News for 22 January 2019
All the news for Tuesday 22 January 2019
FIH Series Finals: all pools and venues confirmed
Lausanne, Switzerland: After the completion of the last Hockey Series Open in December, the International Hockey Federation (FIH) has now confirmed the composition of the pools for the six exciting FIH Series Finals scheduled between April and June this year.
Three pools of eight teams each for women as well as for men will compete in these events which will involve some of the best teams in the world. In fact, no less than 14 teams qualified for the FIH Series Finals played either at the Women or the Men’s World Cups last year! Canada, China, France, India, Ireland, Malaysia and South Africa all competed at the Odisha Hockey Men's World Cup Bhubaneswar 2018 last month, while India, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Korea, South Africa and Spain were in England last summer for the Vitality Hockey Women's World Cup London 2018.
Furthermore, the FIH Series Finals are one of the roads to reach the Olympic Games. Indeed, the top two teams from each FIH Series Finals will secure a place in the Qualification Events for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games which will be held in October and November 2019.(*)
FIH CEO Thierry Weil said: “We can’t wait to see the FIH Series Finals to be played. The line-up of teams is quite impressive and the ‘road to Tokyo’ is at stake, which makes these six events even more attractive.”
(*)note: if Japan, Scotland or Wales finish in the top 2 of their respective pools, they will not secure a place in the Olympic Games Qualifiers. Japan have already qualified as both host and winners of the Asian Games; for Scotland and Wales, the reason is that England are the nominated country for GBR’s qualification pathway. If any of these three teams do finish in the top 2, the team that finishes third does NOT automatically qualify for the Olympic Games Qualifiers. Any such additional place is determined by the FIH Hero World Rankings as at the completion of the continental championships (8 September 2019)
Men’s Pools:
Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia) 26 April – 4 May 2019
Austria
Brazil
Canada
China
Italy
Malaysia
Vanuatu
Wales
India (Bhubaneswar) 6 - 16 June 2019
India
Japan
Mexico
Poland
Russia
South Africa
USA
Uzbekistan
Le Touquet (France) 15-23 June 2019
Chile
Egypt
France
Ireland
Korea
Scotland
Singapore
Ukraine
Women’s Pools:
Ireland (Dublin) 8-16 June 2019
Czech Republic
France
Ireland
Korea
Malaysia
Scotland
Singapore
Ukraine
Japan (Hiroshima) 15-23 June 2019
Chile
Fiji
India
Japan
Mexico
Poland
Russia
Uruguay
Valencia (Spain) 19-27 June 2019
Belarus
Canada
Italy
Namibia
South Africa
Spain
Thailand
Wales
FIH site
Confirmation of final sides to play in June’s Hockey Series Finals
Singapore added to the eight-team women’s line-up, and will likely be one of the Green Army’s group stage opponents in Dublin
Stephen Findlater
Ireland players celebrating their silver medal at the hockey World Cup Final in London in August. Photograph: Morgan Treacy/Inpho
Ireland’s Olympic qualifying path became slightly clearer with confirmation of the final sides to play in June’s Hockey Series Finals.
For the women, world No 35 side Singapore have been added to the eight-team line-up, and will likely be one of the Green Army’s group stage opponents in Dublin.
Based on previous tournament formats, the Czech Republic (19th) and Malaysia (22nd) would be the expected opponents, with Korea (11th), Scotland (18th), Ukraine (27th) and France (32nd) in the other group – subject to confirmation by the International Hockey Federation.
Graham Shaw’s side are the highest ranked nation at eighth, and will be gunning for a top- two finish overall which guarantees a place in a direct Olympic qualifying tie later in 2019.
Most of his side arrived back in Ireland this week after a reasonably productive camp in Chile – sharing the results of a four-game series – though it did leave a few injury issues to be ironed out.
“We introduced four new players to the squad who all blended in fantastically well,” said Shaw. “Our focus was training and building our connections and growing our culture going into a busy year. We definitely made another step forward.
