News for 07 May 2020
All the news for Thursday 7 May 2020
New Zealand looks to send teams to the 2021 FIH Indoor Hockey World Cup in Belgium
The FIH has announced the 2021 Indoor Hockey World Cup set to take place in Belgium between the 3-7 February. Hockey New Zealand sees this as a great opportunity to further develop our players and intends on sending a Men’s and Women’s team to compete against the best sides in the world.
The showpiece event – awarded to Belgium’s National Association by the FIH Executive Board – will see 12 teams competing in both the men’s and women’s competitions, all aiming to follow in the footsteps of Austria men and Germany women, who were crowned champions at the 2018 Indoor World Cup event that took place in Berlin (GER).
Speaking about the decision, FIH CEO Thierry Weil said: “With its speed, intensity and excitement, indoor hockey is an important and much-loved form of our sport, and I am greatly looking forward to the sixth edition of the FIH Indoor Hockey World Cup taking place in Belgium. I would like to offer my sincere thanks to the Royal Belgian Hockey Association for agreeing to host this fantastic event, which I am sure will be a big success for everyone involved, including the 24 teams from all over the world that will compete. It promises to be a truly wonderful occasion for all fans of our sport!”
In partnership with the Province of Liège, this world-class event will be played in Liege’s Country Hall venue, home of Liège Basket Club as well as numerous other big sport, music and entertainment events. The support of the Province of Liège will be of great importance to the success of this event, as will the proximity to hockey powerhouse nations such as Germany and the Netherlands.
The Royal Belgian Hockey Association (RBHA) expressed their delight about the decision, stating their readiness to step up to the next level following their successful organisation of the EuroHockey Indoor Championships 2018 competition in Antwerp.
“I’m very happy that we have been given the chance to organise the prestigious FIH Indoor Hockey World Cup, and I’m sure we will be able to stage an event of the highest quality”, said RBHA President Marc Coudron, expressing both his gratitude and excitement about organising a World Cup for the first time in his National Association’s history. “I think it is crucial for us to continue to develop hockey everywhere in Belgium. This great partnership with the Province of Liège will definitely help us in achieving that aim. During these particularly hard times for our world, I’m also happy to be able to announce positive news for Belgian hockey, and for Belgian sport in general.”
FIH Indoor Hockey World Cup 2021 – Qualified teams
Men
1. Belgium (Host)
2. Germany (Champion of Europe)
3. Austria (Europe quota)
4. Netherlands (Europe quota)
5. Russia (Europe quota)
6. Czech Republic (Europe quota)
7. New Zealand (Oceania quota – Champion TBC)
8. Australia (Oceania quota – Champion TBC)
9. Iran (Champion of Asia)
10. Kazakhstan (Asia quota)
11. Champion of Africa (TBC)
12. Champion of Pan America (TBC)
Women
1. Belgium (Host)
2. Belarus (Champion of Europe)
3. Netherlands (Europe quota)
4. Czech Republic (Europe quota)
5. Germany (Europe quota)
6. Ukraine (Europe quota)
7. Austria (Europe quota)
8. New Zealand (Oceania quota – Champion TBC)
9. Australia (Oceania quota – Champion TBC)
10. Kazakhstan (ASI Champion)
11. Champion of Africa (TBC)
12. Champion of Pan America (TBC)
The FIH Rules of Indoor Hockey can be found by clicking here.
Hockey New Zealand Media release
New Zealand Government announces clarity around sport at Alert Level 2
Hockey New Zealand is working closely with Sport New Zealand, our 32 Associations and the other National Sporting Organisations to understand what Alert Level 2 will mean for sports in New Zealand and ensure that a consistent and appropriate approach is taken to getting back to the sport we love.
We are excited to have clarity around what will be able to take place during Alert Level 2, this will now give our Associations the information they need to start putting in place essential measures such as contact tracing, hygiene measures and mass gathering restrictions which will allow our sport to restart. Please note that while sport will be able to begin at Alert Level 2 we will be taking a considered and measured approach around the restarting of hockey to ensure that we are putting the safety of our whole community at the forefront.
We cannot stress enough that this will not be hockey as we know it, we need to carefully consider and manage the hygiene risks as well as training and play environments which may need to be modified, please also note that physical distancing considerations will remain.
