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News for 14 May 2019

All the news for Tuesday 14 May 2019


Harmanpreet’s strike helps India draw 1-1with Australia A


Manpreet Singh tries to stop an Australia A striker. HI

A late goal by dragflicker Harmanpreet Singh helped the Indian men’s hockey team salvage a 1-1 draw against Australia A.

India made two saves in the initial minutes of the first quarter while defending back-to-back penalty corners. The attempts somewhat made up for an average start by the visitors with the Australia A attack putting the team under pressure right from the start. India suffered a setback in the 21st minute when Kiran Arunasalam — whose traces his roots to India via Malaysia — struck a fine field goal.

India’s inability to convert chances in the striking circle and missing out on three penalty corners dented their fightback. Their defence, on the other hand, was able to contain the home team later on. It was Harmanpreet’s second attempt (56th min) that saw him convert a well-timed, powerful dragflick into an equaliser. “We had a poor start in the first ten minutes of the game which was a complete opposite to how we played on Friday. We slowly got back into the game in the second, third and fourth quarters and also created enough opportunities in the game,” India coach Graham Reid said. “On Wednesday, we will need to start much better and play well in all the four quarters. In tomorrow’s practice session, we will be working on our connections, especially in the midfield,” he added.

India will next take on Australia, and if the visitors are to emerge on top, Reid said the team will need to start much better and keep the pressure on their opponents in all the four quarters.  Earlier, India had registered a 2-0 win over Western Australia Thundersticks before beating Australia A 3-0.

RESULT

India: 1 Harmanpreet Singh (56th min) Australia A: 1 Kiran Arunasalam (21st min)

The Tribune



Kookaburras Ready To Take On India

Ben Somerford



Western Australian forward Trent Mitton has miraculously recovered after being de-gloved barely a fortnight ago to take his place in the Kookaburras’ First Test against India at Perth Hockey Stadium on Wednesday.

Mitton suffered the sickening finger injury in Australia’s 4-3 win over New Zealand in Auckland in the FIH Pro League on Anzac Day, forcing him to return home and miss last weekend’s 2-1 victory in Argentina.

Scans revealed the injury wasn’t as bad as first feared and Kookaburras coach Colin Batch revealed the 28-year-old would play in front of his home crowd on Wednesday.

The two-match Test series between the world number two Kookaburras and world number five India takes place at Perth Hockey Stadium on Wednesday (5pm AEST) and Friday (6:30pm AEST) with Australia preparing for the final stage of the FIH Pro League in June.

“These Tests are a great opportunity for our squad get some match practice and preparation ahead of our European leg of the FIH Pro League in June,” Batch said.

“India are a top opposition so we want to expose our athletes to quality matches as the coaches and selectors continue to assess our group with Tokyo 2020 in mind.”

The two-match Test series will be the Kookaburras’ last matches before they head for Europe to play Great Britain, Spain, Germany, Belgium and the Netherlands in the final few rounds of the FIH Pro League regular season.

Australia currently top the FIH Pro League men’s standings and will want to be in the box seat for the finals to be played between the top four in the Netherlands in late June.

India arrived in Perth last week and warmed up for the Tests with a 3-0 win over Australia A on Friday before a 1-1 draw between the teams on Monday.

Tickets for Wednesday and Friday’s Tests are available on the gate, at $10 for adults, $5 for children/concession and free for kids under 10.

The Tests will both be live streamed on Hockey Australia’s official YouTube channel.

Wednesday 15 May 2019 – Perth Hockey Stadium
Kookaburras v India – 5pm AWST (Gates open 4pm AWST)

Friday 17 May 2019 – Perth Hockey Stadium
Kookaburras v India – 6:30pm AWST (Gates open 4pm AWST)

*Tickets $10 adults, $5 child/concession, free for children under 10

Hockey Australia media release



Senior Men Squad Announcement for FIH Series 2019



The Senior Irish Men’s Hockey squad was unveiled early this morning for the upcoming FIH World Series in Le Touquet, France, which gets underway on June 15th. This tournament is the first stage in the Olympic qualification process for the Irish men, with the top two teams from each FIH Series Finals securing a place in qualification events for Tokyo 2020, which will be held later this year.

