News for 17 April 2021
All the news for Saturday 17 April 2021
Indoor Africa Cup 2021 (M) - 17 April
Durban (RSA)
(All times GMT +2)
16 Apr 2021 NAM v BOT (RR) 27 - 0
16 Apr 2021 RSA v BOT (RR) 36 - 0
16 Apr 2021 RSA v NAM (RR) 6 - 3
17 Apr 2021 BOT v NAM (RR) 0 - 37
17 Apr 2021 14:30 BOT v RSA (RR)
17 Apr 2021 19:30 NAM v RSA (RR)
18 Apr 2021 16:00 1st RR v 2nd RR (Final)
All matches live streamed on the Watch Hockey app
FIH Match Centre
Indoor Africa Cup 2021 (W) - 17 April
Durban (RSA)
(All times GMT +2)
16 Apr 2021 BOT v RSA (RR) 0 - 26
16 Apr 2021 NAM v BOT (RR) 30 - 0
16 Apr 2021 NAM v RSA (RR) 1 - 2
17 Apr 2021 RSA v BOT (RR) 18 - 0
17 Apr 2021 13:00 BOT v NAM (RR)
17 Apr 2021 18:00 RSA v NAM (RR
18 Apr 2021 14:00 1st RR v 2nd RR (Final)
All matches live streamed on the Watch Hockey app
FIH Match Centre
South Africa land first blows on Day One.
The opening day of the Indoor Africa Cup at Thomas More College in KwaZulu Natal produced goals galore and a superb tight tussle between the continents top 2 sides as SPAR South Africa ended day one on top of the table.
In the morning session both the African heavyweights welcomed Botswana to their first International tournament with heavy victories as they both made their presence in the tournament felt immediately. Playing in front of an empty crowd did not stop either side from their dominant displays as both laid out their first marker for the day.
Its set things up for a bumper final match of the night in the women’s game as a repeat of the 2017 final was played between Namibia and SPAR South Africa. The match also marked Jamie Southgates 50th cap for the South Africans. The South Africans made the most of a dominant start with Edith Molikoe turning things over and giving the hosts a well-deserved lead.
Although they were very good in possession, the South Africans weren’t creating as many chances as they would have liked, but Jess O’Connor and Celia Seerane were dominant in limiting the chances of the defending champions. South Africa were finally able to get the second in the fourth quarter with Kelly Reed benefitting from a fortuitous deflection off Sunelle Ludwig. It was a goal the performance probably deserved and there was a collective sigh of relief.
The door was however slightly ajar, and Namibia managed to pull one goal back, but it was too little too late for Maggie Mengo’s team who end day one with a 50% record.
Indoor Africa Cup 2021 – Day 1 Results - Men
South Africa 26-0 Botswana
Namibia 30-0 Botswana
South Africa 2-1 Botswana
The Men’s tournament also offered goals galore in the opening salvos as both Namibia and South Africa welcomed Botswana to International Indoor hockey with big victories, setting up a mouth-watering clash for the days final game of the day.
The much-awaited clash did not fail to live up to its billing as a hot-tempered clash offered an insight into what to expect over the next two days. A clash of giants with Hack vs. Cormack an interesting sub plot.
Although the game was hotly contested, in truth the hosts and defending champions were always in control from the moment they took a 1-0 lead through a superb Justin Domleo strike. The celebration clearly showed how much importance both teams were placing on this match up.
Namibia kept South Africa honest by pegging the score back to 1-1 (Hermanus), 4-2 (Hatton) and 5-3 (Hermanus). But a brace for Mustapha Cassiem was in the end enough for a South African victory and top of the table after day 1. Both teams will be looking to make a further statement in their match up tomorrow ahead of an almost confirmed final on Sunday afternoon.
Indoor Africa Cup 2021 – Day 1 Results - Men
Namibia 27-0 Botswana
South Africa 36-0 Botswana
South Africa 2-1 Botswana
The day 2 matches will be streamed live on the Rayder Media YouTube page or on the Watch.Hockey app.
SA Hockey Association media release
Victories shared in opening day of North v South
The spoils were shared in the opening matches of the Sentinel Homes North v South series at St Paul’s Collegiate in Hamilton this afternoon.
The North were victorious 5-4 in a high-scoring men’s clash, while the South took out the women’s game 2-0.
There was certainly a ‘first matches of the season’ feel to the clashes, with the Vantage Black Sticks not having played international hockey since early last year.
In the men’s match, the North were off to a roaring start with two first quarter goals to the two Nicks. The first to captain Nic Woods was a trademark drag flick penalty corner six minutes in, followed eight minutes later with Nick Wilson latching on to a strong cross from Dylan Thomas.
