News for 18 March 2021
All the news for Thursday 18 March 2021
Iren shines for Sabah
By K. Rajan
Sabah crushed Mutiara Impian 9-0 in the women’s Malaysia Hockey League at the National Stadium yesterday. - Pic courtesy of MHC Facebook
SABAH crushed Mutiara Impian 9-0 in the women's Malaysia Hockey League at the National Stadium yesterday.
Sabah's goals were scored by Iren Hussin (fifth, 10th, 60th), Dayangku Arna Fazirah Awang Latip (13th, 25th), Melanie Juim (38th), Inka Shafika Juani (42nd), Nor Asfarina Isahyifika Isahhidun (53rd) and Sufiamira Basri (56th)
Sabah coach Yahya Atan, whose team edged Young Tigress 2-1 on Monday, however, expects a tougher time in their next three matches against Blue Warriors, UniKL Ladies and PKS Uniten.
-Pic courtesy of MHC Facebook
"Mutiara Impian were without several key players but they still managed to pull off some good moves," said Yahya.
Sabah's heroine Iren said: "This is the first time I scored a hat-trick. and it's all due to support from my teammates.
"It's good to see my name among the established players in the goalscorers charts."
RESULTS — Sabah 9 Mutiara Impian 0, Blue Warriors 0 UniKL Ladies 3, Young Tigress 0 PKS Uniten 3.
New Straits Times
Kenya, Uganda renew hostilities in hockey friendlies
By Agnes Makhandia
Some of the national women's hockey team players train at the City Park Stadium on the eve of their first test match series against Uganda at Sikh Union on March 18, 2021. Chris Omollo | Nation Media Group
National women's hockey team coach Jacqueline Mwangi is confident her charges 'will do the job' against Uganda during their friendly matches that start on Thursday at the Sikh Union, Nairobi.
Mwangi revealed that she had drafted some of the under-21 players in the senior team for continuity.
"It's a good team and I'm optimistic of good results. We have the U-21 Africa Cup of Nations coming up in August and this event will give the players a feel of what to expect at that stage,"said the former national team player.
"I played against Uganda and now I will be on the touchline, but one thing I know is that it will be a good match.They will give us the competition we really need," the evergreen Blazers (formerly Telkom) added.
The test matches, which also include the men's teams are set for March 18-21, are consolation matches after North East Africa qualifiers that was scheduled for March 1-7 in Nairobi were cancelled.
The two were the only nations that had confirmed participation in the qualifiers, thus prompting Africa Hockey Federation (AfHF) to cancel the event and give the duo direct tickets to the Cup of Nations next year.
Egypt, Burundi, Libya, Seychelles, Sudan and Tanzania failed to confirm participation.
Speaking Wednesday evening on phone on their way to Nairobi, Uganda national men's team coach Vincent Kasasa says they will be in Nairobi to get the International Hockey Federation (FIH) rankings.
Kasasa said they last featured in the international events during the 2007 Africa Olympic qualifiers that was staged in Nairobi and since then, they have been dormant and thus losing out on the FIH funding.
"We are here for revenge. We lost to Kenya 5-0 in 2007 and it's high time we stamp our authority. We have trained well and the players are in good shape.We can't wait for the test matches. If we register wins, then it will be a good foundation to begin rebuilding the team something that I'm passionate about," said Kasasa, a former under-21 men's coach.
Women's coach Sandra Namusoke said the test matches will help gauge the players' performance under pressure.
"We are inferior to Kenya who have dominated the East Africa scene and therefore, we hope to step up and stage a good show. The friendly matches are build up to the 2022 African Cup of Nations and probably what we will get here will be a reflection of what to expect in Ghana. And so we have to give a good account of ourselves," said the former Kampala Hockey club player.