“The disappointing factor was the amount of injuries we picked and freak injuries at that. Megan Frazer and Gill Pinder will be out for a few weeks, and we hope they recover well. Zoe Wilson and Roisin Upton also picked up injuries and we will have to assess them in the next week.”
Next on their agenda is a trip to Granada, Spain, in February for a two-match series.
On the men’s side, Ukraine (25th) and a very dangerous Egyptian side (20th) complete the line-up for the Irish men’s Hockey Series Finals tournament in Le Touquet, France, in June.
Ireland, at 11th, will again be the top ranked side, and so can expect a group stage featuring Singapore (40th), Egypt and Scotland (22nd), with Chile (34th), France (15th), Korea (17th) and Ukraine on the opposite side of the draw.
The Irish Times
India all set for first-round of 2020 Olympic qualifiers
Hockey India Twitter handle
India were Monday placed in a relatively easy group in the International Hockey Federation (FIH) Series Finals, the first-round qualifiers for the 2020 Olympics, and will play their matches in Bhubaneswar from June 6 to 16.
The FIH confirmed the composition of the pools for the six Finals scheduled between April and June this year.
"The FIH Series Finals are one of the roads to reach the Olympic Games. Indeed, the top two teams from each FIH Series Finals will secure a place in the Qualification Events for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games which will be held in October and November 2019," the FIH said in a release.
Barring Asian Games winners Japan, none of the teams are expected to offer stiff competition to the home team.
Besides India and Japan, the other teams in the group are Mexico, Poland, Russia, South Africa, USA and Uzbekistan.
The women's team will be battling it out at Hiroshima with Chile, Fiji, Mexico, Poland, Russia and Uruguay from June 15-23.
Three pools of eight teams each for women as well as men will compete in these events. No less than 14 teams qualified for the FIH Series Finals played either at the women or the men's World Cups last year.
Canada, China, France, India, Ireland, Malaysia and South Africa all competed at the men's World Cup in Bhubaneswar last month, while India, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Korea, South Africa and Spain were in England last summer for the Vitality Hockey Women's World Cup in London.
Daily News & Analysis
FIH Pro League is Coming to New Zealand
The excitement ramping up for the Vantage Black Sticks teams ahead of the kickoff to the inaugural FIH Pro League this weekend at North Harbour.
Both men's and women's national teams will be in action against the formidable Netherlands at North Harbour Hockey on Sunday, dipping their toes into the most exciting event for hockey in many years.
Both the sixth-ranked women and eighth-ranked men have six months of top international hockey ahead of them, featuring 16 matches in a double round robin for the nine nations in each competition spanning the globe.
The top four will make the finals in the Netherlands at the end of June.
Both Black Sticks teams kick off with games against the Netherlands, Belgium, Britain and Germany, the first two at North Harbour, the second two at the new hockey facility in Christchurch, all forming eye-catching double header events.
Experienced midfielder Sam Charlton is relishing the prospect of what the Pro League could mean for the sport.
''It is really exciting for New Zealand in particular, because we get the European teams here which we haven't had in the past,'' she said.
''We had England and the Netherlands here for the world league in 2017 but it's not often you get every team who are 1-2-3 in the world.
''So it's really cool for the supporters, fans and up and coming little kids to see those teams in action against us. It's one thing to watch us play on TV against these top teams, but to see it live I think will be hugely inspiring for those younger players.''
Charlton, who has played 226 internationals and forms the women's leadership group with captain Stacey Michelsen, believes the Pro League has the potential to be the most exciting innovation for hockey in her time.
''The biggest challenge for the players is going to be those away games and having the ability to recover off the plane and be ready to perform at your best three or four days after arriving.
''They are one-off games so you can't wait until games two or three to get into it.''
Black Sticks men's coach Darren Smith is adamant the Pro League will be a game changer for the sport - ''a massive shift for hockey''.