We understand that our community is keen to get back to the sport we all love. Additionally, we know that some of our community will have some nervousness about returning to the turf during Alert Level 2. We need to consider the needs of all our people as we develop and communicate what hockey at Alert Level 2 will look like.
Sport New Zealand Announcement
Sport New Zealand has published the most up to date information around Alert Level 2 on their website
As you will see, the good news is that most play, active recreation and sports activities will be able to commence again, albeit within the context that the risk of COVID-19 is reduced but the potential for community transition remains.
The documents being shared have been jointly prepared and approved by the Prime Minister and Minister’s offices, the Government COVID-19 response function, WorkSafe, Ministry of Health and MBIE.
Sport NZ’s policy team provided advice on behalf of the sector; partner feedback was considered and included where there was scope to refine the thinking.
Please take time to reflect on the new guidelines, published here under alert level 2 table.
The key message we would like to stress at this time is one of taking a considered and measured approach to the restart of your operations, in consultation with your national agency. Moving too quickly sends a message to people and communities that normal functions are resumed.
This is not the case as organisations and facilities will need to carefully manage hygiene risk, training and play environments may need to be modified, physical distancing considerations will remain and travel is still impacted.
Sport NZ is working on ways to support you in interpreting the new guidelines, to help manage a successful resumption of operations, and we will share more on this shortly.
Cabinet meet to decide the timing of the move to Alert Level 2 next Monday, May 11. Once we know the date and time of the move to Alert Level 2, we will communicate further around the transition between states. Aligned to this communication, we are also issuing a media release today signalling the return to sport but noting this must happen in a controlled manner.
Hockey New Zealand Media release
Strict protocol but training resumes in Netherlands
Image courtesy: Eva de Goede's instagram account
The Netherlands men’s and women’s national squads were the first teams to be back training together after the Dutch government began a phased relaxation of lock-down restrictions across the country.
There were strict rules in place, including all players keeping three metres from each other. But, as we hear from Netherlands’ captain Eva de Goede and Head Coach Alyson Annan in this interview, returning to the field of play after a long absence was a wonderful feeling.
How good did it feel to be back on the hockey pitch and in training?
Eva de Goede: “It felt great to be back on the training pitch today. It felt really amazing to be back with the girls and able to train. It was really exciting and everyone was super happy to be back training and we loved it. Small steps, baby steps but these steps were definitely in a good direction, so we were very happy about that.”
How did you manage to observe social distancing while training?
Eva de Goede: “Of course it is quite hard during these times, especially when it comes to keeping your social distance while training but we managed to do that quite well. We trained with six players on each half and we kept to three metres distance all the time. We had to make sure we kept to that. We had to wash our hands when we arrived and then we washed them again when we left. We have a lot of protocols we have to follow. But it is doable and it is great to be back on the field. We managed to do it quite well and it is amazing that we can train again.”
Are there things you learned about yourself while in lock-down that surprised you and that you could apply to your hockey preparation in the future?
Alyson Annan: “What we have learnt during this lockdown is that there are different methods to contact our players and communicate with them, which I will use in the future. I think that will help us prepare for games in times that we are not together.”
How excited are you at the prospect of returning to full training mode and competition?
Alyson Annan: “We have only just started back training so I don’t think it is right to be looking further and say we are excited about getting to full training method. It is important that we take this slowly and follow the rules of the country. We will take it in phases. The importance of getting it right is the most important at this stage. Being on the field with the protocol and regulations is good for now, so let’s take it slowly.”
FIH site
Dutch coach puts team before home
Sjoerd Marjine, women’s hockey in-charge, decides against flying to Amsterdam because squad is in lockdown
By Mihir Vasavda
Sjoerd Marijne, the coach of the Indian women’s hockey team (Source: WORLDSPORTPICS)
Sjoerd Marijne, the coach of the Indian women’s hockey team, could have been on an early Thursday morning’s evacuation flight from Mumbai to Amsterdam, arranged by the Dutch government. Instead, he is staying put in Bengaluru, with his players.
In late March, the Netherlands was one of 11 countries that approached the Indian government to evacuate their nationals from the country. After airlifting more than 500 people from five Indian cities since then, according to the Dutch embassy in India, there were six flights scheduled between May 7 and May 19 from Mumbai and New Delhi.
