News for 12 March 2020
All the news for Thursday 12 march 2020
Postponement of the 2020 Indoor Pan American Cups
The Pan American Hockey Federation (PAHF) has been monitoring closely the COVID-19 (coronavirus) situation that is impacting the global community, and more directly, our region in recent days.
Following consultation with the USA Field Hockey (USFHA) and local Health Authorities, the PAHF has today taken a decision to postpone the 2020 Indoor Pan American Cups / Indoor World Cup Qualifiers originally scheduled for 25 – 29 March 2020 to a date to be announced in the near future.
We apologize for the disruption this may result in previously arranged travel plans and other arrangements in preparation for this event.
However, out of concern for the well-being and safety of our athletes, support staff, event officials and the public at large, our decision to postpone the event has become necessary.
Pan American Hockey Federation media release
U-21 USMNT vs. Argentina Suspended Due to Coronavirus
USA Field Hockey was informed today that due to the overall situation of coronavirus (COVID-19) the remaining scheduled matches between the U.S. U-21 Men’s National Team and Argentina U-21 have been suspended.
The National High Performance Sports Center (CeNARD), a place for the training of athletes representing the country of Argentina and where the matches were to be played, is a government agency from the National Secretariat of Sports. Today, Hockey Argentina was notified by the authorities of the National Ministry of Tourism and Sports about a prohibition to enter the CeNARD and play friendly matches for the month of March. To follow the regulations of the National Ministry of Health and recommendations of the World Health Organization regarding the prevention of COVID-19, the Argentine Hockey Confederation has no alternative and must abide by and accept the regulations established by the National Government.
The U-21 USMNT will remain in Argentina until Saturday, March 14 with the intention of training at a neighboring club.
USFHA media release
Hockey Australia – coronavirus update 12 March 2020
Following Hockey Australia’s published decision on Saturday 7 March 2020 to suspend international travel for all Hockey Australia national teams including FIH Pro League, Country, Masters and Junior touring teams – Hockey Australia would like to provide the following information to our wider hockey community.
Hockey Australia is monitoring daily the current situation in relation to coronavirus and is receiving regular updates from AIS and AOC Chief Medical Officer (CMO) Dr David Hughes, who is working closely with the Federal Department of Health.
There is a link on the AIS website under Health & Wellbeing which is updated daily with information in relation to high performance recommendations. This link can be accessed via the AIS website however we caution people to understand that this information provides advice with High Performance programs in mind. In saying that, there is general information that is relevant to all members of the public and certainly would be of use to our wider hockey community.
Hockey Australia CMO Dr Peter Steele continues to provide our High Performance programs with regular updates and specific information to inform decisions within our high performance programs. Attached for your information, use and dissemination is some high performance travel guidelines we provide to our traveling athletes and staff.
The current situation with the coronavirus throughout the world presents challenges to everyone. It is important that as leaders of our sport, we provide the latest information based on facts and share that information to encourage people to stay informed and take action on advice from reputable sources who are at the forefront of this virus in Australia.
At the present time there is no evidence of transmission in the community so you should continue to go about your day-to-day business. You do not need to take actions like limiting your movement in the community or staying at home.
Further to the above, the following information is provided to our Member Associations.
1.Hockey Australia’s position as it relates to planned 2020 National Championships and community level hockey
Hockey Australia has received advice that there is currently no recommendation to cancel National Championships at this stage.
We do however recognise the need for this to be reviewed regularly as the situation is changing daily. We would like to work with our Member Associations to establish a regular means of providing the latest information to inform decisions relating to our 2020 National Championship schedule.
As at 12:00pm today (Thursday 12 March 2020), the advice is to continue with planned hockey activities but increase hygiene measures and implement self-exclusion if exhibiting flu-like symptoms (note – this is a fluid situation and we need to ensure we stay up to date with the latest information being provided by Federal & State Governments).
2.Import players from international countries
Hockey Australia recommends that Member Associations stay up to date with the Australian Government restrictions and/or recommendations relating to entry requirements of all foreign internationals into Australia. Advice received today is there are now only two categories:
- High risk – China, Iran, South Korea, Italy
- Moderate risk – all other countries
If you have international players intending to come to Australia to play, they need to be informed of potential quarantine requirements.
3.Community hockey
Hockey Australia recommends all members (players, team staff, spectators) of hockey clubs, associations and leagues implement (at a minimum) the below set of actions for upcoming training sessions and matches:
- Replace handshaking at the start and conclusion of games with (for example) simply tapping sticks on the ground, fist pump or a thumbs up.