''I can't think of a competition change that is as radical as this one. It will be interesting to see how it goes in the next few years (the annual event is locked in for four years) and whether it can sustain and grow and have the impact we'd love it to have.
''But the Dutch (world No 3 in the men, No 1 among the women) here every year for the next four years. Brilliant.''
Each squad can consist of 32 players, although the two Black Sticks groups are at 25. Sixteen players can be selected for a game.
For the coaches one notable change will be the rhythm of the tournament.
Usually at major international events teams may have a game every second day. With the Pro League there might be a week between games, even two at times, but balanced by periods of a game every second or third day.
''There are a number of challenges for the coaches. It's all the logistics, trying to make sure we've got it right,'' Smith said.
Plenty for the coaches to get their heads around; plenty of opportunities for players to show, and test, their talents against the game's finest players.
Hockey New Zealand Media release
Big year for Black Sticks as Pro League looms without a permanent coach
OLIVIA CALDWELL
Former Black Sticks coach Mark Hager's departure has left the gap open for a new coach of the national side. GRANT MATTHEW/STUFF
The Black Sticks women kick off the second biggest competition in world hockey this weekend, but there is still no word on a new coach.
The men and women start their campaigns in the inaugural FIH Pro League this weekend against the Netherlands.
However, after Black Sticks women's coach Mark Hager's departure to coach Britain, New Zealand Hockey has not named a permanent replacement.
Hager's assistant coach, Sean Dancer, will coach the women until further notice. NZ Hockey has no dates in place for a replacement.
Starting in North Harbour, both teams have six months of hockey at home and abroad in the FIH Pro League, involving at least 16 matches each.
The women are ranked sixth in the world while the men are eighth. The top four will make the finals in the Netherlands at the end of June.
After playing the Netherlands they will each play Belgium at North Harbour before heading south to Christchurch to play Britain and Germany.
All home matches will be double-headers.
Experienced midfielder Samantha Charlton said the tournament could be huge for New Zealand Hockey long term.
"It is really exciting for New Zealand in particular, because we get the European teams here which we haven't had in the past," she said.
"We had England and the Netherlands here for the world league in 2017 but it's not often you get every team who are 1-2-3 in the world.''
Charlton, who has played 226 internationals, says the competition has the potential to be an exciting innovation for hockey during her career.
"The biggest challenge for the players is going to be those away games and having the ability to recover off the plane and be ready to perform at your best three or four days after arriving.
"They are one-off games so you can't wait until games two or three to get into it."
Black Sticks men's coach Darren Smith says the league will be a game changer for the sport and "a massive shift for hockey".
"I can't think of a competition change that is as radical as this one," he said.
"It will be interesting to see how it goes in the next few years and whether it can sustain and grow and have the impact we'd love it to have.
"But the Dutch (world No 3 in the men, No 1 among the women) here every year for the next four years. Brilliant."
Usually at major international events teams have a game every second day or so. With the Pro League there might be a week between games, even two at times, but balanced by periods of a game every second or third day.
"There are a number of challenges for the coaches. It's all the logistics, trying to make sure we've got it right," Smith said.
Stuff
Great Britain coach Danny Kerry to unleash more talent
By The Hockey Paper
Great Britain coach Danny Kerry admitted he took a “calculated decision” in picking his first Pro League men’s squad as he looks to find more depth in 2019.
GB start with an away trip to Spain on Friday before travelling to face New Zealand and Australia in February and Kerry has included more untested talent.
Nottingham University’s Josh Pavis is set to win his first senior international cap against either Australia or New Zealand, while Scotland’s Lee Morton has also been included after making his GB debut last summer.
Kerry said: “I’m excited by the inclusion of Josh Pavis from the GB Elite Development Programme squad. He’s by no means made it but is someone that will keep the rest of the squad on their toes.
“Lee Morton has very fast hands, he’s very direct and has a competitive instinct. I’m excited to include him as well.