It is learnt that Marijne was expected to be on one of those flights. However, his plan changed after the sports ministry denied the campers permission to leave the Sports Authority of India’s (SAI’s) premises until the government lifts the lockdown.
“He could have got an exception if there was an official request since this was a case of an embassy evacuating its citizens. But since the players cannot leave the SAI campus, he too is staying back with them,” a SAI official said.
Sjoerd Marijne’s return has energised the women’s team.
The men’s and women’s hockey teams have been locked inside the SAI’s Bengaluru centre since March 13. And for the last 44 days, after the nationwide lockdown was enforced, they have been largely confined to their hostel rooms, stepping out only for meals.
The Indian Olympic Association and Hockey India are learnt to have made several requests to the sports ministry to allow the campers to resume training. On Sunday, sports minister Kiren Rijiju ‘assured Rani Rampal (women’s team captain) and other players some kind of relaxation in the next two weeks.’
The players, however, are beginning to get impatient and, in some cases, homesick. A hockey player, requesting anonymity, said: “We understand the situation, but all of us have been inside the campus for 40-45 days now and are healthy. So, it will be nice if they let us use the gym and other training areas, with proper distancing norms. Our request is they should either allow us to train or let us go home so we can be with our families because, for a few, this is getting mentally draining.”
Sources said the option of sending the players home on Monday via buses was considered. But the idea was dropped as it was seen to be ‘impractical.’ The SAI official said the fact that every athlete and coaching staff member who leaves the campus will have to be in quarantine for 14 days upon returning is also a factor in not letting them go home yet.
Questions sent to the captains and coaches of the women’s and men’s hockey teams, via Hockey India, remained unanswered.
But the emotions among the 100-plus athletes and officials at SAI Bengaluru and National Institute of Sport (NIS) in Patiala are the same. A track and field athlete, stranded at the NIS, said it is essential for them to start proper weight training now. According to experts, it could take an athlete up to ‘three or four weeks to recover from one week of training lost’. This is the seventh consecutive week of athletes – from javelin star Neeraj Chopra to weightlifting sensation Mirabai Chanu – not training at all.
“There’s only a certain number of exercises you can do using your body weight. Ideally, we want to access the gymnasium but since it is not possible right now, I feel like I am losing my strength,” the track and field athlete said.
The SAI official pointed out a couple of reasons that have forced them to extend the lockdown within their premises as well. The foremost reason, according to the official, was that the National Disaster Management Act gave them very little wriggle room legally.
It was a point raised by Rijiju as well. “…the National Disaster Management Act, which was invoked to put the lockdown, doesn’t permit (athletes at SAI centres to resume training) yet. Sporting events are not under the necessary list – not of essential requirements – so it doesn’t get the relaxation,” Rijiju had said while addressing a Federation of Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) webinar.
There are also apprehensions that if training is permitted, athletes’ health would be put at risk. “So far, the SAI centres have been safe because no one has entered or exited the facility. (But) for training to start, we will have to call in maintenance staff at the SAI Centres since it will be essential to keep the training areas clean and hygienic. So, if something happens, who will take responsibility?” the official said.
Indian Express
'Enjoy mentoring young players in team', says Indian women's hockey team striker Vandana Katariya
File image of Vandana Katariya. AFP
Bengaluru: Indian women's hockey team striker Vandana Katariya believes she has evolved as a player over the last 13 years and is currently enjoying the role of a mentor in a side that figures quite a lot of youngsters.
"When I had started off at the age of 15, I was always very fearless. I would try to use my skills, retain possession for as long as possible and then aim for goal. But with time, I realised that you can't play like that, especially when the sport has evolved so much. I also had to evolve," said Vandana, who made her senior debut in 2007.
"Now with experience, and with the influx of so many young players in the team, I really enjoy the mentoring bit. I know I have the experience which can be helpful to the younger players, and I keep talking to them about different situations that they will face on the field, and what all they can do.
"It is not as if I want them to follow exactly what I say, but I try to make them use their vision and think for themselves about what decisions they can make," added the 28-year-old from Uttarakhand, who has over 240 international caps for India.
With training activities shut because of the coronavirus-forced national lockdown, Vandana said currently their focus is on physical fitness and analysis of opponents.