- Use labelled water bottles. These must be strictly single person use. Avoid use of communal water bottles.
- Take care with food handling at games; for example, oranges or lollies at half-time or full-time. Use tongs to serve or reconsider shared food.
- Mouth-guards should be washed after each game, followed by cleaning of hands.
- Continue to cover nose and mouth with tissue or flexed elbow when coughing or sneezing.
- Keep 1.5m distance from anyone that is coughing or sneezing.
- Use alcohol-based hand wash available at the canteen counter, dugouts, and seat stands outside the change room.
- All players and officials should wash their hands with soap and water and dry with paper towel prior to and after games.
- Gloves should be worn when attending to players with injuries – especially against blood exposure but also to prevent contact with mouth-guards.
Any member with flu-like symptoms should self-exclude from playing, training and spectating at the first sign of the symptoms and seek medical advice.
Further advice on the Coronavirus COVID-19 can be found from the following recommended sources:
- Australian Government Department of Health (health.gov.au) or for general advice regarding COVID-19, call the Australian Government’s Coronavirus Health Information Line on 1800 020 080
All members of the hockey community should note that this is an evolving situation and advice could change at any time. Hockey Australia will endeavour to update the hockey community as it is relevant.
Hockey Australia media release
Women’s National Team begins two-year build towards 2022 World Cup
Canadian Women’s National Team returns to Belgium to start 2020
Shanlee Johnston said she still thinks back to that weekend in November and wonders what could have been.
Canada and Ireland played a two-game qualifier series all the way to the bitter end in Dublin last fall. When the dust had settled at the end of a six-round sudden-death shootout, it was the home team celebrating Olympic Qualification and the Canadians heartbroken, knees on the turf.
“It’s hard to describe the feeling,” Johnston, the 30-year old Vancouver native, said. “On the one hand, you’re crushed and devastated. Sometimes the feeling of helplessness is overwhelming. We had put so much work into this one moment. Qualifying for the Olympics is a dream I’ve had in my mind since I was 12 years old.
“But at the same time, I also realize that the reason we play sports is not about one tournament. It’s about the fight you put in. It’s about the people you battle with and grow with along the way and I couldn’t be prouder of our team. It’s easier to say that to my teammates and help lift them up but I try to remind myself of that as often as I can as well.”
The lead-up to the Olympic Qualifiers for Team Canada was nothing short of spectacular. They centralized in Belgium for weekly trainings and played in the Belgian League scattered amongst local clubs. They toured in Europe, North American and Asia, playing the best teams in the world. The Wolfpack finished with a silver at the Hockey Series Finals in Valencia and followed it up by making the Pan American Games finals for the first time since 1991. In the end, their shootout loss dashed the 2020 Olympic dream and left the team to reflect on those final moments.
Victoria’s Maddie Secco, a midfielder for Team Canada, echoes Johnston’s sentiments and adds that Canada’s preparedness in the months leading up gave them every chance to come out on top.
“Heading into the series with Ireland, I really felt that were prepared to the fullest,” Secco said. “We knew their players; we knew how they were going to play. We had our plan. We were so ready stepping onto that field.
“It was really heartbreaking. Especially in a shootout. We worked so hard for two games and it all came down to one moment. It’s so hard. But, it’s sports and on the day, it can go either way. We put everything on the field and I have no regrets.”
Zoe Wilson with Amanda Woodcroft 
Shirely McCay with Karli Johansen
Chloe Watkins with Nikki Woodcroft
Team Canada battled Ireland to the bitter end in November. Yan Huckendubler/Photo
The majority of the Canadian National Team, currently ranked 14th in the world, is back overseas competing in the Belgian League, of the top-rated leagues in the world. The Belgian League is known for attracting international players from all over the world. The Canadian athletes, many of whom have signed contracts with top-teams in the league, have been welcomed and made to feel at home by their Belgian clubs.
Secco, who played the 2017 season for Flottbek in the German League, said that the access to consistent competition and high-level coaching in Europe is a great opportunity for the Canadian players to continue to improve, especially in a year void of major international competitions.
“We hope to build on the momentum that we created over the past year,” Secco said. “We are a very talented side and it would be sad to see all that hard work go to waste.”
The next major milestone for Team Canada will be qualifying for the 2022 World Cup co-hosted in Netherlands & Spain. Canada’s Women’s National Team hasn’t qualified for a World Cup since 1994. Johnston closed by saying this group of players isn’t done improving yet.
