News for 03 October 2020
All the news for Saturday 3 October 2020
Field Hockey Canada appoints Andre Henning MNT Head Coach
Former German national team coach will lead Red Caribou to the 2021 Olympic Games
Frank Uijlenbroek / World Sport Pics
Field Hockey Canada is delighted to announce the appointment of Andre Henning as Head Coach of the Men’s National Team. Henning comes to Field Hockey Canada with a wealth of experience, having achieved success at the highest level.
Henning has had countless successes in the European and German domestic scene. He also has, among his many coaching accolades, an impressive list of international success. Notably, Henning coached a championship team at the Junior World Cup in 2013 and was a coach of the medal-winning German women’s team at the 2016 Rio Olympic Games. Most recently, he was the German Men’s National Team’s interim Head Coach, helping them qualify for the upcoming Tokyo Olympic Games.
“I am incredibly proud and honoured to have been given the trust for this unique and exciting project. There is a lot of potential in the national team, in the NextGen program and in Canadian field hockey system,” Henning said. “It will be a great challenge for all involved, to combine existing qualities of Canadian hockey with the needs of High-Performance level of top international hockey.”
Susan Ahrens, CEO of Field Hockey Canada, first gave a sincere appreciation to Hugh Purvis, who has shepherded the Men’s National Program since Paul Bundy’s retirement in the spring. She also said the timing of Henning’s hiring fits perfectly with the ever-growing team at Field Hockey Canada. In the wake of the High-Performance review and the hiring of Adam Janssen, securing head coaches is the next step.
“Hugh has done such a great job leading the men’s program since March. He continues to do great work in our system.
“Hiring Andre signals our seriousness in appointing the best young, dynamic coaches for our national teams and towards podium success,” Ahrens said. “Andre is a national coach of the highest caliber, but more than that he is a system builder. It is clear his vision and values fit to those of Field Hockey Canada. I am delighted that we are able to attract coaches of this caliber and we are proud to deliver the best to our amazing group of athletes.”
Adam Janssen, Field Hockey Canada’s newly appointed High-Performance Director, said that it’s been a thrilling ride over this first month. He is excited to be a part of a team of engaged coaching staff. He thinks Henning is a great fit for the Men’s National Team and looks forward to continued success and growth.
“Andre is hugely experienced in both club and international hockey, with a strong record of podium performances at major tournaments,” Janssen said. “His understanding of the international hockey landscape and ability to prepare teams for success at that level will be instrumental in building upon the successes of this group.”
In a year that has been challenging for everyone, Field Hockey Canada responded nimbly to the global pandemic, using the period for a full review of the high performance structure, system and mechanisms. Following the review, the re-structure and key appointments are now complete. We are delighted to be embarking on the road to Tokyo and beyond with this new leadership group in place. Henning is excited to get down to business.
“I am looking forward to meeting the team and support staff, to working with them on the road to Tokyo and beyond so that we can develop together to the best and highest level possible,” he said. I want to, and I will invest my energy to take Field Hockey Canada to the next level.”
Field Hockey Canada media release
Nasihin gets 27 women from 'old' list
By Jugjet Singh
National women’s coach Nasihin Nubli
Malaysian women's coach Nasihin Nubli has selected 30 national trainees, 27 from the "old" list, while three were spotted at the recent Razak Cup.
"I just took over during the Razak Cup tournament and so, I have retained the 27 players selected by earlier coach Lailin Abu Hassan (now Nasihin's assistant) and added three more.
"This young squad are being primed for the 2026 Asian Games challenge, and I will trim it to 25 soon," said Nasihin.
The three are Anis Nurfatihah Asmidee (Selangor), Nur Hazlinda Zainal (Negri Sembilan) and Iren Hussin (Sabah).
"These three are fresh faces and we will start with our first training session on Monday with an eye to break into the top four at the Junior Asia Cup (in Donghae on March 31-April 6 next year).
"My main criteria for selection is hardworking as well as skilful players with a positive mindset.
"I want to turn them into winners, and so they must be willing to put in the extra work to achieve it.
"The average age of the team is 21, so it is easier to change their mindset into becoming stronger players that can face pressure on the pitch with ease.
"They are our future players and since the MHC (Malaysian Hockey Confederation) are willing to invest in them, I will be provided with the best possible to get the best out of them," said Nasihin, a former Olympian.
The youngest players are Kirandeep Kaur and Nur Hazlinda Zainal at 17.
THE WOMEN'S TRAINEES
Goalkeepers: Siti Zalia Nasir, Mashitah Khalib, Fitrinur Amiera Ramlee, Nur Hazlinda Zainal.
Defenders: Juliani Din, Nor Asfarina Ishayifiqa, Ellya Amanina Alias, Dayang Nurahmirah, Puteri Nur Batrishia, Khairunnisa Ayuni, Nurul Faezah Shafiqag, Kirandeep Kaur, Nurul Fatin Fatiha, Nuraini Rashid, Raja Norsharina Iren Hussin.
Midfielders: Nur Hafizah Maznan, Nur Insyirah Effarizal, Nurmaizatul Hanim, Siti Zulaikha Husain, Wan Norfaiezah Saiuti, Fatin Shafika Sukri.
Strikers: Nur Amirah Syakirah, , Hanis Nadiah Onn, Nor Atira Ismail, Siti Nur Arfah, Nur Afiqah Syahzani, Nur Fatin Dizana, Nur Syazwani Zakaria, Anis Nurfatihah Asmidee.
New Straits Times
Wallace has many choices but little time
By Jugjet Singh
Coach Wallace Tan is racing against time to get his boys ready for the Junior Asia Cup after naming 26 for national training yesterday. - NSTP file pic
Malaysian Coach Wallace Tan is racing against time to get his boys ready for the Junior Asia Cup after naming 26 for national training yesterday.
And he has another six players, who are eligible for next year's Junior Asia Cup, training with the seniors squad to pick from.
Though spoilt for choice, Wallace is in a dilemma over players' selection due to lack of time.
"I don't have much time to prepare a side, but the objective is still to play in the semi-finals and qualify for the Junior World Cup. That has not changed.
"What has changed is that I will not allow my players to take part in the Indoor League (Oct 17-Dec 20) as well as the JHL (Junior Hockey League) planned for this year.
"This is because the Junior Asia Cup is on Jan 21-30 (in Dhaka) and I can't afford to lose even a single player to injury," said Wallace.
Out of the 26 players named, six are new faces.
In the Junior Asia Cup, Malaysia will vie with traditional rivals India, Pakistan, South Korea, Japan and China for a semi-final slot, which is a direct ticket to the Junior World Cup in December next year.
