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News for 06 April 2019

All the news for Saturday 6 April 2019


2019 FIH Pro League (Men) - 6 April

6 Apr 2019 15:30 (GMT -3)     ARG v GBR (RR)     Estadio Mundialista, Rosario

Live streaming and full game replay on https://fih.live (Geo blocked if there is TV coverage)

FIH Match Centre



2019 FIH Pro League (Women) - 6 April

6 Apr 2019 18:00 (GMT -3)     ARG v GBR (RR)     Estadio Mundialista, Rosario
7 Apr 2019 15:30 (GMT +2)     BEL v CHN (RR)     Royal Uccle Sport, Brussels

Live streaming and full game replay on https://fih.live (Geo blocked if there is TV coverage)

FIH Match Centre



Danny Kerry: Why our players laughed at stick from Spanish fans


Great Britain's men away to Spain in the FIH Pro League

Great Britain's men's head coach Danny Kerry says his team were smiling when on the end of light-hearted stick from young Spanish fans in their very first FIH Pro League game!

The new global competition has started in earnest, with fans from all over the world backing their nations on home soil.

Kerry's team earned a brilliant 6-5 comeback win in their first game in Spain, and he revealed with a smile, “In Spain we had a really young audience with lots of schoolchildren and it was really loud. I think it was quite a different experience for the lads to what they’ve had before, but it did create a really good atmosphere."

"Some of the local children were quite hostile, which was also quite interesting! Especially when the lads were doing their recovery with rolling substitutions, it was quite a moment of mirth as young Spanish kids were having a go at our adult players!

"But I was really delighted with how the boys reacted to that in seeing it for the funny thing it was!"

Reflecting on the support so far in our FIHPL away games, Danny said, “In the next game in New Zealand, Christchurch is a wonderful city, the things that have happened there were only a few hundred metres from where we were staying which was quite unbelievable to think.

"Christchurch was wonderful, they had a really nice homely feel to their venue where they have four sides to the ground then put out deck chairs and a stand, so there was a really nice feel to it.

"Australia was more of your classic stadium. It had that classic feel of Britain versus Australia and the old rivalry that goes with it. So far, it’s been different in each environment, but it’s been good."

May 4 sees the men's team play Spain in their first home match in London, and Danny said, "I don’t want to be disrespectful of the other nations, but I have high expectations of what we’ll put on, and the number of spectators.

"I’m really looking forward to the athletes enjoying that feeling of support and the scale of the league.”



Danny is not with the team for their trip to Argentina, and he reflected, "When I was being interviewed for this role, I didn’t bring it up, the panel brought up about the amount of time and energy that I invest in athletes, staff, especially after getting the team ready for a home World Cup, coming out the back of a Commonwealth Games, then straight into a second World Cup.

"There was always a discussion about me getting a window of opportunity to take a breath and this window meant I’d only miss one game and get a good nine or ten day break, which is very rare, but allows me to spend a bit of time with my young family because of the Easter Holidays.

"Strategically, we work a lot with the athlete group about appropriate rest and recovery and I think it would be rather hypocritical if I, the Head Coach of the programme, turned up to an important phase in the summer and Autumn burnt out and alienated from my family, so this is a really good time for me.

"Just to be really clear, it’s not linked to my health, it’s just linked to my wellbeing and ability to have a bit of space and time.”

Great Britain Hockey media release



Dharmaraj sees Five-Test series as learning curve

By Jugjet Singh


National women’s hockey squad players train at the National Hockey Stadium in Bukit Jalil as they prepare for the second test of a Five-Test series against World No 9 ranked India which takes place tomorrow (Saturday) at 6pm. (PIC BY HAFIZ SOHAIMI)

KUALA LUMPUR: The national women’s team have been left alone for seven months, and now they have been thrown into a Five-Test series against none other than World No 9 ranked India of all teams.

As expected they lost the First Test 3-0 yesterday (Thursday), and coach K. Dharmaraj expects more torrid times ahead as they gear up for the Second Test which begins at 6pm tomorrow (Saturday).

“I was elated when India accepted our offer to play a Five-Test series in Bukit Jalil against our women’s team who are ranked way below them (World No 22), as we normally meet in the Asian Champions Trophy, Asian Games, Asia Cup or Commonwealth Games.

“And after playing against each other in all these tournaments, the scoreline has been close since 6-1 thrashing we endured during the 2014 Asian Games,” Dharmaraj pointed out.

In the last three meetings, the scoreline has been somewhat close. India won 3-2 in the Donghae Asian Champions Trophy, 4-1 in the Commonwealth Games and 2-0 in the Asia Cup.

This Five-Test series is being held to better prepare the team for the FIH Series Finals in Dublin, Ireland from June 8-16. Malaysia have been drawn in Group A together with Ireland, the Czech Republic and Singapore.