“The journey is why we all do this,” Johnston said. “And we want to keep pushing for something. The majority of this team wants to build towards the World Cup and succeed at that event.”
Current Club Teams
First Name Last Name Current Club Team
Alexis DeArmond White Star, Brussels
Rachel Donohoe Gantoise, Belgium
Rowan Harris Cambrai HC, France
Hannah Haughn Royal Victory HC
Danielle Hennig Royal Victory Hockey Club
Karli Johansen KMTHC, Belgium
Shanlee Johnston Braxgata
Kat Leahy Braxgata, Belgium
Alison Lee Leiden Hockey Club, Netherlands
Lauren Logush Leiden Hockey Club, Netherlands
Sara McManus KHC Leuven, Belgium
Anna Mollenhauer UVic Vikes
Steph Norlander KHC Leuven, Belgium
Margaret Pham UBC Thunderbirds
Maddie Secco Royal Victory Hockey Club, Belgium
Natalie Sourisseau THC Hurley, Netherlands
Brie Stairs KHC Leuven, Belgium *
Holly Stewart Royal Evere White Star (Belgium)
Kaitlyn Williams Royal Victory Hockey Club
Elise Wong K. Mechelse T.H.C.
Amanda Woodcroft KHCL
Nicole Woodcroft Royal Evere White Star Hockey Club
Kate Wright (Gillis) KHC Leuven
Field Hockey Canada media release
Evans on the moment she thought her Olympic dream was over
Sarah Evans
“When it happened, the worst went through my head and I thought ‘if I’ve done my ACL, I won’t get to go to the Olympics’.”
Just over 24 hours before Great Britain took on Chile in the FIH Olympic Qualifier back in November, Sarah Evans believed her Olympic dream could be over.
In the final training session before the opening game, the midfielder accidentally stood on the stick of Susannah Townsend while the two battled for possession during a drill.
The Surbiton captain immediately hit the floor, letting out a cry of pain as she clutched her knee while team-mates and support staff rushed to her aid.
With just months to go until Tokyo 2020 and having ‘never experienced pain like that in an injury before’, Evans feared the worst.
“When it happened, the worst went through my head and I thought ‘if I’ve done my ACL, I won’t get to go to the Olympics’,” she recalled.
“When you have that worst case scenario in your head and it can be very much a reality, you have to deal with the emotions of that.
“When I found out it [that it was not ligament damage] I was overjoyed and then you realise how lucky you are to be able to do being doing this, trying go to an Olympic Games.”
Sarah Evans 100th International Appearance
Evans had in fact suffered bone bruising to her knee, an injury still significant enough to rule her out of action for four months but not one that would prevent her of being in with a chance of appearing at Tokyo 2020.
In those initial hours before the diagnosis, the 28-year-old went through a myriad of emotions and scenarios in her head as she tried to prepare for the worst, drawing strength from the experiences of seeing fellow GB players recover from ACL injuries in recent times.
“For me it’s one of the worst injuries because of the time frame that you’re out for,” she said.
“It happened at 11am, at 2pm I had a scan in London and by 4pm I had the results. Over those five hours I went through an emotional rollercoaster of thinking this might be an ACL, which would mean I wouldn’t be able to go to the Olympics, but at the same time not knowing the extent of the injury so trying to be really positive and hopeful.
“I wouldn’t have been ok with not being able to go to the Olympics – I would have been absolutely devastated – but you can’t control anything that happens like this. We play sport, literally anything can happen and half the time it’s out of your control.
“When they did say it was bone bruising I was happy, which was weird as they said I would be out for four months but, because my mind had gone to the worst case, that seemed like a good replacement.
“I’ve seen so many people rehab so unbelievably well and I’ve got so much admiration for Brendan [Creed], Sabbie [Heesh] and Grass [Chris Grassick] who have come back amazingly. If that was the case for me I would have got my head down and done it but I was relieved that it wasn’t that and that I’m back on the pitch already.”
Not only did the injury mean that Evans missed out on the FIH Olympic Qualifiers, it also saw her unable to travel to Australia and New Zealand for GB’s opening FIH Hockey Pro League games last month.
Yet despite the frustration of not being able to do what she loves the most, the 2018 Commonwealth Games bronze medallist was grateful to all of her team-mates for helping her get through what can be a tough period for athletes.
“The people in the rehab group will go through incredibly low times because sometimes it can get very lonely,” she explained.