The South replied just before the end of the second spell with Sam Lane slotting a drag flick penalty corner into the bottom left of the goal to bring the score to 2-1 at the break.
In the second spell South’s Stephen Jenness equalised with a calm reverse shot before team-mate Dominic Newman knocked in the goal of the day to put the South ahead at 3-2. At the top of the circle, Newman faked and then rocketed a reverse shot into the goal.
The North equalised through a Charl Ulrich penalty corner goal near the end of the third quarter, before two more goals from Woods and Steven Edwards in the final spell secured the 5-3 victory for the North.
Winning men’s captain Woods said the competitive nature of the game was outstanding.
“The old North v South always brings a bit of that.
And he was pleased with his team’s comeback after three straight goals from the South.
“It was good to see from the third quarter that we continued to attack and didn’t go into our shells.”
Men: North 5 (Nic Woods 6 and 47 min, Nick Wilson 14 min, Charl Ulrich 43 min, Steven Edwards 54 min) South 4 (Sam Lane 30 min, Stephen Jenness 34 min, Dominic Newman 36 min, Dane Lett 60 min).
In the earlier women’s game, the North were missing experienced Black Sticks defenders Fran Davies, Sam Charlton and Ella Gunson, all dealing with various injuries.
South defender Megan Hull opened the scoring with a penalty corner goal midway through the second quarter that was initially thought to have been deflected in off Olivia Shannon, but the call from the bench was that the goal was Hull’s.
The South extended their lead in the third spell with a cracking reverse shot at the top of the circle from Holly Pearson. Despite a number of penalty corners and near misses the score stayed at 2-0 to the South until the final whistle.
Victorious South captain Olivia Merry acknowledged it had been over a year since they’d played at that level.
“It felt like test match standards. It was definitely a good start and we’ll build from here.
Vantage Black Sticks Women’s Coach Graham Shaw, who coached the South team, felt that while the teams had trained well it was interesting to see what happened when the pressure came on.
“We need to take a little more care of the ball. We’re going to go and play in very hot conditions in Tokyo and how we prepare for that is we need to hold on to the ball and make sure we work the opposition.”
Women: South 2 (Megan Hull 22 min, Holly Pearson 43 min) North 0.
Tomorrow’s North v South matches will be held at 12.30pm (women) and 2.30pm (men), with the final doubleheaders on Tuesday at 6.30pm (men) and 8pm (women) on the Tuesday. All matches are played at St Paul’s Collegiate and broadcast on Sky Sport 9 and Sky Sport Next.
Hockey New Zealand Media release
Road to Tokyo: Red Caribou completes first European training tour
Men’s National Team gets its first taste of international competition in over a year
Feature Image: Emma Van Mol
We have to flip the calendar pages all the way back to January 2020 to revisit the last time the Men’s National Team was on the pitch for an international match. It was a late January morning in Santiago, Chile and the team played a test-match against Argentina.
Fourteen months later, the team was back on the pitch, playing test matches against France and Belgium. Although the world has changed, the familiar feeling of stepping onto the international stage remains the same. Gordon Johnston, veteran MNT defender, emphasized how energizing it was to be back in the Red and White in an authentic game-setting.
“It was awesome to back on the pitch. It’s been so long for us, training, working on our skills and structure. It was just so nice to actually play against another international side,” he said. “It felt really good to get back on the field and feel like we’re making progress towards where we want to be in Tokyo.”
Johnston and the team arrived home this week and immediately entered quarantine. It was a stark reminder of the challenges that lay ahead for the team. The unique and challenging experience of the last year cannot be overstated.
While in Belgium, the team trained every day and played test matches against 12th-ranked France, Belgium U21 and the world number-one Belgian National Team. As a relatively small hockey-playing nation, Team Canada already has an underdog mentality. Couple that with the isolation over the past year and the lack of travel options, it’s no doubt the Red Caribou felt a little behind the ball.
“It’s almost impossible to simulate the level that you find in an international match. To recreate that at home is just not possible,” he said. “The good thing is now we have lessons that we can take from our trip and bring them back into our daily training environment.”
Canada faces world-ranked number one Belgium in a test match. Photos: Emma Van Mol.
Red Caribou Head Coach Pasha Gademan highlighted the fact that this trip was not only for the on-field play, but also for learning how to travel and compete in a COVID world. While on tour, the team was restricted to the hockey pitch, the hotel rooms and specified meeting and workout areas.
