News for 12 February 2021
All the news for Friday 12 February 2021
EHL FINAL4 gets clearance to go ahead at Easter 2021
The Euro Hockey League (EHL) and the European Hockey Federation (EHF) are delighted to announce ABN AMRO EHL Men and Women tournaments will take place at the Wagener Stadium in Amsterdam at Easter following clearance from the Dutch government.
After 18 months of frustration, it means the world’s best club hockey will return to action in a unique and safe manner, an exciting proposition to emerge from the most difficult circumstances.
Working strictly in accordance with Dutch government guidelines, the event will feature a reduced FINAL4 format which will take place “behind closed doors” with no fans allowed entry.
It will start with FINAL4 matches on Saturday, April 3 with the GRAND FINALS on Monday, April 5.
All eight games will enjoy a full broadcast package which will be available around the world either through our trusted partner broadcasters or via www.eurohockeytv.org. In the Netherlands, NOS will provide extensive coverage of the event.
The full schedule will be released following consultation with our partners.
It will be the first EHL competition to take place since October 2019’s KO16. Since then, the ongoing global pandemic has seen events in March and October 2020 put on hold.
“This EHL event offers us a new beginning and certainly a new hope,” said EHF President Marijke Fleuren. “The EHL was sorely missed by hockey fans around the world over the past 18 months and so we look forward to celebrating hockey and its shining athletes more than ever at Easter.
“This would not be possible without support from the Dutch Olympic Committee who have allowed it to take place in a safe way, something we are hugely grateful for.
“We are also thankful to AH&BC Amsterdam for once again acting as the host club for our special tournament.”
The weekend will feature the long-anticipated introduction of EHL Women, our #EquallyAmazing outlet we first announced in 2018 which has been put on hold by the pandemic.
The FINAL4 sees AH&BC Amsterdam – EuroHockey Club Cup winners in 2019 – facing arch-rivals HC ’s-Hertogenbosch in the FINAL4 while German champions Der Club an der Alster take on Spanish leading lights Club de Campo de Madrid.
The men’s FINAL4 features Germany’s HTC Uhlenhorst Mülheim up against Spain’s Atlètic Terrassa HC; the three-time winners HC Bloemendaal are up against Royal Léopold Club.
The entrants for this competition were the original four seeded clubs for the 2020/21 season which also determined the FINAL4 match-ups.
ABN AMRO’s Ernst Boekhorst (Head of Brand, Sponsoring and Foundation) is thrilled by the EHL’s return, welcomed the news, saying: “ABN AMRO is pleased that it has proven possible to continue the Euro Hockey League. We are anxiously awaiting the final round that will take place at hockey club Amsterdam this Easter weekend.
“It will be a special edition. Not only do the corona measures apply but, this year, in addition to the men’s tournament, the first women’s tournament will take place on an equal basis.
“This is something that is fully in line with what we strive for as a sponsor in, among other things, hockey. We are looking forward to a special and beautiful tournament.”
EHL Chairman Hans-Erik Tuijt added: “As safety is our main concern for our players, fans and officials, we were forced to take the decision to cancel last year’s tournament.
“I am very pleased that in close coordination with all relevant stakeholders, we are now in a position to safely organise the ABN AMRO EHL FINAL4 tournament in Amsterdam for men and women.
“Fans cannot attend in the current environment but our world-class TV production team will make sure that hockey fans around the world will be able to enjoy the best club competition in the world.”
For AH&BC Amsterdam’s Erich Schnoeckel, he is looking forward to welcoming the hockey world in a virtual way.
“We are absolutely delighted that, in these challenging times, we have been given the chance to host the first EHL in a new style in the Wagener Stadium this Easter.
“It will be a tournament like none before and, hopefully, none after. It will be great that our women’s team will have the opportunity to defend their European title on home turf.
“We will all sit close to the TV and live streams to follow it all! And we will be cheering all teams from wherever we are.”
The reduced format does mean a change in the EHL’s overall structure in 2021. The EHL Men’s Cup will no longer take place at Easter while the ABN AMRO U14 Boys and Girls event is also cancelled as previously announced.
With current circumstances dictating this new format at Easter, it means a significant reduction to the number of clubs who originally qualified for the planned 2020/21 EHL Men and Women’s season.