In Group B are South Korea, Scotland, Ukraine and France.

“And the MHC (Malaysia Hockey Confederation) have also agreed to arrange matches against European sides Italy and Spain just before the Dublin pre-Olympic Qualifier.

“This will help the team to get more valuable match experience ahead of their all-important assignment.”

On the Five-Test series against India, Dharmaraj had this to say; “I did not see any full press in Test 1 from India, so I believe the remaining four matches will be much more difficult than the first, but I have prepared my team for this test series and they know what to expect where this learning curve is concerned,” said Dharmaraj, who surprised everybody by taking Malaysia into the World League Round Two final against Ireland.

The Second Test tomorrow (Saturday) will be held at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil at 6pm.

New Straits Times



Green Machine back in action with two uncapped wins over France


Shane O’Donoghue scored twice in a 2-1 win on Tuesday. Pic: Adrian Boehm

Ireland’s men won their first two games since the World Cup as they beat France 2-0 and 2-1 in Utrecht this week in a pair of uncapped fixtures, kicking off their Olympic qualifier preparations.

It followed a tough physical training block since the beginning of January and one camp last week prior to these two games.

The break was well received by all players and staff and the squad is reporting “a real buzz around the camp now in the lead up into the World Series this June in France”.

Game one was a little scrappy with a number of unforced errors as Ireland tried out new defensive structures. They did produce some nice phases of play via Shane O’Donoghue, Eugene Magee and Stu Loughrey which resulted in O’Donoghue finding space in the circle unmarked to slot home the first goal on his reverse.

They pushed on from there and created some attacks which led a corner which O’Donoghue slotted home. The French stepped up to win a couple of corners toward the end of the game which were defended well by goalkeepers Jamie Carr and Mark Ingram.

The French scored late in the game with some nice interplay along the left-hand side which ended with a close-range finish, 2-1 final score.

The second tie ended 2-0 to the Green Machine despite a slow start with France having most of the ball in the first two quarters with the French peppering the 23 but deep defence kept Ireland afloat.

The second half was a totally different game from an Irish perspective with some longer phases of play in the French half. It resulted in Ireland’s only corner which was initially run down only to be fired home on the upright reverse from hurler Magee.

Ireland kicked on from here with some nice phases and with the French now giving chase, going to 11 outfielders at one stage. Ireland managed their extra man well and countered near the end with Kirk Shimmins slotting home into an empty net.

The squad featured Guy Sarratt for the first time with the Irish senior panel in the opening game while there were plenty of returnees following the World Cup including Julian Dale, Neal Glassey, Callum Robson, Sam O’Connor and John Jackson.

Unavailable or injured for the camp were Alan Sothern, Michael Robson, David Harte, David Fitzgerald and Johnny McKee. Ireland will face Japan in Utrecht next month and the USA in a couple of games in May in Ireland before their Hockey Series Finals in June.

Ireland men’s panel for series vs France: Jamie Carr, Mark Ingram, Lee Cole, Stuart Loughrey, Conor Harte, Paul Gleghorne, Guy Sarratt, Matthew Bell, Shane O’Donoghue, John Jackson, Neal Glassey, Stephen Cole, Callum Robson, Kirk Shimmins, Eugene Magee, Jeremy Duncan, Julian Dale, Ben Walker, Jonny Bell, Luke Madeley, Sam O’Connor, Sean Murray, Daragh Walsh

The Hook



EHL Play-Offs begin this Sunday



Sunday sees Round One of the EHL Promotion tournament commence at Nottingham Hockey Centre.

The three Conference winners and the ninth placed teams in the Premier Divisions of the Investec Women’s and Men’s Hockey Leagues are playing off with two places in the Premier Division in 2019-20 up for grabs.

In the women’s tournament three out of the four teams also played in last season’s competition. Hampstead & Westminster (East winners) and Stourport (West winners) join Slough, who again finished in ninth place in the Premier Division. Last year’s North champions Beeston were promoted and retained their top-flight status and Loughborough Students are looking to emulate this.

The University of Exeter were involved last year as West champions, but this season enter as the ninth placed Premier Division team. North winners Bowdon are looking to return to the top flight for the first time since 2012 and it’s three seasons earlier since Havant, the West winners, last appeared in the top Division. Old Georgians (East) are looking to play in the Premier Division for the first time.



Tickets for the event can be purchased on the gate or in advance by clicking here, the full match schedule is included below. The tournament concludes at Lee Valley Hockey and Tennis Centre on 13-14 April along with the league finals, follow the action on https://englandhockey.altiusrt.com/

Sunday also sees the start of the tournament to determine the final places in the new Division One North & South for 2019-20. The three teams who finished seventh in the Conferences are playing off for two places. In the Investec Women’s League play-off Leeds (North) face Olton & West Warwickshire (West), the Men’s League game sees Fareham (West) take on Preston (North). Further games are Olton v Horsham on 14 April and Horsham v Leeds on 28 April; City of Peterborough v Fareham, 13 April and Preston v City of Peterborough on 28 April.
 