"Obviously the main thing for all of us is always to play hockey on the field, but this time has given us the chance to focus on other key factors which make a team so successful. We haven't been able to be on the pitch, but our minds are always on the pitch," she said.
"We are trying to maintain our fitness levels as best as we can, so that when we are back, we are sharper than our opponents. Another aspect which has been talked about is how we are able to analyse different teams."
Both the men's and women's hockey teams are currently stuck at SAI centre here.
Vandana also emphasises on the need to remain positive in these difficult times.
"Our chief coach Sjoerd Marijne has been very vocal about having mindfulness, and that has also made us realise a lot of things. We feel we are at a stature where we can end up helping other people too which we did through our crowdfunding initiative," she said.
"We are lucky to have such great facilities at our disposal. We understand that not many people are blessed with this, and therefore it is a chance for us to make full use of what we have.
Firstpost
Gurinder: 'We have become much more aggressive under Reid'
Gurinder said since his arrival Reid has been working closely with every player, besides emphasising on team tactics.
Gurinder Singh, who has been in and out of the team, said his immediate goal is to book a place in the Olympics-bound team. - Special Arrangement
Defender Gurinder Singh feels India has been playing an aggressive brand of hockey under chief coach Graham Reid, and it has helped the team in creating more goal scoring opportunities.
India displayed an attacking brand of play in the FIH Hockey Pro League earlier this year and reaped rich rewards for it, beating Australia and world champion Belgium.
“It’s been over a year since chief coach Reid has joined us and I am sure one can see the difference he has brought to the side since April last year. We have become much more aggressive in our approach and therefore we are creating many more goal-scoring opportunities,” Gurinder said.
Gurinder said since his arrival Reid has been working closely with every player, besides emphasising on team tactics.
“It was amazing to see him shift focus from working on team tactics to the development of each and every player during the senior men national coaching camp in November last year,” he said.
“Since there was a lot of time to prepare for the next tournament after the Olympic Qualifiers, chief coach Reid spent time with all players and ensured that we improved on certain aspects during the camp,” he added.
Gurinder, who has been in and out of the team, said his immediate goal is to book a place in the Olympics-bound team.
“I am working extremely hard to book a place in the Indian team for the Olympics at the moment. Keeping myself fit is my number one priority during the lockdown period and I am carrying out some stickwork drills as well.”
“Playing for India at the Olympics has been a dream since childhood and hopefully, I will make it to the squad and contribute to India winning a medal at the quadrennial event,” he said.
Sportstar
Working extremely hard to book a place in the Indian men’s hockey team — Defender Gurinder Singh
Gurinder Singh (Source: Hockey India)
Gurinder Singh has had a roller-coaster ride in the international circuit since being part of the Gold medal-winning Indian team at the Junior Hockey World Cup in 2016. The Defender, who has been in and out of the Indian Men’s Hockey Team, expressed that his immediate goal is to book a place in the Olympic-bound team.
“I am working extremely hard to book a place in the Indian team for the Olympics at the moment. Keeping myself fit is my number one priority during the lockdown period and I am carrying out some stickwork drills as well. Playing for India at the Olympics has been a dream since childhood and hopefully, I will make it to the squad and contribute to India winning a medal at the quadrennial event,” said the 25-year-old.
It was great to return to the squad for FIH Hockey Pro League matches against Australia earlier this year – Gurinder Singh (Source: Hockey India)
Looking back at his career, Gurinder spoke about the high of winning the Men’s Hockey Junior World Cup in 2016 and finding his feet at the highest level.
“The Gold-medal victory at the Men’s Hockey Junior World Cup in 2016 was a big turning point for me. My performances were noticed and eventually, I made my way to the senior team. I have gone through a lot of ups and downs since I made my senior team debut at the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup in 2017. I have been part of the squad for big tournaments such as the Commonwealth Games in 2018, but I have missed out on a few competitions as well. I have learned a lot about my game in the last three years and therefore I am in a good position to build on my skills and look to make a bigger impact on our matches in the future,” said the Defender from Punjab.
Speaking about the influence of Chief Coach Graham Reid, Gurinder said the Indian Men’s Hockey Team has become much more aggressive under him.
