier League matches slated for Saturday, Bottom-placed Western Jaguars will look to recover from last weekend’s 4-0 loss to Police with victory against Wazalendo. Nakuru host Kenya College of Accountancy University (KCA-U).
Wazalendo are third in the league with 26 points while Jaguars have eight points.
FIXTURES
Saturday
National League-men: Parkroad Tigers v JKUAT (12pm)-City Park
Super League-men: Kabarak University v Impala (1pm)-Nakuru; KU v Kimathi University (2pm)-City Park
Super League-women: Nakuru v MSC (4pm)-City Park
Premier League-men: Western Jaguars v Wazalendo (3pm)-Kakamega, Nakuru v KCA-U (3pm)-Nakuru, Parklands v USIU (6pm)-City Park
Sunday
Super League-men: Kisumu Youngstars v Wazalendo Masters (9am)-Kisumu, MMU v Kabarak University (1pm)-City Park
Super League-women: KU v MSC (9m)-Women City Park; MMU v Nakuru (11am)-City Park
Premier League-women: Telkom v Sliders (3pm)-City Park
Premier League-men: Greensharks v Kenya Police (5pm)-City Park
Daily Nation
Cambridge City handed £2.5m boost for ‘hockey hub’
By The Hockey Paper
Cambridge City HC believe they will be “on a par” with some of the biggest hockey clubs in Europe after a donation to the tune of £2.5 million.
The donation was put in place for the construction of two new floodlit hockey pitches at Wilberforce Road in addition to an existing pitch next to the pavilion.
The hockey club will share the facilities with Cambridge University Hockey Club, while the complex also comprises an athletics track. More importantly, the investment will bring all their clubs under one roof for the first time.
The cash injection is thought to be the largest to University sport from private philanthropy after a donation from a local businessman.
For Cambridge City, the believe it will now help encourage wider youth participation as well as creating a “hockey hub” in Cambridge.
That has been underpinned by Helen Richardson-Walsh’s recent connection to the club, while this season she will be assistant ladies’ coach to Ross Hayward, while Gareth Andrew is the new men’s coach.
Cambridge City HC currently has over 550 members in their junior section and train at a variety of locations including the Leys School, Perse Schools and St John’s College Sports Ground
It is regarded as one of the largest hockey clubs in the East of England, boasting nine mens’ teams, eight ladies, a strong masters contingent and the mens’ and ladies 1s’ both playing in their respective National league Conference East Divisions.
“Without this generous gift, CCHC would still be dreaming of what could be,” said club chairman Mark Brookes, who shares the club vision of taking both first teams to the top flight in two years.
“Instead we are now planning on how to take the club onwards and upwards.”
“Three astros on one site puts us on par with some of the largest clubs in the country and in Europe” added club president Tim Ireland, one of the key architects and driving forces of the project.
Plans expand the facility was initially given the green light by the council in 2017.
Andy Richardson, the former club chairman, added: “We are aware of our responsibility to ensure we support the local area and cultivate the next generation of hockey players from elite level to club and social players.
“We run Flyerz Hockey and recently started an outreach program with local schools to try and get the next generation of players engaged. We now have the facilities to really help put hockey development on the map here in the East”.
The club are planning a major opening event for the new facilities on October 7.
The Hockey Paper
UMass field hockey shuts out Davidson, 3-0
By TREVOR DRAKE
AMHERST — UMass beat Davidson, 3-0, Friday at the Gladchuk Field Hockey Complex.
The Minutewomen scored twice in the second half to pull away from the Wildcats and bounce back from a loss Sunday to No. 16 St. Joseph’s.
“We knew we needed to win decisively today to give us momentum going forward,” said UMass coach Barb Weinberg, whose team hosts Providence, Sunday.
Within the first few minutes Friday, UMass (5-6, 3-1 Atlantic 10) was able to apply the pressure on Davidson (3-6, 1-1) and keep the Wildcats in their zone.
UMass had a few chances on penalty corners from Antonet Louw but came up empty. Louw broke through and gave UMass a 1-0 lead at 22:19 of the first half.
The goal came on a pass from Sophie de Jonge splitting two defenders and leaving Louw one on one with Davidson goalie Sarah Zeszotarski. Louw used a quick deke left to put Zeszotarski on the ground leaving her with a wide open net on the right side.
UMass continued to apply the pressure in the second half.
The first goal came off a penalty corner at 45:01. Lucy Cooper fed Bailey McNamara, who set it to Georgie McTear, who knocked it into the net from the top of the circle.
The third goal came from Sophie Johnson, who dribbled down the baseline and got a shot on net. Zeszotarski had the initial save, but while the ball was in the air, Johnson got a stick on it and slammed it into the net.
UMass had 21 shots and Zeszotarski finished with 10 saves.
On the defensive side, UMass allowed three shots and one penalty corner. Clodagh Moloney helped anchor the unit as goalie Johanna von dem Borne made one save in over 56 minutes of play. Megan Davies had one save in over 13 minutes of action.
“We got turnovers higher off the pitch rather than turning it over in the back lane,” Moloney said.
Daily Hampshire Gazette
Maryland field hockey’s Missy Meharg has 7 NCAA titles. Now she has an ice cream flavor, too.
By Alex Murphy
(Alex Murphy/For The Diamondback)
On Thursday, the Maryland Dairy introduced their newest ice cream flavor, Terpresso. The flavor was created by Maryland field hockey coach Missy Meharg.
Terpresso is double strength coffee ice cream, crushed Oreos and a caramel swirl. You see a photo of the ice cream in all its glory below.
A team spokesperson noted that numerous flavor combinations were made before landing and deciding on the final product.
Meharg and several field hockey players were on hand at the Dairy location inside the Stamp Student Union to try and pass out samples of the newest ice cream flavor at Maryland.
Testudo was scheduled to be there, but to everyone's demise, he was absent from the event. (Not a surprise, given that turtles are known for being slow.)
Now that we're done with providing you with the who, what, when and where of this ice cream, let's get to the important part: reviewing it.
If you like coffee, you will definitely like Terpresso.
The double strength coffee ice cream hits hard right off the bat. Personally, it was a bit too strong, but then again, not everyone likes coffee. However, what saves this flavor is the Oreos and caramel swirl.
You wouldn't think the three flavors would create a good flavor, but they do.
If you only enjoy coffee ice cream without drinking actual coffee, then this flavor might end up being too strong for you. However, if you can't get enough of coffee in any form, this flavor will be excellent for you.
Also, I have to admit that it was a bit of a challenge to review the ice cream given that it wound up melting by the time I was able to get a chance to try it. It was more of a soup than a frozen treat to be frank.
Regardless of how the ice cream tastes, it's wonderful to see that someone with an outstanding track record of winning like Meharg is being honored with something as important as her own ice cream flavor.
The Diamondback