The Green Machine will take on Egypt, Scotland and Singapore in Pool A, with France, Korea, Ukraine and Chile in Pool B. The squad selection is as follows:

    David Harte.
    James Carr.
    Conor Harte.
    Jonathan Bell.
    John Jackson.
    Luke Madeley.
    Lee Cole.
    Paul Gleghorne.
    Shane O'Donoghue.
    Stephen Cole.
    Daragh Walsh.
    Neal Glassey.
    Matt Bell
    Sean Murray
    Eugene Magee
    Matthew Nelson
    Ben Walker.
    Michael Robson

Speaking on the squad selection Head Coach, Alexander Cox, said, “I’m happy to announce the team that will fight for an Olympic qualifier ticket. There are some new names in the squad in comparison to our last World Cup endeavours. The selected squad gives me the opportunity to use certain players in multiple lines which I feel is an advantage for us. The upcoming camps and practice games will be used to prepare ourselves in the best possible way for the World Series.”

In the lead up to the FIH Series Finals the men will play host to the USA and France with international matches scheduled against the USA on May 24th and 26th, and against France on June 4th and 5th. There will also be an open training session for media and fans to attend on Friday the 31st of May in Lisnagarvey Hockey Club, from 16:00 to 17:30.

To find further information on the FIH Series Final tournament in Le Touquet this June, or purchase tickets, please see: //ticketingfihseriesfinal.fr/en/

Upcoming Home Internationals: dates & locations.

IRE V USA May 24th @ 19:00, Pembroke Hockey Club, Dublin
IRE V USA May 26th @ 12:00, Pembroke Hockey Club, Dublin
IRE V FRA Jun 4th @ 19:00, Lisnagarvey Hockey Club, Co. Down
IRE V FRA Jun 6th @ 19:00, Lisnagarvey Hockey Club, Co. Down

FIH Series Finals

The FIH Series Finals include some of the best teams in the world and are one of the roads to reach the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020. Indeed, the top two teams from each FIH Series Finals will secure a place in the Qualification Events for the next Olympic Games which will be held in October and November 2019. Le Touquet, France (Men)15-23 June 2019, match schedule available here.

Irish Hockey Association media release



Jackson to return while Madeley set for ranking tournament debut


John Jackson returns to the line-up for the first time since July 2018. Pic: Adrian Boehm

Alexander Cox has rung the changes in the Irish men’s squad for the next stage in the Olympic qualifying process – June’s FIH Series Finals in Le Touquet, France – with six changes from December’s World Cup line-up.

Ireland will be the top ranked side with a top two finish in France assuring them of a ticket to next October’s direct Olympic qualifiers.

John Jackson, 33, is the big name to come back in after the feisty full-back missed the World Cup. He was named in the English conference team of the season for his performances with Bath Buccaneers after a fine campaign.

Jackson makes his comeback alongside Neal Glassey, Ben Walker, Stephen Cole and goalkeeper Jamie Carr. Luke Madeley was a reserve in Delhi but forms part of the main panel but this will represent his first international caps in a ranking event.

On the debit side, Olympian Chris Cargo is unavailable for this tournament but has indicated he is keen to continue on with the side later in the year.

Mitch Darling has since retired while the vastly experienced Alan Sothern, Kirk Shimmins, Stuart Loughrey and David Fitzgerald miss out on selection this time around. Jeremy Duncan is also not included but did enjoy a fine second half of the season after his injury sustained in Delhi, helping Herakles to a third place finish and an EHL place.

It means a number of positional changes are likely, particularly given the annotated positions on the Hockey Ireland announcements.

Among the eye-catching ones, Shane O’Donoghue looks set to be deployed in defence where he has been used for his Belgian club KHC Dragons this term. Matthew Bell is listed in midfield while Sean Murray has been placed in the forwards.

However, coach Cox has hinted there will be plenty of fluidity between the lines, saying: “The selected squad gives me the opportunity to use certain players in multiple lines which I feel is an advantage for us.”

The Dutchman will continue to combine the Irish job with his work with SV Kampong; he signed a two-year extension this week ahead of the first leg of their playoff semi-final series on Wednesday afternoon.

David Harte will be part of that Kampong side who only missed out on the Dutch regular season title on goal difference to Bloemendaal. They meet HGC in that best of three series.

Le Touquet will be something of a trip down memory lane for the Harte family. David and Conor both made their debuts at the coastal venue with the latter’s call-up coming at short notice while at his now wife’s debs ball with Dave Passmore giving him his cap a day later in a 3-1 win over the French at the Celtic Cup. For good measure, their sister Emer also made her debut at that tournament.

