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All the news for Thursday 16 July 2020

Katie Glynn and Zak Jones appointed Assistant Coaches of senior teams


Katie Glynn and Zak Jones; Assistant Coaches of senior women's and men's teams

Great Britain and England Hockey are delighted to confirm Katie Glynn and Zak Jones as new Assistant Coaches for our women’s and men’s international programmes respectively.

Katie joins following on from her role as Assistant Coach of the New Zealand’s senior women’s team, while Zak arrives after an unprecedented period of success, following a 12-year spell as Head Coach of Wales’ senior men. With a huge year of hockey ahead including the Tokyo Olympics, EuroHockey Championships and FIH Hockey Pro League, they join at an exciting time for our squads.


Katie Glynn in action for New Zealand

Katie arrives with a great pedigree as both a coach and player. On the pitch, she amassed 134 caps and 77 goals for New Zealand, representing the Black Sticks at the 2012 Olympics, two World Cups and two Commonwealth Games. She was the nation’s all-time leading goalscorer when forced to retire at the age of just 26 and was named in New Zealand’s 2017 New Year’s Honours list for services to hockey. She soon embarked on a burgeoning coaching career, firstly with her nation’s Under 18s, then leading their Under 21s before assisting the senior women’s team since early 2019.In her new role, Katie will bring her considerable attacking nous to the Great Britain and England women’s programme. With a number of talented young forwards in the programme, Katie’s arrival will give them a further opportunity to progress their skills at the top end of the pitch.

Katie commented: “I am extremely excited to be appointed. The role is an amazing opportunity for me to work with world class athletes and staff that have been successful on the world stage. I have enjoyed coaching against the squad and have always admired the way they play the game. It is a great privilege to join the group and I am really looking forward to adding what I can to continue to progress the squad.”

Women’s Head Coach Mark Hager said: “I’m delighted to have Katie on board, and she will bring the attacking flavour that we’re looking for. Over the last 18 months with New Zealand she has shown an ability to help develop quality goalscorers and to create and maximise attacking opportunities. I’m looking forward to working alongside her as a coach for the first time, I’ve admired what she’s done as a coach at both youth and senior level. Her personality will allow her to develop strong relationships, while challenging all to aspire to the high levels required at international level, and I know the staff and players are looking forward to working with her on the journey ahead.”


Zak Jones

In joining the men’s programme, Zak brings a wealth of coaching experience at both international and domestic level. His time with Wales has been nothing short of unprecedented, leading the team to retain their top tier EuroHockey Championship status for the first time in two decades. Furthermore, in the last five years alone he has taken the team from 36th to 18th in the FIH world rankings. He also has experience of working within the GB programme, having assisted our senior men’s team and the Elite Development Programme at a number of tournaments in recent years. Domestically, he has led Buckingham women's 1st XI for 20 years, helping them win the 2020 Jaffa Super 6s championship, record three consecutive top four finishes in the Investec Women's Premier Division and claim five Conference West titles.

Zak said: "I am honoured and humbled to have been appointed to the role. Being involved with Great Britain as a coach or a player is the pinnacle and I am incredibly excited by both the challenge and opportunity that the role presents. It is a privilege to be working with an extremely talented squad of athletes as well as an outstanding and experienced staff group. I am really looking forward to assisting the development of the athletes as people, both on and off the field, whilst at the same time striving to enable them to consistently perform and succeed at the highest level."

Men’s Head Coach Danny Kerry said: “We are delighted that Zak is joining us. Throughout the rounds of the recruitment process he demonstrated the qualities and skills that will complement our team. He brings experience, skills, humility, and a hard-won granular understanding of the current international men’s game through his excellent work with Wales and from within his previous work with GB. We look forward to welcoming him into our team.”

Performance Director Ed Barney said: “Following an extensive two-stage recruitment process, we’re delighted to be welcoming Katie and Zak on board. Through both stages, Katie and Zak were outstanding candidates and this was shared by the external and internal panel members. Katie will clearly bring real on-pitch acumen as well as some exceptional interpersonal skills which we have no doubt the programme will thrive from. Zak will bring a great blend to the men’s coaching team and I'm sure will complement Danny and Kwan. I am sure Zak will be looking forward to contributing to more medal success following on from his Sultan of Azlan Shah contribution back in 2017.”

All being well, it is hoped that Katie and Zak will be in place for Great Britain’s first matches back in the FIH Hockey Pro League in October and November. GB’s women and men’s teams both start with away matches against The Netherlands and Belgium before hosting Germany (almost certainly behind closed doors).


Paul Revington; England and Great Britain Hockey coach

In addition, Great Britain women’s Elite Development Programme (EDP) Head Coach Paul Revington has this week been offered and accepted another opportunity overseas. Barney said: “We are disappointed to lose Paul after his hugely valued contribution over the past few years. Many of the players and staff are very fond of Revs and everything that he has brought to Great Britain and England Hockey. Personally, I have thoroughly enjoyed working with Revs – he has always brought real passion, technical acumen and brilliant balance of detail and ruthless simplicity.  We respect his decision to step away having been approached by other organisations and wish him all the very best in the coming years.” The recruitment process for his successor to the EDP will begin shortly.

Great Britain Hockey media release

Katie Glynn and Zak Jones join GB Hockey ahead of Tokyo 2020

By Rod Gilmour


Katie Glynn, left, joins as GB assistant coach PIC: Hockey NZ

Great Britain Hockey has landed two notable coups after New Zealander Katie Glynn and Welshman Zak Jones were announced on Wednesday as assistant coaches for the women’s and men’s international programmes respectively.

Glynn, New Zealand’s record goalscorer before being forced to retire at 26, has joined the GB programme after leaving the same role with the Black Sticks, which she only joined last year following a 134-cap, match-hardened international career.

Meanwhile Jones leaves two successful head coach roles: 12 years with Wales and two decades at the helm of Buckingham, where he took the team from the lower leagues to this year’s national indoor title, as well as outdoor acclaim.

