News for 20 April 2020
All the news for Monday 20 April 2020
SASHOC Events Cancelled for 2020
After consultation with the hosts of all our Regional and National Events for 2020 as well as the South African Schools Hockey (SASHOC) Executive, we regretfully need to inform you that all SASHOC Events for 2020 has been cancelled. The implications of the Covid 19 pandemic and the ‘state of disaster’ declared by the President, as well we the further extended lockdown, has contributed to a position that we can no longer sanction SASHO events. It will be unrealistic to host any meaningful events for this year.
Boland has indicated that they are unable to host any of the Nationals given the extension of the lockdown and the uncertainty going forward. The Regional LOC’s have also expressed their willingness to postpone / cancel etc. If lockdown is eased, the further uncertainty of how many people will be allowed to be assembled is also an issue. Taking into consideration that regions will not have enough time to prepare teams, organize transport and the affordability of parents having not worked during this time has all impacted on the decision to discontinue with Events
Added to this discussion followed around that Schools could possibly only open in Term 3. The completion of the academic year will be a priority in all schools and this will place lots of pressure on educators to recover academic time. Holidays (if any) and Saturdays will likely be used by schools.
Any deviation from this directive must be communicated to SASHOC as all hockey events will be unsanctioned. The continued health and safety of our players and officials are critical. None of us have faced a challenge of this type and magnitude before.
Bursary applications and school awards for those in grade 12 might be influenced for 2020. Regions should consider hockey testimonials for those players within their HP system. SASHOC will continue with their HP squads with all players within their system and recommendations have been made for the u18’s to be considered for any u21 HP camps running up to the World Cup.
SA Hockey Association media release
Hockey India conducts interactive sessions through WhatsApp for Match Officials
Hockey India utilizes the lockdown period to guide and motivate the Umpires and Technical Officials
Umpire Javed Shaikh( Source: India TV)
Hockey India has initiated interactive sessions through WhatsApp for Indian Umpires and Technical Officials in order to utilize the lockdown period due to the Covid-19 pandemic to improve their officiating knowledge and motivate each other on fitness matters.
The team of experienced Tournament Directors and Umpire Managers who are conducting the interactive sessions on WhatsApp groups include Mr. Moghul Mohammed Muneer, Mr. Claudius de Sales and Mr. H.S Sokhi for Technical officials. Mr. G.S Sangha, Mr. Javed Shaikh and Mr. G Harsha Vardhan for Umpires. Their goal is to guide and motivate the officials to raise the level of officiating and also to maintain their fitness levels.
Hockey India is carrying out interactive sessions for its registered Technical Officials and Umpires, across six WhatsApp groups, three for Technical Officials and three for Umpires. A total of over 100 Hockey India registered officials are taking part in the interactive sessions six days a week.
Further, a total of 30 Hockey India Member Units are conducting interactive sessions for Technical Officials and Umpires across their respective regions. Over 1100 officials are taking part in the interactive sessions across over 70 WhatsApp groups formed by the various Member Units.
Through the interactive sessions, the Officials will be improving their knowledge of the FIH Rules and Regulations and will have the opportunity to clear any queries or doubts.
“Hockey India has put a brilliant process and structure in place in order to improve the standards of officiating in Hockey. Officials are as important as players in any sport and the interactive sessions which normally take place prior to each of the domestic tournaments has definitely help the umpires and officials in the past and we believe that during this lockdown period, that officials can further improve their knowledge of FIH Rules and Regulations and raise the level of officiating.” Said Mohd. Mushtaque Ahmad, President Hockey India.
In the Umpires groups, the umpires share their daily fitness activities and training regimes so that the groups can share training tips and motivate each other to stay fit as well. Hockey India has shared and suggested a few training options online as well, where the officials can find a suitable regime to maintain their fitness and flexibility.
The Umpires and Technical officials are following a specific plan and timings as devised by the respective Tournament Directors and Umpire Managers that conduct and manage the interactive sessions over the respective groups.