In the lead up to the FIH Series Finals, the men will play host to the USA and France with international matches scheduled against the USA on May 24 and 26, and against France on June 4 and 5.

There will also be an open training session for media and fans to attend on Friday, May 31 in Lisnagarvey Hockey Club, from 4pm to 5.30pm.

Ireland men’s squad for FIH Series Finals (June 15-23, Le Touquet, France): David Harte (SV Kampong), Jamie Carr (Three Rock Rovers), Conor Harte (Racing Club de Bruxelles), Jonathan Bell (Lisnagarvey), John Jackson (Bath Buccaneers), Luke Madeley (Three Rock Rovers), Lee Cole (Oree), Paul Gleghorne (Crefelder HTC), Shane O’Donoghue (KHC Dragons), Stephen Cole (Oree), Daragh Walsh (Three Rock Rovers), Neal Glassey (Lisnagarvey), Matthew Bell (Crefelder HTC), Sean Murray (HC Rotterdam), Eugene Magee (Banbridge), Matthew Nelson (Lisnagarvey), Ben Walker (Three Rock Rovers), Michael Robson (Crefelder HTC)

The Hook



Nine Ulstermen in Ireland squad for Tokyo qualifier


Jonathan Bell, Shane O'Donoghue and Daragh Walsh will aim to keep Ireland's Olympic qualification hopes alive in France

Ireland coach Alexander Cox has selected nine Ulster players in his 18-man squad for the World Series tournament at Le Touquet in France.

The competition will be the first stage in the Olympic qualification process for the Irish men.

Jonathan Bell, Matt Bell, Neal Glassey, Paul Gleghorne, Sean Murray, Michael Robson, John Jackson, Matthew Nelson and Eugene Magee are included.

Ireland need a top-two finish to keep their Olympic hopes alive.

The top two will progress to the final Olympic qualifiers for Tokyo, which take place later this year.

Eight countries are competing in the qualifier in France, with Ireland grouped alongside Egypt, Scotland and Singapore in Pool A with France, Korea, Ukraine and Chile the Pool B hopefuls.

The qualifiers begin in Le Touquet on 15 June.

In the build-up to the tournament, Ireland will face the United States and France in warm-up games.

Cox's side will face the US on 24 and 26 May before taking on France on 4 and 5 June.

There will also be an opening training session that fans can attend at Lisnagarvey on 31 May from 16:00 BST until 17:30.

Ireland men's squad: David Harte, James Carr, Conor Harte, Jonathan Bell, John Jackson, Luke Madeley, Lee Cole, Paul Gleghorne, Shane O'Donoghue, Stephen Cole, Daragh Walsh, Neal Glassey, Matt Bell, Sean Murray, Eugene Magee, Matthew Nelson, Ben Walker, Michael Robson.

BBC Sport



SA Hockey pays tribute to Julian Hykes



The South African Hockey Association paid tribute to Julian Hykes who has announced his retirement from International Hockey. Hykes last appearance for South Africa was at the 2018 FIH Hockey World Cup in India in December. 

“Julian has been an inspirational servant for the game of Hockey in South Africa. He has served the country fantastically well and has been a great role model having played most of his domestic hockey for both Border Hockey and Southern Gauteng at the top level. Thank you for your service and commitment to the game in South Africa Boetie and for the inspiration that you have been for youngsters in our country”, shared SA Hockey CEO Marissa Langeni.

Julian, or Boetie as he is known, was a win for hockey as the talented youngster was making waves at rugby and cricket, before broken ankles led him to choosing hockey. He then rose through the ranks through Border Hockey before eventually rising to represent South Africa. Something he went on to do 129 times.

Hykes has represented South Africa at the 2010, 2014 & 2018 Hockey World Cups, the 2010 and 2014 Commonwealth Games and of course the 2012 London Olympic Games. He is also the second highest goal scorer in the Premier Hockey League history, proving instrumental for the Addo Elephants throughout, and scored arguably one of the finest goals ever scored in South African Hockey at the 2018 IPT.

“There were few things more exciting to see as the one-handed break from Julian for South Africa,” shared SA Hockey Media Officer Tyron Barnard, “his turn of pace was sensational, and you always knew that while he was on the field South Africa had a chance to score. His signature reverse stick has inspired a whole generation of strikers for sure!”