“We needed experience traveling in this new reality that we are currently living in. We need the staff [and players] to learn the protocols and how to create a safe environment while playing in a competitive setting,” Gademan said.
Gademan, hired in December, traveled to Vancouver to work with the team for a month in the new year. This training tour featured his first set of matches behind the Canadian bench. He said he and Andre Henning are fitting in well with the team culture and they are ironing out the rest on the go.
“We get a sense of how the team handles themselves on tour. At the same time, the players get a sense of how we work and how our ideas and analysis fits,” he said. “The biggest win for me is that we all know each other better now. And I think it means better results will come.”
As Gademan said, it was a new reality for everyone, and he believes the team and staff handled it well. As far as the actual hockey, Gademan isn’t putting much stock in wins and losses at this juncture. Instead, he’s focusing on getting this version of the Red Caribou to learn the new style of play and get back up to game speed.
“We were experimenting with different structures and styles. In reviewing the video of our matches, I’m really happy with the progress we made,” Gademan said. “We can really start focusing our energy on the elements that need our attention.”
QUICK NOTE:
Zach Coombs played his first official Cap in the Canadian net against Belgium. Congratulations Zach!
ROAD TO TOKYO
With only 100 days left until Canada’s first match at the Tokyo Games, both staff and player alike are doing everything they can to prepare themselves. According to both Johnston and Gademan, the team needs more international matches, period.
In the current environment, and with travel still restricted, this poses the number one challenge. No matter how or when they access those preparation matches, Johnston knows that the team will be ready for the challenge.
“It’s extremely important to play games against good sides,” he said. “In playing against Belgium, we get to measure ourselves against the best in the world. It sets us up to understand exactly how to prepare ourselves for the Olympics knowing that every game is against a good team.”
The team has been focused on remaining flexible all year. That won’t change. As Gademan and the management staff look for training and competition options, the team must remain flexible. Gademan expects his team to be ready for whatever comes next as they prepare for the Olympic Games.
“The guys are training and preparing for what might be the biggest tournament of their lives. They know the urgency; as do I,” he said.
Field Hockey Canada is celebrating the 100 Days milestone by launching the Road to Tokyo campaign. This initiative emanates quick on the heels of the international announcement that foreign spectators will not be allowed to attend the Games in-person. Field Hockey Canada’s goal is to provide the best possible access to the tournament and athletes before, during and after the Tokyo Olympics. The campaign webpage will allow friends, family and fans to join the Red Caribou on the Road to Tokyo.
Field Hockey Canada media release
Anna O’Flanagan on the Challenges Along the Road to Tokyo.
Great Britains Lily Owsley and Anna O’Flanagan of Ireland Mandatory Credit ©INPHO/Bryan Keane
Sitting on Anna O’Flanagan’s desk are a set of pens that have remained in the packet for almost six years now.
In just under a hundred days, she may finally get around to chucking them out, maybe even burn them. Bought in something of an emotional daze in Valencia, in 2015, the day after Rio qualification was denied by the width of a post, they sit there as a vivid reminder of shattered dreams.
“They will definitely go in the bin once I set foot on the pitch in Tokyo!” the Green Army’s all-time top goal-scorer says of that pen set.
“There’s a long way to go and I need to hopefully stay fit and well and play to the best of my ability over the next while to get on that pitch. Maybe I can burn them then!”
For many of her team-mates, the stationary is an odd keepsake but is something O’Flanagan uses to find something of an emotional catharsis in good times and bad.
“I have lots of notebooks and do get slagged over it!” she laughs. “I find it interesting to write about how I am feeling. You can have so many thoughts going around your head, worries or concerns, thinking about what might happen.
“When you write it down, your rational brain kicks in and the act of writing means you can rationalise it a bit better and wonder ‘why was I thinking about it like that?’ When you put pen to paper, it can look a bit ridiculous. It helps get a sense of reality!”
It is something which helped her through the tough lockdown times when she struggled for a sense of purpose. O’Flanagan has put her career on hold to, first, pursue and succeed in the run-up to 2018 World Cup silver, and then again for this Olympic push after a stint with Deloitte in the Netherlands.
But when Tokyo was put on hiatus, it had her questioning what next as the limbo of whether or not the Games would go ahead was played out.
“There was so much uncertainty for everyone in the world. For us, as athletes, we thrive off certainty and being planned. What gets me through training and those tough days is really visualising being at that next major tournament, being at the Olympics, competing and winning games.
“I went through a period when I just couldn’t see it, I couldn’t feel it. The world seemed so upside down that the thought of being able to travel to an Olympics seemed so far away.