Fixtures
Women's matches
Thursday, Saturday and Sunday (2:30pm)
Men's matches
Thursday, Saturday and Sunday (4:30pm)
Daily Nation
Kenya names squad to play Uganda in Africa Cup of Nations test matches
By Washington Onyango
Captain Blazers, Tracy Karanja dribbles during a Hockey Premier League match against USIU at City Park on Sunday March 8, 2020. [Jonah Onyango, Standard]
The Kenya national men and women hockey teams will today play Uganda in international test matches to be played at Sikh Union Hockey stadium in Parklands.
Kenya Hockey Union has organized for international test matches after five teams pulled out of the North-Eastern region qualifiers for the 2022 Africa Cup of Nations to be held in Ghana early next year.
Speaking to The Standard Sport, KHU Secretary General Wickliffe Momanyi confirmed Kenya has qualified for the Africa Cup of Nations.
Momanyi however said that despite qualifying, the matches against Uganda will be vital since they will be overseen by both AHF and the International Hockey Federation (FIH).
“We have to win all these three matches to be able to collect all maximum points and improve our ratings as a nation. The rankings will be reviewed by FIH and that makes these matches not only friendlies but important test matches for us,” said Momanyi.
Kenya qualified for the 2022 Africa Cup of Nations set to be held in Ghana after five teams pulled out of the North-Eastern region qualifiers.
The tournament was originally meant to be graced by six nations, fielding both male and female teams but only Kenya and Uganda confirmed participation hence they automatically qualify for ACN because only two teams per gender were meant to make the cut from the one-week long qualifier in Nairobi.
“As only one country, Uganda confirmed participation with both gender teams in addition to the host (Kenya), now there are only two nations participating.”
“Based on this development, given the ongoing COVID-19 situation and to avoid any risks for all tournament stakeholders, the Africa Hockey Federation (AHF) Executive Board has decided to consider Kenya and Uganda as qualified for the upcoming event,” the AHF said.
Kenya women’s team will play Uganda on Thursday at 2.30pm before playing again on Saturday and Sunday same time.
On the other side, the Kenyan men’s team will play at 4.30 pm on the above said days.
Meanwhile, Kenya has named 20 players each to represent the nation in the test matches in the men’s and women’s categories.
In the women’s two Kisumu Lakers Hockey Club players will make their international debut in a team comprised of youth, experience and veterans.
From Kisumu, debutants Ashley Akinyi and Maurine Owiti will join their club mate Alice Owiti as Jeriah Osare, Gilly Okumu and Kipsang Tamunai were named from Starthmore.
Fiona Makena(USIU) and Maroline Wabomba(Daystar) will keep goal for Kenya as Caroline Guchu(Blazers), Tracy Karanja(Blazers), Maureen Okumu(Blazers), Leah Omwando(Sailors), Grace Okumu(USIU) and Elena Chebet(Blazers) seek to command the Kenyan midfield.
In the men’s team, Samuel Silong (USIU) and Paul Navangi(Jaguars) will keep goal for Kenya as Douglas Nyerere (Sailors), Robinson Omutekete (Jaguars), Richard Njuki (Wazalendo), Danstone Barasa (Wazalendo) lead the attacking line.