The South African Hockey Association would like to thank Julian for his contribution to the game of hockey and wish him all the best for the future.

#ThankYouBoetie

SA Hockey Association media release



SA Hockey pays tribute to Rhett Halkett



The South African Hockey Association paid tribute to the retiring Rhett Halkett.

“SA Hockey is incredibly thankful and proud of the service of the game from Rhett. Having played for South Africa on 157 occasions Rhett always played with a grit and determination that is the embodiment of the South African spirit. We wish Rhett all the best for his future endeavours and have no doubt that he will be success wherever he goes.” Shared SA Hockey CEO Marissa Langeni.

Rhett was named as the 2016 South African Hockey Player of the Year and has represented South Africa 157 times. Included in those caps was a selection of the top hockey tournaments. Rhett played in three Hockey World Cups (2010, 2014 & 2018), 2 Commonwealth Games (2014 & 2018) and of course the London Olympic Games in 2012. He also competed in and won four African Cup of Nations.

His abilities on the field saw him offered a contract in Europe a decade ago and in his time there he has played in 4 seasons in the Dutch top league, the Hoofdklasse, and 5 Bundesliga seasons with Mannheimer and now Hamburg. He has also appeared in two editions of club hockey’s finest competition the Euro Hockey League.

“There were few things that gave you as much of a sense of comfort watching hockey as having Rhett as your last line of defence,” shared SA Hockey Media Officer Tyron Barnard, “he had a superb ability to read the game and make interceptions, while his short corner defending offered many students the textbook approach to the game. I also think there are many strikers in the world that will not miss the sight of Rhett taking on kicking back duties!”

The South African Hockey Association would like to thank Rhett for his years of service and wish him well for the future.

#ThankYouRhett

SA Hockey Association media release



Saint Ger retain French title with strong win over CA Montrouge to earn EHL return



Saint Germain retained the French title and assured themselves a place at the EHL next October in Barcelona as they got the best of CA Montrouge in the elite final.

They did so to the delight of their home crowd who laid on a great occasion at the Saint Ger club which also included a series of youth finals.

The hosts also benefited from the services of Tom Genestet who return after missing the semi-final while Montrouge were without the suspended Timothée Clement, the injured Xavier Esmenjaud, Alexis Desgouillons and Raif Gonessa, the latter injured during the warm-up and replaced at the last minute by Mikail Azak.

Nonetheless, they held up well in the first quarter and had the first chance repelled by Guillaume de Vaucelles. Saint Ger gradually took control, though, and won a couple of corners which were repulsed by David Forrester from top scorer William Jeammot.

The second quarter saw the hosts momentum develop with Kevin Mercurio and Francois Goyet combining beautifully in midfield while Guillaume Deront and Frédéric Verrier also impressed.

That's when Blaise Rogeau, the 48-time French international, came out of the box to deceive the excellent Forrester and gave SGHC the lead with a touch to a Mercurio shot in the 35th minute.

In the second half, Montrouge came out of the blocks with a higher press but they were caught in the 42nd minute when Martin Genestet infiltrated the circle and served up a perfect pass to Blaise Rogeau for 2-0.

Montrouge were on the ropes but they kept fighting and Mathis Clement’s shot kept Saint Ger honest and, with 10 minutes to go, they removed their goalkeeper to try and force a big comeback.

It did not work out, though, with Tom Genestet to the fore and Rogeau got the clinching goal with two minutes to go.

Saint Ger can now look forward to the EHL once again while Montrouge may join them there but it depends on the outcome of the EuroHockey Trophy in Switzerland in June.

Euro Hockey League media release



Spanish semi-final stage set with Polo chasing treble of titles


©: Frank Uijlenbroek / World Sport Pics

The stage is set for the Spanish final playoffs with Real Club de Polo set to face Club de Campo while Atletic Terrassa will meet Club Egara.

Polo reached the final four with two wins over RS Tenis in the quarter-finals, 2-0 and 4-2 as they look to add a third title having already won the cup and the regular season title.

In the first leg, goals from Marc Reyne and Roc Oliva put them in great shape and both scored in the second leg, adding to goals from Alex Reyne and Alex Casasayas for comfortable passage through.

Atletic had reasonably serene progress to the final stages with a 7-3 win in the first leg against FC Barcelona which was followed by a 4-1 success.

