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All the news for Saturday 21 December 2019

China chooses Bonnet for Tokyo

By Emma Van Mol


Photo Credit: Emma Van Mol

China has chosen Giles Bonnet to be the assistant coach of the Chinese National Woman's team with the specific focus to improve their World Rankings . China are currently 10th in World Hockey and are desperate to once again become a force in World Hockey. They see Bonnet as being the catalyst to making this happen.
 
Bonnet has come off a roller coaster 22 month ride with the Canadian Woman's National team where they followed an accelerated program achieving in the process  some historic milestones and moving up 6 places in the World Rankings. Some of these achievements were, a best ever finish for a Canadian team in 20 years at the Commonwealth Games  in 2018. This was followed by a second place finish at the FIH finals beating in the process Italy ranked 4 places higher, 7-0 in the semi final match, and securing a ticket to the Olympic Qualifier.  Finally a Silver medal finish at the Pan Am Games in August of 2019, also a  best ever finish for a Canadian Woman's team in two decades at this event. These performances set up a head to head against Ireland, ranked 7 places ahead of Canada. After two tied games, Canada eventually lost out on shootouts. 
 
When asked about this process with Canada, Bonnet was full of praise for the Canadian players and couldn't speak more highly of them. They are a remarkable group of driven sportswoman whom have started on a journey which is only just beginning. I am sure that we will be hearing more from the Woman's National Team of Canada in the not too distant future.
 
Bonnet is highly motivated to be working with a new coaching staff as the assistant coach of China and sees the opportunities that the Pro League offers as unique in terms of preparation for the Olympics. China is in a very tough pool but is able through specific training and matches to increase their competitiveness and quality in the next eight months. The Rio Olympics in 2016 and the World Cup in 2018 were disappointing major events for China and the National Sports Bureau has made whole sale changes to their coaching staff in order to turn around this current situation and close the gap with other World top teams and are looking to Bonnet to be the architect in this campaign.
 
Fieldhockey.com

Men’s National Program Announces 2020 Squads



Field Hockey Canada is excited to announce the 2020 Men’s National Team,  Men’s Senior Development Squad and Men’s NextGen athletes. The Men’s National Team partners with West Vancouver Field Hockey Club for on-field training and partners with Richmond Olympic Oval for weight training. Members of the NextGen squad will train in their regional training environments and go on select international tours throughout the year. Athletes in the Senior Development and Senior National Team can be selected to represent Canada on the senior international stage.

Men’s National Program Rosters

NextGen Roster
Player Name    Province
Aaron Foong    BC
Alexander Bird    QUB
Amraaz Dhillon    BC
Arjun Hothi    BC
Armaan Baagri    BC
Avjot Buttar    BC
Bhavdeep Dhaliwal    BC
Casey Brennan-Raab    QUB
Christophe De Haas    BC
Daniel Goodwin    BC
Devan Crawford    BC
Ethan McTavish    BC
Flynn McCulloch    QUB
Ganga Singh    ONT
Jagman Mangat    ONT
Jagpreet Singh    ONT
Jarod Timmins    BC
Jasmeet Bring    BC
Jeewantha Edirisinghe    ONT
John Jacoby    BC
Julius D'Souza    ONT
Jyoth Sidhu    BC
Leighton Desouza    ONT
Manveer Jhamat    BC
Nicolas Syrros    QUB
Nityanand Rewankar    ONT
Noah Loomis    QUB
Phillippe Loignon-Lapointe    QUB
Randeep Randhawa    ONT
Roopkanwar Dhillon    BC
Sean Davis    BC
Tanvir Kang    ALB

Field Hockey Canada media release

Scotland to host Canada in men’s indoor test series

Scotland will host Canada in an exciting three-match men’s indoor test series at Bell’s Sports Centre in January.

The matches will take place during the Junior Indoor Club Cup competition as part of a stirring weekend of indoor hockey.

On Saturday 11th during the Girls’ Indoor Club Cup there will be two matches played, the first at 12pm and the second at 4pm.

The following day, Sunday 12th, during the Boys’ Indoor Club Cup Scotland and Canada will meet at 5:45pm to finish the three-match series.

The Scotland squad for the Canada matches will be selected early in January 2020.

The matches come as Scotland prepares for Men’s Indoor Championship III in Santander on 17-19 January 2020. Scotland will face Wales, Slovenia, Spain and Ireland at the tournament held at Pabellon Deportivo La Universidad De Cantabria.