“Depth doesn’t happen magically, you have to take calculated decisions about whether to include people or not, that was very much in our minds from the World Cup with the inclusion of Zach Wallace, Rhys Smith and others. Now we have Lee and Josh who are part of growing that depth.
“You have to give young players opportunities to develop. You have to push established players and make them feel the competition.”
Will Calnan, Rhys Smith, Zach Wallace and Jack Waller retain their places after featuring at the recent World Cup in India, while Chris Griffiths makes a welcome return after a lengthy injury.
Meanwhile Sam Ward has recovered from concussion after missing the World Cup, but Liam Ansell, who was one of England’s stand out players in India, is injured, along with Harry Martin.
With Barry Middleton deciding upon an international break, Adam Dixon will be GB’s most experienced player on the trips, while Michael Hoare has not been picked.
With Spain beating Belgium in a shoot-out win to earn an extra point in the opening FIH Pro League match at the weekend, the hosts should not be taken lightly and an opening win would kick start GB’s Olympic qualification hopes towards Tokyo 2020.
The Hockey Paper
Wearing blinkers India India watch from sidelines (1/21/2019)
Errol D’Cruz
(Photo: FIH Site)
Not for the first time have India kept themselves out of a potential game-changing situation in the world of hockey. The financial heavyweights of the game had pulled out of the annual FIH Pro League which kicked off in Valencia on Saturday with Spain beating newly-crowned World Cup champions Belgium in a men’s match.
The encounter produced everything. First, a thrilling draw in regulation time. Following that, a shootout that presented a novel system of point sharing (two for the winners, one for the losers). And finally, a result that thrilled the home fans – the presence and attention of whom has been the fulcrum on which the bold home-and-away globe-trotting event has been conceptualized.
India, however, will participate in the 2021 Pro League possibly as the 10th team but in the meantime stand to lose out on potential gains the event offers in terms of exposure and profile.
The eight-time Olympic men’s champions are notorious for withdrawing from tournaments. A few months after winning their only World Cup, India withdrew from the 1975 Pre-Olympic tournament in Montreal. It was here that teams were given a feel of the artificial surface ahead of the Games the following year in the same city where plastic pitches were used for the first time.
They then missed the inaugural 1978 Champions Trophy in Lahore by which time India’s propensity to pull out of an event was all too well known. Organizers of an initially eight-nation invitational tournament in Christchurch, New Zealand, in 1973, could well testify.
The Pro League which fields nine nations each in the men’s and women’s sections is a route to Olympic qualification. Other routes include the Hockey Series Open and the continental championships.
But the essence of a competition, unprecedented in the history of any sport, is the aim to broaden the sport’s profile. The call was answered faithfully and courageously by all nations involved with many disappointed at not making the grade.
Hockey India’s (HI) reason for pulling out has been its pessimism over the women’s team’s bleak prospects of qualifying for the Olympics via the Pro League route that advances the top four to the Olympic qualifiers. Furthermore, a relatively low ranking of No. 9 would then pit them against a much higher-ranked opponent in the last step towards booking a ticket to the Games.
HI, not given to the idea of fielding only the men’s team (now ranked No. 5), decided to pull out of the event altogether thereby ignoring the FIH view that the event bids fair to reduce hockey’s dependence on the Olympics.
It also appears that HI appears to be oblivious that hockey’s Olympic future – at least the 11-a-side game – cannot be taken for granted and that such an apprehension contributed to the inception of the Pro League. India failed to book a direct ticket to the 2020 Tokyo Olympics in both the men’s and women’s competitions by failing to win the gold medal at the Asian Games in Jakarta in August-September last year.
They will now play the Hockey Series Open later this year in the hope of, by HI’s reckoning at least, booking a place in the Olympic qualifiers.
Pakistan, India’s arch-rivals, are in the men’s section. Reeling from the paucity of funds and exposure caused by security issues and dwindling interest in the game at home, have found it important to be part of the movement.