It was much closer in the derby between Club Egara and CD Terrassa. Josep Duran and Pere Divorra gave Egara a strong start but Oriol Bach’s goal meant it was reduced to just 2-1 after the first leg and it remained tense through the second tie until Pau Quemada scored a late penalty corner for a 1-0 success.

Club de Campo and Junior FC’s contest was the closest battle of the series with both sides recording wins, the tie eventually decided 7-6 on aggregate.

Junior won the first meeting 4-3 but a late Marc Salles penalty corner proved all important, reducing the gap at the end of the leg.

A day later, John Kinder put Campo ahead before Javi Garcia equalised and Gabriel Dabanch made it 2-1 but the Madrid side finished much stronger with Gonzalo Lasso and Alvaro Iglesias turning things around for a 4-2 win.

Next Saturday sees the semi-finals with the final on Sunday.

Euro Hockey League media release



Davy Frazer steps down as Belfast Harlequins coach

By John Flack


Departing Belfast Harlequins coach Davy Frazer. Pic: Adrian Boehm

Belfast Harlequins are on the lookout for a new head coach following the resignation of Davy Frazer after four seasons in charge.

Frazer is no longer able to give the commitment the post requires due to a change in work circumstances which means he has to undertake shifts, including nights and weekends.

The south Belfast outfit have been ever-present in the EY Irish Hockey League since beating UCC in a promotion play-off in Frazer’s first term with the club.

He can reflect on more highs than lows although Quins were unable to make the play-offs in their three seasons in the national league, despite signing a trio of Irish internationals, World Cup stars Zoe Wilson and Lizzie Colvin and Gemma Frazer.

Davy said: “Among the highs was getting promoted to the EYIHL in my first year and subsequently staying in the league ever since.”

“Our initial aim when I took over was to finish mid-table in the Ulster Premier League but as the season progressed our aims changed and we targeted the top three.

“The team went above and beyond and cancelled holidays to make sure they were available for the play-off against UCC and it proved worthwhile.

“Reaching the semi-final of the Irish Senior Cup last year was also a special memory after we went to Cork in the quarter finals with just 13 players and pulled off a big shock winning on penalty runs.

“In the semi-final we lost 1-0 to Pegasus and played in front of what was probably one of the biggest-ever crowds at Deramore.

“Then on Boxing Day in the Denman Ulster Shield final against Pegasus, I was very proud of the comeback in the second half. after being 2-0 down at the break only to lose out on penalties.”

Frazer says his only regret lies in the fact that Harlequins were unable to take the next step and win a trophy under his supervision with a largely youthful squad.

He added: “The only low is not having won anything. We finished second in the Premier league, before our promotion and while coming close in the Shield and Irish Cup were good achievements, it is still disappointing not to have a trophy in the cabinet.

“Whilst we have brought in players who can make a big difference, at Harlequins we give our youth a chance. In our squad at the Shield final, for example, there were eight under 18s and huge credit must go to youth coach Roisin Walsh and all the under-age coaches for the work they do.

“I would like to thank all the players for their dedication throughout my time at the club and I wish them all the best for the future.

“Harlequins took a chance on me when Jonny Caren left the job and I hope I have repaid their faith in me.

“I hadn’t planned on stepping down but, due to work, I cannot give my full commitment that the position requires.”

The Hook



Butali move a point clear at the top

By AYUMBA AYODI


Butali Sugar Warriors' George Mutira (left) vies for the ball with USIU's Clifford Ian during their Kenya Hockey Union Men's Premier League match at City Park stadium on May 11, 2019. PHOTO | SILA KIPLAGAT |  NATION MEDIA GROUP

Champions Butali Sugar Warriors went one point clear at the top of the men’s hockey Premier League standings despite being forced to a 3-3 draw by United States International University on Saturday at City Park over the weekend.

It’s former Kenya Police striker Amos Barkibir’s last minute equalizer that rescued the champions from the jaws of defeat as they battled USIU to a 3-3 draw.

That happened as Kenya Police tightened their march to the top when they humbled Greenshanks 5-2 in another thrilling duel on Sunday at the same venue.

Butali Sugar now commands the 10 teams league standings with 10 points, while Police climbed one place to fifth with seven points.

Wazalendo and Western Jaguars, who were not in action over weekend, stayed second and third respectively with nine points each and are followed by Greensharks, who also have nine points.