Glynn said: “The role is an amazing opportunity for me to work with world class athletes and staff that have been successful on the world stage. I have enjoyed coaching against the squad and have always admired the way they play the game.”

Glynn leaves a fractious NZ women’s set up after she departed soon after several high-profile player retirements from the game. She was also one of several players to openly support Hager following the independent inquiry prior to his departure to GB.

Many will remember Glynn’s tenacity at London 2012 when she was hit flush in the head by a stick during the Olympic semi-final, with blood pouring, only to return soon after with stitches and a bandage.

Jones’ coaching CV has also seen several Welsh players make their mark in the GB men’s programme in recent seasons, with the Welsh side now inside the world’s top 20. Both Wales and Buckingham will miss him as he sets about joining the Bisham programme full-time ahead of Tokyo 2020.

Jones, who work alongside fellow assistant coach Kwan Browne, said: “Being involved with Great Britain as a coach or a player is the pinnacle and I am incredibly excited by both the challenge and opportunity that the role presents.”

Meanwhile, GB women’s Elite Development Programme head coach Paul Revington has accepted an opportunity overseas, which has yet to be revealed.

Performance director Ed Barney said: “We are disappointed to lose Paul after his hugely valued contribution over the past few years. Many of the players and staff are very fond of Revs and everything that he has brought to Great Britain and England Hockey.

“We respect his decision to step away having been approached by other organisations and wish him all the very best in the coming years.

The Hockey Paper

The hockey fallout continues: Katie Glynn joins Great Britain as assistant coach


Katie Glynn recently parted ways with the Black Sticks from her role as assistant coach. Getty Images

Two weeks after leaving the Black Sticks camp, Katie Glynn has joined former NZ coach Mark Hager in the Great Britain women’s hockey set-up.

Her new job as an assistant coach to Hager has been announced just a day after the news that Hockey NZ chief executive Ian Francis is leaving the organisation, continuing a turbulent time for the code.

Glynn is taking on the same role she had with the Black Sticks women, who have recently been hit with the retirements of long-time players Gemma McCaw and Brooke Neal.

Glynn was a highly successful player for the Black Sticks, amassing 134 caps and scoring 77 goals before retiring because of injury in 2015. She was an assistant coach for a year before quitting.

"The role is an amazing opportunity for me to work with world-class athletes and staff that have been successful on the world stage," Glynn said in Great Britain Hockey’s announcement.


Katie Glynn celebrates scoring a goal against India in 2012. Kevin Stent/Stuff

"I have enjoyed coaching against the squad and have always admired the way they play the game. It is a great privilege to join the group and I am really looking forward to adding what I can to continue to progress the squad."

Hager left the Black Sticks in January 2019 amid controversy after accidentally sending an email critical of some Black Sticks players to all the players, rather than just the support staff member as he intended.

There were also complaints about the team environment, but Glynn was one of seven former players to write a letter of support for him, saying they strongly rejected allegations around a "negative environment” and claims of players being mistreated.


Mark Hager's departure from Hockey NZ has been followed by a string of other high profile defections. Getty Images

An independent review into the Black Sticks women's team environment under Hager was completed but the release of it was poorly handled when Hockey NZ failed to reveal all of its details in 2019.

Hager has welcomed Glynn’s arrival in the UK.

“I’m delighted to have Katie on board, and she will bring the attacking flavour that we’re looking for.

“Over the last 18 months with New Zealand she has shown an ability to help develop quality goalscorers and to create and maximise attacking opportunities. I’m looking forward to working alongside her as a coach for the first time, I’ve admired what she’s done as a coach at both youth and senior level.

“Her personality will allow her to develop strong relationships, while challenging all to aspire to the high levels required at international level, and I know the staff and players are looking forward to working with her on the journey ahead.”

Francis, who has been in the role for more than four years, was due to stand down earlier in the year but was asked to stay on, by the Hockey New Zealand board, to manage the sport through the initial challenges of Covid-19.

Stuff

Hockey New Zealand's mass exodus: Katie Glynn joins Great Britain as assistant coach two weeks after leaving troubled Black Sticks


Katie Glynn in action for the Black Sticks in 2014. Photo / Photosport

Black Sticks legend Katie Glynn has joined the Great Britain women's hockey side as assistant coach, in yet another sign of a troubled environment within Hockey New Zealand.

Glynn joins the Great Britain programme after resigning from the same role with the Black Sticks earlier this month, her departure continuing a spate of high-profile exits in recent months, including the abrupt retirements of Brooke Neal and Gemma McCaw.

Hockey NZ also saw chief executive Ian Francis resign yesterday after four turbulent years in charge, with the organisation announcing that he would step down in October.

However, her move to Great Britain Hockey just weeks after her departure suggests otherwise, linking back up with former Black Sticks coach Mark Hager.

The defections follow reports of a fractured squad struggling to deal with the fallout associated with the departure of Hager. In May, sources told the Herald the situation within the team was "faulty" and that some members of the squad and management team were actively working against changes that current coach Graham Shaw had been trying to implement, with many remaining loyal to Hager.

Now, Glynn has joined Hager in the Great Britain set-up.

"The role is an amazing opportunity for me to work with world-class athletes and staff that have been successful on the world stage," Glynn said after joining Great Britain. "I have enjoyed coaching against the squad and have always admired the way they play the game. It is a great privilege to join the group and I am really looking forward to adding what I can to continue to progress the squad."

Hager sang Glynn's praises as a coach.

"I'm delighted to have Katie on board, and she will bring the attacking flavour that we're looking for. Over the last 18 months with New Zealand she has shown an ability to help develop quality goalscorers and to create and maximise attacking opportunities.

"I'm looking forward to working alongside her as a coach for the first time, I've admired what she's done as a coach at both youth and senior level. Her personality will allow her to develop strong relationships, while challenging all to aspire to the high levels required at international level, and I know the staff and players are looking forward to working with her on the journey ahead."