Kenya Hockey Women’s Team
Goalkeeper - Fiona Makena(USIU), Maroline Wabomba(Daystar)
Defenders - Mutiva Flavia(Blazers), Ashley Akinyi(Kisumu Lakers), Beverly Akoth(MMU), Lynn Mwangi(USIU)
Midfielders - Caroline Guchu(Blazers), Tracy Karanja(Blazers), Maureen Okumu(Blazers), Leah Omwando(Sailors), Grace Okumu(USIU), Elena Chebet(Blazers),
Attackers - Gilly Okumu (Strathmore), Alice Owiti(Kisumu Lakers), Lyn Kipsang(Strathmore), Grace Akoth (MMU), Maureen Owiti (Kisumu Lakers), Naomi Kemunto(USIU), Jeria Osare(Starthmore), Joan Anjao(Blazers)
Kenya Hockey Men’s Team
Goalkeepers -Samuel Silong (USIU), Paul Navangi(Jaguars)
Defenders - Constant Murunga Wakhura(Butali), Robert Papa Masibo (Police), John RIOBA(Wazalendo), Kennedy Munialo Mango (Butali), Edson Isaac Omukamani (Jaguars), Emmanuel Wiswa Awino (Jaguars)
Midfielders - James Muthii (USIU), Victor Ogola (Sharks), Brian Nyabuto Ogenche(Strathmore), Moses Omamo(Sailors), Ivan Morgan Ludiali(Jaguars), Brian Mwangi (Parkroad)
Forwards - Douglas Nyerere (Sailors), Robinson Omutekete (Jaguars), Richard Njuki (Wazalendo), Danstone Barasa (Wazalendo)
Reserve - Moses Mungai (Impala), Griffin Okombe (Wazalendo)
The Standard Digital
Statement regarding Women’s High Performance Program
Hockey Australia provides the following in response to the Independent Review into claims of a toxic culture, bullying and governance in relation to Hockey Australia’s National Women’s Program, the Hockeyroos.
• Statement in response to the Independent Review Report
• Report Recommendations
Hockey Australia media release
Hockey Australia report reveals 'dysfunctional culture' as coach resigns months out from Olympics
Emma Kemp
Paul Gaudoin stood down from his coaching role in advance of the release of an independent report into the culture of elite women’s hockey in Australia. Photograph: Christopher Lee/Getty Images
Without a coach and four months out from the Olympics, Hockey Australia has promised to fix what it calls a “dysfunctional culture” within the women’s national program.
The resignation of Hockeyroos head coach, Paul Gaudoin, was announced on Wednesday night, some 12 hours before the much-anticipated release of findings recommendations from an independent review into the program’s culture and governance.
“In light of the release of the findings and recommendations from the independent review that has been undertaken, Paul informed Hockey Australia that he has decided to stand down from the role,” Hockey Australia chief executive Matt Favier said.
“The past 12 months have been a difficult and taxing time for everyone involved in the high performance program and especially the coaching staff. They have had to navigate the uncertainty of Covid while being an assuring and supportive presence for players, which Paul has done.
“He has conducted himself with integrity, devotion and commitment to the cause and done his utmost to improve the athletes, both as hockey players and as people.”
Gaudoin is the latest senior member of staff to have departed in recent months and follows high-performance director Toni Cumpston and assistant coach Steph Andrews out the door.
On Thursday morning, more than a month later than expected, HA publicly released the 29 recommendations made by Bruce Collins QC, AFL commissioner Gabrielle Trainor and former Matildas vice-captain Moya Dodd after the panel investigated numerous alleged complaints by Hockeyroos players against the administration.
It did not, however, make public a summary of the report’s findings, which were made after interviewing more than 100 people.
In a joint statement, Favier and HA president Melanie Woosnam acknowledged the governing body’s culture is “not conducive to athlete wellbeing or sustained on-field success” and pledged to rebuild the whole program.
They said the findings were “confronting and distressing”.
“Broadly the review found a dysfunctional culture within the national women’s high performance program that is not conducive to athlete wellbeing or sustained on-field success, and identified numerous areas for improvement,” HA said.
“While we have made a considerable investment over the last three years, including efforts to implement changes since the Rio cycle, this has not been enough to prevent rupturing of the squad’s cohesion, particularly with the uncertainty rendered by Covid-19 and the delay of the Tokyo Olympics.
“The process of this review has seen us all reflect seriously over the past months about what we could do better. The findings have been shared with the players and we will work with them to make changes to design and implement a cultural transformation program.”
The Australian Hockey Players’ Association (AHPA) said it had been briefed on the findings and recommendations and “greatly appreciates” the positive meeting with HA and the approach taken by the panel.
“We look forward to seeing the strategy underpinning HA’s commitment to the PA that it is intent on working through the recommendations, focusing on the culture of the program(s) and the welfare of the players as the group prepares for Tokyo and beyond,” a statement read.