Of those clubs who will not be at Easter’s event, they will now be invited to an alternative EHL competition to take place next October. Further details of the format and how this affects ranking points will be published in due course.
ABN AMRO Euro Hockey League (April 3-5 2021; Wagener Stadium, Amstelveen)
EHL Men’s FINAL4 entrants: HTC Uhlenhorst Mülheim (Germany), HC Bloemendaal (Netherlands), Royal Léopold Club (Belgium), Atlètic Terrassa HC (Spain)
EHL Women’s FINAL4 entrants: AH&BC Amsterdam (Netherlands), Der Club an der Alster (Germany), Club de Campo de Madrid (Spain), HC ’s-Hertogenbosch (Netherlands)
Euro Hockey League media release
Interpro Competitions Cancelled
Following a meeting of the Inter-Pro working group with representatives from the Provinces, Competitions and High Performance on the 9th of February, Hockey Ireland has declared this year’s U16 & U18 inter-provincial competitions as cancelled due to the on-going restrictions related to COVID-19.
Hockey Ireland High Performance will continue to lead out on the junior age player development programmes at both National and Provincial level to ensure the provincial players remain on a development pathway – where possible scheduling challenge games between the provinces and subject to Government restrictions in late spring / early summer.
Hockey Ireland is in regular communication with Government authorities and international hockey bodies and is monitoring Government advice and restrictions on an ongoing basis.
The Inter-Provincial programmes will return in the 2021-22 season in a revised year-round competition format for the various junior age groups.
Hockey Ireland would like to thank everyone for their patience and understanding during this time and appreciates the efforts many of the players who are training while at home.
Irish Hockey Association media release
Costly return for MHL
By Jugjet Singh
Malaysian Hockey Confederation (MHC) competitions committee chairman Datuk Seri Anil Jeet Singh. -NSTP/File pic
The Malaysia Hockey League (MHL) is set to take off next month, but it will be a costly affair, thanks to Covid-19.
Malaysian Hockey Confederation (MHC) competitions committee chairman Datuk Seri Anil Jeet Singh confirmed that the national body will use the 'bubble' approach for the MHL.
He said this after an online meeting with National Sports Council director general Datuk Ahmad Shapawi Ismail yesterday.
"Following the discussion, we have decided to adopt the 'bubble' approach for the MHL. The MHL teams will be housed in hotels or hostels at the NSC Complex in Bukit Jalil.
"The teams will train and play their matches at the National Hockey Stadium (in Bukit Jalil) and return to their accommodations immediately after that.
"The registered players will not be allowed to go out for other reasons during the tournament," said Anil.
The men's MHL will likely start on March 11 while the women's on March 17. The tournament is expected to end on April 10.
"The players will check in three days before the tournament, and they will undergo a swab test. A second test will be conducted when the league is in progress. The exercise involves both players and officials.
"We estimate that roughly 400 tests will be conducted."
The MHL will hold a team managers' meeting on Sunday to discuss on the standard operating procedure (SOP) for the tournament.
The men's teams comprise Universiti Kuala Lumpur, Terengganu Hockey Team, Tenaga Nasional, TNB Thunderbolts, Maybank, Universiti Teknologi Mara, Nurinsafi Hockey Team and Sabah.
PKS UniTen, Police Blue Warriors, Mutiara Impian, Sabah, Young Tigress and UniKL Ladies make up the women's MHL.
New Straits Times
Surender Kumar: “A strong defence will be the key to our success in big events” 
Bengaluru: The Indian defender Surender Kumar feels the men’s hockey core probable group have improved tremendously since returning to the national camp in January. The defender with 133 caps also opines that everyone in the camp in Bengaluru is feeling upbeat about their individual games.
“Last year was all about maintaining our fitness and getting back to our full form, which we did very well. Once we returned to the National Coaching Camp in January this year, we wanted to up the ante and raise the level of our respective games. By working on each of our skills one by one, we have improved tremendously in the last few weeks. Everyone in the Indian Men’s Hockey Core Probable Group is feeling really great about their respective games,” said the 27-year-old.
Surender further added that a strong defence line will be the key for India’s chances of winning matches consistently in the upcoming months.