“That was when I struggled the most. The last couple of months, there’s been such positive communication coming from Tokyo and also seeing other sports teams and events happen.
“Now, I can see it unfold. It will be weird and different for sure but being able to visualise it makes it seem more real, more tangible. We have to stay focused and assume it is happening, but I am not as anxious now that it will be binned at any second.
“That was so hard when we were training and trying to do your best, doing it with that in the back of your mind. I don’t have that worry anymore.”
The nature of the current world, though, means the road remains a bumpy one with plenty of twists and turns. The most recent example, last week’s proposed trip to Malaysia being called off at the last minute.
“Malaysia was a disappointment, but we are still able to train and play and this just gives us a perspective on how sport is cruel and your whole sporting career can change overnight. You have to treasure each day.”
A feature of the Green Army story, though, is how they roll with the punches and while other countries may be new to such slings and arrows of fortune, O’Flanagan says there will be few better outfits capable of coping.
“We know if there is any team that knows how to deal with adversity, it is us. If there is any team that has come together before and succeeded, it is us.
“We always say we are used to playing in front of no supporters. An empty stadium in Japan is no different to training in Abbotstown every week. Those little things add up.
“We saw from the GB win that what we are doing here has been going well and the year probably has stood to us as a group. If anything, we enjoy doing it when our backs are against the wall.”
Irish Hockey Association media release
Goalkeeper Krishan Pathak wants Indian hockey team to maintain momentum after successful tour of Argentina
In the Argentina tour that conclude on Wednesday, India defeated the hosts in a two-leg FIH Pro League away tie.
"Hope our good form continues against Great Britain." Image Courtesy: Hockey India
Buenos Aires: One of the architects of India's superb show against Argentina, young goalkeeper Krishan Pathak said he wants to be in top form for the Tokyo Olympics and is eyeing another superlative performance against Great Britain in the FIH Pro League games next month.
The 23-year-old, who earned his 50th international cap during India's tour of Argentina, played a big role in his side registering back-to-back wins against the reigning Olympic champions in the FIH Pro League this month.
"I am very happy to have completed fifty international caps. So much has happened in such a short space of time. I have had the opportunity to play in big tournaments and learnt a lot from my seniors," said Pathak in a release issued by Hockey India.
"The coaches have always believed in my talent. I want to continue working hard and win games for India. Reaching this milestone makes me proud," he added.
In the Argentina tour that conclude on Wednesday, India defeated the hosts in a two-leg FIH Pro League away tie.
While fellow custodian PR Sreejesh was brilliant when the visitors won the first match via a penalty shoot-out, Pathak was equally impressive during India's 3-0 win over the hosts in the second game.
"I got to learn a lot from the Argentina tour. I know I have to prove my worth as a goalkeeper every time I am playing," said Pathak, who had earned the Player of the Match award after pulling off some great saves to maintain a clean sheet in the second game.
"I feel we showed a lot of fight and character there. Over the past year, we've had good games against the top sides in the world and I feel that gives us the right kind of boost going into a tournament like the Olympics."
India will next play Great Britain in the FIH Pro League on 8 and 9 May.
"We have to be focussed on the job at hand right now. Hope our good form continues against Great Britain...," Pathak said.
With 15 points from eight games, India climbed to the fourth place in the FIH Hockey Pro League standings following their wins over Argentina.
India, Argentina and Australia will play each other at the forthcoming Olympic Games, where they have been drawn in Pool A alongside Spain, New Zealand and home favourites Japan.
"We have to make sure we're ready for every challenge. The environment in the camp is good and we want to use this momentum going into a big summer," Pathak said.
For much of his young career, Pathak has been Sreejesh's understudy at goal and thinks the competition for places has only made him a better goalkeeper.
"There's so much one can learn from Sreejesh bhai. He's been playing at the highest level for so many years," he said.
"I have improved as a keeper in the last four years and that is because of what I have gathered and learnt watching people like Sreejesh and others play and train on a daily basis."
Firstpost
'Where are you?'
By Jugjet Singh
Hairi Abd Rahman
Goalkeepers have always been the backbone of the national hockey team since the 1975 World Cup but sadly Malaysia's production line has dried up with the retirement of S. Kumar.
Kumar, once hailed as Asia's best goalkeeper, called it a day in February last year after serving the nation with distinction for 20 years.
Worryingly, there is no capable successor in sight.
It appears that Kumar is the last of the great custodians that Malaysian hockey is known for producing.