The Weekend Herald first reported that issues within the camp stemmed from the findings of the Dew report, commissioned shortly before Hager's departure in January last year, which pointed to a "negative" environment.

The review was launched months earlier after Hager, a former Australian international, accidentally sent an email to the entire team, naming and shaming individual players for their performance and effort, after finishing 11th at the women's World Cup.

Three months earlier, they had won gold at the Commonwealth Games.

While Hockey NZ have denied the player departures were linked to any issues highlighted in these reports, High Performance Sport New Zealand confirmed to the Herald in May there were "ongoing issues within the high-performance set-up" but stopped short of saying whether they had demanded personnel changes.

The New Zealand Herald

Hockey New Zealand chief resigns as high-profile exits continue

By Cassie Worth


NZ women’s hockey has been unsettled since Commonwealth gold

New Zealand hockey has been thrown into further turmoil after Ian Francis quit his role as chief executive – the fourth high-profile departure to leave in two months.

Hockey New Zealand confirmed on Wednesday that Francis would leave his position in October after four years at the helm.

The news follows a series of departures in the women’s programme, instigated by the exit of coach Mark Hager to the GB programme, which has since led to veteran players Gemma McCaw, Brooke Neal and, more recently, assistant coach Katie Glynn leaving the squad in recent weeks.

Since the independent review and Hager leaving his role after a successful decade in charge, there have been several media reports of a fractious environment within the squad, which hasn’t been quelled following the arrival of Graham Shaw as women’s coach.

The New Zealand Herald reported in May that some squad members were against changes that Shaw, who led Ireland women to a memorable 2018 World Cup silver, was trying to implement into the programme. Another report suggested that there were differences between Glynn – who was only one year into the role – and Shaw but Hockey NZ has denied the claims. Glynn on Wednesday was appointed as GB assistant coach to Hager.

In all, the sport has experienced a tumultuous time in the last two years, which included player funding being halted following unrest within the programme.

Hockey NZ chair Mike Bignell said in a statement on Wednesday: “Ian leaves a strong legacy behind him, with the sport well positioned for the next chief executive to continue this journey.

“Hockey has an incredibly busy two years ahead. At community level we are working with associations to introduce more competition opportunities. We are also increasing the depth of our high performance playing pool through the development of 100 athletes outside our national squads.

“And internationally our Black Sticks teams, which are both ranked amongst the world’s top nations, will compete in the annual FIH Hockey Pro League as well as the Tokyo Olympics in 2021 followed by the World Cup and Commonwealth Games in 2022.”

Francis said that he was leaving NZ hockey in a healthy position ahead of the club game’s imminent return.

He said: “I am very grateful for the commitment and willingness of our hockey community to work together in the sport’s best interests, and this has allowed us to drive some real progress.

“I’m also pleased to leave knowing that New Zealand now has a strong voice at the global hockey table.

“There’s no doubt it’s been a challenging year for the sport with Covid-19 halting all hockey for months, the Tokyo Olympics being postponed, and the ongoing work in response to the independent review of the Black Sticks Women.

“But there’s real excitement about the new Premier Hockey League launching next month followed by probably the busiest period in the sport’s history in 2021 and 2022.”

The Hockey Paper

MHC coach Arul unfazed by cyber bullies

By Jugjet Singh


Arul Selvaraj. - NSTP/File pic

The day Arul Selvaraj was named as Chief Assistant Coach for two years, the cyber bullying and name-calling started, and even a serious accusation was hurled at him.

But Arul is not the least perturbed. His response? "When I decided to return to Malaysia (from Dublin where he worked as a club coach), I knew what to expect from experience. I signed on the dotted line after making up my mind to shut my ears and eyes from this kind of pests," he said.

Sitting at a corner of Balai Berita in Bangsar, Arul poured out his heart on what happened the last time he and Paul Revington were entrusted to lead Malaysia's charge from 2012 to 2014.

Some of the things that Arul said can be written here but some revelations are not, and can only remain etched in my memory.

In short, Arul was hounded by those who felt they could do better. And when Chua Boon Huat died after a car accident on Aug 1, 2013, Arul was blamed for just being with him during the last minutes of his life.

Arul even received a threatening SMS back then, accusing him of being a part of Boon Huat's tragic death, and that the sender "will expose" him soon.

But the "soon" has turned into seven years, and the nasty SMS just remains at that — nasty.

The fact was that Boon Huat, then 33, and his teammates had received cash from the Malaysian Hockey Confederation (MHC) at a hotel in Kuala Lumpur, for some of their achievements over the years.

This scribe was also present at the press conference to hand over the monetary reward to the players, and spoke to Boon Huat at the function.

Boon Huat had said then that he was going to meet a few friends after the function.

But his car collided with a water tanker while he was on his way to fetch a dear friend, and tragically ending his stellar career.

Many had blamed his "group of friends" for his death, and Arul was one of them who got targeted by cyber bullies, and it took a heavy toll on him.

He knows better now.

Arul and South African Revington had helped Malaysia qualify for the 2014 World Cup in the Hague but five months from the tournament, both men left the national team and MHC had to scramble together a second team of coaches.

Naturally, the Hague World Cup turned out to be a disaster. Malaysia ended up last, losing all six matches, leaving an indelible black mark on our hockey history.

In fact Revington sent a resignation letter via email in June, 2013, but the MHC managed to coax him to stay on. However, his second letter was for good. His actual contract was to help Malaysia qualify for the 2016 Rio Olympics.

For Arul, all this is in the past and he said: "I've returned stronger, much stronger, that's all I can say for now."

The national players loved Arul and still love him.

"They (the national players) have the skill and fitness, no doubt about that," said Arul.

What Arul and Roelant Oltmans have to do right now is to change the players' mindsets to make them a winning team.