In this competition only if any game ends level at full-time, both teams will earn one point for the draw, but a shootout will be held and the winners gain an extra point.        


 
EHL PROMOTION TOURNAMENT, 7 APRIL AT NOTTINGHAM HOCKEY CENTRE

1315 hrs - IWHL Play-Offs Match 1
Hampstead & Westminster (1st East) v Slough (9th Premier)
1315 hrs - MHL Play-Offs Match 1 
University of Exeter (9th Premier) v Old Georgians (1st East)

1530 hrs - IWHL Play-Offs Match 2
Stourport (1st West) v Loughborough Students (1st North)
1530 hrs - MHL Play-Offs Match 2 
Bowdon (1st North) v Havant (1st West)

EHL CHAMPIONSHIPS & PROMOTION TOURNAMENT, 13-14 APRIL AT LEE VALLEY HOCKEY AND TENNIS CENTRE

Saturday 13 April

League Finals

1100 hrs - MHL Semi 1
Surbiton (1st) v East Grinstead (4th)
1315 hrs - MHL Semi 2
Hampstead & Westminster (2nd) v Beeston (3rd)
1530 hrs - IWHL Semi 1
Holcombe (1st) v Buckingham (4th)
1745 hrs - IWHL Semi 2
Surbiton (2nd) v East Grinstead (3rd)

Promotion Tournament

1000 hrs - MHL Play-Offs 3
Havant (1st West) v University of Exeter (9th Premier)
1200 hrs - MHL Play-Offs 4
Old Georgians (1st East) v Bowdon (1st North)
1400 hrs - IWHL Play-Offs 3
Slough (9th Premier) v Stourport (1st West)
1600 hrs - IWHL Play-Offs 4
Loughborough Students (1st North) v Hampstead & Westminster (1st East)



Sunday 14 April

League Finals

1345 hrs - MHL Final
1600 hrs - IWHL Final

Promotion Tournament

0930 hrs - MHL Play-Offs 5
Havant (1st West) v  Old Georgians (1st East)
0930 hrs - MHL Play-Offs 6
University of Exeter (9th Premier) v Bowdon (1st North)
1130 hrs - IWHL Play-Offs 5
Hampstead & Westminster (1st East) v Stourport (1st West)
1130 hrs - IWHL Play-Offs 6
Loughborough Students (1st North) v Slough (9th Premier) 

England Hockey Board Media release



Another Northland premier hockey season for youngsters to shine

By Adam Pearse


Sisters Madison, left, and Katie Doar are the latest products of Northland's hockey programme to represent the region on a national stage. Photo / File

I confess, I'm not much of a hockey player. The only credit I can put on my hockey resume is a few intermediate school twilight games where I used IB5 school books as shin-pads.

In saying that, I still think it's a heck of a game. Watching it live, especially at a national level, gives you a true appreciation of how fit you really need to be to play the game at the pace required.

Northland is no stranger to the highest levels of hockey. In fact, a number of Northland's female players make up the bulk of experience and youth in the women's Black Sticks team.

Players like Stacey Michelsen and Ella Gunson, who have racked up more than 200 caps each for the Black Sticks, hail from Northland, as well as young sisters, Madison and Katie Doar, who have thrived under the pressure of the national spotlight.

Northland's club hockey scene is no different. Former Black Sticks and national hockey league players are littered through a number of teams in the men's and women's premier teams and other grades.

What these players provide is an invaluable resource for our younger players coming through. Speaking to all the premier coaches before the start of round one (which kicked off yesterday), there is an abundance of youth in our premier hockey teams who will be eager to cut their teeth this season.

It's a similar narrative told by other clubs from other codes about how young players are the most valuable resource in an era where sporting numbers are reducing drastically for some codes.

Most of our premier hockey coaches spoke about the trouble they have had in recent years with depth and being able to field a full squad each week. From personal experience, the effect this has on a team is not an enjoyable one with uncertainty and disappointment rearing their ugly heads every Saturday.

However, the confidence from our coaches looking ahead to this season will be easy to verify once we get further into the year. It'll be when the bodies begin to tire and the injuries take hold when we'll see just how prepared these teams are.

But for the moment, I think we can be happy with the number of young players making the step up into the premier grade. For most, they will be ready for it, having watched parents and friends playing in the top league in the region and dreaming of one day competing at that level.

What will be required, though, is good management from our coaches. While it is a great opportunity for these players to try Northland's top club competition, it can quickly become a struggle coming up against the wealth of talent and experience of some teams.