Saturday 11 January

Scotland v Canada (12pm)
Scotland v Canada (4pm)

Sunday 12 January

Scotland v Canada (5:45pm)

Scottish Hockey Union media release

Scotland U18 girls’ squad announced for three-match series against Ireland

Scotland U18 Girls’ will travel to Dublin early in the New Year for a three-match test series against Ireland.

The Scots will kick starts a big year for the squad with competitive action in the matches being played on 2nd—4th January 2020. The matches will be played at 6:30pm and 5:30pm at Abbotstown and then 1pm at University College Dublin.

It’s a huge year for the Scotland U18 Girls’ squad as they compete in the U18 Girls’ EuroHockey Championships in Kazan, Russia, on 12-18 July 2020. Scotland qualified for the tournament after winning gold at EuroHockey U18 Championships II in Rakovnik, Czech Republic, in 2018.

The Scots have been drawn in Pool B against Belgium; England and Ireland while the Netherlands; Germany; Spain; and Russia compete in Pool A.

Head Coach Keith Smith said, “We don’t usually get to spend time together as a squad at this time of year, so it’s a bit of a bonus in that respect. While we’d ideally liked to have had the opportunity to train together as a group first, it’s a great way to kick off our programme as we know the Irish side will really challenge us.

“We played them at Glenalmond last summer with what was essentially an U17 side, and while we were relatively competitive, it was an eye-opener for the group, with Ireland noticeably more powerful and definitely savvier.

“A good number of this squad played in that series, so it will be interesting to see what they have learned from that experience, and how they cope with it this time round. All of our new additions are available too, which gives us a chance to get them immersed in our environment right from the get-go.”

Squad

Aisha Saini (Western Wildcats)
Anna Hoolaghan (Clydesdale Western)
Ava Findlay (Edinburgh HC)
Ava Smith (Western Wildcats)
Cara McAllister (Clydesdale Western)
Charlotte Simmers (GHK)
Ellie Rutherford (Edinburgh HC)
Ellie Mackenzie (Watsonians)
Faith Joubert (Watsonians)
Georgie Yuille (Grange)
Grace Drummond (Watsonians)
Hannah Miller (Fjordhus Reivers)
Itske Hooftman (Inverleith)
Jennifer Tait (Granite City Wanderers)
Jess Buchanan (Clydesdale Western)
Katie Swanson (Watsonians)
Lucy Williamson (Dundee Wanderers)
Michaela McCarthy (Dundee Wanderers)
Nina Constable (Grange)
Rhiannon Carr (Grove Menzieshill)
Sophie Hinds (Inverleith)

Scottish Hockey Union media release

Scotland U18 Boys squad for 2019-20 announced

The U18 Scotland Boys’ National Age Group Squad has been announced for the 2019/20 season, following on from the recent Academy Series.

It’s another massive year for Scotland U18 Boys’ as they compete in the U18 Boys’ EuroHockey Championships in Kazan, Russia. Scotland qualified for the tournament after winning silver at EuroHockey U18 Championships II in Cardiff, in 2018.

The Scots have been drawn in Pool A with Spain, Belgium and England. Pool B has the Netherlands, Germany, Ireland and Russia.

Andrew Brogdon, Head Coach of Scotland U18 Boys, said, ‘Over the last few years we’ve seen an increasing number of our high potential young athletes make the step up to U21 Scotland and GB EDP programmes following their time in the U18 set up. This year’s panel of players have the same potential to excel if they continue to push to raise their standards both individually and collectively’

‘We have number of training days and test series to look forward to as 2020 progresses; with the challenge of ‘A’ Division hockey in Russia later in the summer providing an opportunity for both players and staff to challenge themselves against the best in Europe’

‘As always, myself and the rest of the coaching team look forward to working with the squad to not only enhance their individual and collective abilities on the pitch, but perhaps more importantly in developing their understanding of what underpins being an elite athlete away from the field of battle’
 
Cameron Bosi     ESM
Logan Maclure     Kelburne
Alex Wilson     Inverleith
Louis Gardiner     Uddingston
Scott Menzies     Western Wildcats
Ben Carroll     Uddingston
Jake Inglis     Inverleith
Iain McFadden     Highland
Keir Robb     Grove Menzieshill
Euan Burgess     Watsonians
Struan Walker     Clydesdale
Sam Tait     ESM
Euan Cowan     Western Wildcats
Alastair Douglas     Clydesdale
Cameron Ede     Grange
Charlie Jack     Inverleith
Adam Mackenzie     Western Wildcats
Joel Davenport     Grange
Samuel Knight     Grove Menzieshill
Ben Galloway     Clydesdale
Daniel Pearson     Dunfermline Carnegie
Jamie Croll     Grange
Matthew Hughson     Grange

Scottish Hockey Union media release

Two Irish Clubs win club EHF club of the year award



Hockey Ireland are delighted to congratulate Loreto and Ballymoney on their award for club of the year.