Their ‘home matches’ however will be held in various cities overseas but one wagers the opportunity to participate in a league of such a dimension is likely to help the beleaguered former World Cup and Olympic champions spark a renaissance.
As many as 144 matches until the end of June will be televised live.
Argentina, Australia, Belgium, Germany, Britain, the Netherlands and New Zealand will play in the men’s and women’s leagues.
Pakistan and Spain complete the field in the men’s event, China and the US do so in the women’s. The league will lead to the grand finals for the top four finishers in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, towards the end of June.
Stick2Hockey.com
PHF needs funds to achieve set targets
Mohsin Ali
ISLAMABAD - Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) Acting Secretary General Muhammad Akhlaq Usmani has requested Prime Minister Imran Khan to provide funds to help the federation and hockey in fulfilling national and international commitments.
Talking to The Nation, Akhlaq said: “The federation is making the best efforts to revive hockey in Pakistan. All those critics, who level baseless allegations regarding funds embezzlement, should have used commonsense before such statements. We have arranged 27 international tours of national hockey team in last four years and each tour approximately cost the federation around Rs 10 million. While international XI and goalkeeping course under world’s elite goalkeepers were also managed in Karachi.
“We also conducted transparent audit from internationally-reputed firms, but the AGPR has also conducted audit. Our hands are neat and clean as we always put hockey above all personal ambitions, that is why, after four years absence, Pakistan hockey team participated in the World Cup in India, Champions Trophy in Netherlands, four-nation in Australia, besides conducted national championships and a number of other beneficial things for the players and Pakistan hockey. We kept on ensuring maximum activities so that the players must get more and more chances,” he added.
He said all that good work was done by PHF president Brig (R) Khalid Sajjad Khokar through his personal efforts. “For the last one year or so, the government didn’t release financial grant to PHF. The PHF head was the one, who arranged funds to send team for World Cup, Champions Trophy and Asian Champions Trophy. He cleared dailies and other dues of the players and team management.
“Akhlaq said that the federation doesn’t need cash as it just wants government to take care of players and officials. “The Pro-Hockey League is starting from February 2 and the national team is leaving from Lahore on January 27. The first match is on February 2 and second match is on February 3 in Argentina. The team will then travel to Australia to play two matches and then to New Zealand to play two matches.
“The second leg of Pro-Hockey League will be held in April in England, Netherlands, Belgium, Germany and Spain while two matches each will also be played in these countries. We need a total of around 27.5 million as we want to play total 16 matches of Pro-League. We need funds desperately, as it is a matter of the country’s respect.”
The PHF secretary said that the federation has finalised the first-ever Pakistan Hockey Super League (PHSL), which will be held in the third week of March. “Total six teams will be in action in Lahore as each team will include two international players as well. The entire expenses will be arranged through private sponsors. We won’t take a single penny from government for the PHSL.
“We have to conduct National U-19 Junior Championship, which is delayed for a month due to acute shortage of funds. This year, we have to play in the 2020 Olympic qualifiers, which will be held in October as the venue and dates are yet be finalized. It is a huge event and we are optimistic about qualifying for 2020 Olympics this time around.”
“Hockey is our national game but the government’s step-motherly treatment to hockey is disheartening. Without putting finances, nobody can even think about participation in the mega events, winning is a far cry. We are committed to take Pakistan hockey to new heights, which is absolutely possible, if government provides us due grants and corporate sector also plays it due role to help PHF achieve its goals,” Usmani concluded.
The Nation
Jiwa referred to MHC for further action
By Jugjet Singh
KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Hockey League (MHL) technical committee on Monday referred NurInsafi player Jiwa Mohan to the Malaysian Hockey Confederation (MHC) for his negative statement in an English daily.
Jiwa was not present as he was not informed by his manager about the hearing which was chaired by tournament director Jusvir Singh.
The former international spoke ill about the MHL by touching on the drastic drop in the number of teams taking part in the competition.