THE MEN'S TRAINEES
Goalkeepers: Che Shahrul Azmi, Hamiz Ahir, Aidil Shah, Amir Muhaimin.
Defenders: Nur Asyraf Ishak, Amirul Hamizan, Saifuddin Ali, Kamarulzaman Kamaruddin, Shafiq Hassan, Fahmi Khalid, Idris Samad, Zulfitri Zin (20).
Midfielders: Izham Azhar, Nursyahmi Zukiflis, Syawal Razak, Nasrul Syahkhir, Hafizi Zainuddin, Alfarico Lance Liau, Granson Noel Goden.
Strikers: Akhimullah Anuar Esook, Amirul Haniff, Muhibuddin Moharam, Mujahir Abdu Rauf, Shamir Rizmi, Adam Aiman, Abid Sufian.
New Straits Times
Time: The great healer
It is an athlete’s worst nightmare. You know from the searing pain that something has been damaged in your body. Now you are waiting for the physiotherapist or doctor to confirm the extent of the injury and predict how long you will be out of the game. What you really need, as a recovering athlete, is time to heal properly and no compelling reason to rush back to competitive sport – both factors are very difficult to achieve in the high pressure world of elite sport.
For Great Britain’s Brendan Creed, the first reaction on learning that he had ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and would be out of the game for a year was to lurch to the sink to be sick.
Then he allowed himself 45 minutes to cry and let all the emotion out. It was October 2019 and just nine months from the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games. If things had been different, Creed would have been ruled out of an Olympic place.
“I guess I was an accidental beneficiary from Covid-19,” says the 27-year-old England and Great Britain player.
What Creed means by that is that the time spent away from competitive hockey because of lockdown restrictions has allowed his body time to recover. He says after rehabilitation he was as physically fit as he had ever been. At the same time, the postponement of the Games gives Creed an extra year to get back into the pace of competitive hockey and earn his place on the plane to Tokyo.
Julia Young is a defender with the USA national team. She also suffered injury prior to Covid-19 lockdown, and was told she would need six to nine months to recover, two of which were to be non-weight bearing.
“I had a large osteochondral lesion on my femoral condyle and a small satellite lesion as well, due to my lack of meniscus from two previous knee surgeries,” explains the 25-year-old.
“Lockdown definitely did make my experience less stressful,” she says. “I didn’t feel the need to push myself through pain in order to be back as soon as possible. I felt like I had enough time to rehab my knee and listen to what my body was telling me. If it was a case of “too much too soon” then I could dial back on the load. I was still able to go to physical therapy at Drayer throughout lockdown so that was extremely helpful and beneficial.”
Australian duo Renee Taylor and Daniel Beale are also two athletes for whom time is proving a great healer.
Taylor, who is approaching 100 caps for the Hockeyroos, partially tore her deltoid ligament in her ankle in March. This meant she spent six weeks in a ‘moon boot’, and then spent another 12 weeks getting back to a point where she could run. As she says: “I was only back running in early June so I would have really been pushing it to be selected for Tokyo and being fully fit for the Olympics.”
“The lockdown allowed me to be really thorough with my recovery process and I could take the rehab process slowly… we didn’t have to push it like we may have had to if the Olympics had gone ahead this year.”
Taylor says recovery was made challenging because she returned home to her parents’ house in Brisbane during lockdown, meaning she didn't have access to the medical staff in Perth, where the Australia Hockey high performance centre is based. She was able to see a doctor who specialised in ankle injuries but not being able to attend the gym in Perth, where specialist staff would have helped the rehab process, presented some challenges.
For Beale, a key member of the Kookaburra’s midfield, the enforced break since March has proved an invaluable time to get a long term hip injury corrected. He says: “I had a hip operation to fix a long term issue I have been dealing with. It requires six months of recovery time to go from the operation back to returning the elite level, so with that duration there is never really a good time in an international year to do it… normally you would miss 15-20 international matches and a few tours, so with COVID and the situation knowing there is probably not going to be any hockey for the rest of 2020, it was a good chance to fix it up and get it right for next year.”
Beale encountered some problems ahead of the operation as elective surgeries, such as his, were cancelled for a while. This meant he had the operation later in the year than he originally intended.
“I had to wait a couple of months for things to ease,” he says. “Knowing that there was not going to be much on for the rest of the year there was a bit of stress in accessing the medical facilities but then once I was able to have my surgery some of the pressure released knowing that I wasn’t in any rush to get my rehab done quicker.”
The outlook for all four athletes is good. Creed is back playing club hockey and training with Great Britain ahead of their opening FIH Hockey Pro League match in October.
Young is also well on the way to recovery. She says: “I am now working on getting my fitness back up and maintaining minimal knee pain. I’ve had little to no pain for the past 1.5 months so now it is a matter of getting my fitness back and getting my knee ready for a training environment.”
Taylor has been back in full training since early July although she has suffered a few minor setbacks and niggles. She says: “I am still not at the fitness levels I was before the injury but I have the time now to focus on my fitness and get fully fit.”
For Beale, the recovery process is at the mid-way point. “I’m currently just over three months post the operation which puts me three months from completely unrestricted hockey. Three months into this injury the workload is still pretty light on so I’m still yet to run but it should be completely healed by now. From here until the end of the year is the journey of trying to get back fully into hockey so I’m looking forward to getting back onto the training track.”
FIH site
Athlete Spotlight: Taylor West
Each athlete that wears the red, white and blue has a unique story to how their careers came to fruition. From the junior level to the senior squad, USA Field Hockey is putting national team athletes under the spotlight to share their journeys.
Culture, lifelong experiences and friendships are one of just a few benefits sports can unlock for an individual. Taylor West has embraced all of these over the years and looks forward to countless more as a member of the U.S. Women’s National Team.
The Princess Anne, Md. native got her first taste of field hockey at a very young age and was heavily influenced by her mother, who played collegiately and was also a local coach at the high school level.
“I was always with her on the hockey field,” recalled West. “Ever since I can remember, field hockey has been my sport of choice and I was fortunate to have opportunities to play at local camps at a young age.”
While she did participate in other sports in her youth, field hockey quickly became a natural fit, developing a love for the game and making her mark locally through her time at Pocomoke High School. Under the guidance of the late Susan Pusey, who was also her club coach with The Shore, West finished her high school career with 64 goals and 39 assists and helped lead the Warriors to three consecutive state championships. As an individual student-athlete, she was a three-time selection for First Team All-Bayside Conference and was named the 2009 Bayside Conference Defensive Player of the Year.
“Pocomoke is a small community with a lot support for their athletics programs,” continued West. “To this day, some of my favorite hockey memories are from high school and I believe that is attributable to the sense of community, tradition and pride that is associated with the town of Pocomoke.”