“It’s been over a year since Chief Coach Reid has joined us and I am sure one can see the difference he has brought to the side since April last year. We have become much more aggressive in our approach and therefore we are creating many more goal-scoring opportunities. It was amazing to see him shift focus from working on team tactics to the development of each and every player during the Senior Men National Coaching Camp in November last year. Since there was a lot of time to prepare for the next tournament after the FIH Hockey Olympic Qualifiers, Chief Coach Reid spent time with all players and ensured that we improved on certain aspects during the camp,” said Gurinder.
Indian Express
Hockeyroos trio named as Lifeline Community Custodians
Georgia Wilson
One former and two current Hockeyroos are among 22 athletes to be announced as AIS-Lifeline Community Custodians for 2020-21.
Dual Olympic gold medallist Juliet Haslam and current Hockeyroos squad members Rachael Lynch and Georgia Wilson will lend their voices to Lifeline’s first ever National Emergency Appeal which is in direct response to the impact of COVID-19. The campaign ‘You’ve got 30 seconds to save a life’ is aiming to raise $5million to fill the funding gap caused by cancellation of key fundraising events, storefront closures and an increasing demand for services.
Now in its second year, the partnership between the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) and Lifeline Australia will help deliver the impactful community engagement program, with athletes stepping up to help increase awareness around suicide prevention and encourage anyone who needs support to reach out and ask for help.
This will be Wilson’s second year in the program and her keenness to be involved comes from her own experience. The 23 year old previously suffered from depression and anxiety, driven largely by having a perfectionist outlook which saw her never thinking who she was or what she was doing was good enough.
“For me, making sure that I’m a public advocate and speaking about my own anxiety, but also the body image and self esteem issues I dealt with when I was younger were the main reasons I wanted to be involved again,” said Wilson.
“Eating disorders ran in our family and my sister and I battled with that, so letting people know about what the characteristics and developments are and not being afraid to seek help is also really important.
“It gets tucked under the carpet a lot of the time. A lot of athletes who are role models need to be willing to speak about it and for me, the important thing is having people there to support me the entire way.”
Juliet Haslam in action for the Hockeyroos at the 2000 Sydney Olympics.
For Haslam, who is a Director on the Hockey Australia Board, it is a program she is proud to be part of and contribute to.
“This AIS/Lifeline initiative provides an incredible opportunity to connect with communities, share our own stories of resilience, and encourage everyone to open up and talk about mental health and wellbeing,” said Haslam.
“In the last two or three years, I think there has been real progress in mental health awareness, but there is still a long way to go, so I want to encourage everyone to start conversations about mental health; normalise it so that it’s something that’s OK to talk about.”
Further resonating for Haslam, a mother of two teenage boys, is that one of the highest risk categories of suicide is young men.
“I want my sons, their friends and all young people to know that it’s OK to feel down and that there is somewhere to go for help,” said Haslam.
“Everyone needs to be able to feel comfortable to talk openly about their issues and concerns.
“This program will hopefully help people who are in emotional distress, feel that they are able to reach out, and to provide hope and connection back into our community.”
Rachael Lynch.
Mental health awareness and is also close to Lynch’s heart. The 2019 FIH Goalkeeper of the Year has experience dealing with mental health through her job as a qualified nurse, while she is also an ambassador for R U OK Day, a suicide prevention charity.
“I think by partnering with Lifeline it is a slightly different angle and opportunity for me to learn a bit more about the space and have a slightly different involvement, but also to be part of a community of athletes that share that common interest,” said Lynch.
“Everyone that can help in this space is valuable so I’m keen to be part of the team doing that and if we’re in a position where we’ve got some kind of profile that might help, then hopefully that’s beneficial for Lifeline as well.”
Lifeline Australia CEO Colin Seery said he was ‘delighted the Lifeline Community Custodians are supporting our Emergency Appeal’.
“We know many athletes would be finding this time very difficult after the postponement of the Tokyo Games. So, it is a really selfless act for them to help us ensure that every Australian has the opportunity to connect with Lifeline if they are struggling through COVID-19,” said Seery.
“It is both a testament to their strength of character and Australian spirit, they are a great group of athletes. We are very grateful.”
The custodians will spend some time together as a network and maximise the opportunity to work in collaboration on this program.
For a full list of 2020-21 Lifeline Community Custodians and to find out more about the AIS and Lifeline Community Custodians program – visit https://ais.gov.au/custodians
To donate to the Lifeline National Emergency Appeal – visit https://fundraise.lifeline.org.au/emergency-appeal
You can contact Lifeline by phone on 13 11 14 (24 hours / 7 days) or chat to a Crisis Supporter via text on 0477 13 11 14 (6pm – midnight).