Butali, Wazalendo, Western Jaguars and Greensharks went into the weekend with nine points each, though Butali boasted a better goal difference.

Lawrence Makhatsa put USIU ahead in the second minute from a field goal, before Barkibir levelled three minutes to the end of the first quarter as the team took a breather at 1-1.

Then Justin Ngetich would slot in in the 43rd to put the students ahead 2-1, before skipper James Muthii stretched their lead to 3-1 three minutes later from a field goal.

Two minutes later, Constance Wakhura stepped up on the spot to score and USIU’s defence wilted in the last minute to let Barkibir level the proceedings and deny them their first win against Butali.

USIU stayed eighth and a place above relegation with an improved tally of four points.

Police went up 2-0 when skipper Oliver Echenje (15) and Govan Mbeki (17) scored from scintillating field goals.

Skipper Victor Osiche pulled one back for Greensharks from the spot only seconds after Mbeki’s goal.

Then veteran Moses Cheplaiti made in 3-1 for Police from open play in the 23rd minute as the teams took a break.

Chris Wokila brought Greensharks back in the game with his 44th minute penalty strike, but Cheplaiti would seal his brace three minutes later and Samuel Oungo confirmed the win for Police from spot a minute before fulltime.

Daily Nation



Playoffs to decide berths in 14-team Division One of the MJHL tournament

PETALING JAYA: For the first time playoffs will decide the five teams to play in Division One of the Malaysian Junior Hockey League (MJHL) which is scheduled to start on June 21.

Currently nine teams have qualified for Division One in the league which will consist of 14 teams. Another ten teams will have to fight it out in the two-legged playoffs, which is scheduled to be held on June 14 and June 16, to earn a berth in Division One. This year there will be no competition under Division Two.

Malaysian Hockey Confederation (MHC) competitions committee manager Brian Fernandez said the nine teams that have qualified played in the Division One and Division Two last year.

“For the Division One, we already have nine teams. It was supposed to be 10, but one team pulled out. The original qualifiers were the top-eight finishers in Division One last season. The other were the two finalists from last season’s Division Two,” said Brian.

“So we decided to have a 14-team competition in Division One and we will decide the five places through playoffs.

“The draw for the playoffs will be done during the managers’ meeting on May 25. The teams involved are former Division Two teams plays a few newcomers.

“The reason for having just one division is because we want to emphasise on quality and make sure the matches are neck-and-neck,” said Brian.

The MJHL will begin on June 21 with 14 teams in the fray.

Last year, 30 teams featured in the MJHL with 10 in Division One and 20 in Division Two. SSTMI-Thunderbolt were the Division One champions last year.

The Star of Malaysia



Clarendon Girls’ High regain title in East London hockey challenge


The Clarendon Girls’ High team which won the East London Coastal leg of the SPAR Eastern Cape Schoolgirls Hockey Challenge in East London on Sunday was (back, from the left) Chelsea Knott (manageress), Thando Mtalana, Emily Middleton, Lauren Tarr, Carla Naude, Paige Jacoby, Abby Pope, Bianca Wood, SPAR EC sponsorships and events manager Alan Stapleton, Cheryl Pope (coach); (front, from the left) Jenna Viviers, Lee Winnaar, Jemma Randall, Aspen Gilbert, Caitlyn Farrer and Britney Middleton. Photo: Supplied

Clarendon Girls’ High beat Hudson Park in East London Coastal leg of the South African SPAR Eastern Cape Schoolgirls Hockey Challenge

East London - Clarendon Girls’ High reclaimed the title in the East London Coastal leg of the SPAR Eastern Cape Schoolgirls Hockey Challenge by edging out Hudson Park in a thrilling final on Sunday.

Played at Clarendon in East London, the hosts, who won the title in 2017, narrowly defeated the defending champions when national squad member Bianca Wood scored a goal in the dying minutes of the game to make it 2-1.

With matches being played in a shortened format of 20 minutes, tournament director Bev Forword said the tournament produced another exciting day of quality schoolgirls’ hockey.

“It really was an awesome day of hockey and we were all spoilt by SPAR,” she said. “And it was great to have the support of friends and families during the day.”

The play-offs, she said, were “super exciting”, with the schools going all out to produce their best efforts.

The battle for seventh spot was keenly contested, with Alphendale scoring near the end to defeat Greenpoint, added Forword.