The final European Hockey Federation Club of the Year awards of this decade are very special ones for the EHF. In 2019 we launched our Equally Amazing campaign and in August our Member Associations signed the EHF’s Gender Balance Charter.

All of these elements are relevant to our Club of the Year awards as each entry was assessed bearing in mind how our clubs are grasping with both hands the opportunities to make sure that gender balance and equal opportunities are available to anyone who wants to play hockey.

As Peter Elders, Chair of the Assessment Committee said “We were looking for tangible projects being delivered at grassroots level. Projects that can be delivered easily and without huge costs to our clubs. Also, projects that could easily be replicated in other clubs and countries under our pillar of sharing knowledge. It is fantastic to see how imaginative our clubs can be and how when they spot a group that is missing out on hockey, how they can engage and bring this group into (or back into) the hockey family. Thank you to all the volunteers who have delivered these projects on the ground and I am delighted to announce the winners as follows:




EHF Small Club of the Year: Ballymoney Hockey Club
Established: 1984
Nation: Ireland

Project: Increasing opportunities for boys’ hockey at U11 and U13

Working across several primary schools to activate a better gender balance for junior sections. Volunteers from the club have been on leadership and coaching courses to be able to give the boys the most positive start in their hockey careers.  They have had help from local schools and clubs, and families and friends of our ladies’ sections.  They receive sponsorships from star fuels and Bob and Bert’s coffee shop as well as running fundraisers, including a mini and junior fun day, bag packing, table and fireside quizzes and bag packing.

Laura Walters, Funding Officer from Ballymoney said on hearing that Ballymoney HC has been awarded the accolade of Small Club of the Year 2019.

"We at Ballymoney Hockey club are absolutely delighted to have been named the European (small) club of the year 2019. Over the past few years we have attempted to restructure and redevelop our club.  It has taken a lot of hard work, organisation and dedication and this award is a testament to that.  We are the first club in Ulster to have been awarded such a prestigious title and we hope we can go on to promote and develop our club further."

When it came to the Large Club of the Year the EHF was spoiled for choice and when the Assessments were done, both Loreto HC and The Club an der Alster had equal points, Peter chuckled “As there was no chance of a shoot-out in the event of a draw, the committee agreed that the clubs would share the title of EHF Large Club of the Year 2019. Both projects are indeed Equally Amazing."




Large Club of the Year: Loreto Hockey Club
Established: 1926
Nation: Ireland

Project: Hockey Mums

The idea was that the club offered coaching for Mums, some who had never played hockey before and others who had not played since school, all were keen to play and learn more about the game. This commenced with 40 parents and has grown each year. This year there were over 85 parents taking part. There were three levels: beginners, intermediate and advanced. Parents were taught hockey rules, skills and fitness. After the eight weeks the parents were split into mixed teams and a blitz style tournament & BBQ was held. This final event has proved extremely popular in the community with children, Dads, teachers and local parish workers all in attendance, over 300 people attended this year.

On hearing of the win Wendy Byrne, President of Loreto HC said “ Loreto Hockey Club is delighted, honoured and very proud to be awarded the EHF Club of the Year award for large clubs.  The award allowed us to highlight our clubs strong voluntary contributions, its inclusive nature and its warm welcoming atmosphere. Receiving this award caps off a great year for us, having just installed our first ever water-based pitch making our pitch and clubhouse a top-class facility. Thank you to all our members who create wonderful memories season after season. We couldn't be happier.”

For more information on the EHF’s Club of the Year, click here ( https://eurohockey.org/the-european-hockey-federation-announces-the-2019-small-and-large-clubs-of-the-year/)

Irish Hockey Association media release

Immaculate Corinthian hold all the aces at Christmas


Corinthian have plenty to celebrate thus far. Pic: Adrian Boehm

Corinthian completed an immaculate first half of the season with a 4-1 win at North Kildare, making it nine wins from nine in Leinster and 16 out of 17 in all competitions.

