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News for 06 June 2020

All the news for Saturday 6 June 2020


Hockey community unites against discrimination



As an organisation that has core values of equality, inclusion and diversity at its very heart, FIH associates itself with the hockey community – athletes, officials and National Associations  – in their condemnation of discrimination and support to the black community in the wake of recent events in the USA.

Within hockey, as with any other sport, FIH acknowledges there are still steps to be taken to wipe out racism, xenophobia, misogyny and homophobia, but these are steps the organisation is committed to taking. And the solidarity and support shown to the black community by our own hockey community are testimony to that commitment.

The KNHB was one of many organisations and individuals from the global hockey world to post its support for the black community on Instagram.

Belgium captain Thomas Briels and Hockeyroo Karri McMahon were just two of many athletes who posted a simple black image on their Instagram account with the hashtag #BlackOutTuesday. Argentina superstar Luciana Aymar added her support with the simple message “Respeto #BlackLivesMatter.

On Twitter, German national women’s captain Janne Muller-Wieland posted a graphic that demonstrated the path from inequality through to equity and justice; and USA Field Hockey took to social media to post a strong and evocative message, ending with the words: “We all must be part of the change.”

FIH President Dr Narinda Dhruv Batra, said: “Sometimes it takes a tragedy to make us stop and evaluate our own values. That is exactly what has happened over the past few days. I am proud of all our members – individuals and national associations – across the global hockey community who continue to reinforce the core values of FIH – inclusion, diversity and respect. We absolutely recognise that there are still areas of discrimination that must be addressed but if we, as an international federation, continue to cherish, nurture and embrace our core values then we can play our role in making a difference.”

Olympian and co-chair of the Athlete’s Committee Rogier Hofman, added: “I want to echo the comments of many hockey athletes in supporting the black community. As athletes we see our differences as our greatest strength. We must respect our team mates and opponents for all that they are. Hockey can do more to address inclusivity and equality and we, as athletes, must play a key role in this”.

FIH site



England Hockey stands united against racism

England Hockey stands united against racism. We recognise that all of us in the sport have a collective responsibility to make hockey the best it can be.

First and foremost, England Hockey are against discrimination of any kind and actively seeks to stamp out discriminative behaviour within our sport. Disrepute complaints, including incidents of racism, are dealt with very seriously by our disrepute complaints process.

The experiences shared by members of the hockey community this week were extremely disappointing and sad to hear. Any reports of abuse that are sent to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. will be investigated fully, and we will use those reports to improve opportunities for all in hockey.

Last year we set up a Diversity and Inclusion working group with the purpose of creating a strategy that would lead our work in this area. Its scope includes both the wider sport and England Hockey itself.

We recognise that hockey performs well in embracing many groups whilst having work to do in creating the right environment for all, including the BAME community.

Our belief is that initiatives we put in place need to be part of an over-riding strategy to ensure that their impact is long-lasting and sustainable.

England Hockey Board Media release



Arjuna Award nominees Vandana and Monica fully focused on Tokyo Olympics


Indian women's hockey team midfielder Monica in action during the Olympics Test Event in Tokyo.   -  Hockey India

Arjuna Award nominees Vandana Katariya and Monica on Friday said the Indian women’s hockey team has a good balance of experience and youth and remains confident of achieving its goal of doing well at the Tokyo Olympics.

The Indian team sealed a second consecutive berth in the now postponed Tokyo Olympics after beating USA 6-5 on aggregate in November.

“We are certainly moving in the right direction at the moment. The balance of the side is brilliant and we have to just keep moving forward,” Vandana said in a release issued by Hockey India.

“The confidence of our team is high and I am sure we will be able to put up good performances on the big stage. We are evolving very well as a team and have a great mindset at the moment.”

Monica said that the team has worked on sharpening its skills and is ready to deliver the goods at the Olympics.

“All of us have only one goal and that is to do well at the Olympics. We have fine-tuned many of our skills in the recent past and we are ready to give everything we have to put up excellent performances at the quadrennial event next year.

“We have a good balance of experience and youth in our team and we are technically sound as well. We are eager to do well for our country,” she added.

Earlier this week, Hockey India announced the nomination of Indian women’s team captain Rani for the prestigious Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award while Vandana, Monika and men’s team defender Harmanpreet Singh were nominated for the Arjuna Award.

Vandana, who has over 200 international caps and Monika with 150 International Caps have played key roles in the Indian team’s sensational wins last year which include the FIH Series Finals in Hiroshima, Tokyo 2020 Olympics Test Event and the FIH Hockey Olympic Qualifiers in Bhubaneswar.