Assistant coach Katie Allen has been appointed interim head coach, but HA has little time to appoint a permanent replacement for Gaudoin before the Olympics start on 23 July.
HA announced the review in December after months of player unrest which came to a head when former captain, Georgina Morgan, and the current world goalkeeper of the year, Rachael Lynch, were unexpectedly dropped from the squad, prompting a consideration of strike action.
The recommendations of the review include:
- The need to ensure an effective leadership model is implemented across all aspects of the high-performance program, including coaching, support staff and across the playing group;
- Striking an improved balance with the demands of the high-performance program and life outside of hockey;
- Ensuring engagement at every level from the board, senior management, coaches, support staff and players is safe and respectful;
- Improvements in a range of governance areas to ensure greater oversight and the tracking of culture of both men’s and women’s programs; and
- Embedding a culture of mutual respect and trust between all participants in the delivery of the high performance program.
Damning report slams 'dysfunctional culture' in Australian women's hockey
Justin Chadwick
Hockeyroos coach Paul Gaudoin quit in the wake of a damning review into the Australian women’s hockey team culture. Michael Dodge/Getty Images
An independent review into Australian women's hockey team has found a "dysfunctional culture" existed within the elite women's hockey programme, with the damning report resulting in coach Paul Gaudoin falling on his sword.
Gaudoin made the shock announcement to quit on Wednesday night after Hockey Australia received the results of the independent review.
Hockey Australia has decided against releasing the report publicly.
Instead, it has distributed a statement detailing its response to the review, and also the 29 recommendations from Sport Australia and the Australian Institute of Sport.
The dominoes have been quick to fall since explosive allegations of bullying, body shaming and homophobic behaviour within the Hockeyroos' set-up emerged late last year.
High performance manager Toni Cumpston quit in January after stating she had lost the support of the Hockey Australia board.
Cumpston regularly butted heads with a significant portion of the player group who were unhappy with her abrasive approach.
Allegations of bullying, body shaming and homophobic behaviour within the Hockeyroos' set-up emerged late last year. Will Russell/Getty Images
Assistant coach Steph Andrews and selector Sharon Buchanan were the next out the door.
But the most notable exit was Gaudoin, who was appointed coach in late 2016 and was just four months away from leading the Hockeyroos into the Tokyo Olympics.
Gaudoin had been widely criticised for missing a series of player meetings.
His decision to axe stars Rachael Lynch and Georgia Morgan from the 2021 contract list caused an even bigger storm, with a chunk of the player group threatening to strike over the shock omissions.
Hockey Australia said the independent review had been "confronting and distressing".
"Broadly the review found a dysfunctional culture within the National Women's High Performance Program that is not conducive to athlete wellbeing or sustained on-field success, and identified numerous areas for improvement," Hockey Australia said.
"While we have made a considerable investment over the last three years, including efforts to implement changes since the Rio cycle, this has not been enough to prevent rupturing of the squad's cohesion, particularly with the uncertainty rendered by Covid-19 and the delay of the Tokyo Olympics.
"The process of this review has seen us all reflect seriously over the past months about what we could do better.
"The findings have been shared with the players and we will work with them to make changes to design and implement a cultural transformation program."
Assistant coach Katie Allen has been appointed interim head coach, with HA set to find a permanent candidate quickly to lead the team into the Olympics.
SOME OF THE REVIEW PANEL'S RECOMMENDATIONS THAT HOCKEY AUSTRALIA SUPPORTS
- The need to ensure an effective leadership model is implemented across all aspects of the high-performance program, including coaching, support staff and across the playing group.
- Striking an improved balance with the demands of the high-performance program and life outside of hockey.
- Ensuring engagement at every level from the board, senior management, coaches, support staff and players is safe and respectful.
- Improvements in a range of governance areas to ensure greater oversight and the tracking of culture of both men's and women's programs.