"Jiwa did not attend today's hearing and when I contacted him, he said he was not informed about it by his manager (Thaitchana Muruhti).
"We went ahead without hearing his side of the story, and have now referred him to the MHC who in turn might refer him to their disciplinary board," said Jusvir Singh on Monday.
The technical committee referred him to the MHC for breaching the tournament’s code and conduct and also for not attending the hearing.
"It is now up to the MHC to deliberate on the matter," Jusvir added.
Universiti Kuala Lumpur coach Arul Selvaraj is in the same boat with Jiwa. MHC will hear his case soon.
Meanwhile, Terengganu Ladies thrashed KL Wipers 6-0 in the Women’s MHL. They now lead the league with 15 points.
Siti Noor Amarina (sixth minute), Jaspreet Kaur (12th), Nur Syuhada bt Suhaimi (19th, 45th), Fatin Shafika (35th) and Jaswinder Kaur (42nd) netted for Terengganu Ladies.
New Straits Times
Indoor Finals Set For This Weekend
The National Indoor Finals are set for next weekend (January 27th) in The Antrim Forum. Following hotly contested provincial tournaments, we now know the top teams who will be competing for the title. On the women's side Ashton will face Railway Union in the opening semi final, while Ards will meet Galway on the other side of the draw. The men's fixtures see Limerick face tough opposition in Three Rock Rovers, and Cookstown take on Railway Union.
All games will be 20 minutes each way, with 5 minutes for half time. If the games end in a tie, a shoot out will take place to determine the winner.
Schedule:
9.30am - Ladies Semi Final 1 (Ashton v Railway Union)
10.30am - Ladies semi Final 2 (Ards v Galway)
11.30am- Mens Semi Final 1 (Limerick v Three Rock Rovers)
12.30pm - Mens Semi Final 2 (Cookstown v Railway Union)
1.30pm - Ladies 3rd/4th place game
2.30pm - Mens 3rd/4th place game
3.30pm - Ladies Final
4.45pm - Mens Final
Irish Hockey Association media release
Clydesdale Western and Dundee Wanderers to meet in women’s Gala Day final
Clydesdale Western and Dundee Wanderers will contest the final of the Scottish women`s Indoor National League 1 final after they saw off Watsonians and Grove Menzieshill respectively in the penultimate stage, while at the other end of the competition Edinburgh CALA have been relegated from the top flight after losing to Grange in the play-off.
Watsonians came close to reaching the indoor final for the first time, but a sudden death penalty shoot-out conversion by Western`s Marjery Justice promptly stifled that aspiration.
In normal time Justice opened the scoring with a penalty corner strike, and that was the score at the interval.
Early in the second half there was a flurry of goals inside three minutes, Anna Cameron levelled for Watsonians from a set piece, then Catriona McLennan put the Edinburgh side 2-1 ahead, only for Kayleigh Justice to make it 2-2, and that is how it stood at the end of normal time.
The shoot-out ended in a 1-1 draw at the end of the first set of efforts, Emily Newlands put Watsonians one up only for Marjery Justice to equalise. Then Justice`s sudden death conversion put an end to Watsonians` dream.
Ruth Blaikie put Wanderers ahead in the first half of the Tayside derby against Grove Menzieshill, but there was nothing to choose between the sides in a fast and furious encounter.
Three minutes into the second half Emily Dark made it 2-0 to give Grove Menzieshill an uphill battle. But any resistance was effectively stifled with a hat-trick from Wanderers` Charlotte Watson, two came from open play and the other from the spot, for a comfortable win in the end. With a few minutes left Grove Menzieshill defender Sam Sangster replaced their keeper to provide an addition outfield player to attempt to rescue the tie, but the gamble came to nothing.
Grove Menzieshill took third spot in the competition after a 6-4 win over Watsonians. Ellie Stott put Grove Menzieshill two ahead in the first half, Emily Newlands pulled one back for Watsonians at a penalty corner, but Holly Duval quickly made it 3-1 for the Taysiders.