During her sophomore season, West transitioned to Gotta Love it Oranje which helped build her strong foundation to the sport that Pusey and Debbie McQuaid helped establish with The Shore. Her second club family not only opened up more friendships and relationships with fellow athletes, but also additional challenges she faced in her natural skill development. Between the experience in club play and high school, West was also active in the Olympic Development Pathway through Futures and was first named to the U.S. U-19 Women’s National Team in 2011.
During this time, West felt the call of collegiate play while attending a camp at James Madison University. According to her, the moment she stepped on campus she felt something unique, an allusion to ultimately deciding to play for the Dukes.
“One piece of advice that my mom always gave me when looking at schools was to make sure that I would enjoy being on campus, if for some reason that field hockey was no longer in the picture,” said West. “Every time that I went to visit, I felt comfortable, right at home on campus, and the rest is history. Go Dukes!”
In addition to her selection to the U-19 USWNT her freshman year, West picked up a number of honors throughout her career at JMU, including Colonial Athletic Conference (CAA) All-Rookie Team (2011), CAA Commissioner’s Academic Award (2011), CAA First Team (2013, 2015), VaSID All-State Second Team (2013, 2014), VaSID All-State First Team (2015), CAA Player of the Year (2015) and NFHCA All-American Second Team (2015). As senior, West finished fourth on the program’s all-time list for career points (130) and goals (56) and was the sixth student-athlete to reach the 50-goal mark in program history.
Although successful on the field, West was quick to recall that the journey is not all about success. Throughout her young career, she has experienced injury, missed tryouts and not made final rosters. Despite making the U-19 USWNT as a senior in high school, West admitted it was hard to not hear her name called, to take a break when her body needed her to or feeling she was “falling behind".
“It was not until I graduated college and tried out for the National Team that I earned a roster spot,” continued West. “After reflecting on my [field] hockey journey, I think that it is important to emphasize to younger athletes the importance of perseverance and that not everyone’s journey will be the same to get to a particular destination.”
West formally joined the U.S. Women’s National Team following the Rio 2016 Olympic Games. Her first international cap came the following March in a friendly match against New Zealand. Standing side-by-side with her teammates in the red, white and blue uniform as the National Anthem played remains one of her most cherished memories.
Since then she has appeared in 79 international matches for USA, most recently in the FIH Hockey Pro League. While competition has been fierce, West is also thankful for the opportunities the sport has allowed her to experience throughout her life, both domestically and abroad.
“Field hockey has given me opportunities to travel to places in the world that I otherwise would not have been able to see,” said West. “I have also made many lifelong friendships and memories from participating in the sport. There have been countless teammates and coaches that have left their impression on me for years to come.”
After reflecting on my [field] hockey journey, I think that it is important to emphasize to younger athletes the importance of perseverance and that not everyone’s journey will be the same to get to a particular destination.
Taylor West
USFHA media release
Previews: English Men's Hockey League Round 3
It’s another weekend of exciting fixtures as the top teams in England enter week three of the Men’s Hockey League Premier Division.
The opening fixture of the weekend takes place on Saturday as Holcombe play host to Wimbledon. Both sides won their previous matches so confidence levels in both camps will be high.
Another team whose confidence will be boosted is Old Georgians. The Surrey side hit eight past the University of Durham last week, so Hampstead & Westminster head coach, Kwan Browne will be plotting to bring Old Georgians back down to earth.
“The challenge Old Georgians pose to us is that they have had a couple of competitive games to get themselves going,” said Browne. “They had a tough opening fixture [lost 3-2 to Holcombe] and then a game where they did really well [winning 8-0 against Durham] so they are probably getting into a really good groove. So we will be facing a team where things are potentially running smoother.
“They have a lot of penalty corner threats, one of the GB goalkeepers and their penalty corner attack and defence is strong. These are things we have to think long and hard about. Their counter attacking is also going to be very good. We will have to be great on the ball to prevent them counter attacking.
“We have to get momentum going. We have had some great training sessions, including on Saturday when we had a bye in the league. It is important to get into a flow. Everyone is in great spirits and the boys are just looking forward to getting back playing.” The game will be played at Reading’s Sonning Lane as Hampstead’s Paddington Rec ground is not yet available this season.
Above, Kwan Browne was part of the team that won the 2019 League Finals with Hampstead & Westminster
Elsewhere Oxted and the University of Exeter go into their head-to-head having lost both their first two matches. Oxted player-coach Nick Giles is certain that his side’s tenacity and work rate will stand them in good stead as the season progresses and the players’ experience at this level grows. This might be the week that the league newcomers make their home advantage count.
The University of Durham, who lost on their Premier Division debut last Sunday, face a tough challenge with Surbiton rolling into town. The reigning champions are sitting at the top of the early league table and it will take a defensive masterclass from coach Jamie Cachia’s students to stop Surbiton making it three wins from three.
The final game of the weekend sees unbeaten East Grinstead take on Brooklands MU who have yet to pick up a point.
The Sussex team has firepower all over the pitch with five different players on target in last week’s 6-2 win at University of Exeter and Robert Turner, Brooklands MU’s player/coach, in goal, will need to call on all his experience to marshal his defence and turn the tables on East Grinstead.
Beeston do not play this weekend.
note re - Welsh teams and players in EHL.
Rules related to Covid-19 including arrangements for local lockdowns are different in Wales and therefore Hockey Wales’ advice and guidance varies from England Hockey’s. England Hockey and Hockey Wales are working closely together to share information and decision-making as much as possible.
Cardiff & Met and Cardiff University, Welsh teams playing in the EHL, have dispensation from the Welsh government to continue to train and play fixtures home and away against English teams, despite the current local lockdown measures in Wales. Therefore English and Welsh (and any other nationality) players at this level, living in Wales but playing for clubs in England, can currently continue to train and play. All of this also applies to umpires and match officials at EHL level.
For England Hockey’s full statement regarding this issue please click HERE.
Arrangements for spectators at clubs in all Divisions of the league will vary depending on their individual circumstances. Anyone wishing to attend a game is advised to check with the home team before travelling.