Hockey Australia media release
Irish decision regarding EuroHockey Club Competitions 2020/21
With the 2019/2020 #EYHL season declared null and void due to the ongoing COVID-19 situation, the Hockey Ireland Board has made the following decision regarding the representatives for next seasons EuroHockey Club competitions.
The European representatives for the EuroHockey Club competitions shall remain the same for next season, and in the same order.
Therefore;
- Pegasus Hockey Club Women will retain their position as the representative in the Euro Hockey League Final
- Three Rock Rovers Hockey Club Men retain their position as the representative for the Euro Hockey League
- Loreto Hockey Club Women retain their position as the representative for the EuroHockey Club Trophy
- Lisnagarvey Hockey Club’s Men retain their position for the EuroHockey Club Trophy II
Hockey Ireland would like to thank everyone for their patience and understanding during this time and appreciates the efforts many of you are going to in order to continue training while at home. Hockey Ireland is following the announcements from the governement(s) regarding roadmaps to ease Covid 19 restrictions and reopen Ireland’s economy and society.
The full statement is available below
Hockey Ireland Statement European Places.pdf
Irish Hockey Association media release
Malaysia's Razak Cup may be on as planned, post Covid-19
KUALA LUMPUR: The annual Razak Cup hockey tournament, scheduled from Aug 21-29, could be the first sports event to be held as scheduled, post the Covid-19 pandemic.
Malaysian Hockey Confederation (MHC) competitions committee chairman Datuk Seri Anil Jeet Singh, who chaired a meeting in Bukit Jalil yesterday, said they were confident the situation of the virus outbreak would improve by August.
“I had a meeting with my committee and believe that the men’s and women’s tournament, which has been on our calendar since the beginning of the year, will go on as planned.
“We will invite all states to take part in the annual tournament soon and we hope a state can host the tournament in August.
“We, however, need to get the approval of the Youth and Sports Ministry and also the National Sports Council (NSC) first, said Anil Jeet, who is also the MHC vice-president.
Last year, the tournament was held in Bukit Jalil and a total of 14 men’s team took part – eight in Division One and six in Division Two – while eight teams took part in the women’s competition.
Melaka were the men’s champions while Selangor lifted the title in the women’s division.
Anil Jeet said they also planned to organise the Malaysian Junior Hockey League (MJHL) – which had been supposed to start on March 25 – around the end of September and complete it in a month.
“With the Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) examinations postponed to next year, all players who were supposed to sit for the examinations, will be able to play in the Under-19 league,” said Ani Jeet.
A total of 22 teams were supposed to feature in the boys’ MJHL – 10 in Division One and 12 in Division Two.
“We also plan to organise the National Under-16 and National Under-14 boys’ and girls’ tournaments respectively in November and December.
“We are looking for states to host the tournaments,” said Anil Jeet.
The Star of Malaysia
Club offers suggestions for future of England domestic hockey
Hampshire side Havant believe more Friday night matches should be played as part of a wider debate on the future of hockey surrounding England Hockey’s restructure proposal.
Asking for club member and wider feedback, the club outlined several points which it felt was holding back the sport, creating extra costs and, ultimately, stopping more people from playing hockey
The club says it has to deal with seven different sets of league regulations, which was one of the main aspects of EH’s governance review to align rules and regulations.
Havant officials felt that widening the window for weekend fixtures across the UK would be beneficial for more clubs.
The club asked: “Why do league matches have to be scheduled within a short time window on a Saturday? Why not allow matches to be played on Friday evenings, Saturday evenings or Sunday if both teams are in agreement?”
Suggesting that other leagues should follow suit, given that the elite end of the sport plays across the weekend, a flexible match window would:
- Allow clubs to schedule and promote first team
- Generate additional income through bar and catering sales
- Reduces cost of external pitch hire (Havant says it spent over £2,500 on external pitch hire).
The club also opened up the debate of players playing for two teams on the same day.
“For teams playing at tiers 9 and below in the pyramid, there should be no starring of players (specifically a Women’s League rule) and a player should be able to play for more than one team on the same day, provided both teams are competing at tier 9 or below.”