Former Black Sticks like Maungakaramea's Anna Alexander and Old Girls' Laura Douglas cast an impressive, but daunting, shadow for those young ones who play them, let alone those who have to go against them.

The management of these players and not introducing them too soon to the top flight of Northland hockey is incredibly important to ensuring the continued stream of national representatives Northland supplies to the global hockey scene.

Anything less than that and we could find ourselves crippling the very future we look to create.

The New Zealand Herald



Garvey hoping to repeat win over Glens to take EYHL impetus


Lisnagarvey’s Matthew Nelson on the attack against Glenanne earlier this season. Pic: Adrian Boehm

Lisnagarvey will be aiming to repeat last Sunday’s Irish Senior Cup win over Glenanne to make a massive step toward a second EYHL title.

It looks to be the Comber Road club’s toughest test from their three-game run-in with the Glens with just two games left on their card to try and defend the title.

Garvey have a three-point advantage at this late stage in the competition over the Glens and Banbridge who will look to keep the pressure on.

Bann travel to a Pembroke side smarting from their 8-1 loss to Three Rock Rovers which punched a big hole in their playoff hopes after sitting in the top four for so long.

Pembroke have missed the services of Keith O’Hare and look to be understrength again for the first of two meetings in seven days with the Co Down side.

There are also massive games in the relegation shake-up. Cork C of I gave themselves a massive boost last weekend when they beat Cookstown 3-2, their first EYHL win in 15 months.

It trims their gap to Cookstown and YMCA to three points and they need to back it up with a good haul in back-to-back games this weekend against Monkstown – Saturday in Cork, Sunday in Rathdown.

It is yet another awkward quirk in this strange season from a fixtures perspective following the World Cup. Indeed, for C of I, the side with the most travel to make, it will be their fourth double weekend since the start of February with plenty of miles on the odometers.

YMCA will hope to take advantage of Annadale’s slump in form. Their last win came on February 2, seven games ago, but a draw would ensure they would have less late season relegation concerns to deal with.

Three Rock will copper-fasten a place in the EY Champions Trophy if they get a win at Cookstown, putting them out of range of Pembroke regardless of their result against Bann.

On Friday evening in EYHL 2, Instonians beat Kilkeel 1-0 with Ben Palmer touching in from Mikie Watt’s initial shot in the final quarter for the only goal of the evening.

It puts them level with Corinthian on points and goal difference but with the reds left with one game to go – Saturday’s home game against basement side UCC.

Corinthian had a dramatic win in midweek in Leinster Division One against Rathgar, succeeding 3-2 with two goals in the last ten minutes.

Josh Greaney opened the scoring before Rathgar leveled before half time via Ricky McMahon and Andy Malcolm put them 2-1 ahead midway through the second half.

Conor Quinn was exceptional for Gar as they kept Corinthian at bay while they lined out with a smart gameplan to make life difficult.

It required three very good goals to undo them, two coming in the last 10 minutes when Ian Stewart scored with a drive left from the top of the D and a reverse to match. With four minutes left, David Howard scored a screamer of a corner.

The result means Corinthian need a draw from their final game of the season against Dublin University on April 13. UCD are the only side that can mathematically catch them but are three points and 15 goals on goal difference back.

For UCD, the EYHL2 probably becomes a more pressing concern. They are already through to the semi-finals along with Railway Union and so their games with Bandon and Bangor this weekend are solely to decide top spot.

Men’s weekend fixtures (Saturday unless stated)
EY Hockey League
Saturday: Cookstown v Three Rock Rovers, Steelweld Park, 2.30pm; Cork C of I v Monkstown, Garryduff, 2.30pm; Lisnagarvey v Glenanne, Comber Road, 3pm; Pembroke v Banbridge, Serpentine Avenue, 2pm; YMCA v Annadale, Wesley College, 3.15pm

Sunday: Monkstown v Cork C of I, ALD Merrion Fleet Arena, 2.30pm

EYHL 2 Pool A: Bandon v Railway Union, Bandon GS, 2pm; Bangor v UCD, Bangor Aurora, 2.30pm
Pool B, Friday: Instonians 1 (J Palmer) Kilkeel 0
Saturday: Corinthian v UCC, St. Columba’s College, 1pm

Leinster Division 1: Kilkenny v Portrane, Kilkenny College, 1pm

Munster Charity Cup – Round 5: Ashton v Catholic Institute, Ashton School, 10.45am; Cork Harlequins v Waterford, Farmers’ Cross, 2.30pm

Cork Cup Final: Midleton v Limerick, Crescent Comp. Sch.

The Hook



Pegasus look to grab result they need to lift EYHL title


Pegasus’s Shirley McCay. Pic: Adrian Boehm

Pegasus will lift the regulation season EY Irish Hockey League title on Saturday if they can secure the point they need against bottom club Muckross at the Dub.