FIXTURES
Men’s Hockey League (Sat, 3 October 2020):
Premier Division
Holcombe v Wimbledon 18:00
Division One South
Brighton & Hove v Old Cranleighans 17:00
Conference East
London Edwardians v Spencer 13:15
Old Loughtonians v Harleston Magpies 15:00
Wapping v London Wayfarers 18:00
Conference North
Timperley v University of Durham 18:00
Conference West
Harborne v Khalsa Leamington 17:00
Men’s Hockey League (Sun, 4 October 2020):
Premier Division
Oxted v University of Exeter 14:00
University of Durham v Surbiton 14:00
Hampstead & Westminster v Old Georgians 14:30 at Reading HC
East Grinstead v Brooklands MU 14:30
Division One North
Cardiff & Met v City of Peterborough 12:30
Olton & West Warwicks v Univ of Birmingham 13:30
Sheffield Hallam v Deeside Ramblers 13:45
Loughborough Students v Bowdon 14:00
University of Nottingham v Cambridge City 14:30
Division One South
Canterbury v Havant 12:45
Southgate v Reading 14:30
Team Bath Buccaneers v Sevenoaks 13:00
Teddington v Oxford Hawks 14:15
Men’s Hockey League
Conference East
West Herts v Bromley & Beckenham 13:30
St Albans v Richmond 14:00
Conference North
Barford Tigers v Univ of Birmingham 13:00
Lichfield v Doncaster 13:30
Preston v Leeds 14:00
Didsbury Northern v Belper 14:30
Conference West
Isca v Ashmoor 12:00
Plymouth Marjon v Cardiff University 13:00
Fareham v Cheltenham 13:30
Univ of Bristol v Chichester 14:00
England Hockey Board Media release
Solutions to match travel in north proposed by England Hockey
League hockey in north going ahead as planned PIC: Rochdale HC
England Hockey says it is proposing solutions for clubs and players who face extensive travel to matches across north regional hockey following recent local lockdowns in the north west.
Over the last week a number of coaches and players have expressed concerns to THP over travel to hockey matches following the rise of covid cases in the north.
England Hockey said: “We continue to monitor the situation closely but the overwhelming evidence is that there is an appetite to play from the vast majority of clubs and individuals. We are hugely grateful for the work put in by all involved in getting the sport to this position.
“We recognise that some individuals may choose not to participate in the circumstances and risk may be perceived differently by different individuals and groups. It is their right to make this choice and we are supportive of individuals who do so.”
EH said that league matches in the north would be going ahead as planned this weekend.
A statement read: “We recognise that the speed at which the situation is changing in the North has led to concerns for clubs and teams and the North HA Executive and England Hockey have been discussing the best approach in the circumstances.
“Consultation with North League clubs has indicated a willingness from the majority to play league hockey if possible. The extent of travel across the North-wide divisions is recognised and solutions will be finalised and proposed to clubs in the coming days.”
In a video message this week, EH chief Nick Pink stressed the importance for clubs and players to adhere to the hockey guidelines.
He added: “The consequences of not adhering to this guidance is that hockey will be suspended again and we certainly don’t want to be back in the position we were in on March 16.”
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Surbiton sign up rising US star Zanolli
Surbiton have signed USA indoor and youth international Corinne Zanolli for the 2020/21 season.
Striker Zanolli, who was named in the US National Team earlier this year, has now completed her quarantine after arriving in the UK and made her debut with the club against Loughborough Students on Saturday.
The 22-year old Zanolli has been a key player for Stanford University in recent seasons and also has extensive international indoor pedigree having represented the USA at the Indoor World Cup, Indoor Pan American Cup and on numerous European tours.
Zanolli commented of her move: “I am thrilled to be at Surbiton! It has been great to start training and get to know everyone over the last few weeks. I am really excited for this new journey, thank you to everyone who has helped me make this possible!”
Ladies Coach Brett Garrard added: “I’m delighted that Corinne has decided to join Surbiton following a great junior and NCAA career in the USA.
“Her speed, aggression and goal scoring ability will be a great addition to the squad. I am looking forward to working with her as she looks to further develop her hockey and push for international caps.”
Euro Hockey League media release
Hockey Ireland calls for submissions from clubs over Covid-related travel concerns
Cliodhna Sargent described the new Hockey Ireland list of sanctions as “tone-deaf” in the Irish Times. Pic: Adrian Boehm
While tough penalties for sides not fielding in the EY Hockey League were outlined in regulations issued last Friday, September 25, Hockey Ireland has said such sanctions will not be automatically imposed until they have assessed submissions from clubs to explain their reasons not to travel.
Last week, Cork C of I, Harlequins and UCC all informed the national body they would not be travelling to Dublin while in Level 3 over Covid-19 concerns, saying it was contrary to the latest government advice.
The men’s game between Pembroke and Banbridge was called off on the day the game following a positive test in the former’s camp with the HSE advising against travel from Dublin to Co Down.
Relating to such cancelations, Hockey Ireland’s initial stance was communicated in CEO Jerome Pels’ letter on September 23 to clubs to welcome them to the new season, saying the EYHL had received clearance to go ahead.
“The Expert Group clarified the status of competitions in case of a level 3 situation in the ROI. The advice given by Sport Ireland is: ‘In relation to competition, it is permissible for participants that fall under the professional/elite/inter-county sports/senior club championship banner to travel to pre-planned competition to maintain fixtures.’
“The EYHL Matches fall under the exemption as being a ‘senior club championship’.
“Regarding travelling to and from these fixtures, Hockey Ireland is following current Government advice that if the competitors are coming from outside a level 3 area to participate in senior national competition, that is permissible.
“The same principles apply for journeys out of a level 3 area. This letter could provide ‘proof’ to the authorities of the need for travel, but we are happy to provide specific letters if necessary.”
Subsequently, updated EYHL rules were issued on the eve of the new campaign with a specific Appendix 2 added to address Covid-related issues.
Under a section titled “Failure to fulfil fixtures”, it stated:
“A team refusing to fulfil a fixture played under Hockey Ireland Return to Play Protocols, citing Covid- 19 concerns, shall be considered to have forfeit the fixture.
“The match will be recorded as a 5 – 0 loss for the defaulting team and the match awarded to the opposing team. The defaulting team will also forfeit home advantage in their next scheduled home EYHL/EYHL2 fixture between the clubs.
“Where both teams refuse to fulfil a fixture a 5 – 0 loss will be recorded against both teams. Both teams will also forfeit home advantage for a future EYHL/EYHL2 match to be determined by the IHL SWG. A club cannot gain an advantage form forfeiting a match.
“The IHL SWG shall have the authority to increase the penalty for a second or subsequent forfeit. The IHL SWG shall have the authority to deal with repeat breaches of this regulation under
“Regulation 16: DISQUALIFICATION OR FAILURE/REFUSAL TO PLAY of the Irish Hockey League regulations.”
Corinthian’s Ross Howard in action against Monkstown last weekend. Pic: Adrian Boehm
In the event of Local Lockdown, the appendix adds:
“Where a team is subject to local restrictions due to the impact of Covid-19 that mean it is unable to fulfil a fixture it may request a postponement of the fixture from the IHL SWG.