- Embedding a culture of mutual respect and trust between all participants in the delivery of the high performance program.
South Africa hockey men crowdfund to make Tokyo Olympics a reality
South Africa take on Belgium at the 2018 men’s World Cup
South Africa men are attempting to raise a minimum of £170,000 to help the team compete at the rescheduled Tokyo Olympics, with coach Garreth Ewin admitting it would be “heart breaking” if they couldn’t travel.
South Africa men and women have both qualified for the Tokyo Games but have faced increased financial difficulties amid its national Olympic committee’s stringent measures.
South Africa men, with a world ranking of 14, are pitted in a pool with world champs Belgium, GB, Holland, Germany and Canada.
And with limited Tokyo funds, the team has now been forced to find up to £240,000 in crowdfunding to make their dream a reality with the right preparation.
SA men have teamed up with Matchkit.co to commercialise its brand with its funding campaign aiming to attract business, hockey fans and the public.
“We are running a highly professional environment with very little financial support,” said Ewing.
“All of the teams who are ranked above us on the rankings have full-time resources including players and staff. All of our players and staff have full-time jobs, every bit of support will go a long way.
South Africa will hopefully be competing against Canada at Tokyo 2020 Olympics
“We have been invited to a few tournaments overseas in preparation for Tokyo, but the challenge remains the ability to meet the financial demands required of us to participate.
“Getting to the Olympics is a dream come true, especially considering how difficult it is to qualify. We have done the hard work and deserve to be there; it would be heart-breaking if we are unable to go.
“We hope as many beneficiaries as possible will come out in support of our dream.”
For more information behind the crowdfunding head to matchkit.co/springdog
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The Hockey Paper
One Year Later: Perspective from a USWNT Athlete
By Nicole Woods, U.S. Women's National Team Striker
Exactly one year ago, we as members of the U.S. Women’s National Team were sitting in our dorm rooms of the Chula Vista Elite Athlete Training Center packing up and getting ready to head home. What was supposed to be a four-week training block, was cut short to two weeks as COVID-19 was just beginning to spread throughout the country.
We were just starting to see some of the first major changes that COVID-19 would cause - the NBA season had just been suspended, Ivy League schools had just canceled their spring seasons and kids were being sent home from schools with no indication of when they would return. A few of us had gone to Target to stock up on hand sanitizer but it was near impossible to find before the flight. This was even before masks were mandated on flights or even in the general public. We made it back to the East Coast and were expecting to have two weeks off from training to rest, stay home and stay safe. What we didn’t know at the time, was that was the last training block we would have for an entire year.
During the months of March and April, our coaching staff did all they could to rearrange schedules, trying to fit in our remaining FIH Hockey Pro League games or at the very least get us back on a pitch for training. Many of us returned to our respective hometowns and spent a little extra time with our families and doing our very best to stay safe. It didn’t take much time until we realized the true severity of COVID-19 and the impact it would have on a global scale. We stayed connected through weekly team meetings through Zoom and would spend a lot of time asking questions about what the future would look like for us as a team. Unfortunately, a lot of questions remained unanswered as no one really knew what would come next. Not only was it a challenge for us to look ahead, but the entire USA Field Hockey organization was trying to find unique ways to offer events such as the Futures program and club events. As the organization tried to shift the Futures program into an online platform, many of the USWNT and U.S. Men’s National Team athletes pitched in to provide video content of skills, different drills and other methods to keep young athletes out there motivated.
Our strength and conditioning coach Kyle gave us a little bit of ‘normalcy’ as he continued to prescribe workouts every single day for us to focus on for at least once, if not twice per day. As an athlete, we are always on the go, ready for training, competition, you name it. To be at home without access to our team, a pitch or even a gym was a big struggle for many. What snuck up on most of us was the toll it would take on our mental health as well. Speaking for not just us athletes, but likely everyone in the world must have felt the ebbs and flows of motivation to stress. Some days we would wake up super motivated and ready to attack the day, and others all we could muster up was a walk outside on a nice day or even just standing at the end of the drive way socially-distanced and chatting with a neighbor.