The sole defeat came at the hands of national champions Pegasus in the Irish Senior Cup semi-final and this latest success gives them an imposing eight-point lead at the halfway stage.

At the Maws, they started strong and were rewarded in the 16th minute when Emily McKay started a move from the back, transferred to Lynne Pomeroy onto Laura Motyer who unselfishly passed to Nicola Torrans to score.

The hosts did draw the best from Holly Micklem in goal but the reds soon put daylight between the sides in the 27th minute via another team move. Pomeroy found Jodie Douglas who picked out Motyer in the D; she again provided the final pass for Torrans to score in the rebound.

It was 3-0 at half-time from a long corner taken by Camila Arbulo who passed to Sophie Maleady, feeding Douglas to score.

Sara Quill added the fourth on the rebound after Sarah Coleman’s initial corner shot. Neassa Rixon-Fuller got one back from a direct corner hit in the fourth quarter but the reds were in the clear and toasting an excellent pre-Christmas.

Trinity and Monkstown are the nearest would-be chasers and both ended the first half on a winning note. The students won 2-0 at Avoca, Amy Buttimer getting the first in the first quarter after a short corner rebound fell to her after earlier shots from Kate Orr and Isy Delamer

Ailish Long made it 2-0 in the second quarter when Orr hit a ball into the D with venom and the forward got a reverse-stick deflection into the top corner.

Avoca had plenty of good chances in the second half but Iseult Cambay enjoyed a fine performance to keep her clean sheet.

Monkstown continued their good run with a 3-0 success against Glenanne with goals from Claire O’Reilly, Sadhbh Hoban-Logan and Rachel Moore.

Clontarf continued their good start to life back in Division One with a 1-0 success over Naas with Mia Jacob getting the only goal. It came courtesy of a great ball down the line to Nicola Taylor who rushed along the baseline, before pulling the back to Jacob to slot into the cage.

It lifts Tarf to 10 points in a share of fifth place with Naas and Genesis, losing just twice in eight outings.

Rathgar recorded their second win of the season, too, beating Genesis 1-0 courtesy of a Holly Beverland goal.

Genesis were due out again on Monday night against Avoca but, such is life for the Blackrock club, the pitch was frozen leaving them with a fourth cancelation in the last month. The league will resume on January 25.

Otherwise, action switches almost fully indoors with a the Leinster and Munster men’s group stages on Saturday and the Leinster women hitting the boards on Sunday.

Women

Leinster Division 1

Saturday: Avoca 0 Trinity 2 (A Buttimer, A Long); Clontarf 1 (M Jacob) Naas 0; Glenanne 0 Monkstown 4 (C O’Reilly, S Hoban-Logan, R Moore); North Kildare 1 (N Rixon-Fuller) Corinthian 4 (N Torrans 2, J Douglas, S Quill); Rathgar 1 (H Beverland) Genesis 0

Monday: Avoca v Genesis – postponed due to frost

Leinster Indoor League (all at St Columba’s College): Railway Union B 6 Old Alexandra 3; Loreto 4 Mount Temple 6; Portrane 0 Glenanne 7; Muckross 7 Railway Union B 3; Glenanne 1 Railway Union 7; Portrane 0 Avoca 2; North Kildare 3 Bray 2; Loreto 1 Avoca 3; Portrane 0 Railway Union 9

Saturday 21st December 2019

Men

Peard Cup, semi-final: Cork Harlequins v Cork Church of Ireland, Farmers’ Cross, 1pm

Leinster Indoor League (all at St Columba’s College): Railway Union B v Glenanne, 11.15; YMCA v Railway Union B, 11.55; Corinthian v Glenanne, 12.35pm; Railway Union B v Corinthian, 1.55pm; Three Rock Rovers v Railway Union, 2.35pm

Munster Indoor League (all at Ashton School): Ashton v UCC, 11am; UCC v Limerick, 12pm; Limerick v Ashton, 1pm; UCC v Ashton, 2pm; Limerick v UCC, 3pm; Ashton v Limerick, 4pm

Sunday 22nd December 2019

Women

Leinster Indoor League (all at St Columba’s College): Railway Union v Avoca, 11.10am; North Kildare v Railway Union B, 11.50am; Glenanne v Loreto, 12.30pm; Railway Union v Mount Temple, 1.10pm; Glenanne v Avoca, 1.50pm; Bray (Women) v Muckross, 2.30pm; UCD v Railway Union B, 3.10pm; Muckross v UCD, 3.50pm

The Hook