“Now that we have raised our game to a high level, we are eager and ready to perform for our country in big tournaments this year. I think a strong defence line will be the key to our chances of winning matches consistently. If we ensure that our opponents don’t get goals easily, it will help our Forwards put pressure on them and create more chances for us,” said the Defender.
Surender expressed that the Indian team has been very fortunate to have had the opportunity to train at the Sports Authority of India campus during a very difficult time for the entire world.
“It’s been a tough phase for all of us and therefore we are very thankful to Hockey India and SAI for ensuring that we have a safe environment wherein we have been able to continue our training for the Olympics. It’s been fantastic to spend most of our time at the SAI campus in the last one year and get better at our game slowly and steadily.”
Stick2Hockey.com
U.S. Men’s National Team Interview: Will Holt
Will Holt shows boys the way
By Andrea Shaner, USA Field Hockey Michigan Chapter Vice-President
As we continue to grow the game of field hockey here in the Midwest, especially in Michigan, we’re also trying to grow the game for a group that’s seen little growth in our area. Specifically, we’re talking about the boys’ game.
Andrea Shaner, head of the Michigan State Chapter Boys committee, recently had a chance to talk with U.S. Men’s National Team player and current Indiana University Assistant Coach, Will Holt, about how field hockey has changed his life, giving back to a sport he loves and what it will take to expand the boys’ game.
Andrea: How did you get into field hockey?
Will: When I was in elementary school we did mini courses for two weeks a year. The only sport that was there was field hockey. At first I thought it was the most ridiculous sport. You hold a stick shaped like a candy cane, you’re only allowed to use one side of it, and it was a bit difficult. But, I’m a bit competitive and I don’t like to be bad at things, so I practiced a bunch and at the end of the two weeks the instructor saw potential in me. She then wanted to put me on a club team, which so happened to be in a county with one of the biggest men’s leagues in the country.
Andrea: Did you play any other sports growing up?
Will: My first love was basketball. I was on a travel team for basketball, I ran cross country and track, I played soccer and I started Karate.
Andrea: How did you know field hockey was right for you?
Will: After the first season of playing club, my parents said I had to choose a sport because they couldn’t keep driving me all over the place and hockey was one of the sports that I picked. A couple years after I started I got asked to participate in the trial for the Under 16 national team. I was 12 at the time. And when I realized playing on a national team was within sights of achieving, it was fun and I wanted to try more.
Andrea: Here in the United States we’re seeing growth in the boys’ game in California, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts and Florida, how do you think we can expand this growth in the Midwest?
Will: That’s a great question. I think the one thing that needs to happen sooner than later is to create superstars for these boys to look up to. I looked up to Pat Harris, who’s probably one of the best Americans that have ever played the sport. I think if kids knew him and could see him play, they’d be like wow, I can do some pretty cool tricks with the hockey stick. Also, USA Field Hockey is trying to provide more opportunities for boys to play in some of their major tournaments and give them more resources to see the game being played.
Andrea: At the high school level, field hockey is a game almost exclusively played by young ladies, what advice would you give a boy who wants to play at a higher level?
Will: I think people need to be open minded and see that if you’re actually trying to grow the sport, then you can’t exclude 50% of the population. I would say to these boys, if you have the drive and you want to compete make it happen. There’s a lot of things you can do individually to train and these skills will help you build good characteristics and habits that are going to help you for the rest of your life. Also, if that means driving a couple hours to practice or play in a tournament and meeting up with other players for small games, then do it.
Andrea: In the Midwest, we’re starting to see college field hockey teams allow men to join as ‘practice players’. What are your thoughts on that?
Will: It does give them a different experience in regards to following an elite-level performance model. Being able to go and at least train and play in scrimmages helps a ton. I’m sure if a boy player went to one of the male coaches, coaching at the college level they would go out of their way to help. Lucas Piccioli at the University of Louisville, helped me out while I was a volunteer there. I asked him if he would do private sessions with me, and he went out when he had 45 minutes and we worked on different receptions.
Andrea: Not only have you played, you’re also coaching. What is it like to give back to a sport you love?