“But that will only be for a small period of time because someone else recognises that. Or if it hasn’t been recognised you can still reach out to someone and say ‘I’m struggling’ and then you have a group of people rallying around you.
“There was a group of five or six of us all rehabbing at the same time whilst the squads were away and it was such a good environment for us all to be able to help each other. We all wanted the get the best out of each other and knew that we were getting our heads down, cracking on but we were there as a little support group.
“I play hockey because I love being part of a team so, when you’re not directly out on the pitch with everyone, just to know you’ve got people there helping and supporting you it means the world.”
Having returned for Surbiton in mid-February, Evans is now back training with the GB teams and hoping to be in the squads for this summer’s FIH Hockey Pro League games in London.
She’s especially targeting the double header against Argentina at The Stoop on 16-17 May, having missed the game against New Zealand there last year due to a minor injury.
And with the Tokyo 2020 Games taking place shortly after, Evans also knows how important these matches will be leading into the biggest sporting event of the year.
She said: “It’s great to be able to play some of the best teams in the world in the build up to the Olympics. In previous cycles we’ve gone away for small trips but you maybe only play a couple of the top teams, whereas with the FIH Hockey Pro League you get to play all the top teams.
“Playing Argentina at The Stoop will be great. They always bring such a great atmosphere wherever they play but for us to impose that on them with all of our fans at The Stoop will be amazing. I didn’t get to play that game last year so I’ll be fighting to be in the squad for that this year because, even just sat in the crowd watching, it was unbelievable and the amount of people who came to support was incredible. It was just such a show.
“It’s amazing to see how far the sport has come, the fact that we can fill stadiums like that. It was a great atmosphere last year and we will build on that this year and hopefully long may it continue.”
Great Britain Hockey media release
2020 Masters World Cup Announcement
Hockey New Zealand is excited to announce the Masters World Cup Selections for 2020.
The 2020 National Masters Tournament (NMT) was the largest in our history with 82 teams. The NMT provides the primary selection event for NZ Masters Age Group Teams.
The Masters World Cup is the pinnacle event for Masters Hockey. The best teams from around the world assemble to compete for the prestigious Masters World Cup title.
This year World Masters Hockey have modified the Masters World Cup format, moving away from the traditional single international tournament for all age groups. The new format includes three continents hosting three tournaments for specific age groups. Please see the tournament dates, locations, and age groups below.
Nottingham, England – August 8th-17th
Over 35s and 40s Women
Over 35s and 40s Men
Cape Town, South Africa – September 19th to 28th
Over 45s, 50s, 55s, 60s and 65s Women’s
Over 45s, 50s and 55s Men
Tokyo, Japan – November 5th to 15th
Over 60s, 65s, 70s and 75s Men
At the recent NMT, a highly capable team of 25 selectors and 3 convenors of selectors observed over 450 players vying for selection. Teams and or squads were selected across the age groups, with the exception of the Men’s 75s and Women’s 65s. This year will be the first time New Zealand will send a 70s Men’s team to a Masters World Cup.
Hockey NZ would like to acknowledge and thank Convenor of Selectors: Pat Barwick, John Daniels and Lee Munt, and the team of selectors for their hard work and diligence.
Hockey NZ is committed to sending competitive teams to the Masters World Cup and Trans Tasman events. For 2020 a combined 60s and 65s women’s team has been selected. This decision has been made with the intention to allow more time to grow further depth across both age groups for future competition.
Selection Panels in consultation with appointed coaches, were provided the flexibility to select a team or squad. Where a squad has been selected, final selections will be made at future training camps. Due to the number of players registered for selection, no individual player feedback will be provided. Unsuccessful players are encouraged to contact their NMT coach to support their development.
Hockey NZ would like to thank all players for their efforts, congratulate those who have been successful, and encourage those who have not, to continue to work hard towards Trans Tasman 2021.
Hockey NZ appreciates there may be questions regarding Covid-19. We are working with World Masters Hockey to understand the potential ramifications on all three events. As it stands, all events are proceeding, and we will keep you updated as the situation progresses and more information comes to hand. We’re also working with House Of Travel (HOT) to understand the cut off dates for booking travel and accommodation.
Please click here for a message from HOT in regard to general travel and the evolving coronavirus situation.
At this stage we believe it best to delay booking any travel and wait and see how things develop over the next 1-3 weeks. World Masters Hockey and the FIH are monitoring the current situation and will likely provide further direction in the coming weeks around these events specifically or more broadly on hockey related international travel. If you do decide to make any bookings, please ensure you are fully aware of your rights under your insurance given Covid-19 is now a “known event”.