Among the illustrious names that filled the pages of the sport's history are Roslan Jamaluddin, Nasihin Nubli, M. Nadarajah, Paul Lopez, Hamdan Hamzah, Ahmad Suffian, Ahmad Fadzil, Mohamed Sayuti, Mohamed Azraai, Khairuddin Zainal, Ho Koh Chye, Peter van Huizen, Paul Lopez and Aloysius Lee.
So far, much to the frustration of national men's coach Arul Selvaraj, no one has been able to fill Kumar's shoes.
This has led to Arul calling up more goalkeepers than usual, as an insurance, for the triangular competition (featuring Malaysia, Great Britain and Japan) starting today in Kuala Lumpur.
"I listed four goalkeepers because I have yet to spot a capable replacement for Kumar," lamented Arul yesterday.
The triangular, involving Olympic-bound teams, will be held from April 17 to 24 at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil.
Arul has called up Zami Mat Deris, who played for Maybank in the recent Malaysia Hockey League, to add competition to goalkeepers Hafizuddin Othman, Adrian Andy Albert and Hairi Rahman.
Adrian Andy Albert
However, having two extra goalkeepers means Arul will have to reduce his options for players in other positions. But he had no choice.
"I need to try out four goalkeepers because I am having a problem in that section.
"Hopefully one or two of them will perform at a higher level and establish their places in the national team."
Arul is the type of no-nonsense coach who values hardworking players above talented ones as he has even left out Terengganu Hockey Team's playmaker Fitri Saari from his 22-man squad.
Hafizuddin Othman
"I believe in hardworking players. Players who chase and fight back for the ball after losing it are on my side. Those who have talent but are laid-back, will not make my team.
"People have criticised my decision in leaving Fitri Saari out of this triangular but I have my reasons. If he is as good as he is said to be, how come he did not win the Asian Games gold for Malaysia? How come he missed a crucial penalty stroke in the FIH Series Finals?
"I was in contact with Fitri before the MHL started and even during the tournament, I was in constant contact with him. The record of our conversation is still in my handphone.
"I advised him on how to improve his game in the MHL but I did not see any improvement in his attitude.
"Sorry to say, I have to be blunt when people question my selection," said Arul.
Arul's men will kick off the triangular today against Japan, a team who denied Malaysia the Asian Games gold in Jakarta three years ago and also an Olympic ticket to Tokyo.
New Straits Times
2021 GB Elite Development Programme Squads Announced
The Great Britain Elite Development Programme (EDP) squads for 2021 have been selected.
First formed for the 2017/18 season, the GB EDP is funded by UK Sport and designed to provide players who have the potential become Olympic medallists of the future the best possible opportunity to achieve their international hockey ambitions.
The GB EDP is made up of players from all of the Home Nations, while the England U21 programme is embedded within it.
Several players have already made the step up to the senior GB squads having featured in the GB EDP, with Ollie Payne and Fiona Crackles the latest to make the transition in 2020. The priority over the coming months will be to prepare players to move into the senior teams following the conclusion of the Tokyo Olympics in the summer.
In spite of the pandemic, the programme has been fortunate in that it’s been able to run across the last 12 months thanks to the government’s Elite Dispensation Scheme, with players able to take part in camps together as well as making the most of online sessions.
With no junior international hockey having been played in over a year, it is also hoped that players will enjoy a full programme of international competition in 2021, depending on Covid. This includes the senior EuroHockey Championships in July and the Junior World Cups for England’s U21s later in the year. England teams will also be sent to the inaugural EuroHockey5s Championships this summer.
Heather Williams – GB Hockey’s Head of Elite Talent Development – said: “First of all, I would like to say congratulations to all the players selected to the 2021 squad.
“We are very grateful that we’ve been able to continue to run a GB EDP programme under the government’s Elite Athlete Dispensation whilst so many have not been so fortunate in being able to continue to play hockey.
“The last 12 months have been a difficult and challenging time for many and I’m extremely proud of the way all the players and staff have adapted and made the most of the opportunities they have been given.
“It’s been a long time since we played our last competitive international game at the Men’s Sultan of Johor Cup in October 2019 so we look forward to the return of international competition.
“Finally, my thanks go to the many people who have supported the players and the programme over the last year – from clubs who have made their facilities available to us (under the Elite Dispensation Scheme), club, school and university coaches who have supported the programme remotely and, not least, to parents and guardians who have become chauffeurs again. Your support is hugely appreciated.”