Vandana thanked her teammates for their undying support.

“It’s amazing to be nominated for the Arjuna Award. I am sure this nomination will be a huge motivation factor for us in the upcoming years. I couldn’t have performed at my best if I didn’t have wonderful teammates. They have always been on my side and the entire credit for my performances goes to them,” said the 28-year-old.

Monika said the nomination will motivate her to perform better.

“I am extremely honoured to be nominated for the Arjuna Award. The nomination will surely motivate me to perform even better for my team. We produced fantastic results in 2019 and hopefully, we will continue our form once we start playing matches,” she said.

Sportstar



Hockey Ireland Coronavirus (COVID-19) UPDATE No. 6 regarding Return to Hockey Protocol

Following the announcements by Sport Ireland and Sport Northern Ireland on the return to sport the following plan has been developed by Hockey Ireland to provide a step by step process for a return to Hockey.

Step 1 - Get Ready:

High Performance: 

Members of the Senior Men and Senior Women who are under the ‘carding’ scheme for elite athletes.  Training will resume when possible, under the particular protocols that apply to the various training facilities that are used.

Club Activities: 

Hockey Ireland and the Branches will finalise the protocols for hockey activity and obtain the necessary approval for a return to hockey activity for all. Communication to the Clubs with regards to these protocols will be issued when they are finalised.

Clubs are asked to begin preparations regarding the appointment of COVID-19 Club Compliance Officers.

Clubs should also begin to assess operational issues such as access to the pitch, pitch maintenance and special re-commission procedures. The FIH has issued guidance documents that will be helpful in developing our protocols. These will be especially helpful for clubs and schools is the guidance regarding the special maintenance and development of a re-commissioning plan.  The document is called ‘start to plan for when hockey fields reopen’ and can be found here: http://www.fih.ch/media/13350090/start-to-plan-now-for-when-your-hockey-field-reopens.pdf

Step 2 – Limited Activity:

High Performance: 

Return to the pitch training under specific arrangements will be outlined by the Hockey Ireland High Performance Department.

Club Activities:

Clubs can start reduced activities and skill training in instances where the club can comply with the Hockey Ireland issued protocols and Government regulations.

Hockey Ireland does not envisage the start of Step 2 until the clubs in all four provinces can resume activities under Government Regulations.

In Step 2 the following will apply:

  • Clubs should ensure that the travel distance restrictions under Government Regulations are enforced.
  • Activities will only be allowed for small groups as outlined in the Hockey Ireland protocol which will be issued to Clubs.
  • Social distancing rules should be adhered to at all times.
  • Hockey activities will be limited to outdoor activity only.
  • Clubs should have a mechanism for contact tracing participants. i.e. a booking system, log etc.
  • Individuals who are unwell should not participate in their sport.
  • Clubs should appoint COVID-19 officers and are advised to apply checklists for their club activity to ensure consistent compliance with Hockey Ireland protocols.
  • Caution is advised for those who intend to engage in high intensity training following a recovery from COVID-19. Individuals should seek medical advice prior to a return to training.
  • Club House and toilet/changing room facilities should remain closed. If closure is not possible, participants should monitor facility usage ensuring a 1-in-1-out approach is adopted.
  • Competition is not allowed in Steps 1 and 2.
  • Additional consideration needs to be given to participants in vulnerable groups – elderly, underlying medical issues etc.

Step 3 – Competition

A return to competition will only take place when it is permitted by authorities, with specific protocols and guidelines to be applied, which will be issued when information becomes available.

General points:

Hockey Ireland requires that clubs only activate a return with an appropriate COVID-19 Club Safety plan in place.

Hockey Ireland’s guidance will at all times be superseded by:

  • Government of Ireland’s Roadmap to Re-open Society & Business
  • Northern Ireland Executive’s Coronavirus Recovery Plan
  • Government of Ireland’s Return to Sport Expert Group & Sport Northern Ireland Framework for Return to Sport.

Hockey Ireland will continue to monitor the dates and timelines for a return to play as appropriate, in line with the advice and guidance of the Government and Sporting Authorities. Our current restrictions and arrangements remain under constant review and may change as guidance changes

The Board of Hockey Ireland still firmly hopes to be able to return to Hockey competitions this year, subject of course to public health guidance.

Irish Hockey Association media release



Harassing MHC over money

By Jugjet Singh



The ding-dong battle between HockAdemy and the MHC continued on Monday when the former wrote to three sponsors of the MHL asking why the MHL winners have not received their prize money.