Please click here to view the 2020 World Cup Selections
Hockey New Zealand Media release
A big year for indoor hockey starts with the Indoor IPT
In 2020 the South African Indoor Hockey Men and Women will take part in the African Hockey Indoor Cup of Nations with the goal of qualifying for the 2021 Indoor Hockey World Cup. With other test series planned on the Road to the World Cup it’s another big year for indoor hockey and the journey starts in Durban today.
The Men’s Indoor Hockey IPT defending champions will be trying their best to defend their crown they won in Pietermaritzburg last year. Ross Willis will again lead the team that features International players in Dayaan Cassiem, Mustapha Cassiem, Ryan Julius
Their biggest competition is likely to come from the hosts, the KZN Raiders who have the services of Wade Paton back along indoor hockey superstars Jethro Eustice, Justin Domleo and Jarryd Jones. Under the tutelage of Ryan Hack they have a coach who knows how to win the tournament and will undoubtedly be the team to beat in their group.
Southern Gauteng may be wearing a new lion as their crest in this tournament but as their slogan goes, you can expect the team to be “all heart”. Chad Futcher will be the man called on to score the goals, which he proved in his International bow against Switzerland he can do with ease, while the retirements of stalwarts Julian Hykes and Reza Rosenberg have given opportunity for other youngsters to stake their claim. Will the likes of Marvin Simons, Spencer Botes or Fawaaz Kahder make the difference for the Lions?
Other challengers for the crown will be the SG Witsies, Northern Blues and KZN Inland who are all likely to be difficult to beat.
In the women’s team the defending champions Southern Gauteng’s challenge to defend their title took a curve ball when three of their star players were called up to the national outdoor squad currently taking on China in Cape Town. The challenge though will excite coach Blake Goosen who looks to join a very elite band of coaches to defend their title.
The hosts the SPAR KZN Raiders will be a tough team to beat with Jess Lardant, Jess O’Connor, Zimi Shange, Cindy Hack, Tegan Fourie and Cheree Greyvenstein all featuring over the past 12 months for the SPAR South Africa team. They were the beaten finalists in 2019 and Calvin Price will be desperate to add a gold medal to the one he won in 2018.
Western Province have shown remarkable improvements under the tutelage of AJ Spieringshoek. The likes of Kayla de Waal, Ammaarah Hendricks, Andrea Leader and Jamie Southgate are a big part of that improvement and will be called on to be the leaders in an exciting team.
KZN Inland also look a good outside bet with Eloise Walters looking to find her 2018 form after recovering from injury and will be an entertaining prospect to deal with.
The Men’s tournament takes place at Ashton College in Ballito while the women will play at Danville Park Girls High School in Durban North. There will be daily updates on SAHockey.co.za and you can follow the scores by clicking on the TMS link here.
SA Hockey Association media release
Faid’s first call-up ends in pain
KUALA LUMPUR: Mohd Faid Farhadh Mohd Shah’s (pic) first call-up to the national hockey training last week has not been a pleasant one.
The Universiti Kuala Lumpur (UniKL) midfielder, who helped his team win the treble of Charity Shield, league and Overall Cup in the Malaysia Hockey League (MHL) last month, has suffered a hamstring injury in training.
National coach Roelant Oltmans confirmed that Faid, who will turn 23 on May 6, is injured and would take about three weeks to recover.
The Dutchman said forward Mohd Shahril Saabah also suffered a knee injury while training. However, his injury is not serious and he is expected to be back in training by next week.
“Although the two players are injured, there is nothing to worry as we don’t have any tournaments lined up due to the Covid-19 outbreak.
“Even with the injuries, we have 24 players in the training squad,” said Oltmans.
Malaysia had been scheduled to play in the six-nation Sultan Azlan Shah Cup in Ipoh from April 11-18 but the tournament has been postponed to Sept 27-Oct 3 due to the coronavirus outbreak.
Oltmans said Canada, who will feature in the Tokyo Olympics in July, are keen to play five matches – four Tests and one friendly – with Malaysia in April.
“We are waiting for them to confirm the series as many countries are not allowing their athletes to go overseas for tournaments due to fear of the virus.
“We also want to play as many matches as possible in preparation for the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup,” said Oltmans.
Another Olympics-bound side, New Zealand, will play a series of matches in Malaysia in June while the national team will also feature in the four-nation tournament in Spain in July.