Will: I’m very grateful to the sport. Coaching the U21 men’s team and then U16 and U18, it was great seeing them have so much fun playing and challenging themselves. I enjoy helping them understand the sport in a different way. I love when something registers with them and it clicks for these athletes. I remember very distinctly some guys doing that for me and now I can do that for others.
Andrea: Any final thoughts?
Will: I would also say to the boys, go online and watch men’s hockey. If you see something they’re doing, go out and practice it. You can learn a lot by watching someone. Also, make your own opportunities, like you would with anything else. If it means traveling overseas, to get a different experience, don’t be afraid to go out of your comfort zone. Plenty of guys have gone out of their way to pave the path for future athletes and we want to continue that.
Content Courtesy of USA Field Hockey Michigan State Chapter
USFHA media release
‘Is hockey still relevant as an Olympic sport for a modern audience?’
Argentina men won Olympic hockey gold for the first time in Rio PIC: KOEN SUYK
A leading agent to many Olympians has questioned whether hockey should be an Olympic sport, while suggesting that the quadrennial extravaganza should be scrapped and refreshed for the modern ages.
Writing a column in The Telegraph, Jonathan Marks said that too many sports in the current Programme weren’t relevant and poured scorn on some recent additions to the Games as “token”.
“Too many Olympic sports are not relevant to a global audience – the likes of rowing, modern pentathlon and hockey are public-school sports that could be justified for the most part of the 20th century, but is that still the case?” writes Marks.
“Sports like golf, tennis and football do not place anywhere near as much importance on the Olympics as they do their own marquee championships.
“No sport should be automatically culled, but they must deliver for the requirements of a modern audience.”
Hockey is certainly a global sport, with Championships across the continents. But the sport has also come under threat from being axed from the Games in recent years.
It is one reason why world hockey chiefs have made inroads on the shortened format of the game and bringing the sport to a more visible, urban setting.
While Paris 2024 will see the traditional 11 v 11 game played, there is uncertainty over Los Angeles 2028 when the need to minimise participation levels, environmental concerns and cost will no doubt have a large bearing on sports such as hockey.
Marks, who has represented many British athletes while also looking after key Olympic partners, says now is the time to consider the future of sport’s blue riband event.
He added: “It is miraculous that the size and scale of the event has lasted this long, but it has been exposed by the current pandemic as being brutally out of line with the world around it. The juggernaut needs to pivot.
“At Rio 2016, there were large swathes of the city that did not even know the world’s greatest sporting spectacle was on its doorstep, so great were the economic and political divisions. With Tokyo’s problems now, how many cities will even have the support let alone economic justification to bid to host in the future?”
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Inspiring Young And Aspiring Female Coaches
Mary Cheesman is always up for a challenge.
Her coaching journey began, as so many do, with her offering her services as a coach at the club at which she played hockey. She is also a teacher and, in that role, has always run after school clubs and inter-school fixtures. It was a natural progression to take a Level 1 coaching course to support her work in the school and club.
As Mary says, initially she thought that would be as far as her formal coach education went but she quickly became hooked on the craft and science of coaching. That inquisitiveness, and a growing awareness that there was a lack of female role models in coaching, drove her to take her Level 2 award.
Supported by Active Norfolk and after a positive assessment by a fellow female coach, Mary passed her Level 2 and was inspired to then work towards her Level 3 qualification. That was when the challenges really began to kick in.
“There were many times when I felt outside my comfort zone and vulnerable about my hockey knowledge compared to others on the course,” she admitted.
“There was a massive amount of work to do and a lot of travel, and this was while I was working full time and had two young children. But I was resolute, supported by my husband, players, coaches, squads I coached, and my male mentor who got me through. These support networks were invaluable.”
Mary was awarded the Level 3 in 2013 and, since then, has become club coaching coordinator, Player Pathway coach, Norfolk Player Pathway Lead Coach, Women’s first team coach and responsible for supporting coach development in Norfolk.
Her latest project is to lead on the Norfolk Hockey Association (NHA)’s Coaching Community: Coaching Girls project, which began in January of this year.