“Lilyfontein pulled out all the stops against Merrifield and a short corner goal by Megan Emslie gave Lilyfontein the edge for fifth place, while Stirling dominated against Cambridge to finish third.”

The final was a repeat of last year’s deciding match, with Wood scoring twice for Clarendon to see them qualify for the provincial finals at the end of July.

SPAR EC sponsorships and events manager Alan Stapleton said the standard of hockey was excellent and he congratulated all the schools on the spirit in which the game was played.

“Although Clarendon and Hudson Park have been the dominant sides, it was highly encouraging to see some of the smaller schools competing with such distinction during the day.

“This tournament is all about providing opportunities for all schoolgirls, with an emphasis on team spirit and support from the family.

“On that note I would like to pay tribute to all the mothers who turned out to support the teams for a special Mothers’ Day event.”

Clarendon now join DSG as the two qualifiers so far for the provincial finals on July 27 and 28 to be played at Collegiate in Port Elizabeth.

The next two qualifying tournaments take place on Sunday when the PE Central leg is held at Alexander Road and the East London Inland tournament is played at Kingsridge in King William’s Town.

Fullstop Communications media release for SPAR Eastern Cape Schoolgirls Hockey Challenge



England Hockey Awards 2019



On Saturday over 300 people attended the England Hockey Awards 2019. We celebrated the achievements of everyone within our sport and handed out 15 awards in 13 categories.

The winners are:


Notts Sport Club of the Year 2018/19 - London Wayfarers HC


Celixir Coach of the Year 2018/19 - Kathryn Redd


Lifetime Achievement 2018/19 - Miranda Smith


Vitality Rising Star 2018/19 - Helen Windsor & Jeevan Chagger


Investec Women’s Team of the Year 2018/19 - Rugby & East Warwickshire 1st XI


Howden Men’s Team of the Year 2018/19 - Stratford-upon-Avon 1st XI


Official of the Year 2018/19 - Simon Dye


Unsung Club Hero 2018/19 - Chandra Arora


Vitality Hockey Maker of the Year 2018/19 - Annie Thomas & Emma Longbottom


Men’s Senior Performance Player 2018/19 - Barry Middleton


Men’s Emerging Performance Player 2018/19 - Tom Sorsby


Investec Women’s Senior Performance Player 2018/19 - Lily Owsley


Investec Women’s Emerging Performance Player 2018/19  - Miriam Pritchard

Unfortunately Chandra Arora was unable to attend the event but Hollie Pearne-Webb collected his awards and had some amazing words for all the unsung club heroes.

"We are in this position because of all the hard work you guys have done, we've all had them in our own hockey clubs. All the performance squads, both men and women just want to say thank you so much for everything you give to our sport because our sport would not be the same sport it is without you guys."


Hollie Pearn-Webb at the England Hockey Awards night

Event Photographs

England Hockey Board Media release



Asif Bajwa’s appointment as PHF Secretary approved



LAHORE   -   Pakistan Hockey Federation’s (PHF) executive board unanimously approved the appointment of Muhammad Asif Bajwa as secretary general of the federation during its 32nd meeting held here at National Hockey Stadium on Monday.

PHF President Brig (r) Khalid Sajjad Khokhar presided over the meeting, which was attended by the secretaries of hockey associations of all four provinces, Pakistan women’s hockey general manager Mrs Tanzeela Amir Cheema and other hnourable executive board members.

After the executive board meeting, PHF secretary, along with all provincial secretaries and board members, told media that their first and foremost duty is to stabilize the federation’s affairs, which can lift the status of hockey in Pakistan. “To lift the standard of hockey in the country, all the provinces will work together for the revival of club-level hockey.”

The PHF president and executive board decided that details of the federation’s accounts will be issued on the PHF website quarterly. The PHF secretary said that the National Hockey Championship will be held after Eid. “We are planning to organize professional hockey league at the end of this year. We made a big mistake when we missed the FIH Pro League as it led to a heavy fine. We will see how it can be resolved and we will also talk to FIH president Narinder Batra in this regard,” he added.

Asif Bajwa said that unity is the key to success and it can help us regain the lost hockey glory. By uniting we stand and be dividing, we fall. So all the stalk-holders and former Olympians should join hands together and make collective efforts to help the national game flourish and regain its past glory.”

The Nation

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