“A team subject to local restrictions may apply to forfeit a match. If a forfeit is sanctioned a 3 – 0 loss will be recorded for the fixture and no further penalty imposed.
“Where both clubs are subject to local restrictions due to the impact of Covid-19 restrictions they may request a postponement or apply to forfeit the fixture at no penalty other than the fixture being recorded as a 0 – 0 draw.
“The IHL SWG shall adjudicate on all forfeit requests.
“Where a postponement is granted the match shall be played on a date determined by the IHL SWG or an earlier date if agreed by both clubs and the IHL SWG.”
The severity of the rules drew plenty of strong reactions, particularly from Quins’ experienced international duo Yvonne O’Byrne and Cliodhna Sargent online and in the Irish Times.
Forfeit points or ask amateur players to take an extra risk that seems to contradict government advice? @irishhockey @sportireland please stop dismissing clubs concerns for player welfare, #COVID19 is spreading rapidly. Caution by clubs is not something that should be penalised https://t.co/7WLuWTYyNP
— Yvonne O' Byrne (@yvonne_obyrne) September 24, 2020
By midweek, though, Hockey Ireland’s stance appeared to be softening. No sanctions had been imposed by that stage with the governing body welcoming submissions from the clubs involved to explain their position.
In a release issued to the press, they added: “Hockey Ireland has endeavoured to bring competitive hockey back to its community in as safe a manner as possible, with all guidelines from Sport Ireland and the Government being followed.
“Rules were sent to Clubs regarding the issue of non-travel for matches and automatic forfeiture. However, where a game is not being played due to travel concerns around COVID-19, the Club in question must make a submission to the EY Working Group and a decision will be made on the outcome by this group.
“Hockey Ireland respects the decision of Clubs not to travel where they are uncomfortable in doing so. However, in the process of accommodating a 2020/21 league being completed in as close to the usual timeframe as possible, careful management of this issue is required.”
At time of writing, all scheduled national level fixtures – along with Division One ties in Leinster and Munster – are due to go ahead.
For Harlequins, they will meet Munster rivals Catholic Institute at home. The rest of the games take place in Dublin with Pegasus going to Beaufort and Belfast Harlequins travelling to UCD.
In the men’s EY, four of the five games are in Dublin with Annadale hosting Monkstown the one taking place outside the capital.
In addition to fixture cancelation, Hockey Ireland also clarified what will happen this season should it be impossible to complete all fixtures.
“Where circumstances do not permit the completion of a full league programme, the IHL SWG shall have the authority to determine the final outcome of the league on a points per game (PPG) basis. PPG represents the number of points gained by teams divided by the number of fixtures played. (see Promotion/Relegation)
UCD on the attack against Pegasus in the recent Irish Senior Cup final. Pic: Adrian Boehm
For EYHL, this means:
C1. Where the season is curtailed with more that 70% (63+matches) or more of the matches played the final league table shall be determined by applying PPG.
C2. Where the season is curtailed with fewer than 70% (46-62 matches) of the matches played the final table shall be determined by applying PPG.
C3. Where the shortened season has been adopted and is subsequently curtailed final placing shall be determined by applying PPG.
For EYHL2, this is how it comes into play:
C i. In a curtailed season where teams have completed at least one fixture against each other team in its Pool, the final Pool standings shall be decided based on results achieved where each team has played each other once only. Where teams have completed both fixtures, home and away, the first played fixture only shall apply.
C ii. Where the season is curtailed and all teams have not completed at least one fixture against each other team in its Pool, the final Pool placing will be determined by applying PPG.
EYHL Promotion, Relegation, Title & Play-off places.
Any team that has secured a) the EYHL winners title, or b) an EY Hockey Champions Trophy Play- off place prior to the season being determined Curtailed shall be declared a) EYHL Champions and b) be allocated a place-off place. Play-off ranking may alter due to application of PPG.
Elsewhere, it’s men’s finals weekend in Leinster with the 2019/20 Neville Davin, Railway, Intermediate and Minor cups down for decision on Saturday while the women’s Jacqui Potter Shield features Muckross II and Old II on Sunday.
Saturday 3rd October 2020
Men
EYHL Division 1: Annadale v Monkstown, Lagan College, 3.30pm; Corinthian v Three Rock Rovers, Whitechurch Park, 5pm; Glenanne v Banbridge, St Andrews, 1.30pm; Pembroke v Lisnagarvey, Serpentine Avenue, 2pm; UCD v YMCA, Belfield, 1pm
Munster Division 1: Ashton v Bandon, Ashton School, 12.30pm; Cork Harlequins v Cork C of I, Farmers’ Cross, 3pm; Midleton v UCC, Midleton College, 11.45am; Waterford v Catholic Institute, Newtown, 12.30pm
Neville Davin Cup final: Pembroke v Corinthian, Serpentine Avenue, 5.30pm
Railway Cup final: Monkstown II v Three Rock Rovers II, Merrion Fleet Arena, 12.30pm
Intermediate Cup final: Bray II v Dublin University, Temple Carrig, 1.30pm
Minor Cup final: North Kildare II v Avoca IV, The Maws, 1pm
Women
EYHL Division 1: Cork Harlequins v Catholic Institute, Farmers’ Cross, 1pm; Loreto v Pegasus, Beaufort, 2.45pm; Muckross v Railway Union, Grange Road, 1pm; Pembroke v Old Alex, Serpentine Avenue, 4pm; UCD v Belfast Harlequins, Belfield, 2.50pm
Leinster Division 1: Genesis v Rathgar, St Raphaela’s, 12pm; Glenanne v Corinthian, St. Andrews, 3.45pm; Monkstown v Clontarf, Rathdown, 2.45pm; Naas v Trinity, Caragh Road, 2pm; North Kildare v Avoca, The Maws, 11am
Munster Division 1: Bandon v UCC, Bandon GS, 12pm; Cork C of I v Limerick, Garryduff, 1pm; Waterford v Ashton, Newtown, 2.30pm
Sunday 4th October 2020
Women
Jacqui Potter Senior Shield – 2019/20 Final: Muckross II v Old Alex II, Muckross Park, 3.15pm
The Hook
Monkstown’s favourite son favours clipboard over famous number 9 shirt after historic 20 sky-blue years
Gareth Watkins leading Monkstown’s celebrations as their 2011 Mills Cup win ended 23 years without a title. Pic: Adrian Boehm
For the first time this millennium, Monkstown took the field last Saturday without Gareth Watkins donning the number nine jersey for the first day of the season.