Men
James Albery - OId Georgians/England
Rohan Bhuhi - Loughborough Students/England
Matthew Blood - Nottingham University/England
Rhys Bradshaw - Exeter University/Wales
Adam Buckle - Nottingham University/England
Henry Croft - Beeston & Nottingham Trent University/England
Jamie Golden - Surbiton/Scotland
Josh Gravestock - Nottingham University/England
Gareth Griffiths - Beeston/England
James Hunt - Beeston & Nottingham Trent University/England
Jonathan Lankfer - Nottingham University/England
Adam Lee Browne - Loughborough Students/England
Max Lowrey - Exeter University/England
Callum Mackenzie - Cardiff & Met/Scotland
James Mazarelo - Loughborough Students/England
Andrew McConnell - Western Wildcats/Scotland
Tim Nurse - Surbiton/England
James Oates - Hampstead & Westminster/England
Jake Owen - Loughborough Students/England
Nick Park - Beeston & Nottingham Trent University/England
Jacob Payton - Exeter University/England
Alex Pendle - Loughborough Students/England
Archie Phillips - Nottingham University/England
Matthew Ramshaw - Loughborough Students/England
Toby Reynolds Cotterill - Hampstead & Westminster/England
Ellis Robson - Cardiff & Met/England
Stuart Rushmere - Loughborough Students/England
Thomas Russell - Brooklands MU & Liverpool John Moores/England
Duncan Scott - Exeter University/England
Peter Scott - Wimbledon/England
Matthew Simmonds - Birmingham University/England
Karan Sofat - Nottingham University/England
Toby Stanley - Loughborough Students/England
Sam Taylor - Ashmoor/England
Jack Turner - Wimbledon/England
James Vallely - Durham University/England
Eddie Way - Wimbledon/England
Connor Webb - Cambridge City/England
Daniel West - Loughborough Students/England
Conor Williamson - Nottingham University/England
Currently overseas
Ed Horler - Royal Racing Club Brussels/England
Cameron Golden - Uhlenhorster HC Hamburg/Scotland
Reserves
Barney Bithell - East Grinstead/England
Robbie Croll - Univeristy of Edinburg/Scotland
Taylor Seager Green - Exeter University/England
Oliver Smart - Nottingham University/England
Alfie Weaver - Harrogate/England
Women
Emma Allroggen - Birmingham University & Bablake School/England
Millie Attwell - Birmingham University/England
Maddie Axford - Cambridge City/England
McKenzie Bell - Uddingston/Scotland
Nicole Bowen - Wimbledon/England
Freya Bull - Birmingham University/England
Ella Burnley - Exeter University/England
Iona Campbell - Loughborough University/England
Kitty Chapple - Clifton Robinsons & Millfield School/England
Katie Curtis - Nottingham University/England
Catherine de Ledesma - Loughborough University/England
Emily Dark - Dundee Wanderers & University of St Andrews/Scotland
Jen Eadie - Clydesdale Western/Scotland
Georgie Gardens - Harleston Magpies & Framlingham College/England
Millie Giglio - Birmingham University/England
Emily Guckian - Surbiton/England
Olivia Hamilton - Loughborough University/England
Holly Hunt - Hampstead & Westminster/England
Pippa Lock - Birmingham University/England
Maddie Long - Surbiton/England
Lorna Mackenzie - Loughborough Students/England
Alexandra Malzer - Nottingham University/England
Nicole Marks - Buckingham/England
Mollie Mason - Nottingham University/England
Vicki McCabe - Bath University/England
Miriam Pritchard - Loughborough University/England
Alice Rolfe - Loughborough University/England
Sally Sime - Nottingham University/England
Millie Steiger - Clydesdale Western & University of Glasgow/Scotland
Natalie Stevens - Brooklands MU/England
Claudia Swain - Repton School/England
Martha Taylor - Exeter University/England
Lily Walker - Birmingham University/England
Mila Welch - Nottingham University/England
Evie Wood - Teddington & Surbiton High School/England
Currently overseas
Lexi Sabatelli - Atletic Terrassa/Scotland
Laura Swanson - Club an der Alster/Scotland
Sophie Hamilton - UCONN/England
Darcy Bourne - Duke University/England
Great Britain Hockey media release
Future stars named in Great Britain Hockey development squads
Great Britain Hockey has selected the intake for its development programme which aims to nurture young talent into fully-fledged internationals.
Although a Home Nations programme, the England under-21 programme is embedded within the two squads and of the 80-odd athletes named, there are 10 Scots across both EDP genders with just one Welsh men’s player included.
Several players have already made the step up to the senior GB squads having featured in the GB EDP, with Ollie Payne and Fiona Crackles the latest to make the transition in 2020.