Oltmans' contract is until the end of the year, and the Asian Champions Trophy (ACT) in November will be his team's first post-Covid-19 test.

MHC have also decided to have a Technical Director by January next year, following the set-up when Terry Walsh was around for his second Malaysian stint.

The team of technical director, chief coach, chief assistant coach and two assistant coaches will attempt to realise Malaysia's ambition to win both the men's and women's gold in the 2026 Asian Games.

After the ACT, MHC may renew Oltmans' contract or find somebody else who can work with Arul to realise their 2026 Asian Games vision.

But one thing is for sure, whoever is the next chief coach, he must have a strong mindset or else be swept away from the MHC vision by a tsunami of mean-spirited cyber trolls.

New Straits Times

Indian men's team had good chance of medal if Olympics was held this year: Hockey great Ashok Kumar

Says the forced break due to Covid-19 has impacted the team’s momentum and it will make a big difference going ahead


Ashok Kumar was a key member of India’s 1975 world champion team. Twitter

World Cup-winning hockey legend Ashok Kumar on Wednesday said it would be difficult for the Indian men's team to keep up the momentum that seemed good enough for a long-awaited Olympics podium finish had the Games been held this year.

A key member of the 1975 world champion team and a bronze-medallist at the Munich Olympics can't help but wonder whether the Manpreet Singh-led team would shape up as nicely next year, as it did this year after a stellar 2019.

"If the Olympics were held this year, we definitely had some chance. We had shown improvement and we could have got some good results there," said Kumar, who scored the winning goal against Pakistan in the 1975 World Cup final.

"Definitely, there is a break in momentum and it will really make a big difference. You can't say now (that we will win medal). We will talk about it next year seeing how they perform in the build up to the Olympics."

In fact, Kumar feels that coach Graham Reid will also be a bit circumspect due to the forced break caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

"Even (head coach) Graham Reid will have a big question mark going on his head now. Coaching is going on inside closed doors. Unless you see them in real matches, how will you assess... He's not a machine."        

India's best show came against world's top ranked team Belgium, beating a full strength side 2-1 in a Pro League encounter. India also had a commendable 2-2 draw against the formidable Australia in their final Pro League game before world came to a standstill due to the pandemic.

The 70-year-old further said the women's team was also in great shape and would have done well had the Olympics been held as per the original schedule.

"Even our women's team were in the peak of their form and they too had bright chances but now we never know. We will talk about the Olympics only next year," he said, remembering the 5-1 win over the USA in the first leg of the Olympic Qualifier.

The men's team will have a packed calendar when play resumes as it is slated to compete in the Asian Champions Trophy in November before a tour to Malaysia followed by a four-nation tournament in New Zealand early next year.

The team will then resume the Pro League against Argentina with back-to-back matches till end of May in the build up to Tokyo 2021.

India, who lost to Belgium in the Rio 2016 quarterfinals, have not won an Olympic medal since Moscow 1980 where they had clinched the gold medal.

"It depends how they regroup and how they keep the spirit high. They have to stay motivated, it's purely an individual thing," said the star dribbler of yesteryears.

Kumar, however, believed that India have improved a lot in the recent past by bolstering their defence.

"We have a balanced squad at the moment. We are no longer leaking goals at the last minute. Our defence is much better now."

"We have some good drag-flickers in Rupinder Pal Singh and Simarnjeet Singh. The forwards just need to combine a bit more and show ball anticipation."

Kumar, who was a Mohun Bagan legend having mesmerised the Kolkata public with his artistry in the early '70s, is still enamoured by the 'City of Joy'.

"I was so thrilled that I left my B Com exams midway to play alongside the legends of the country in Mohun Bagan,” recalled Kumar.

"There were greats like Shahid Noor, Inam-ur Rahman, Gurbux Singh and Vece Paes who were playing for Mohun Bagan then. It's a decision I won't regret," he said.

From 1969, Ashok Kumar played for three seasons at Mohun Bagan, a golden era during which they won the first division hockey league four times in a row, besides winning the coveted Beighton Cup twice.

 "They (Mohun Bagan) were highly impressed by my skills at the University games and had sent me an offer letter.”

"I made my national debut from Mohun Bagan and went on to represent the country at the Olympics. I will always cherish this award as Mohun Bagan is like my second home," he said.

The Tribune

India's hockey training camp likely to be put off

Ashwin Achal


If the camp is held, the core probable players will face difficulty in reaching Bengaluru, as well as the mandatory quarantine imposed on inter-state travellers. (File picture)   -  K. MURALI KUMAR

The training camp for the Indian men’s and women’s hockey teams, which was scheduled to resume on July 19, is likely to be put off. The recent spike in COVID-19 cases, and the imposition of lockdown in Karnataka and other States has made it tough for the camp to resume at the SAI campus here.

If the camp is held, the core probable players will face difficulty in reaching the city, as well as the mandatory quarantine imposed on inter-state travellers.

Around a month ago, Hockey India announced that the national team players could leave SAI here to return to their homes. At the time, the players had spent over three months at SAI.

Sportstar

Situation in Bengaluru makes hockey body wait

It’s learnt that the camp for the men’s and women’s hockey sides, scheduled in Bengaluru from July 19, will likely be postponed indefinitely.

By Swaroop Swaminathan

CHENNAI: It’s learnt that the camp for the men’s and women’s hockey sides, scheduled in Bengaluru from July 19, will likely be postponed indefinitely. Multiple problems have meant that there is no concrete date yet. With coronavirus cases spiralling out of control in the state, Bengaluru is going to be in total lockdown till July 22.

Flying players back during this period could be tricky. It is also learned that SAI is yet to sanction the restart of training. Hockey India (HI), though, is keeping mum over the issue. As it has been derecognised by SAI, it feels that the ball is in SAI’s court. 

When a majority of the players left the camp on June 18, they were given a month’s break. “Hockey India on Friday (June 19) announced that the men and women’s hockey core probables group based at SAI Centre, Bengaluru will be given a month-long break,” it had said on June 19. It was assumed that players would start reporting back from the second week of July before resuming training from July 19.