During the summer, he decided to bring down the curtain on a spectacular career, leading the sky-blue line through their most successful spell in a century. He can reflect on two Irish Senior Cups, two Leinster senior leagues, Mills and Neville Cup wins, culminating in the incredible three Irish Hockey League crown between 2012 and 2015.
Now 35, he has been mulling over the decision to hang up his stick for a couple of years and knew from February 2019/20 would be his last before putting full focus on the coaching side with the club.
Lockdown took away the chance to finish on an epic high with Town looking set for a Champions Trophy playoff spot but the fiery striker knows it is time and has no regrets about the timing nor thoughts to hang on one more year.
“You would prefer to go out playing matches and knowing when it’s the end,” he told The Hook. “Few people get to do it that way so you just have to roll with it. I had confided in the family about it but told the team around May about my plans. I kept it to myself and didn’t want any distractions for the lads.”
There is a potential epilogue with the Mills Cup final on October 18th against Three Rock Rovers which his contemporaries are trying to coax him into, saying: “We have to look at registration and might if needed. I don’t know how the body would take it; it would definitely be a shock to the system.
“I wouldn’t rule it out and a lot of the lads said it to me – ‘you need a final game!’ Maybe! We will be missing a few from last year so we might be a bit thin on the ground!”
It will close the book on a special career for one of the Rathdown club’s favourite sons from a family steeped in local history, banging in countless goals along the way.
He grew up on the sidelines with father Gordon and uncle Trevor central figures. Indeed, that was how he got his first team debut as a callow 15-year-old a month or two after reaching an eligible age.
“I had just turned 15 in February and it was a nice day so I went up to watch against Avoca. Somebody got injured in the warm-up and it was in the days you only brought 12 or 13 guys.
“Gerry McCabe and Shay Hammond were trying to figure out what they would do. Soon, Tommy Allen was coming up the bank and asking did I have any gear. Sure enough, somebody like my dad had some in the car and I was warming up with the lads.
“I got five or 10 minutes of a cameo. I remember thinking the pace of the game! I was wrecked after about 90 seconds and maybe touched the ball once or twice!” 
Success was a long time coming; Monkstown following the 2011 ISC final, their third loss in the decider. Pic: Adrian Boehm
Following a decent preseason, he was assimilated in for the 2000/01 season, forming a classy forward line with Ian Allen and Cliff Bailey. For those early days, though, Monkstown were considered the ‘next big thing’ with many youth internationals in their midst but success was a long time coming.
“It’s easy just to look back and think of 2008 onwards but there was a lot of midtable, being frustrated. Away from matches, you would be the eternal optimist, ‘next year will be better when those young guys come through’.
“There was always someone coming up and you think that could make an instant impact… it was only when Stephen Cole’s generation came through in 2007/08 w and another three or four were just behind them.
“That’s when things started to really change, getting into semi-finals and finals and knocking on the door. The mindset shifted and getting our name on a trophy didn’t seem so far away.
“At the time it was heartbreak. Now, it is part of the journey and the story. It made getting across the line that bit more emotional and bigger. We lost three Irish Senior Cup finals, a few Nevilles, a few Mills finals and semis.
“The Irish Senior Cup semi-final in 2008 in Garvey was a game-changer. We had never been that far and arrived there; next thing two coach loads of support are climbing down and are as loud as anything we had played in front of. That changed a lot around the club, the atmosphere changed that day. We did get well-beaten by a great Pembroke side in the final but, in retrospect, it was all part of the story.”
Things started to shift a gear; Watkins was named IHA club player of the year for 2009/10 and the 23-year trophy seal was broken on St Patrick’s Day in the Mills Cup with Watkins captaining the side to a 2-1 win over Glenanne.
From nearly men, it changed the narrative – The Hook’s match report from the game pondered whether this could be “the opening chapter of a new era”? It proved so with Town going on to scoop the Irish Senior Cup for the first time in 99 years in 2012 before sweeping to those three IHL wins. 
Celebrating his goal in the 2013 IHL final. Pic: Adrian Boehm
“It was special. You sometimes pinch yourselves – it was three years but felt like a flash. It was a great bunch of guys who had a calmness and a confidence. Days that weren’t going so well, you knew someone would pull something out of the bag. It’s rare enough to play in a team like that, having that calmness and belief week-in, week-out. It will stick with me forever and those guys will always be a bond.
“From all the heartbreak, that was the biggest difference without it ever being spoken about. You do it once or twice, you dig something out of nowhere and it’s in the bank – you know you can draw on it. You don’t get hung up on scoreboard and you play away, someone will put a corner away or produce a bit of magic.”
He hails Graham Shaw’s massive influence during his three-year tenure but also paid tribute to the late Richard Mason for laying the groundwork alongside Didi Cole.
“[Mason] would always come over and have a quiet chat about how you were getting on. It was probably the first time a coach talked to me about what was going on off the pitch.
“In my early 20s, when I was trying to have the same impact as I did when I was a kid – which is the big challenge at that stage – he was a great coach and club man. Himself and Didi really helped build it.”
Internationally, he ended up with 40 caps with Champions Challenge II gold in Lille in 2011 the obvious highlight in two distinct spells in green. Both times, it was something which sought him out but he is hugely grateful for the opportunities.
The first took in the 2012 Olympic qualifying process, a three-year stint under Paul Revington, someone Watkins says still has an impact across the game in Ireland.
“At 23, playing for Ireland wasn’t something front and centre of my mind. I wanted to be fit and healthy and play good hockey. When I got the nod, it was brilliant and I loved those three years.
“It was an exciting time and a phenomenal team to be part of. Revs was one of the guys who helped break down the game for me technically and introduced me to so many new aspects to think of in my game and then in my coaching. It was a time of huge learning and most of the guys would say the same thing.
“At 27, I decided to crack on with the career and life but Neddy [Craig Fulton] gave me that call in December 2015 about Rio and asked if I would train with them.
“You couldn’t say no! You have to put life on pause but the opportunity to go and play in an Olympics – I would have regretted it even though it didn’t work out and didn’t quite get there. I was never not going to try it!” 
Receiving the player of the match award from Richard Kendrick following the 2015 IHL final. Pic: Adrian Boehm
All the while, he was earning his coaching spurs, helping his family club, winning titles with the Under-16 boys and Leinster league Division 4 and 3 titles with the reformed women’s section. He was part of the coaching setup under Rudi Wortmann that won the IHL in 2016/17. Last term, he started with the men’s team in a player-coach role.
“It’s a passion rather than a career. I just enjoy it and it’s a lovely way to stay involved. I grew up watching my dad and uncle coaching and it has always been a natural step and something I thought I would go on and do.”