Havant say this would give more flexibility at the lower end of clubs on weekends, when player unavailability in higher teams means players have to be pushed up.
It also reflects that modern home and working lives are not the same week in and week out and other commitments impact on availability.
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The Hockey Paper
Simon Nabukwesi: Kenya’s most successful hockey coach
By ANTHONY NJAGI
Friends school Kamusinga hockey team with their coach and school principal Simon Nabukwesi (right) after winning the 2001 nationals held at Mangu High. PHOTO | POOL |
Ambassador Simon Nabukwesi, the PS State Department for University Education and Research has a rich sporting background few may know.
Many may recall him as Kenya’s Ambassador to Canada and principal of Friends School Kamusinga, but who would associate him with being a hockey coach?
Well, this top government official was once a winning coach in the Kenya Secondary Schools Term One Championships hockey, winning eight titles in nine years.
Not many coaches can boast of such an achievement, but Nabukwesi did it with Friends School Kamusinga from 2000 to 2001 and 2003 to 2008.
To cap it all, the school also won the first East African Schools hockey title in 2009.
Nabukwesi produced hockey luminaries the likes of Ben Mark Ekhubi, Jamrick Simiyu, Samuel Wokila, Frank Wanangwe, Denis Wanangwe and Oliver Eadike.
Others Silas Lusweti, Ken Ashimosi, Isaac Mwaura and Evans Wairimu.
Although Friends School Kamusinga is still a giant in hockey, the institution has not enjoyed such a long run of wins as they did with Nabukwesi.
HALL OF FAME
In fact, Nabukwesi’s name features in the Hockey Hall of Fame as the most successful school’s coach in the game.
Although Nabukwesi started his coaching career at Bungoma High School in 1989, it was at his alma-mater where he got into his stride and started winning trophies.
“Perhaps going back to my old school rekindled good memories and motivated me. Or perhaps it is the diligent spirit of the staff and the students. I don’t know,” said the PS as he nostalgically reminisces on his school coaching career.
He says that the winning spirit did not come easy. When he coached Bungoma High, the school usually dropped out of the hockey championships at provincial level which featured such regional giants as Vihiga Boys and Musingu High.
When he was transferred to Friends School as a Kiswahili and English teacher, hockey in the school was at best an idle pastime for the students.
Seated in his Jogoo House B office in Nairobi Nabukwesi recalls that up to the late 1970s and early 1980s, hockey was considered a game for elite schools, most of which featured Kenyan players of Indian extraction.
Even at club level thenmost players and coaches were of Indian extraction.
Nabukwesi says that for some reason in the early years after Kenya’s independence, perhaps because of historical background, games such as cricket and hockey mostly featured Kenyan-Indians and Europeans.
This, he says, was a hangover from the country’s colonial period, where the games were the preserve of Indian and European schools and professional clubs such as the Nairobi Gymkhana.
“Indigenous players and coaches only started excelling in hockey much later, and if you look around even today, it is mostly players of Indian extraction who excel in schools and club cricket,” said Nabukwesi.
Although he started coaching hockey in Kamusinga as a teacher in, success came when he was promoted to school principal.
Nabukwesi could now support hockey and other sports with more fervour.
“The school was a national giant in academics and other activities such as drama, music, but the same could not be said for sports,” says Nabukwesi.
“I sought to change this, since I considered sports a crucial part of the boys’ education.”
First, he bought hockey sticks and other equipment for the 200 boys who applied to join the hockey team. The students had observed that the new principal meant to promote the game to a higher level.
He then picked the best players for the first and reserve teams and came up with a vigorous training programme for all of them.
“I started teaching in 1989 at Bungoma High and I took the school hockey team to the national champions in 1993, 1994 and 1995.”
Nabukwesi was transferred to Kamusinga in June 1995 and started coaching the team in October 1995 to telling results.
“I took Kamusinga team to Maseno for nationals in 1997 and lost at the semi-finals stage.” Friends School Kamusinga reached the 1998 final losing narrowly to Musingu.
Then the winning started at the 1999 nations.
“Working with brilliant students and seeing them shine in class and in the field was the most fulfilling part of my life,” said Nabukweis.
He left Friends School in 2009 but the culture of hockey is still reigning supreme in the institution.
Daily Nation