But players haven’t even left their homes yet. Since of quarantine regulations will be in force when they do get back, it’s very likely that the camp won’t begin on time and could likely be pushed back by at least two weeks.

Marijne back on August 1

Women’s coach Sjoerd Marijne is slated to fly back from Netherlands on August 1. He was to return this weekend, but that flight was cancelled. He has booked one for early next month. It will be interesting to see if Marijne will be sent to a 14-day institutional quarantine upon arrival or exempted.

The New Indian Express

No July 19 resumption of hockey camps as Bengaluru goes into lockdown

The national camps for Indian men's and women's hockey teams will not resume as planned on July 19 at Bengaluru SAI Centre with the rising COVID-19 case count forcing the city into a complete seven-day lockdown.

The grave situation in the southern metropolis has left the Sports Authority of India (SAI) with no choice but to defer its plans.

Enjoying a break at their respective native places after being confined to their rooms at the SAI Centre for two months due to the nationwide lockdown, the players had been expected to return to base by July 19.

A SAI source in Bengaluru, however, confirmed to PTI that there is no way the national camps can resume on the earlier earmarked date under the current circumstances.

"We didn't get any instruction till now about resumption of hockey camps. On June 18, we were just being asked to allow the players to leave for their homes but no intimation has been given to us on resumption of camps," said the source.

"Frankly speaking, it is impossible to resume camps now because Bengaluru is under complete lockdown till July 22. The cases are increasing every day and there is a possibility that the lockdown would be extended till the end of this month."

Although the SAI headquarters here is yet to take a formal decision on the matter, Hockey India's de-recognition by the Sports Ministry, along with 53 other National Sports Federations (NSFs), as per the Delhi High Court's order, has made the situation complex.

"We can't make any comment on national camps or anything as we are de-recognised by the ministry now," said a HI official.

A national team player too confirmed that they were yet to get any intimation from either the HI or the SAI about resumption of camps.

"We haven't heard anything from anyone about resumption of camps. We were told that we will be intimated about resumption of camps and also informed about our travel arrangements, but we haven't got anything," said the player.

"Like all, we too are living in uncertainty and are just hoping that things become normal soon."

Only men's team chief coach Graham Reid and men and women teams' scientific advisors, Robin Arkell and Wayne Lombard, are currently staying at the SAI Centre in Bengaluru.

It has been learnt that women's team chief coach Sjoerd Marijne and analytical coach Janneke Schopman, both of whom flew to their homes in the Netherlands last month, have deferred their travel plans and were expected to arrive here next month.

Men's team analytical coach Chris Ciriello, too, has gone back to his home in Australia.

The Tribune

How GB Hockey coaching hub has inspired during lockdown

By The Hockey Paper



The sight of empty pitches during lockdown and the hundreds of coaches across the UK unable to deliver sessions to eager players has clearly left a void.

But England Hockey has seen an invasion online during the pandemic, with its coaching offering seeing engagement above and beyond what it would normally attract, while other initiatives such as its virtual wellbeing sessions have also garnered praise.

Mark Bateman has combined his full-time role at UK Coaching, the national coaching agency, with delivery at England Hockey national age group level during lockdown and has been impressed by the uptake.

On a coaching front, Bateman said there had been an increase in regional coaches wanting to get better which he hopes will translate to the pitch and have an impact on the quality of sessions delivered at grass roots level.

“We have seen a massive positive upsurge and this has offset the negative impact of not being able to do anything for four months,” he said.

Bateman added that the virtual connection with coaches at the top of their game – with the likes of Danny Kerry, Mark Hager and Kwan Browne taking sessions – had also been a boost for grass-roots coaches.

Further, Bateman said that he had also used England Hockey’s online training hub and urged coaches to use the platform more. “It’s a good resource and not used enough,” he said.

For the GB programmes, junior squads have kept up with fitness challenges while lockdown has seen better relationships being built, friendships fostered between players and more time devoted to development conversations, which would have been otherwise shortened during normal times. Bateman said there had been a near 100 per cent virtual attendance rate for the under-16 programme.

At performance level, it has been a tough time for all self-employed coaches who were set for a busy summer.

On its NAGS, DISE and EDP programmes, England Hockey has engaged with 47 contracted positions across coaching, managers and physio, of which 28 are coaches. Most have been on a reduced contract, yet the feedback the national governing body has received has been appreciative of the approach it has taken. In all, England Hockey has 63 contracted coaches, of which 29 were retained.

GB Hockey said: “We are very conscious that this has been a difficult time for many people within the hockey family and particularly challenging for some who are self-employed.

“Since the suspension of hockey we have continued to deliver our GB EDP, England Age Group and DiSE programmes on a remote basis with the support of both employed staff and contractors. Sadly, the suspension of hockey since March means it hasn’t been possible to retain everyone at the level before lockdown.

“Health and wellbeing of staff, contractors and players remains exceptionally important and we continue to support everyone to the best possible extent during the current situation.”

Case study – Sharron Bolton, Preston HC

During this time of lockdown I have found myself riding a rollercoaster of emotions. My job as a frontline worker in the NHS put me in a position where I could not attend work because I was required to go into shielding with my high-risk daughter Phoebe, who is 13, crazy about hockey and unfortunately suffers from Cystic Fibrosis.

However I spotted the Twitter link to the GB coaching wellbeing sessions. Entering the unknown was scary, but the fact it was free meant it was a no brainer. This is where I met Demy and Scott. Oh my, loved these guys, explained my position and like fairies they created magic. Demy arranged for a video for Phoebe from Hannah Martin, which created hysteria in my house.

I was also inspired to go and explore new platforms that I had never heard of … webinars and podcasts! So I ventured into the unknown and my life has changed forever. Priceless.

I have since returned to the wellbeing session and again new ideas and mind provoking thoughts have led me onto new reading materials.