The Bridge
Home Advantage: Black Sticks star Kelsey Smith talks Olympics, rehab and lockdown
Kelsey Smith says she can't wait to pull on the black dress and play for the Black Sticks again after the coronavirus crisis. KAI SCHWOERER/GETTY IMAGES
"Even just picking your stick up for five minutes a day will improve your hand eye" says Commonwealth Games gold medallist Kelsey Smith. Following Hockey New Zealand's announcement that all national tournaments are cancelled for 2020 and with the Black Sticks programme currently on hold, we caught up with Smith to talk Olympics, rehab and lockdown.
Q: How has the postponement of the 2020 Olympic Games affected your training and focus?
A: For me personally, it was hard to get the news, although we had started to expect it for a while. But there are some positives that came of it. Given that we can't train as a team, let alone train on any pitch, we had to switch our mentality from team to individual. For me that mostly consists of interval training (for hockey fitness) and keeping my quads strong and on occasion some skills in the backyard.
Q: What has been your motivation through such a tough time?
A: Since I had spent all last year rehabbing my knee, it has sort of just carried on from that. I didn't get much actual hockey in so I guess the motivation has continued to try and come back to my full potential.
Q: You mentioned your knee injury. How tough was your road back to the pitch and what were the physical and mental hurdles you had to overcome?
A: People out there that have had an injury like an ACL will know how hard it is to watch your team playing and remembering what it was like to be out there. The actual rehab process itself I didn't mind too much because I tried to turn my focus into just getting stronger everywhere and working on other little niggles I had always had. Obviously you have your moments but overall I think I came out the other side of it all pretty positively. One thing I can say is, don't be afraid to feel emotional. Whether its anger, sadness, or disappointment, it's really natural and most athletes go through it, even for small injuries.
Q: What has your routine been like during the lockdown period? Have you been finding that this is an opportunity to recover and work on other areas?
A: Although I had been rehabbing my knee, I have also struggled with a lot of back pain so this has been a good opportunity to get that right. I have been doing a lot of yoga and pilates which I have actually come to enjoy! Mostly, my days consist of a walk to the beach nearby, some sort of home workout or running session, a bit of baking/cooking new recipes (things that don't need flour apparently as there is none anywhere!), a little bit of online learning, and lastly just having the tidiest flat I think I've ever been in. On a side note, my partner and I have completed Crash Bandicoot on the Xbox, not sure if that's a win or just a waste of time!
Q: What advice would you give to a young hockey player during this time period?
A: I am sure any young, keen hockey player has seen videos of players doing skills at home and mini workouts such as the Home Advantage series on Sky Sport Next. I think it's a cool time to try new things you wouldn't usually have time for during the regular hockey season. Even just picking your stick up for five minutes a day will improve your hand eye!
Q: How has the team been staying connected throughout the lockdown?
A: We often have Zoom calls and catch ups, once a week/fortnight, but also one of the girls created a quiz night for our whole team last week which was pretty cool. 
Kelsey Smith challenges Australia's Jodie Kenny during the gold medal match at the 2018 Commonwealth Games. SCOTT BARBOUR/GETTY IMAGES
Q: What are the goals for the Olympics next year and what are the team doing to get there?
A: This is an opportunity to recover and work on other areas to get us in the right space to get where we want to be. For some this is rehabbing certain injuries or niggles, some fitness and strengthening, and others possibly even wellbeing and ensuring other areas of their lives are put first.
Q: What does it mean to you when you play for the Black Sticks?
A: The feeling never really wears off. I still get so excited to put on the uniform and play alongside the other girls. Playing for your country is something you should always be proud of.
Stuff
GB and Scotland hockey star Alan Forsyth’s raffle of his personal kit for the NHS smashes £5000 target
Ricky Kelly 
Alan Forsyth, the Great Britain and Scotland hockey star currently training with the GB Olympic squad, has raised well in excess of his self-imposed target of £5000 for the NHS by donating his own personal hockey kit in a raffle.
Alan, 27, from Paisley, said: “During the Covid-19 lockdown I was having a clear out and realised I had some playing and training kit and some of my hockey equipment that I could put to good use.
“I thought this was a good opportunity to help raise further funds for the NHS to say thank you for all the hard work it is doing to support the country in this pandemic.