And it is dovetailing with a strong group coming together after a couple of years off the pace.
“The last 18 months, we have that energy back into the group and a feel-good factor. Performances have started to show that. We are finally seeing a group who went off to college coming back in which really helps.
“Obviously Lee [Cole] and Jeremy [Duncan] back from professional setups in Belgium, their mindset and how they go about things is at a whole other level. On paper, it’s a great group and, in the club, we have 22 or 23 guys aiming to play first team hockey and achieve.
“But this is a really great league this year; everyone has added a couple of faces. With Covid, it will be difficult but it is an exciting prospect with the guys and this competitive league.”
A league that is vastly different from the one he started in 20 years ago, the Leinster league replaced by the national competition and a marked ramp up in commitment.
“It has changed. Even at first team level, it was a real social thing – something lads did on a Saturday. Numbers at training were up and down all the time and it was down the list of priorities with holidays and that sort of stuff.
“Now, it’s like the level of everything. The international team consider themselves as full-time athletes and the sports science that comes with that has trickled down into first team mindsets.
“It makes hockey a bigger factor in their lives and they give a lot more time to physical conditioning. The tactical level has moved on, certainly how we press and how we organise ourselves without the ball. There’s a lot more detail than whether you were playing 4-4-2 or 4-3-3 this week.”
The week means Annadale away and day two of the latest chapter. 
Conducting a team talk last season as player-coach. Pic: Adrian Boehm
The Hook
Nine Dar Hockey Academy Boys in National Junior Camps
By Ijaz Chaudhry
Dar Hockey Academy has been serving as the never ending reservoir of talent for Pakistan`s national teams.
Currently, two national junior camps are in progress.
A physical fitness training camp for the upcoming Junior Asia Cup Hockey Tournament scheduled in Dhaka/Bangladesh January 2021, is being held at the Army Physical Fitness School, Abbottabad.
Only outfield players are attending this fitness camp.
For goal keepers, there is a separate camp at the National Hockey Stadium, Lahore where eight young net minders are being trained by Olympian goal keeper Nasir Ali.
As many as nine boys of the Dar Hockey Academy are part of the two camps.
Seven players at the physical conditioning camp in Abbotabad: Aqeel Ahmed, Usman Hanif, Hammad Anjum, Adeel Latif, Ali Aziz, Murtaza Yaqoob and Abdul Rahman.
Two boys at the goal keepers camp in Lahore: Waqar Younis and Awais Rasheed
A couple of them, Aqeel and Abdul Rahman, have been called for the national junior camp for the first time. Some attended the junior camps before as well including a few who have played for the Pakistan junior teams.
The Lahore based Dar Academy scouts talent from all over the country.
Apart from the Lahore boys, the above list includes players from Khanewal, Hafizabad, Chichawatni and Kot Radha Kishan.
In addition to coaching and competition in Pakistan, Dar Hockey Academy has made training tours of major European hockey countries, Holland (six times), Belgium (thrice) and Germany (thrice) as well as India (once) and Malaysia (once).
All the academy boys in the camp have benefited from the recent tours abroad. Eight of them were members of the Dar Academy team on its last tour of Holland and Belgium in 2019.
Academy`s polished talent attracts country`s departmental teams. Four of these boys play for WAPDA, three for MPCL (Mari Petroleum Company Limited) and one for SNGPL (Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited).
Ijaz Chaudhry writes on hockey & other sports. For more about him and his work, visit: www.sportscorrespondent.info
Fieldhockey.com
"Hockey is more than just a sport, hockey is a family"
Nicola Louise Harrison - Goalie
Nicola Louise Harrison came out as a transgender woman in 2009, it was a tough experience with her neighbours challenging her and calling her names, but things looked up when she moved away. Nicola spent the years wisely and built up her confidence in her new town and had reassignment surgery in 2013.
It was at university in 2015 where Nicola’s journey took another unexpected turn when she played hockey for both local and university teams. She started as an outfield player and one week the team asked if she could step in and be their goalkeeper.
After some training, Nicola stepped into goal and never looked back.
Her local team had ladies from both the university and the town, after a top performance the university girls asked if she would step in and play for them as their goalkeeper. All the university girls were aware she was transgender and were accepting and supportive in making her feel welcome.
After university, Nicola continued to play for her local team but during the summer league considered stepping back. She was approached by Karen from Brigg Hockey Club to play for them in goal after their goalkeeper became unavailable, Nicola agreed and after about three weeks joined the Brigg girls on a full-time basis.
“When I joined Brigg I was slightly nervous at first” Said Nicola, “partly because of being transgender and partly due to joining a new team. When I arrived for my first training session, I was welcomed by all the members, the players came up and were talking to me.”
“They asked questions and introduced themselves. Then the 1st team captain arrived came over and spoke with me.
“She was very friendly as we had met over the summer at a summer tournament. They asked if I could play a match the following weekend as it was a memorial match. I accepted and played. The club as whole were friendly and supportive and I have never had any issue with any member.”
Karen and the Brigg Hockey family didn’t know about Nicola being post op transgender but once they had been told, the girls continued to help make her feel welcome at the club as she went straight into the first team.
When speaking to Nicola about her hockey experience she said: “Over my time playing hockey, other than some internally with my previous club, I have never found anyone questioning or discriminatory towards me being transgender.
“For those whom wish to join hockey as a trans person I would say they should go along to a training session and speak with the club. Clubs in Yorkshire and Lincolnshire have been so supportive to me.
I understand people will be anxious, however clubs will help you feel at ease and welcome. It doesn't matter if you haven’t played before or for years, clubs will always help members to feel welcome.
“Clubs have begun to bring in unisex clothing options over the last few years so I believe this will help many under the trans umbrella feel more at ease. I was fortunate enough to have undergone gender reassignment when I returned to hockey. Though I would still highly recommend anyone to join their local club help keep fit and make new friends.
“Hockey is more than just a sport, hockey is a family and that is how Brigg made me feel.” 
Find out more about Transgender in sport:
England Hockey Transgender Policy
Transgender Guidance for local organisations
Statement from Sport England regarding Transgender Inclusion in Grassroots Sport and Physical Activity
England Hockey Board Media release
Civil rights image goes to auction as hockey player aims to keep movement going
One of the most shared images from the civil rights protests this summer featuring hockey player Darcy Bourne is set to go under the hammer at Sotheby’s next week.
Misan Harriman’s original print ‘Why Is Ending Racism Still A Debate?’ will see bids start between £3,000 and £5,000 on Oct 7 in London to raise money for a blood cancer charity.
The image of Bourne was captured on the streets outside the US Embassy in London and was one of the defining images of the Black Lives Matter movement, shared by the son of Martin Luther King, Lewis Hamilton and Dina Asher-Smith.