I have to say these are the best idea EH have ever had. To continue these after lockdown has to be seriously considered. Monthly wellbeing webinars would be awesome.

By offering that platform to chat and meet like-minded people in what I have come to learn is a very isolated place, is definitely a benefit to mental health wellbeing. As a “hobby” coach I love the sport but do find coaches can be very “secretive”. But I’m now starting to think it’s “fear” where as you can tell from my message to you today. I love to talk and get to know others, and this platform has allowed for that to happen.

The Hockey Paper

Hockey coaching: Tips from the top

By The Hockey Paper


Lizzie Neal, right, goes in for a tackle WORLD SPORT PICS

We bring you the best tips and hockey advice from the stars and leading coaches

Lizzie Neal’s defence

Initially, I struggled coming into the Great Britain programme as I found the players really quick and able to dart the ball past me without being able to stay in the contest. I’ve focused now in staying mobile and running with the player and being up to pace with the opponent. Even if they’re quicker, I try to put a little jab in, moving my feet, not diving in and not trying to stick tackle when the ball is in the air.

As long as I keep reminding myself to stay in it and stay mobile, these are the two key requirements needed. I have played midfield as well and it’s all learning that you can still defend well as a midfielder when you attack. As I’ve always wanted to play for my country, I’ve mostly looked up to GB players in my career more than anyone else in world hockey!

Lizzie Neal plays for Loughborough Students and GB

Lewis Prosser’s passing game

The push pass is one of my strongest assets. My dad worked on my passing before anything else, to be able to have the skills to get yourself out of trouble and produce 2 v 1s over the pitch. But the accuracy of passing and being consistently good at it in any kind of situation is the thing I remember most in my early days.

We worked a lot in terms of being able to spot a pass and making sure I was carrying the ball with my head up. I was lucky enough that I had a little bit of astro in our back garden! I was able to practice solo with flicking or passing and that has helped me as my career developed with club and country.


Lewis Prosser plays for East Grinstead and Wales

Todd’s Tips – How to push better

The push is a much under-rated pass in hockey and is often under-used with the slap (or sweep) being easy to execute and more powerful. The push though is much quicker as you can deliver it from the same body and stick position as you’ve been in to receive the ball. You can also do it when you are moving with the ball, even at top speed and off either foot, unlike a slap which requires you to stop and get into a set, left foot forward position.

Consequently, the more powerful your push is, the less you’ll have to slap. This means your play can be faster and more mobile.

So, there are two golden rules for your push to be accurate and powerful.

1. Your body position. As much as you can, get yourself side on to your target. You can still look at your target but it’ll be over your left shoulder. Importantly though, that will mean that your shoulders and the face of your stick will both be lined up with where you want the ball to go. NB: Don’t turn and face your target as you’ll almost certainly pull the ball to your left.

2. Make sure you get your body weight in front of the ball before you release it. You’ll feel like you’re able to push “down” on the ball and into the turf which allows you to load the forces from your weight transfer and your arms into one combined motion. Best of all, that downward force not only generates more power, but it also keeps the ball nice and flat for your team mate to trap.

Our resident coaching expert Todd Williams runs regular holiday camps. Go to: www.williamshockeycoaching.com

Does your club have interesting news or features?This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.!

This originally featured in a previous Hockey Paper edition. Don’t miss out. Subscribe in print or in digital format.

The Hockey Paper

Field Hockey Canada’s High Performance Re-Structure

Field Hockey Canada’s High Performance system will see new restructuring in coming months



In recent months, COVID-19 has challenged everyone in our community to re-think, adapt and change. For our national teams this meant a dramatic change from a busy calendar of international travel and competition in 2019 to an online training environment and the prospect of little-to-no international competition in the foreseeable future. The national men’s team adapted to the Olympics being postponed until 2021 and the women’s team felt immediate impact as they uprooted from their European clubs to return home.

Significant changes were also happening within Field Hockey Canada’s broader organizational structure where the Coronavirus-induced change in annual operating rhythm was used to drive bigger system change. A full system high performance review was one of the items at the top of this list. Extending from governance to pathways to the financial model, this review was originally planned as part of our work in 2020 during the reset from one Olympic cycle to the next. When the timelines changed in March due to the pandemic, the decision was made to push forward the timeline for this report and many other important pieces of work so FHC could optimize the positive outcomes during this unprecedented time.

“It is clear that changes are needed in all areas and across the whole system if we are to transform ourselves into a top-eight nation internationally and a top sport here in Canada,” Chief Executive Officer, Susan Ahrens said, in regard to the high performance system review.

The sport is changing, making it more challenging for Canada’s national teams to maintain and advance world ranking. The organization aspires to return to the heights achieved in the 1980’s when our women were second in the world. To do so, it was clear that change was needed and that any change had to be grounded in a full and comprehensive review. This review needed independence, objectivity and expertise that demanded we look outside our country to find. It needed to fully understand how the unique qualities of our current environment can be harnessed to create a unified, world class system. After an extensive process, FHC was delighted to engage the services of three-time gold medal winning coach Markus Weise to lead this review.

“Not only has Markus achieved unparalleled success in our sport but became an off-field expert in building world-leading talent development systems, having transferred to soccer and worked in building the talent development system with the German football federation,” Ahrens said.

As part of the HP review process, Weise interviewed over 90 people representing all areas of the Canadian field hockey community, from clubs, universities, provinces, HP partners, alumni and athletes. Ahrens said it is imperative to get a full picture when evaluating a system of such magnitude. She said, “this report and its findings will be the strong, evidence-based foundation to build what Markus referred to Field Hockey Canada’s ‘Team of Teams.’”

Field Hockey Canada will be sharing the report in its entirety with all stakeholders in the coming week, with implementation steps immediate. Starting with the appointment of a High Performance Director to lead high performance, system transformation will drive towards the goal of achieving Olympic podium success in Los Angeles 2028. Field Hockey Canada and our national team players are ambitious and we understand the need for a long-term approach towards lasting change and consistent world level success.