Photo: Alan Forsyth in action – Scotland v Ukraine
“I have decided to put on a raffle for anyone who would like the chance to win the package of kit. All you need do is donate to NHS Charities Together via my Just Giving page.”
The package includes Alan’s first international cap and first number playing shorts, his playing shirt from the Azlan Shah winning team 2017, Adidas sticks, one used and one brand new made specifically for him, a brand new Adidas stick bag and a range of other items.
The raffle, which at time of writing had raised almost £5500, will run for two weeks and the minimum raffle ticket price is £5. On 29 April, the name of everyone who has donated will be put into the raffle and the winner will receive all the kit.
Alan currently plays for top English hockey side, Surbiton. He won his first cap for Scotland in 2009 and has played for Scotland in three Commonwealth Games tournaments. He also scored the winner in the EuroHockey Championship II 2017 final in Glasgow for Scotland to win gold on home turf.
He made his debut for the GB team in 2015 and has won many awards in both Scotland and England, including being voted UK Hockey Player of the Year in 2018 following a poll by the Hockey Writers’ Club.
Link to JustGiving page: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/alanforsyth-hockeykitraffle.
Renfrewshire 24
Olympian Van Sickle Shifts Gears to Coaching and Leading Youth
Kathleen Harte Simone
USA Field Hockey Olympian Caitlin Van Sickle – aka Poppy – has a new calling: coaching and guiding youth field hockey players on their quest for success. Following an illustrious six and a half year career with the U.S. Women's National Team, the pinnacle of which was competing in the Rio 2016 Olympic Games, Van Sickle was appointed Director of Coaching for PowerHouse Field Hockey Club, located in the Philadelphia suburbs. She embraces the position full heartedly and has been received with open arms and loud cheers.
“There is a lot that excites me about working for a club, but mainly the opportunity to work with kids and young women of all ages,” said Van Sickle. “I have never really worked for a club before and so that in itself is very exciting. I had no idea how much went into running a club and I probably still do not know all that it entails, but the opportunity to work with so many kids is exciting. It is also fun working with old teammates and I am very thankful for.”
Van Sickle’s field hockey career has been marked by many highs and always positivity. In 2013, Van Sickle was named to the U.S. Women’s National Team after a journey through the Olympic Development Pathway. She garnered 148 international caps as a defender for the red, white, and blue. Van Sickle was a part of USA’s incredible performance at the 2016 Women's Hockey Champions Trophy in London, England, as the lowest world ranked team, USA clinched the bronze after a shootout win over Australia. Continuing with that momentum, USA impressed the world at the 2016 Rio Olympic Games earning a historical fifth place finish.
In college, Van Sickle was a standout player for the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC). She was a three-time team Most Valuable Player (2010, 2011, 2012), three-time first-team All-America (2010, 2011, 2012), three-time Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) Defensive Player of the Year (2010, 2011, 2012), three-time All-ACC and All-ACC tournament and 2012 ACC Tournament MVP. In her time as a Tar Heel, Van Sickle helped win back-to-back ACC Championships (2011, 2012) and played in the NCAA Division I championship game all four years, winning the championship in 2009.
I caught up with Poppy to find out more about her new role, career highlights with USA Field Hockey and at UNC, and fun facts about Poppy including her famous nickname.
What was your best field hockey moment at the University of North Carolina?
Poppy: “Winning the national championship in 2009, but also having the opportunity to play in four Final Fours!”
What is your best USA Field Hockey memory:
Poppy: “I don’t know if there is one specific moment that sticks in my head, but representing my country in the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro is obviously the highlight. When you hear the national anthem, standing on the field next to your teammates that you have worked so hard with for years, it truly is am inspiring moment.”
Tell me about your decision to retire from Team USA:
Poppy: “I think for me I knew it was time to retire once the team did not qualify for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games. I went back and forth with the decision and ultimately decided this was my time to step away.”
Why did you move into the club scene rather than coaching at the college level?
Poppy: “After retiring I thought that college would be the next step, but this just makes sense right now and I think this was a great opportunity I was given.”