The Belfast side will be hoping to bounce back from a 1-0 loss to Cork Harlequins in the semi-finals of the Irish Senior Cup last Sunday. However, they should be capable of securing the point they need, if not all three, against the Dublin side with Shirley McCay likely to return.

Muckross, for their part, were left frustrated as their Thursday night refix against an understrength UCD was abandoned for a second time. With 49 minutes gone, it was level at 1-1 with Yasmin Pratt and Emma Young sharing the scoring before the relentless rain eventually saw the tie called off with a water-logged pitch at Newpark.

It means the sides will have to find a fourth new date for this game after the previous refix was pulled in the first half due to fog when UCD were 3-1 up.

Ards, who lost to Muckross at the weekend, will be hoping for a Pegasus win to keep their noses in front of the Dubliners. And, if Ards can pick up something from their game away to Railway Union, it would go a long way to secure their place in the relegation play-off spot.

The Champions Trophy playoff places remain up for grabs with Cork Harlequins and Pembroke looking like direct rivals. Quins will not have the services of key defender Cliodhna Sargent following her injury in the Senior Cup win over Pegasus when they host UCD at Farmers Cross.

UCD could see some of Lena Tice, Nina Heisterkamp, Beth Barr, Orla Patton, Hannah McLoughlin and Leah McGuire return to action after missing Thursday’s game.

Pembroke are in pursuit with three points to make up and a game in hand; they play Loreto on Saturday before a back match next Thursday against Railway.

Belfast Harlequins, who are out of contention for a place in the top-four, are away to Old Alex and hope to welcome back World Cup star Zoe Wilson, who is recovering from a foot injury. Neither side has much on the line.

In EYHL Division 2, the last remaining issue to be decided will be decided when Dungannon host Catholic Institute. The Limerick side need a draw or better to move to top spot in the group ahead of Monkstown who have completed their series. Third placed Lurgan face NUIG who will finish fifth in the group.

In Pool A, Queen’s are guaranteed top and so can enjoy their rest weekend. Trinity go to Greenfields assured of second while Corinthian will remain third if they get a losing bonus point or better against UCC a Whitechurch Park.

Sunday sees Our Lady’s face Clontarf for the right to play in Leinster Division One next season

Women’s fixtures (Saturday unless stated)
EY Hockey League: Cork Harlequins v UCD, Farmers’ Cross, 1.05pm; Old Alex v Belfast Harlequins, Alexandra College, 3.30pm; Pegasus v Muckross, Malone Playing Fields, 2.30pm; Pembroke Wanderers v Loreto, Pembroke Wanderers HC, 4pm; Railway Union v Ards, Railway Union HC, 2.30pm

EY Hockey League Division 2, Pool A: Corinthian v UCC, St. Columba’s College, 3pm; Greenfields v Trinity, Dangan Sports Ground, 2.20pm
Pool B: Dungannon v Catholic Institute, Royal School, 1pm; Lurgan v NUIG, Lurgan JHS, 1pm

Leinster Division 1/2 Playoff (Sunday): Our Lady’s v Clontarf, St. Columba’s College, 3.15pm

The Hook



Big play off weekend on the cards as Grand Finals approach



The league programme is now complete, Grange and Edinburgh University are already crowned men`s and women`s champions, now the focus turns to the play-offs and places in Europe for next season.

By winning the league both Grange and the Edinburgh students are assured of a European spot, the contest is for the other place on offer.

In the men`s semi-final Grange are at home to an Uddingston side that latched on to fourth places with a late round of good results.

However, the champions have had the better of the results so far this season, a 4-1 win in the Scottish Cup, the first league encounter did end in a 3-3 draw, but the return at Bothwell Castle Policies was a 3-1 victory for the visitors – a Dan Coultas double and Duncan Riddell were on target.

That said, the Lanarkshire side can raise their game against strong opposition and in a one off game anything can happen – and on occasions does. But they will hope to improve on last Saturday`s 3-2 defeat by Kelburne which almost lost them their top four status.

The clash between Grove Menzieshill and Western Wildcats on Tayside could be a mouth-watering affair, in the end only one point separated them over 18 games in the league.

The league encounters have been close, but Western Wildcats have purred their way to a 2-1 double over the Hill. In the equivalent fixture on Tayside, Cameron Golden put the Taysiders ahead but a penalty corner conversion by Adam McKenzie and an open play strike from Rob Harwood secured the win.


13 October 2018 at Auchenhowie. Scottish Hockey Division 1 match – Western Wildcats v Dundee Wanderers – photo by Duncan Gray

The women`s European play-off could be a really tight affair, Edinburgh University took the league title by three points while the chasing pack of Clydesdale Western, Dundee Wanderers and Western Wildcats all finished on 41 points.