The work starts now with appointment of key positions and personnel. This will coincide with the imminent return to the field of play and will be a welcomed re-set for all involved. Field Hockey Canada deeply appreciates the community support through this time and would like to give special thanks to Own the Podium, the provincial sport organization members and the private donor who financially supported this review.

Field Hockey Canada media release

JOB POSTING: Field Hockey Canada High-Performance Director

Field Hockey Canada is hiring a High Performance Director

Field Hockey Canada (FHC) is the national sport governing body responsible for the development, growth and promotion of field hockey in Canada.  Among its responsibilities and in collaboration with a variety of partners, FHC selects, prepares and promotes Canada’s teams towards the goal of delivering sustained podium performances in international competitions including FIH World League, Continental Championships, World Championships, and major multi-sport games (e.g. Olympic Games and Commonwealth Games).

Responsible to the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), the High Performance Director (HPD) is the Senior Technical Leader for FHC and has central accountability for the planning, delivery and success of the high-performance programs, including annual and quadrennial plans. The HPD is responsible for establishing clear performance objectives, building the required performance culture, monitoring and reporting of associated metrics for measuring program progression.

The HPD is responsible for overseeing and managing the National Coaching staff, associated program budgets, and other general areas pertaining to the development of the program including the NextGen program and overall system building initiatives. Administrative accountabilities include all aspects of high performance management for Major Games and the creation and implementation of appropriate HP policies such as Selection Policy & Criteria and the Athlete Assistance Program (AAP Carding).

Additional responsibilities include leadership for athlete and coach development in the areas of Podium Pathway (e.g. Gold Medal Profile, Podium Results Track), Athlete Development Matrix, Professional Development, and Research & Innovation projects.

The HPD acts as liaison with performance stakeholders such as Sport Canada, Own the Podium and the Canadian Olympic Committee. The position also acts as liaison with the Coaching Association of Canada and other national sport organizations, multi-sport and multi-games organizations and other related agencies and organizations.

This position is ideally based in Vancouver, British Columbia, and will involve extensive travel across Canada and internationally.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Strong sport technical background with an emphasis on the team sport environment, and specifically Field Hockey, with a proven track record around building winning teams at the international level (World Cup, Olympics).
• Good knowledge of the Canadian sport system and key trends in international high performance sport
• Minimum 5 years’ experience at high-performance leadership, including Olympic Games and World Championship experience – Olympic podium performance considered an asset
• Demonstrated experience in all aspects of Sport Science & Medicine with past experience leading subject matter experts and integrated support teams.
• Excellent planning, monitoring, and evaluation skills coupled with experience in the development of global competitive gap analysis;
• Excellent inter-personal, negotiation, collaboration and communication characteristics, coupled with strong decision making & presentation abilities
• Demonstrates strong financial acumen including budget development and oversight.
• Proven ability in prioritizing workload to meet set deadlines, and with the ability to work across multiple software & application domains.
• Self-motivated with the ability to use initiative in problem solving;
• Experience in presenting to and working with Own The Podium considered an asset;
• Olympic medal winning experience is considered an asset.
• Education in Coaching, Sport, Business, or equivalent Management domains considered an asset
• Bilingualism is considered an asset.

If you believe you possess the appropriate experience and skill set for the position, please submit your resume along with a cover letter which includes the top 3 reasons why you believe you are the ideal candidate for this position.

DOWNLOAD APPLICATION: Job Profile | Full Job Description

APPLICATION DETAILS

Applications are to be submitted electronically by Monday 27th July, 2020 to: Susan Ahrens, Chief Executive Officer at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

FHC is committed to employment equity and encourages applications from all qualified candidates.  In addition, FHC is committed to providing accommodation for people with disabilities.  If you require accommodation, we will work with you to meet your needs. We appreciate your interest, however, only the shortlisted applicants will be contacted.

Field Hockey Canada media release

HC Minsk lead the Belarussian way in both women’s and men’s regular season



Both HC Minsk’s women and men will topped the regular season tables in Belarus following the latest series in their championships.

For the women, they ran up two wins over Victoria Smolevichi over the wekeend, starting off with a 6-2 success and then backing it up with a 3-1 victory.

The former saw the goals shared around with Anastasia Sys, Anastasia Syroezhko, Krestina Papkova, Olga Kurovskaya, Victoria Sidorova and Eugenia Kernoz.

In game two, Marina Nikitina, Syroezhko and Ksenia Efimenkova all fired home second half goals to confirm top spot in the group stages, one point ahead of Ritm Grodno. Smolevichi sit in third place and will play Grodno in the playoffs while Minsk meet Tekstilshchilk in their semi-finals.

Minsk coach Nikolai Sankovets said of the weekend results: “I really liked the first game with Victoria. Almost everything turned out the way we planned on the field. 

“Our opponent were not themselves and allowed us a lot of freedom. We now draw a line under the regular season and are satisfied with how things have gone, going ahead of our rivals but we do need to improve in the playoffs.”

On the men’s side, Minsk were comfortable winners over their feeder team SDUSHOR Minsk RCOP with a 9-0 win in game one and then a 9-2 success in game two with Alexander Goncharov getting four goals over the weekend.

Coach Sergey Drozdov said: “We have achieved an initial goal and shown a good level. Now we look forward to the playoffs but anything can happen there.”

Euro Hockey League media release

Hockey Union reveals options for league resumption

We can split the league into pools and play up to the finals. We can also participate in various series for purposes of keeping the players fit — Ongori


Amira Sailors' Julie Koloni (L) challenges Joy Mwangi of Orange Leonas during their hockey Premier League match at the City Park Stadium. Image: /ERICK BARASA

The Kenya Hockey Union has two options of completing the season amidst uncertainty occasioned by the coronavirus pandemic.