So tell me about your new role at PowerHouse as Directory of Coaching:
Poppy: “It’s multifaceted. Stefanie Fee (Co-Director along with Lauren Pfeiffer) and I will create the curriculums for all age groups and then we will also be coaching each age group. I would say coaching the different age groups on a daily basis is my main focus, but then also creating practice plans with Stefanie [Fee] is another large part of my role. Obviously, there are administrative tasks we share, including ordering uniforms, creating guidelines for prospective college athletes and offering calls with our athletes about their progress.”
Did you play with Stefanie and Lauren in any international tours with Team USA?
Poppy: “I think Stefanie and I joined the team at the same time so most of the tournaments we competed in were together. The biggest ones would be the Champions Trophy in London and the 2016 Rio Olympic Games. Lauren was on the team before I was and we played together for a few years starting back in San Diego.”
What fun facts can you share about Stefanie and Lauren that most people don’t know?
Poppy: “Stefanie is a very talented dancer and the leader of the dance floor at most weddings! Lauren is fairly artsy with her knitting abilities, but also a very organized person and the one who keeps the club together!”
And a fun fact about you, Poppy…
Poppy: “I love to golf and cook! I get this honest because my mom is actually a golf professional and my Dad went to culinary school.”
How would you describe your coaching style?
Poppy: “I’m not sure that I have established a coaching style yet, but I would say that I like the kids and athletes to be the ones who lead the discussions. I think learning is best accomplished by doing and acting on the pitch but also talking through situations. I welcome the athletes to challenge me and ask me as many questions as possible.”
What are your club and personal goals at PowerHouse?
Poppy: “I think my goal for the club and myself would be to offer the athletes the best coaching I can. I want to help these kids not only develop into the best field hockey players they can, but also the best athletes they can be.”
“The vision of a champion is someone who is bent over, drenched in sweat, at the point of exhaustion when no one else is watching.” – Anson Dorance This is your favorite quote, taken from your USA Field Hockey bio. It is inspiring! Why did you choose this quote?
Poppy: “I just think this quote exemplifies hard work. Hard work to me is the basis of everything and the ability to push yourself further than your ever thought was possible is something that drives me. I was fortunate enough to be a part of a great program leading up to Rio that helped me in this capacity and really shaped me into the person I am today.”
In closing, I have a question that many want to know! How did you get your cool nickname Poppy?
Poppy: “I was given the nickname in college on my first day of preseason by a girl in the grade above me. She took my last name, Van Sickle, and said, 'Oh that sounds like Popsicle…Poppy.' Some people think it is a stretch, but it makes sense to me and now it really has stuck.”
Rapid Fire Questions for Poppy:
Your best field hockey skill: Decent/accurate hit.
1 word to describe the PowerHouse athlete: Determined.
If you didn't play field hockey, you would have played: Basketball.
Thing that makes you most happy: Being able to spend time with family and friends.
Favorite post-victory food: Love Neopolitan style pizza.
What you're watching on Netflix now: I want to start the third season of Ozark!
Favorite sports hero: Michael Jordan.
Philly girl yet?! Love the Philly restaurant scene so slowly finding my way around.
Content courtesy of Kathleen Harte Simone, USA Field Hockey Correspondent & Philafieldhockey.com Founder
USFHA media release
Hockey players hit hard
Anisur Rahman
A file photo shows hockey players taking a breather during practice. PHOTO: STAR FILE
When some top national hockey players joined Bangladesh Navy in 2013, an argument over the justification of their joining the services team had made the rounds in the hockey fraternity.
The argument was that the national players can earn more from the Dhaka Premier League compared to what they would get from Bangladesh Navy. However, those players -- Rasel Mahmud Jimmy, Mamunur Rahman Chayan, Imran Hasan Pintoo, Khorshedur Rahman, Sarwar Hossain and others -- stuck to their decision, and now they can consider themselves lucky as they get a regular stream of income from Bangladesh Navy during this nationwide shutdown.
The other players, though, have not had the luck as they solely depend on hockey to run their families, and with no league taking place in the last two years, they have been going through acute financial crisis following the coronavirus outbreak.