The champions are at home to Western Wildcats, and the students` coach Sam Judge will remember that the earlier meeting between the sides at Peffermill ended in a 3-2 triumph for the Auchenhowie pack. That day in February the score was tied at 2-2 at the end of the first half, but Western Wildcats` Kate Holmes got the winner after the interval.

However, the students did win the earlier encounter by a single strike from Ella Watt.

The meeting of Clydesdale Western and Wanderers will be a repeat of last weekend`s final game of the season at Titwood where the Taysiders triumphed 2-1. Despite the Dundonians’ victory, there was in reality not much to choose between the sides – so all to play for this Saturday.

While the above sides are looking to triumph on Saturday and make next weekend`s final, the teams in the relegation play-offs certainly do not. The winners of Saturday`s matches will play top flight hockey next season, the losers are consigned to another encounter next weekend to decide the final relegation spot.

In the men`s Hillhead are at home to Dunfermline Carnegie, runners-up to Dundee Wanderers in this season`s second division campaign.

In the other tie Watsonians entertain Kelburne in an intriguing clash. The Edinburgh side won both the league encounters, but even with a reduced squad the former champions can never be discounted as Uddingston found out last weekend.

Hillhead are also involved in the women`s play-offs, they are at home to National League 2`s Erskine Stewarts Melville.

The other tie brings together Glasgow University and GHK, a repeat of last Saturday`s encounter which the students won 2-1, another such outcome would certainly suit them although their Glasgow rivals will have other ideas.

Scottish Hockey Union media release



Lakers eager to make statement in hockey league

By VICTOR OTIENO


Nancy Kibogongi of Sliders drives the ball forward during their Kenya Hockey Union women’s league match against Strathmore University at City Park Hockey Stadium on December 16, 2017. PHOTO | MARTIN MUKANGU |  NATION MEDIA GROUP

Lakers host Sliders at the Sikh Union in Kisumu in a Kenya Hockey Union women’s Premier League on Saturday.

Team manager John Paul Otieno has said the team is going all out for a win to signal their title intentions in the league this season.

“We have always talked of winning the league this year. It is important we win Saturday because it will set the pace for us,” Otieno said on Friday in Kisumu. Lakers clinched a ticket to this year’s KHU’s league after finishing second in the 2018 women’s Super League.

The team finished the season with 22 points, three behind winners Kenyatta University. Otieno asked his ladies to be weary of their opponents, noting that they will be seeking to bounce back from their poor start this season.

In their first match of the season, Sliders were held to a barren draw by newcomers Kenyatta University, before they lost 2-0 to United States International University (USIU) last weekend.

“This will be Sliders third match. We know the are coming for a win after their false start so we have to be careful of them. The girls are aware of this and will not take any chances,” said the team manager.

He tipped the Kisumu based team to win by more than three goals.

Laker’s kipper Linnah Lincy said the team has had a wonderful preseason and were well prepared for Saturday’s game.

Lakers in January signed 10 players majorly drawn from some of the top hockey playing schools in the region, among them Sinyolo, Nyamira, Tigoi, Kisumu Girls and St Teresa’s.

Daily Nation



Hockey promoting development and peace



Lausanne, Switzerland: The stories featured this week on the FIH website showcase work that is being carried out by individuals, groups, national associations and continental federations to promote peace and development across the globe.

The FIH is joining with the International Olympic Committee (IOC) in celebrating International Day of Sport for Development and Peace on 6 April, by telling five stories that demonstrate the depth of heart and empathy that exists within the global hockey community.

From Oceania we hear how one international hockey player’s own struggles with mental health and depression have led her to commit her time and energy to helping others who face similar problems. Georgia Wilson has managed to quell her own demons by discovering that talking and seeking help is one way to find inner peace. Now she is pouring her energies into supporting others with mental health issues.

The Hockey Dreams Foundation continues to plough a path of sustainable hockey growth and development across parts of Africa. The launch of the Hockey Dreams Academy is the next step in developing a coaching and officiating structure that will not just raise hockey-playing standards but will also offer a sustainable career path for coaches from across a number of African states. The strong links with European clubs is a great example of well-planned collaboration providing opportunities from which all stakeholders can benefit.

In Asia there is growing excitement surrounding the prospect of a unified Korea women's hockey team participating in the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games. Both the FIH and the Asian Hockey Federation are working closely with the national associations and national governments to make it happen. There is a long way to go and many logistical and cultural challenges to face along the way but the intent is strong and hopes are high for success.