HOCKADEMY are not giving the Malaysian Hockey Confederation (MHC) any room to breathe as the club are still unhappy with the delay in disbursing the Malaysia Hockey League's (MHL) prize money to winners.

The club have every right to demand an explanation, in which the MHC responded recently, as the league had ended on Feb 22.

The ding-dong battle between HockAdemy and the MHC continued on Monday when the former wrote to three sponsors of the MHL asking why the MHL winners have not received their prize money.

HockAdemy made this move as they are unhappy with MHC's official reply to the participating teams.

According to the national body, the delay in payments is due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

The MHC are expected to hold an executive board meeting later this month to endorse the prize money, and payments will be issued via cheques to the winners of the men and women's leagues.

However, what HockAdemy do not understand is that this has been MHC's procedure for ages.

Terengganu Hockey Team (THT), who also played in this year's MHL, are well aware of MHC's procedure, which they made it clear in a statement yesterday.

"THT, who have been champions for many editions, understand this but HockAdemy seem to be confused.

"It is uncalled for to write to the sponsors of the MHL as the MHC had sent out a circular explaining the reason behind the delay to all the teams," said MHC competitions committee and vice-president Datuk Seri Anil Jeet Singh.

HockAdemy, in a statement, said: "We wrote to MHC's main sponsors (Tenaga Nasional, Bank Islam and QNet (M) to enquire about the status of their sponsorship disbursed to the MHC.

"We believe some MHL teams are also curious about the late payments but are not brave enough to voice their opinions."

Terengganu HA (THA) secretary Rashidi Hashim said: "We would like to state that THT and Terengganu Ladies Hockey Team (TLHT) understand the situation faced by the MHC.

"The national body clearly stated the reasons in a circular, dated on May 28.

"We will support the parent body in all their programmes.

"THT and TLHT are no strangers to the MHL. Our teams have been playing in the MHL regularly.

"We believe that the MHC are trying their best to pay out the prize money.

"THA hope the other teams will come together and support the MHC for the sake of the sport," said Rashidi.

HockAdemy's women team won the league and came out second in the Vivian Soars Cup, and earned RM65,000 in prize money.

The THT men's team were second in the TNB Cup and third in the league, while THLT were second in the women's league. They earned a total of RM130,000.

New Straits Times



Online development events launched for National Associations



A series of online events designed to help FIH fulfil its mission to support National Associations is the latest online offering from FIH Academy as the international federation continues to innovate in the face of the challenges posed by Covid-19.

The FIH Academy NA Development Series takes the form of webinars, workshops, courses, key-notes or discussions, the provision for National Associations will be developed depending on the nature of the topic or the message that is being conveyed.

Andre Oliveira, Sport and Development Manager at FIH, explains further. “If it is around a topic such as facilities, then it will be a workshop, presented by an expert such as Alastair Cox (FIH Facilities and Quality Programme Manager). If it was a talk, such as chief executive Thierry Weil discussing future strategy with the National Associations, then it is more of a presentation or keynote.”

While many of the webinars will be presented by FIH staff, there will also be invited expert guests, both from the Continental Federations and National Associations, and also external speakers. In many ways, these talks will be similar in style to the ever-popular Ted Talks, with expert and influential speakers honing in on a specialist area.

The travel and social distancing restrictions imposed in the wake of Covid-19 had seemed to present some insurmountable problems when it came to development and education courses, but, in fact, what has emerged is a more time and cost effective and inclusive way of doing things.

“We have now found a very practical way of communicating ideas to the national associations,” says Oliveira. “This is us saying ‘We have found a way to get better at doing things’. We were already doing this (online communication) in a much more random way but now we are looking at doing this regularly and in a planned way. Once we realised the power of online communication tools, we knew we could do a lot of things that we originally thought we could only do face-to-face.”

Streaming the webinars online also allows the information to be shared more widely. While the webinars are aimed at specific audiences – National Associations who are hosting forthcoming events, for example – in fact, other National Associations, with aspirations to host events in the future, can also tap into the information.

Oliveira uses the example of a webinar on ‘Spectator Experience’. “It might seem to only be relevant to the FIH Hockey Pro League, but if an NA is looking to host an international event in the future, then they can capture some of the ideas. Or an NA that is thinking about promoting hockey in their country can use some of these ideas as well.”

Initially the online events will focus on each of the functional areas of the NAs – events, facilities, marketing, governance, policies, communications and so on. The FIH Academy team of Oliveira and Mike Joyce are already considering other ways the communication tool can be utilised to increase the effectiveness among National Associations when it comes to hockey delivery.