Some players will be involved in this summer’s EuroHockey Championships campaigns, while the Junior World Cups will be staged at the end of the year.
With the elite squads involved in the Olympics, future hopes could also be sent to the inaugural EuroHockey5s Championships this summer.
Heather Williams, GB Hockey’s Head of Elite Talent Development, said: “It’s been a long time since we played our last competitive international game at the Men’s Sultan of Johor Cup in October 2019 so we look forward to the return of international competition.”
First formed for the 2017/18 season, the GB EDP is funded by UK Sport and designed to provide players who have the potential become Olympic medallists of the future the best possible opportunity to achieve their international hockey ambitions.
2021 GB Elite Development Programme Squads
MEN
James Albery – OId Georgians/England
Rohan Bhuhi – Loughborough Students/England
Matthew Blood – Nottingham University/England
Rhys Bradshaw – Exeter University/Wales
Adam Buckle – Nottingham University/England
Henry Croft – Beeston & Nottingham Trent University (NTU)/England
Jamie Golden – Surbiton/Scotland
Josh Gravestock – Nottingham University/England
Gareth Griffiths – Beeston/England
James Hunt – Beeston & Nottingham Trent University (NTU)/England
Jonathan Lankfer – Nottingham University/England
Adam Lee Browne – Loughborough Students/England
Max Lowrey – Exeter University/England
Callum Mackenzie – Cardiff & Met/Scotland
James Mazarelo – Loughborough Students/England
Andrew McConnell – Western Wildcats/Scotland
Tim Nurse – Surbiton/England
James Oates – Hampstead & Westminster/England
Jake Owen – Loughborough Students/England
Nick Park – Beeston & Nottingham Trent University (NTU)/England
Jacob Payton – Exeter University/England
Alex Pendle – Loughborough Students/England
Archie Phillips – Nottingham University/England
Matthew Ramshaw – Loughborough Students/England
Toby Reynolds Cotterill – Hampstead & Westminster/England
Ellis Robson – Cardiff & Met/England
Stuart Rushmere – Loughborough Students/England
Thomas Russell – Brooklands MU & Liverpool John Moores/England
Duncan Scott – Exeter University/England
Peter Scott – Wimbledon/England
Matthew Simmonds – Birmingham University/England
Karan Sofat – Nottingham University/England
Toby Stanley – Loughborough Students/England
Sam Taylor – Ashmoor/England
Jack Turner – Wimbledon/England
James Vallely – Durham University/England
Eddie Way – Wimbledon/England
Connor Webb – Cambridge City/England
Daniel West – Loughborough Students/England
Conor Williamson – Nottingham University/England
Overseas:
Ed Horler – Royal Racing Club Brussels/England
Cameron Golden – Uhlenhorster HC Hamburg/Scotland
WOMEN
Emma Allroggen – Birmingham University & Bablake School/England
Millie Attwell – Birmingham University/England
Maddie Axford – Cambridge City/England
McKenzie Bell – Uddingston/Scotland
Nicole Bowen – Wimbledon/England
Freya Bull – Birmingham University/England
Ella Burnley – Exeter University/England
Iona Campbell – Loughborough University/England
Kitty Chapple – Clifton Robinsons & Millfield School/England
Katie Curtis – Nottingham University/England
Catherine de Ledesma – Loughborough University/England
Emily Dark – Dundee Wanderers & University of St Andrews/Scotland
Jen Eadie – Clydesdale Western/Scotland
Georgie Gardens – Harleston Magpies & Framlingham College/England
Millie Giglio – Birmingham University/England
Emily Guckian – Surbiton/England
Olivia Hamilton – Loughborough University/England
Holly Hunt – Hampstead & Westminster/England
Pippa Lock – Birmingham University/England
Maddie Long – Surbiton/England
Lorna Mackenzie – Loughborough Students/England
Alexandra Malzer – Nottingham University/England
Nicole Marks – Buckingham/England
Mollie Mason – Nottingham University/England
Vicki McCabe – Bath University/England
Miriam Pritchard – Loughborough University/England
Alice Rolfe – Loughborough University/England
Sally Sime – Nottingham University/England
Millie Steiger – Clydesdale Western & University of Glasgow/Scotland
Natalie Stevens – Brooklands MU/England
Claudia Swain – Repton School/England
Martha Taylor – Exeter University/England
Lily Walker – Birmingham University/England
Mila Welch – Nottingham University/England
Evie Wood – Teddington & Surbiton High School/England
Currently overseas:
Lexi Sabatelli – Atletic Terrassa/Scotland
Laura Swanson – Club an der Alster/Scotland
Sophie Hamilton – UCONN/England
Darcy Bourne – Duke University/England
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The Hockey Paper
Hockey Ramadan tournament postponed amid government restrictions
KARACHI: Olympian Islahuddin and Dr Muhammad Ali Shah Ramadan Hockey Festival Tournament has been postponed due to government restrictions.