Should sports resume before September, KHU is contemplating playing a mini-league and should the authorities extend the ban beyond September, the union has the option of organising tournaments to keep players fit for the start of the 2021 season.

"It is still uncertain when normalcy returns but if anything, we will have to work on how best to conclude the season.  We can split the league into pools and play up to the finals. We can also participate in various series for purposes of keeping the players fit," Wycliffe Ongori, the KHU secretary general said.

The KHU league started on February 29 with matches in both the men's and women's Super League. The first top tier league match between Sailors and Orange Leonas was played on March 1. The men's Premier League was expected to start on March 21 but KHU suspended the league the moment the first COVID-19 positive case was reported.

Meanwhile, Ongori remains positive that the league will get a sponsor soon. KHU top brass were in advanced negotiations with one of the largest financial institutions in the country before the  pandemic struck, putting everything on hold.

But despite this, Ongori, a former Wazalendo tactician is hopeful that things will be sorted out once normalcy resumes.

"One of the largest banks wanted to sponsor the league and the negotiations were serious but the unfortunate happened," he said.

"Looking at the current situation, all corporates will have difficulty in matters of sponsorship. I cannot mention anything as of now but let's wait and see."

The Star

Getting the fundamentals right in South Africa



Increasing the number of teachers and coaches who can deliver high quality hockey training to children within both the school and club setting is at the heart of South Africa Hockey Association’s (SAHA) re-imagined coaching framework.

Primary school teachers, junior club coaches, sport and physical education students, aspiring sports coaches and youth sports volunteers are all being offered the chance to increase their knowledge and skills so they can become part of a country-wide hockey workforce.

Accessibility is always an issue in a country as vast as South Africa, so the SAHA has embraced the digital revolution and will be delivering a total of 30 online courses, for coaches and technical officials, that will be accessible across all nine provinces. There will be no need for the coaches – many of them from poor communities - to undertake time-consuming and costly journeys to one central coaching hub.

Robyn Morgan is chairperson of the SAHA Education Sub-Committee and she says: “To ensure a diversity of coaches benefit from across the entire country we are targeting 2,000 primary schools. For schools in a more rural environment we will run the courses privately for their school alone so the teachers can all gather at school where there is access to WIFI in order to participate in the course.”

The coaching courses offered by the SAHA’s coaching framework will focus on giving the aspiring coaches the knowledge and experience to teach children the basic skills of the game.



The first courses being offered are Level 0 and 1. At Level 0, this includes the basic skills of the game, the methodology of coaching beginners, the physiology and psychology of young learners and how to play modified games. Behind the drive to educate the teachers in hockey skills is to ensure hockey is an integral part of the national primary school physical education curriculum. Ups killing teachers in this way will help primary school teachers to become confident and adept at delivering the sport in a safe and progressive manner.

There is also a clear pathway for progression. This starts with coaching fundamental skills to young children right through to coaching the senior international teams. The coaching qualifications offered by SAHA progress and then intersect neatly with the FIH High Performance Coaching pathway.

Delivering the online courses will be a host of SAHA Accredited Educators. Morgan explains that besides that team of Educators, there will be a further group of coach facilitators who are currently undergoing an Educator training (refresher) course. SAHA is offering a similar training course to Educators from across the Africa Hockey Federation.

She says, while most people will fund themselves through the courses, there are some courses that are done as part of the National Capacity Building Program, which are covered by SAHA. The first of the online courses started in mid-June and the entire programme will be rolled out over the coming months. With a maximum of 15 people on each course, the South African hockey coaching fraternity will be swelling significantly.

“Our aim,” says Morgan, “is to get all teachers and coaches within a primary school environment properly trained up and equipped to coach the correct fundamental skills of hockey. By doing this creating a stronger base from where to work going forward.”

FIH site

2020 USA Field Hockey National Umpire Award Winner: Mary Driscoll



COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. - Following the announcement of all winners, USA Field Hockey is individually highlighting each recipient of USA Field Hockey's 2020 Annual Awards, presented by Longstreth. This week, USA Field Hockey is honored to feature the 2020 National Umpire Award winner Mary Driscoll.

Driscoll grew up in Hershey, Pa. where she started playing field hockey in her sixth grade physical education class. She had a tough decision in high school as she had also grown up swimming and had always dreamed of attending Penn State University. In tenth grade, all of this changed when she decided to play field hockey for the Nittany Lions.

After graduating from Penn State, Driscoll wasn’t quite sure where to go with the sport, but after researching a bit she chose to start her umpiring career. When she decided to pursue international umpiring, Driscoll made it a personal goal to receive her international rating within her first year of international umpiring. She received her first call from USA Field Hockey’s Director of Umpiring, asking if she would be able to umpire at the Pan American Hockey Federation’s (PAHF) 2012 Junior Pan American Games in Guadalajara, Mexico.

During her first international tournament, Driscoll earned her International Hockey Federation (FIH) badge and has officiated 48 international matches since her first one in Guadalajara. Today, she is on the FIH Advanced Umpire Panel. In 2019, Driscoll umpired in the women's finals of the 2019 Pan American Games in Lima, Peru and officiated the gold medal match of the women’s FIH Hockey Series in Hiroshima, Japan.

Driscoll also umpires at the NCAA level and was on the umpire panel for the Division I Final Four in 2019. When she isn’t on the field umpiring, she is a health and fitness expert at her company, Mary’s Health and Fitness. She knows how important it is to stay fit off the field and even offered four free online group fitness classes earlier this year so that USA Field Hockey Umpires could stay in shape during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

"I was extremely honored to be nominated for Umpire of the Year, along with my great colleagues," said Driscoll. "This was such a fun year of umpiring, which included the two international finals along with umpiring at the NCAA Final Four. This award topped off my year and I truly can't wait to get back on the field!"

Congratulations once again to Mary Driscoll for winning the 2020 USA Field Hockey National Umpire Award.

USFHA media release