The other teams to play in the four-nation tournament are Germany and Ireland. Malaysia are expecting to play seven matches in Spain.
The Star of Malaysia
Discard Azri joins Italian club Pistoia
KUALA LUMPUR: National hockey discard Mohd Azri Hassan (pic) has found a new lease of life after signing up with an Italian club.
The defender will be plying his trade with the Florence-based club Pistoia in the Italian Hockey League which starts on March 21.
His contract with the Division Two club was made possible with the help of former international forward S. Selvaraju, who is the coach of the club.
Azri, who last played for Malaysia at the World Cup in Bhubaneswar, India in 2018, is expected to feature in 12 matches for Pistoia.
“I’ve played in the Malaysia Hockey League (MHL) for few a teams in the last eight years and the time has come for me to try my luck with a foreign club, ” said Azri.
“My services are no longer required by the national team but I’ve not given up hope on the sport. I’m ready to ply my trade in the European league.
“I’ll get to learn their style of play and this will be an asset to my career in domestic tournaments.
“I must thank Selvaraju for getting me a place with the club, ” added Azri, who played for Terengganu in the MHL this season.
Azri, who left to Italy yesterday, said the league is still on despite the Covid-19 outbreak in Italy.
“I hope to play in all the 12 matches, which ends in mid June. I also hope to continue playing for a few years more, ” said the 28-year-old.
The 35-year-old Selvaraju said Azri would benefit playing in the Italian league as it was competitive. The other foreign teams involved in the league are from Argentina, Holland, Germany and Spain.
“I gained a lot by playing in Italy in the last six years, which is run professionally, ” said Selvaraju, who obtained his FIH level three coaching certificate with the help of the Italian Hockey Federation.
The Star of Malaysia
FIH announces 11 Preferred Suppliers as part of FIH Quality Programme for Hockey Turf
Lausanne, Switzerland: The Preferred Supplier category of the FIH Quality Programme for Hockey Turf, the internationally recognised quality assurance scheme designed to guarantee the construction of good quality fields from community development right through to elite level competition, has been expanded from ten to eleven companies, the International Hockey Federation (FIH) is pleased to announce.
In a new deal that covers the three-year period from 2020 until the end of 2022, the FIH conducted an extensive evaluation of applicants to ensure that those investing in new hockey fields can be certain that the highest standards of hockey turf manufacturing and pitch construction will be attained.
The ten companies who were given FIH Preferred Supplier status in 2018 have all been re-approved for the next three years, with Act Global, AstroTurf, Edel, FieldTurf, Forbex, CC Grass, Greenfields, Lano, Polytan and Tigerturf being joined on the list by Belgium-based Domo Sports Grass.
With the latest FIH Preferred Suppliers having manufacturing capacity within the regions of all five of our Continental Federations, the global availability of Hockey Turf products suitable for high level hockey, community and school hockey, and multi-sport applications including hockey has been assured.
Over 95 percent of all the fields certified by the FIH in 2019 were manufactured by the FIH Preferred Suppliers, and every venue used in the 2019 and 2020 editions of the FIH Hockey Pro League has their surfaces.
Speaking about the Preferred Suppliers and the FIH Quality Programme for Hockey Turf, FIH Facilities & Quality Programme Manager Alastair Cox said: “It is very satisfying to see that all our Preferred Suppliers see the ongoing benefits of being recognised and being endorsed by the FIH as globally operating companies, that manufacture and build great quality hockey fields. Adding another company to the category gives facility owners an even wider choice. By choosing one of these companies they can ensure that their hockey field will perform correctly, be safe and built to specification. As a result, we hope that many more high-quality hockey fields will be built over the coming years across the world.”
FIH CEO Thierry Weil added: “On behalf of FIH, I would like to thank all the companies who have either renewed their commitment with us or newly joined us as an FIH Preferred Supplier. This is a sign of mutual trust and a positive step for the continuous development of hockey turf products tailored to the diverse needs of our sport. Importantly, this ensures quality pitches for the benefit of players’ welfare.”
The FIH Quality Programme is an internationally recognised quality-assurance programme that provides consistent and dependable industry standards for the performance, construction and durability of hockey turf installations worldwide and ensures the appropriate quality for the intended level of play. As a result it will help inspire more people to play hockey, promote player welfare and protect the investment of those funding hockey facilities.
For more information about this programme, visit the Quality Programme for Hockey Turf section of FIH website by clicking here.
#FIHQualityProgramme
FIH site