As summer rolled around it was confirmed that we would not be meeting back up as a team until a new coached was named and that coach would arrive in the United States. At that time, a lot of us USWNT athletes found different roles that would keep us busy while ensuring our safety and health was still maintained. Ashley Hoffman took an opportunity to play abroad in The Netherlands, Taylor West finished up her master’s degree in exercise science with a nutrition and wellness concentration, myself and teammate Ally Hammel went back to our part-time jobs working at an Orangetheory Fitness Studio, and the majority of us spent a good chunk of the summer coaching various field hockey camps.
Although many of those things would have normally been something we did on our own, everything we did was approved by our Athletic Trainer Yuko who would make sure we were properly social distancing, wearing masks and following travel protocols if we were to leave the state we were in.
Finally, after many weeks of waiting, there was light at the end of the tunnel for the USWNT as Anthony Farry and Greg Drake were named our new coaches. As of now, the start date is just under a week away and our team is more than ready to get back into the swing of training. Although training might look very different now, we are more than willing to adjust and adapt in order to train, compete and play field hockey on the level we want. This year has been hard on everyone and we never imagined we would ever be away from each other and away from our game for this long.
At the end of the day, we tried to make the most of it so here is a list of some of the things the members of USWNT did this year:
Mary Beth Beiler - Got engaged and married to her husband Jeremy and also sat as ‘copilot’ as he became a helicopter pilot and have gone on flights around NYC together.
Kelsey Bing - Graduated from Stanford University with a degree in mechanical engineering and is now working on her master’s, also tried sand boarding in the sand dunes of Colorado.
Gini Bramley - Continued on her master’s degree in Education with a concentration in school counseling. Also worked a part time job at Taylor Chip Cookies, coached for PA Revolution field hockey club and now has an internship at Millersville University as a graduate student mentor for student athletes.
Ali Campbell - Got back into cooking and baking, spent a lot of time with her husband and doggies going on walks, doing puzzles and also found a new gym community in Lancaster.
Linnea Gonzales - Graduated from the University of Maryland and is currently studying to become a certified holistic nutritionist and health coach.
Danielle Grega - learned to golf and spent a lot of time in the Las Vegas area going on hikes through the Zion National Park.
Ally Hammel - Started her master’s degree, worked at Orangetheory and ran a half marathon.
Carrie Hanks - Spent lots of time working hard to recover from two foot operations.
Karlie Heistand- Continued to coach at Villanova Univeristy, spent lots of time outside going on hikes and mountain biking and continued to plan her wedding through COVID.
Ashley Hoffman - Became a certified yoga instructor, played club hockey in The Netherlands in the Hoofdklasse and helped create the field hockey coaching platform Become Uncommon with teammates Lauren and Amanda.
Laura Hurff - Started her master’s degree, spent a lot of time with family, going on walks with her nieces and nephews and re-discovered her love for art and painting.
Jess Jecko - Became the assistant coach at Duke University, coached many field hockey camps, was a nanny and went on so many walks with her dog Honey.
Kelee Lepage - Spent lots of time at home with family, helped her mom Joanie create a YouTube channel for her students when they had to do remote learning and graduated from the University of Maryland.
Amanda Magadan - Became a certified spin instructor and created a field hockey coaching platform Become Uncommon with Lauren and Ashley.
Madison Maguire - Graduated from the University of Maryland and spent lots of time with family and learned how to play pickle ball.
Lauren Moyer - Became the assistant coach at the Univeristy of North Carolina and created a field hockey coaching platform Become Uncommon with Amanda and Ashley.
Alyssa Parker - Ran a half marathon then a week later, a full marathon with a qualifying time for the Boston Marathon, became the assistant field hockey coach for Saint Joseph’s University.
Haley Randall - Graduated from Duke University, and got both engaged and married to her husband Dalton.