Andy Adrians has represented Venezuela on 89 occasions and has great hopes of winning more caps for his country. But, at present Venezuela, which is a member of the PAHF continental federation, is torn apart by civil unrest and people are fleeing the country in droves, fearful both for their economic future but also in fear of their lives. Adrians was one such man and we hear how the trust, support and assistance of a hockey coach secured him safe passage to Chile, where he is now working as a professional hockey coach.

The Yugoslav Wars took place between 1991 and 2001 and led to the breakup of the former Yugoslavia. But time has gone a long way towards mending relationships between Balkan nations and, on the hockey pitch at least, the only tension now is a competitive one as the teams play for honours within the EuroHockey Championships as well as taking steps to compete on the wider international stage via the FIH Series Open. We hear how the EHF, the KNHB and the Balkan nations are all collaborating to raise standards of coaching, umpiring and playing at all levels across the region, demonstrating that neighbours can also be supportive friends.

Whether it is coping with the stresses of 21st century life, showing humanity to a person in times of trouble, mending rifts that have torn societies apart or welcoming new members into its global community, we hope our series of stories provide a demonstration of the power of sport to promote peace and development.

#IDSDP2019  #Sport4BetterWorld  #Hockey4LIFE

FIH site



Friends and neighbours work together to develop hockey


Image: FIH

The European Hockey Federation (EHF) has a brief to promote and develop hockey across Europe and, with a membership that covers 43 European nations, the continental federation is living up to its aims.

But, as with any continent, there are some regions that are more developed than others. Look to the northern hockey powerhouses of Netherlands, Belgium, Germany and Great Britain and you see structures within those countries that are well resourced. Move further east and the nations of Austria, Italy and Poland are making their way steadily up the FIH World Rankings into the top 20.

Until recently, one area that was still to really show its power as far as hockey development was concerned was the region geographically and politically defined as the Balkans. Stretching from the Adriatic Sea to the Black Sea, part of the region was the setting for the Yugoslav Wars that took place between 1991 and 2001. The wars led to the breakup of the former Yugoslavia over the course of the last decade of the 20th century.

Following the end of the wars, newly formed states then took time to settle and return to a peaceful way of life. But, as historians and sporting aficionados know, sport is often the informal way that a country repairs itself and so it was in the Balkans. Over time we saw football teams, tennis players, basketball teams and a host of other sporting heroes emerge from the region, proudly representing their country.

And so it was with hockey. The sport has a rich history within this region and recently there has been much more growth in support and recognition from National Olympic Committees and governments.

In November 2017, the Serbian Hockey Federation hosted a regional EHF forum in Jagodina inviting all Hockey Federations to meet and discuss with the EHF how to develop competitions, coaching and youth leadership.

The result has been new nations emerging on the international hockey scene. Croatia men (WR:40) and Croatia women (WR:45) are the leaders among the Balkan states. Slovenia men (WR:73) and women (WR:53) follow.

“Seminars have a great role in fulfilling that plan, recruiting new coaches and umpires is a prerequisite to improve the present state of hockey in Serbia as the shortage of man power has become obvious.”
- Zoran Matijevic, Secretary General, Serbian Hockey Association

Such has been the level of development, that the indoor game is thriving in some of the Balkan states. In February, Serbia – who are currently celebrating 70 years of club hockey in the country – played host to the women’s EuroHockey Indoor Club Challenge III, while the men’s Indoor Club Trophy was contested in Croatia.

Serbia, Turkey, Croatia and Bulgaria have all had successful coaching nominations onto the EHF Coaches 4 Europe programme, which delivers an extensive curriculum over a two year programme, linked closely to the FIH Academy.

Furthermore, the Serbian Hockey Federation have a nominated young female leader on the EHF Youth Panel. The Youth Panel will be helping run the EHF Youth Festival this summer, which has included nominations from across many of the Balkan nations.

Zoran Matijevic, Secretary General of the Serbian Hockey Association (SHA) is pleased to see hockey once more in the limelight.

Matijevic explains that one of the targets of the SHA development strategy is to increase the number and quality of coaches within the club structure.

“Seminars have a great role in fulfilling that plan,” says Matijevic. “Recruiting new coaches and umpires is a prerequisite to improve the present state of hockey in Serbia as the shortage of man power has become obvious.”


courtesy - Bulgarian Hockey Federation

Serbia's Bojana Stankovic will be participating on the EHF's Coaches 4 Europe programme. Matijevic sees this as an extremely important means by which Serbia can begin to develop a structured and concrete plan for coaching/umpiring education, eventually leading to  sustainable education programmes.

A further step forward was achieved recently when a young development officer, Ivet Stojanovic, was accepted onto the EHF Youth Leaders panel. From here, says Matijevic, the next step is to form a development committee, “which will gather all of the young experts to work on the challenges Serbian Hockey is meeting.”