“The aim is to build expertise, knowledge and capacity among the National Associations and for them to then cascade that knowledge within their own nations,” says Joyce. “We were already doing some of these activities within our programme but the need to find a solution has speeded up the process and given us an opportunity to engage even more with the National Association communities.”

FIH President Dr Narinder Dhruv Batra “At the 46th FIH Congress I promised that we would continue to work tirelessly to develop and expand hockey globally. At a time and under conditions when many would have thought that an impossible task, we have searched for, and found, technological solutions in an innovative and practical way. This has enabled us to enhance our support and develop our partnership with all the National Associations within our global hockey community.”

FIH site



Narinderpal Singh: Coaching amid COVID-19 guidelines a challenge

Seasoned hockey coach Narinderpal Singh is hopeful the coaches will find a way to ensure each player attains the desired fitness levels.

V.V. Subrahmanyam


Former hockey coach Narinderpal Singh who guided Hyderabad Sultans to title-triumph in the inaugural edition of Premier Hockey League in 2005.   -  SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT

Coach Narinderpal Singh had guided Dilip Tirkey’s Hyderabad Sultans to triumph in the inaugural edition of the Premier League Hockey in 2005.

And for someone, who knows the nuances of coaching, there will be too many challenges to handle any sport amid the COVID-19 guidelines. “Better if the coach starts by focusing on motor abilities, individual training, mental toughness and in ensuring camaraderie,” he says in a chat with Sportstar on Friday.

“You can fight the enemy when you know it. But, when you are not sure from where it (virus) is going to hit you, that is where the real challenge lies. The vulnerability factor can well be a major handicap,” explains the coach, who coached India to victory in the inaugural 2000 Asian under-14 (boys) championship in Singapore.

READ| Indian women’s hockey team captain Rani recommended for Khel Ratna

“Even if you start training for the next two months, the players have to be made much tougher mentally and physically. So I feel the coach and psychologist should work in tandem,” says Singh.

“The coach now has more time to work on grey areas, keeping in mind the performance of the individual in the last major events,” he says.

“Who knows, after the first few sessions, the coaches might come up with some innovative training methods to ensure that each player attains the desired fitness levels and be ready for collective onslaught,” the former Sultans coach adds.

“The biggest motivating factor is when you know the tournament schedule. Now, everything looks uncertain,” says the former assistant coach of India to Azlan Shah and Rabobank international tournaments.

“It is a pity that having qualified for the originally 2020 Tokyo Olympics, the players have to go through this long break because of lockdown. It clearly breaks the momentum,” Narinderpal signs off.

Sportstar



Record GB and England hockey cap-winner Barry Middleton wants to teach the next generation

It is just over a year since Great Britain and England’s most- capped hockey player retired from the international game.

By Rhys Howell


BHUBANESWAR, INDIA - DECEMBER 12: Barry Middleton of England celebrates after scoring his team's first goal during the FIH Men's Hockey World Cup quarter final match between Argentina and England at Kalinga Stadium on December 12, 2018 in Bhubaneswar, India. (Photo by Charles McQuillan/Getty Images for FIH) Copyright: 2018 Getty Images

Doncaster-born Barry Middleton played 432 games, netting 119 goals combined having appeared in four Olympics – at which he was captain for two – four World Cups, eight European Championships and four Commonwealth Games.

His contribution to the sport on these shores during a 16-year international career cannot be understated, but Middleton is not finished yet.

Although he is still playing club hockey for English top-flight outfit Holcombe, the 36-year-old has already dipped his toes into the world of coaching.  
   

Barry Middleton Copyright: other

The next step, he hopes, is helping develop the next generation of English and British talent and going one better than he did as a player.

“I think that the teams I played in kind of put England back on the hockey map, but we never managed to consistently stay in the [world] top three,” Middleton says.

“I feel that, as a group, we left the sport in a better place than it was when I started out, but our national team is currently in a bit of a rebuilding phase.

“I believe that there’s still enough talent coming through for us to be able to break into that top three and stay there, but it takes time and also a lot of hard work.

“You need to be consistently producing good players and to do that you have to get them from a younger age and develop them.

“You also have to get the system right to allow the young players to flourish and I’d love to be part of the process.

“If I can’t play then the idea is to stay involved and help England and Great Britain in any way that I can.”

Having captained both England and Great Britain and played at the highest level for so long, there will, on paper, be few better qualified to help nurture the current crop.

And, modest though he is, even Middleton acknowledges that he has a fair amount of knowledge and experience that might be worth sharing.