A double from Georgia Jones pulled the score back to 3-3, Katie Stott made it 4-3 for Grove Menzieshill, but Watsonians` Nikki Stobie then ties the scores at 4-4 with all to play for. However, in the final five minutes Stott and Corrie Hay in the final ten seconds pushed Grove Menzieshill into a 6-4 winning margin.
Hillhead finished their indoor season with a very creditable fifth spot following their 3-2 win over Edinburgh University. The Glasgow side went into a 3-1 half-time lead, Louise Andrews, Julia MacMillan and Jenny Sinclair were on target while Ellie Hutcheson replied for the students.
Five minutes into the second half Edinburgh`s Chessie Small pulled the score back to 3-2 but thereafter nothing was added to the goal tally.
But it was Edinburgh CALA who took the wooden spoon and the automatic relegation spot after going down 5-2 to Grange for their first win of the campaign. Grange`s survival was founded on a hat-trick from Laura Protheroe, ably backed by strikes by Emma Petrie and Beth Goodyear.
Earlier in the day saw the final pool matches, in the opener Dundee Wanderers beat second placed Watsonians 7-1, here there were doubles for Emily Dark and Ruth Blaikie.
In the other Pool A match Hillhead returned to winning ways with a 2-1 win over Grange. The latter took the lead through a penalty corner conversion by Krista Hopkinson but a set piece score from Morna Sinclair levelled for the Glasgow side. Hillhead`s winner came mid-way through the second half from Wendy Andrews.
In the other pool Western saw off Edinburgh CALA 5 -1, Millie Steiger got two, while Grove Menzieshill had the same score against Edinburgh University, Katie Robertson was top with a hat-trick. However, the similar results here meant that the students finished third in the pool with CALA bottom, both had a similar goal difference but the former had scored one goal more and thereby avoid the relegation play-off.
Scottish Hockey Union media release
NSW Claims Under-21 Australian Indoor Hockey Festival Double
Ben Somerford
New South Wales have once again completed the men’s and women’s double at the Under-21’s Australian Indoor Hockey Festival which concluded at Goulburn’s Veolia Arena on Tuesday.
In the men’s, NSW beat Queensland 4-2 in the decider with Ehren Hazel netting a double.
Hazel opened the scoring before Jack Turner levelled in the 17th minute for Queensland.
NSW captain Rhiley Carr and Isaac Farmilo gave their side a two-goal buffer with quickfire goals before Queensland pulled another back through Jackson Willie.
However, after a yellow card to Turner, Hazel settled the contest in the 39th minute.
In the men’s bronze medal match, WA got past ACT 3-2 in a shootout after a thrilling 6-6 draw.
NSW defeated ACT 1-0 in the women’s gold medal match on Tuesday, with Helena Tobbe’s first minute strike proving decisive.
In the women’s bronze medal match, WA were too strong for Victoria 6-1.
Numerous Under-21’s awards were also handed out on Tuesday following the finals which were live streamed, with the winners listed below.
Women’s
Play the Whistle: ACT
Top goal scorer: Helena Tobbe (NSW) – 10 goals
Men’s
Play the Whistle: Queensland/ACT/WA
Top goal scorer: Ben Staines (ACT) – 16 goals
The Festival will run from Friday 4 January to Saturday 26 January 2019, across Under-13, Under-15, Under-18, Under-21 and Open divisions, with the Masters divisions having already competed in December.
The upcoming Open division will be live streamed on Hockey Australia’s YouTube channel from Wednesday to Saturday.
Hockey Australia have partnered with Destination NSW and the Goulburn Mulwaree Council to make the Festival possible and we thank them for their support.
Head to https://hockeyaustralia.altiusrt.com/competitions/ for fixtures and match information. Follow @HockeyAustralia on Twitter for updates. Entry is free at Veolia Arena.
Hockey Australia media release