In an interview this week, Bourne said that George Floyd’s death “had sparked so much emotion in it for me and a reason why I went to the protest”.
The England under-21 international said: “Initially my parents didn’t want me to go because of the threat of coronavirus but we sat and watched George Floyd’s memorial together and they both realised the gravitiy of the situation and how much it meant to me and people all over the world.
“I went to the protest to help out and not expecting to have a big impact but the platform gave me the opportunity to reach people all over the world.”
The viral image saw Bourne, who is currently attending Duke University in North Carolina, receive hundreds of messages.
“I had this responsiblity to spread the word and to keep the movement going,” she added.
“In the past people have protested for years to get what they need but I think actual change can come, that there is so much power in this movement right now and we need to keep it going.”
Bourne has previously said that she wants to use her platform to see more black female role models in hockey with the current lack of ethical diversity in a predominantly white sport.
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The Hockey Paper
Pandemic opens up online opportunities in Trinidad and Tobago and beyond
Sarah Juggins
The Covid-19 restrictions of the past seven months left most, if not all, hockey activities in complete disarray for that period and only now is the game opening up and returning to a semblance of normality. However, the hockey community is nothing if not resourceful and so innovative ways of delivering hockey have been developed and implemented with great success.
For many, particularly coaches, officials and umpires, the pause inflicted by the pandemic has given people the chance to take a breath and concentrate on developing skills and qualities that might get overlooked during the full-on rush of an active hockey season.
And crucial to this new form of personal and professional development has been the adoption of online education. Course, webinars, streamed events – as a sport, hockey has shown itself remarkably adaptable and has used technology to great effect.
Trinidad & Tobago Hockey Board (TTHB) is one national association that has really delved into the world of online education.
As Reyah Richardson, non executive chair of the TTHB and Development Coordinator, says: “During this time of Covid-19, where there are so much restrictions that we cannot go outside to play, the TTHB used this opportunity to launch and facilitate training sessions that we had challenges in doing prior due to a hectic hockey playing calendar. This seemed a good opportunity to train our human resource.”
Four courses were held over a six-month period, covering the management of national teams, coach education, training of technical officials and umpire training. Participants came from across the Caribbean, including Barbados, Guyana and Jamaica, as well as from Trinidad and Tobago.
For the Managing National Teams event, 26 participants joined a stellar cast of presenters to explore the intricacies of managing national teams. Among those delivering the course, which ran throughout most of May, were Cindy Martin-Faustin, who currently works as administrator for the TTHB national teams, Gareth Baptiste, a member of the Executive Board, Willard Harris who has held a number of posts for both PAHF and TTHB, Annette Knott of the Trinidad & Tobago Olympic Committee and Reyah Richardson.
Covering areas such as organisation, budgeting and the technical aspects of management, the course was suitable for school, college and club hockey, not purely for those working with the national teams. Any organisation providing hockey could tap into at least some of the elements discussed on the courses. .
The Coaching Education course attracted 31 participants and was a stimulating and exhilarating journey through the art and science of coaching. With distinguished coaching gurus such as Anthony Marcano (FIH Educator, FIH Level 3 coach, PAHF coach and lecturer at the University of Trinidad & Tobago) and National Head Coach Glenn Francis among the coach educator team, this was always going to be a ‘must-do’ course for aspiring coaches.
The course, which ran for 13 days in June, was a five-part series with a focus to the art and science of coaching. Long gone are the days of ‘command-style’ coaching and a strong adherence to dribbling through cones. Today’s coaches are educated in the development of the hockey player as an athlete for life. To this end, the course introduced the attendees to concepts of physical literacy, long-term athlete development, periodisation and athlete-centred coaching.
There were some hockey topics included, for example "Basic Principles of the Modern Game" and "The Indoor Game".
August through to October was the turn of the officials and umpires. Here, 23 officials and 17 umpires joined in courses aimed at raising the standard of officiating and umpiring at all levels of the game – from the domestic leagues through to the national stage. Although one of the courses was a Level 2 Technical Officials course and the other was umpire education there was much common ground and so a joint session brought all the participants together for a session that looked at “The Modern Hockey Game”.
These course were delivered by the hugely experienced team of Maureen Craig-Rousseau, Nataki Akii-Bua, Reyah Richardson and Roger St Rose.
Feedback from the course participants indicated that not only were these courses very much appreciated at a time when all physical hockey activities were shut down, but they could pave the way for at least some training and education provision in the future.
Annmarie Smith, from Jamaica, who took part in the Technical Officials training, says: “It was commendable of the TTHB to pioneer the hockey webinars during the COVID 19 pandemic and to share with fellow Caribbean neighbours.
“The sessions were very instrumental in highlighting hockey’s technical and umpiring knowledge, operational best practices and procedures as well as generating new interests to the officiating cadre of hockey whilst reinforcing established officials knowledge.”
Smith adds that the courses were well delivered and allowed plenty of facilitation. She also pointed out that using courses such as these across a number of participating nations, will allow for a raising of standards across the area, not solely in the hosting nation.
Another course participant was Lucy Lee, someone with three decades of experience at all levels and all roles within the game. Lee's daughters and husband had all been involved in national teams and Lee added with a smile: “I might not have been in the national team but I’ve been involved in every other aspect of the game."
Lee has been part of the Trinidad & Tobago hockey scene since 1983 and has a wealth of experience in school, club and team management. She has also worked with the TTHB competitions committee for more than 15 years. Despite such longevity with the game, Lee attended the courses intent on gaining new ideas and learning new approaches to administration.
“For me, it [the course] was a case of fine-tuning my knowledge and my perspective and understanding what goes on. I am a little bit more involved at the organising and administrative level but when necessary I roll up my sleeves and get on with it.
“The course was insightful and I now understand better the role that I will play in supporting the actual game and the running of the competition. Because I am involved in competitions, I understand the need to make sure the infrastructure is right and the facilities are prepared properly. But the course elevated that understanding to an international level.
“My takeaway is that I now have a better understanding of what organisers may face at international levels and I also appreciate the emotional intelligence that is involved in talking to people. Yes, there are protocols and ways of doing things, but you have to remember that how you talk to people and what your body language is portraying is very important too.”
Even when hockey returns to something approaching normality and teams and officials are doing their thing out on the field of play on a weekly basis, TTHB is determined that online course education will continue alongside physical courses. The next planned course will focus on Club and Administration Management. This course, while still in the planning stages, is expected to focus on how member clubs can reset, rethink and prepare a new strategy for hockey in the post-Covid world.
Pan American Hockey Federation media release