Mary Cheesman coaching
As a female coach, Mary is more than aware of the paucity of female coaches working in hockey, particularly at elite level. It is something the Norfolk Hockey Association, following the lead of England Hockey, is seeking to address. Working alongside England Hockey, NHA ran a bespoke coaching programme in 2019-2020 to develop and upskill the coaching workforce. Female coaches were one of the targeted groups and represented 40 per cent of the overall number of participants, indicating a desire among female coaches to progress within hockey coaching.
Following that programme, the development of a Norfolk Coaching Community was implemented with Coaching Girls the topic of the group’s opening sessions.
Mary explains that the aim of the Coaching Community: Coaching Girls session is two-fold: “On the one hand I was asking myself and the player pathway coaches more and more questions about how we are coaching our girls’ squads and how we can meet their needs while challenging them to be more experimental, creative and have the confidence to problem solve.
“And then we needed to ask ourselves how we can encourage the players themselves to become leaders and coaches and ultimately the role models our young female players need. We want to enhance their coaching experience with a more diverse coaching body.”
The first online session in January attracted 18 participants and represented eight clubs. Discussion was free-flowing and ranged across a wide range of topics, including: coaching girls at different ages; how to attract and retain female players and coaches; coaching in different environments; the similarities and differences between coaching boys and girls; coach/player relationships; the role of parents; female role models; and the importance of club infrastructure in identifying, developing and recruiting female coaches at all levels.
As Mary says: “Each participant took away something to try practically in their coaching environment or to look at the coaching practice/recruitment in their club. It felt like it was a really positive, reflective session with feedback coming in by email the next day to start new discussions and possible activities.”
A follow-up online session is planned for February, while the NHA is planning an active session in the summer for women interested in getting into or developing their coaching and a summer Young Leaders course for players.
The importance of sessions such as the NHA Coaching Community: Coaching Girls is being recognised across the country, with many clubs and associations making their own plans. Mary is clear about the motivation behind her work.
“Change is happening but there are still many barriers and stereotypes to overcome. Developing more female coaches is one strand of inclusion. Women still tend to have greater family responsibilities and, therefore, less time. And there are not enough role models, especially at the elite end.
“Female coaches can lack confidence in their experience, knowledge and other skills to put themselves forward, and the perspective of those recruiting and appointing in clubs and other organisations is still too narrow.
“However, women also have the responsibility to challenge and to change the norms. We must support a wider range of coaches coming into the sport, to enhance our coaching and consequently the coaching experience of our players. There are doors still to be opened.”
England Hockey Board Media release
Applications Welcomed: Big Stadium Hockey Pitch Available To Purchase
Great Britain Hockey at the Twickenham Stoop
As part of the pioneering Big Stadium Hockey project, England Hockey is excited to offer clubs the opportunity to install the turf as part of its legacy.
As the FIH Hockey Pro League Fixture at The Stoop did not happen in 2020, England Hockey are keen to find a new home for the turf that was going to be used. The Polytan Poligras Tokyo GT carpet is the surface that will be used at the Tokyo Olympic Games and the same as the surface at Bisham Abbey where the GB squads train. The retail price for a carpet of this quality is normally over £160,000 (+VAT), if you require further information regarding costs for a resurface at your site please contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
To ensure a warranty, installation must be by Polytan and quotes for installation will be given to potential recipient venues directly by Polytan. The cost of any repairs or replacement to sub-base, shockpad or other items around the field will be the responsibility of the recipient venue. The pitch will then be warrantied by the manufacturer for 5 years.
To apply for the opportunity to receive this pitch please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. with the following:
* Confirmation that you have the finances in place to make the purchase outlined including installation and any other necessary costs.
* That works can take place between April and August 2021. Sooner is possible for interested parties.
* Confirmation that you have (or have plans for) an appropriate irrigation system
* The strategic need for a water based pitch based on England Hockey’s Facilities Strategy
* Evidence of a development plan for the club that supports England Hockey’s objectives and development programmes.
This is an application process, and all applications will be determined against the above criteria.
All works are carried out by Polytan UK and any further works required to the site during installation will be charge directly to the successful applicant. It is recommended that a site assessment is carried out before submitting. This offer is only available for sites in England.
The closing date for expressions of interest is midnight on 7th March 2021. Any applications submitted after this time/date will not be considered. If you have any questions, please contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
England Hockey Board Media release