Bappy Kumar Ghosh, one of the unfortunate ones, had been helping his parents by earning money from premier hockey league in Dhaka, Chattogram and Sylhet apart from conducting coaching in Rajshahi and Cumilla. But now all his income sources have been cut off in the wake of Covid-19.
"My father gets only Tk 5000 salary and I provide most of the expenditure of our three-member family. But at the moment I can't help the family as there is no income. I used to get a small pocket money from coaching at Boikalin Sangha in Rajshahi and I used to earn by playing hockey leagues in Chattogram, Sylhet and Dhaka but everything is halted now. Besides, I was supposed to coach a unit of Bangladesh Army in June which is also uncertain now. I don't know what I will do in future and how to help the family," said the 28-year-old, who has been playing the premier league for the last 12 years -- a duration when only six editions of the league was held.
"If the league was held every year, I think I would have been far better off. As the Dhaka league is irregular, I bank on other district leagues and coaching profession to earn bread and butter," said Ghosh, who represented Sonali Bank, Shadharan Bima and Ajax SC in the league.
Former national striker Ashraful Islam Shishu is also going through similar crisis. "Physically I'm fine but not financially. I depend on Bangladesh Army's coaching, which is now uncertain. I don't have any deposit to spend," said Shishu, who represented the national team from 2008 to 2018.
Former goalkeeper Rasel Khan Bappi, who played in the 2018 premier league – the last time theleague was held -- admitted that many players, despite being in financial hardship, do not want to disclose their current condition due to their social status and prestige.
"Not only general players, many national players are in financial trouble as there has been no premier league in the last two years. I am getting many calls from players from outside Dhaka but I don't want to mention any names," said Bappi, who represented the national team from 1996 to 2006.
"When the financial status of hockey players is bad, how will the hockey players' welfare association help the current players? It is in fact a duty of the federation to help the players as they can't hold the league regularly," the former national custodian said.
"The federation officials are not attending phone calls. How can we approach them to help the players? I think if the federation could hold the league once in last two years, the players would not be in such trouble right now," said Bappi.
The Daily Star
Quiz: Hockey at the Olympics
Hockey became a permanent feature at Olympics from the 1928 Amsterdam Games.
Hockey was first included to the Olympics at the 1908 London edition. How well do you know about the sport's history at the Games?
1.Indian men's hockey team holds the record for clinching the Olympic gold without conceding a single goal twice? The first time was in 1928. When was the other?
London 1948
Moscow 1980
Melbourne 1956
2.The 1932 Olympics was the shortest edition for hockey featuring only three teams and three matches being played. The first two were USA and India. Which was the third team?
Great Britain
Japan
Netherlands
3.Name of the only Indian player to win an Olympic gold both as a player and a coach?
Balbir Singh Sr
Balkishen Singh Grewal
Dhyanchand
4.Which Indian player holds the unbroken record of scoring five goals in an Olympic final?
Balbir Singh Sr.
Dhyanchand
Ashok Kumar
5.Brazil in 2016 was one of the two nations that never played Olympic hockey except when it hosted the Games? Which is the other country?
Mexico
Italy
Finland
6.How many times did India face off against arch-rival Pakistan for the gold medal?
2
3
4
7.Men's field hockey has been part of the 24 Olympics. German teams (West, East and United Germany) have featured in 21 editions. Which is the other team with the same number of apperances?
Netherlands
Great Britain
India
8.India has won the most number of Olympic gold medals. Which country has won the most number of bronze medals?
Netherlands
Belgium
Spain
Answers
1. Melbourne 1956
2. Japan
3. Balkishen Singh Grewal - Won the award as a player in 1956 and then as the chief coach in 1980.
4. Balbir Singh Sr. - He scored five goals in the 6-1 final win against Netherlands at Helsinki 1952.
5. Finland - Helsinki 1952 was Finland's only appearance in field hockey.
6. 3 - 1956, 1960 and 1964: Three consecutive Olympic finals and India won twice
7. India - Since 1928 India has played in all edition, except for Beijing 2008
8. Netherlands - The Dutch finished third for five times - 1972, 1976, 1992, 1996, 2008, 2016
Sportstar