Meanwhile, neighbouring Croatia was in a position to host one of the inaugural Hockey Series Open events, with five men’s teams participating at the competition in Zagreb. Croatia finished in third place, just missing out on a qualifying slot for the FIH Series Finals. But, Croatia proved itself as both a competitive nation – beating Switzerland and Slovakia – and, perhaps more importantly in terms of development, as a nation that can host major international competition.

Also pushing forwards as a progressive hockey nation is Slovenia, who will be hosting the EuroHockey Championship III at Lipovci in July. Slovenia have recently started working with their ministry for Sport and the EHF to grow a coach education pathway in the country using the expertise of FIH Academy Educators through the EHF programme Supporting National Growth.

And the future is looking bright for the region’s youngsters who are coming into the game. Croatia will be fielding teams in the U16 EuroHockey Championships Boys and Girls Hockey5s.

“Learning from advanced hockey nations like the Netherlands and Germany, will prove invaluable in developing the methodological, technical and cultural aspects of hockey in Bulgaria.”
- Davina Petkova, International Relations Officer, Bulgarian Hockey Federation

There will also be Croatian teams in the men’s and women’s EuroHockey Championship III, where they will be joined by Slovenia.

Bulgaria and Croatia applied for the EHF & KNHB twinning programme in 2017 linking them with major Dutch clubs Athena and Oosterbeek respectively. This collaboration continues in 2019 with exchangesbetween clubs and federations allowing room to share knowledge and grow hockey within the federations including new clubs and growth in coaching levels.

Davina Petkova is International Relations Officer for the Bulgarian Hockey Federation.

“Hockey development in Bulgaria began in the early 1990s,” she says. “There have been three main strands of development over this short period of time: clubs, regional structures and a system of regional tournaments and national championships catering for players from from 10 years to seniors.”

"I have seen all the developments that have taken place in the different parts of the Balkans, I praise the work done by very strong people who really want to make a difference; to make playing hockey possible."
- Marijke Fleuren, President, EHF

Petkova is excited by the potential for further development offered by the EHF and KNHB twinning programme.

“Learning from advanced hockey nations like the Netherlands and Germany, will prove invaluable in developing the methodological, technical and cultural aspects of hockey in Bulgaria.”

The project started three years ago when a group of young players and their coaches visited the Netherlands for training camps. During these camps, reports Petkova, Athena's coaches shared their views on training methodologies and motivating young players. The Bulgarian participants in the project got to experience the renowned Dutch club culture and the chance to talk through the difficulties facing hockey in Bulgaria with their Dutch counterparts.

Re-building society after a region suffers enormous upheaval is a long, slow process but it is often accelerated through the communality of sport. You see the continued growth in Turkish Federation with hockey pitches and something the EHF is working hard on together with the FIH is the ability to offer sustainable pitch growth for all nations.

The development and progress is something that resonates with EHF President Marijke Fleuren: "I have seen all the developments that have taken place in the different parts of the Balkans, I praise the work done by very strong people who really want to make a difference; to make playing hockey possible."

“We at EHF cherish the good relations we have with all of them. We notice, that at the moment, the costs of an artificial pitch are really a worry for them, and it hinders the growth of the game significantly. Both EHF and FIH have to work on a solution together to help them with this problem.”

#IDSDP2019 #Sport4BetterWorld #Hockey4LIFE

FIH site



Sicelo Hockey Development Academy needs your support

The academy was started by St John’s hockey coach Nic Dube in 2010.


Master in charge of hockey at St John's College Andy Aldred hands over some equipment to Nic Dube at Sicelo Hockey Development Academy. Photo: Supplied

The Sicelo Hockey Development Academy in South Africa started by hockey coach at St John’s College Nic Dube needs support from the local community to continue their work of uplifting youth in a struggling community.

The academy was started by Dube in 2010, aiming to bring a brand new sport to an underprivileged community with little to no sporting facilities.

It operates out of the Midvaal area and accommodates boys and girls from Sicelo, Michael Rua and Thomas Nhlapo primary schools and New Hope Secondary School.

Since its inception, the academy has gone from strength to strength and now runs several teams competing in the annual Gauteng Aitken and Boden tournaments. They regularly have players receiving scholarships or being selected for provincial representation.

Dube has helped hundreds of children over the years and is a credit to himself and his community, but admits it’s a battle to keep the academy running.

“Without the help of schools like St John’s, who regularly donate equipment, allow us to use their playing surface and organise matches for our teams, we wouldn’t be able to survive. It’s a constant financial struggle that’s worth it when you see the joy the sport of hockey brings to all the children involved,” said Dube.

St John’s College hockey is proud and honoured to be able to assist the academy and looks forward to continuing the partnership and watching their progression in the years to come.

If anyone is interested in becoming involved in the project, contact Andy Aldred on This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

The Rosebank and Killarney Gazette

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