Miranda Rigg - Graduated from James Madison University, became the assistant coach for The University of Mary Washington and bought an RV to live in and drove it to various camping sites.
Rachel Robinson - Spent tons of time at home with family and finding new ways to get ready for her last season at the University of Virignia!
Kealsie Robles - Spent time reconnecting with family, got to be a part of three of her best friend’s weddings, got into hiking and exploring new places and is now preparing to go back to school for her master’s.
Casey Umstead - Completed her master’s degree in Business with a health services concentration, coached field hockey this fall at Moravian College and got married to her husband Scott.
Taylor West - Completed her master’s in exercise science with a nutrition and wellness concentration, ran a half marathon and was a volunteer assistant coach for Saint Joseph’s University.
Nicole Woods - Completed my master’s in Business, worked at Orangetheory, went hiking a lot and ran a half marathon.
Corinne Zanolli - Played hockey for Surbiton in England and spent a lot of time working on her honors thesis and graduated from Stanford University in June.
USFHA media release
A joined-up approach to Hook in4Health
A range of sports organisations from across the Oceania region have come together in an ambitious major push to improve the health, well being and leadership skills of people living in the Pacific Islands of Vanuatu and Papua New Guinea (PNG).
The Oceania Hockey Federation (OHF) is joining forces with Team Up, which is the Australian Government’s sport for development programme across the Asia-Pacific region. Together the two organisations are launching Hook in4 Health, a programme designed to use sport as a means for development in targeted communities.
Working with the national hockey associations of Vanuatu and PNG, the Hook in4 Health programme will make its primary focus on gender equity and disability inclusion. This mirrors the FIH’s own goals for inclusivity and equality throughout our sport.
With ONG ranking 161 out of 162 on the 2018 Gender Inequality Index (GII) and 68 per cent of women in Vanuatu reporting experience of violence, either physical or sexual, this is an opportune moment to tap into the power of sport to instigate changes in society.
In addition to these two focus areas, the programme will also use hockey as a means to promote diverse and proactive sports leadership and governance. As Clare Prideaux, president of the OHF, says: “Sport for development programmes are much more than just sports programmes, they use sport to have a broader impact on communities and individuals.”
Among the outcomes that the programme is designed to deliver are: removing barriers to participation among women, girls and people with a disability; promoting inclusiveness and opening up opportunities for individual growth and development.
The Hook in4 Health programme will see hockey sessions offered in targeted schools, weekly practices and holiday camps within the community. There will also be activities linked to specific international and national days – such as International Women’s Day or World Health Day. The aim is to use hockey as a vehicle to deliver social and health benefits such as increased physical activity, communication skills, decision-making and teamwork, as well as promoting important values such as gender equity, rights and inclusion.
Weekly learning journals will be used to promote skills such as target setting, personal reflection and self-awareness. There will also be nutritional information, presented in a fun and age-appropriate way.
For such an ambitious project to succeed, buy-in from a range of organisations is essential. The Hook in4 Health programme demonstrates how this can be achieved. Among the organisations that are lending time and expertise are Hockey Australia, who are supplying equipment necessary for inclusive, safe activity; Finders University, who will be monitoring and evaluating the programme; and Family Planning Australia, who will provide sexual and reproductive health training at targeted events. Mentoring support for country-based coaches and trainers will be provided by indigenous Australian women who have graduated from the Cairn’s Hockey Aspire - Live Well, Learn Well, Lead Well programme.
Reflecting on the aims of the programme, Prideaux says: “Hook in4 Health will create new opportunities for women and people with disabilities in coaching, officiating and leadership roles in both PNG and Vanuatu. Ways of working and a culture of safety, equity and inclusion will be promoted by hockey coaches, officials and leaders who will participate in train the trainer sessions that will assist them to better understand safety, healthy relationships, gender equity and inclusive practices which they will then apply to session and policy planning and delivery, supported by Oceania Hockey Federation.”
#HookIn4Health
FIH site