“Playing the game has given me a way into coaching and my aim at the moment is just to get as much experience as I can and see where I want to go,” he says.

“There are lots of different avenues in front of me. This is just the start. I’m not the person to ask about whether I’m a good coach or not, but I feel I can offer a lot of advice and experience from the perspective of someone who has played a lot of international hockey.

“Currently I’m working with the Great Britain development team as assistant coach and also doing a bit locally with a school where a couple of my friends are working. At the moment, it’s a really good fit for me in terms of my skill-set and what I have to offer.

“I haven’t been a head coach or anything like that yet, we’ll have to see if I’m any good at it, if I like doing it and it fits in with life, however I’m enjoying it at the moment and get a lot out of seeing people improve and get better.

“It’s not the same buzz as playing. I don’t think anything ever will be. It’s very different, but I don’t think that’s necessarily a bad thing.”

Of those experiences which made Middleton “buzz”, the obvious highlight is England’s 2009 Men’s EuroHockey Nations Championship success, the first and only time the country managed to win the biennial tournament.

“That’s the big one, the one that really stands out,” he adds.

“To have the memory of that moment is special. To win with that group of players and for it to be the first time England had won the tournament was obviously great.

“The London Olympics was also an incredible experience. I think if you asked any British athlete who competed there, they would say the same thing.

“Another highlight was the [2014] World Cup in The Hague, a place where I’d played a lot of club hockey. That was special for me.”

There were other big moments in Middleton’s career, including captaining England to a bronze medal at the 2014 Commonwealth Games, however at a succession of major tournaments – including the 2012 Olympics – fourth place was as good as it got.

England were beaten in the third-place play-off at the 2010, 2014 and 2018 World Cups as well as the 2006 and 2010 Commonwealth Games.

Thus, there are a few regrets, but not too many.

“I think there are always bits that you look back on and think ‘what if?’,” Middleton says.

“We came close so many times, there were a lot of results where the margins were very fine.

“We came fourth on a number of occasions and I wonder if we’d just cracked it once and gone on and won one of those big titles, would that have made a big difference?

“But when I look back, am I happy with what we achieved? Yeah. You look at yourself and think did I do enough? Nobody is perfect.

“You can always strive for more, but personally, I don’t feel that I wasted any of the talent that I had.

“I was very proud to captain my country for so long.”

The satisfaction that Middleton is able to take from what he achieved during his time on the international stage is one of a number of reasons why he was able to adapt to retirement without too many problems.

“It was quite different when I first retired, but it didn’t take much getting used to and it’s been nice just playing club hockey and enjoying it,” he adds.

“I was away from home and my wife a lot and I wanted to get away from that, so I was ready for the change.”

Doncaster born and bred, Middleton is now settled in Kent, and doesn’t get back to Yorkshire too often.

He has spent big chunks of his career playing abroad, both at club and international level, but hasn’t forgotten his roots or where he learned the game during his formative years.

“I was at Doncaster the whole time when I was a youngster. I learned a lot,” Middleton says.

“I played senior hockey from the age of about 13 or 14, starting in the Donny 3rd team and working my way up to the 1sts. I progressed every year and it was brilliant for me having that exposure to the men’s game from such an early age.

“Being able to play in those teams, you learn, you grow up quickly and it toughens you up.

“I probably weighed about 30 kilos and a lot of the older guys we were playing against didn’t seem to enjoy having this little kid running around with them, but if anyone whacked me then I always knew I’d be looked after by my team-mates. It was a great experience.”

Middleton was involved with England age-group teams all the way through his teenage years, and while he says that representing his country became the norm, he never envisaged that he would go on to enjoy such a long and distinguished career.

“I was always in it, growing up,” he adds.

“It was just normal playing for England through the Under-16s, Under-18s and Under-21s. It was what I was used to, and so I guess I expected I would go on and play for the senior team. I wouldn’t say I knew it was going to happen, but I felt like I had a chance.

“Ending up as the most-capped player? I never imagined that. There was never a moment where I suddenly thought ‘I’ve made it’, but around the age of 21, 22 part of me was that I just want to keep playing [for England and GB] for as long as I can.

“I just wanted to play sport, to play hockey. I’d always been fit, so that helped, and I just thought that doing what I was doing was a good way of staying out of a real job. I’ve always said that I’ve enjoyed it. I love hockey and I’d say that to have spent 16 years of my life in a career like this is a pretty good thing.

“I wouldn’t change the experience that I’ve had for anything.”

The Yorkshire Post

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