Olympian Qamar Ibrahim, Chairman of the organising committee, announced the postponement after a meeting of the committee.
Secretary Olympian Syed Sameer Hussain, Olympian Kashif Jawad, Olympian Kamran Ashraf, Mubashir Mukhtar and other members attended the meeting.
Now this tournament will be organised after Ramazan under the name of Olympian Islahuddin and Dr Muhammad Ali Shah Interclub Hockey Festival.
According to a notification of Sindh Home Department, all indoor and outdoor sports competitions are disallowed till May 16.
He said that 20 teams were to participate in the Ramadan Hockey Festival and all preparations had been completed.
The News International
Down to the wire in Australian Under 18 Hockey Finals
Four tense medal finals have capped off a high quality 2021 Australian Under 18 Championships in Launceston.
Both of the Women’s medal matches required shootouts to decide the winner, while only one goal separated the teams in the two Men’s finals.
Queensland defeated Victoria in a nail-biting Women’s Final that went all the way to sudden death in the shootout.
Queensland appeared in control after goals from Georgina West and Sarah Cochran had them 2-0 up after 36 minutes. But Victoria were level courtesy of a stunning two minute spell from Tess Palubiski who struck twice in quick succession to level the scores going into the final quarter.
Still all square at full time, both goalkeepers starred in the shootout. Jordan Bliss (QLD) and Emily Butler (VIC) kept out four of their five respective shootout attempts, the telling moment coming when Josie Lawton sent her effort wide to give Queensland the title.
It was a cruel twist for Lawton who would go on to be named the Player of the Tournament. Queensland captain and drag flick specialist Claire Colwill took out the Top Goal Scorer award with 12 goals, ten of which came from penalty corners.
A shootout was also needed to decide the women’s bronze medallists after Northern Territory and Western Australia were locked 1-1 at full time. Lauren Deldot gave the NT the dream start in the first 60 seconds of the game before Saysha Pillay equalised in the 48th minute to level the scores and send the match to a shootout.
Jamie-Lee Surha and Deldot held their nerve to convert their attempts, while Beatriz Monger-Molowny was the only WA player who managed to beat Northern Territory goalkeeper Madyson Jones to give the Territorians a famous victory.
The Men’s gold medal match between NSW State and Western Australia produced a contest befitting of the occasion.
After Max Freedman sent WA ahead through a penalty stroke, the team from NSW struck back courtesy of Rhys Cropper. It was then 16 year old Fletcher Craig who would prove the hero with the winner to give NSW State a 2-1 win as a penalty shootout loomed.
It was a similar score line in the bronze medal match as Victoria edged out Queensland in the battle for third.
A double from 17 year old Oliver Marshall put Victoria in the box seat before Patrick Sheedy pegged a goal back to sent up an exciting finale. But Victoria held on to go home with bronze.
Western Australian Hamish Adamson capped off a memorable tournament on a personal level finishing as the equal top scorer and being named Men’s Player of the Tournament.
For a comprehensive wrap up of the final day, read News Corp journalist Brayden May’s final day coverage.
All of the results, goal scorers and final standings can be found on the respective Altius pages.
Men’s Championship Details
Women’s Championship Details
2021 Australian Under 18 Hockey Championships
U18 MEN’S
Gold Medal (1st place) - NSW STATE
Silver Medal (2nd place) - WESTERN AUSTRALIA
Bronze Medal (3rd place) - VICTORIA
Men’s Just Hockey Player of the Tournament - Hamish Adamson (Western Australia)
Men’s Top Goal Scorer - Hamish Adamson (Western Australia), Zach Rakkas (Northern Territory)
Play the Whistle Award - Tasmania
Umpires of the Bronze Final - Tom Carter, Bailey Davis, Todd Gilroy
Technical Official of the Bronze Final - Leigh Richardson
Umpires of the Gold Final - Aaron Kitchener, Charlie Ibell, Oliver Chauhan
Technical Official of the Gold Final - Sonya Fisher
U18 WOMEN’S
Gold Medal (1st place) - QUEENSLAND
Silver Medals (2nd place) - VICTORIA
Bronze Medals (3rd place) - NORTHERN TERRITORY
Women’s Just Hockey Player of the Tournament - Josie Lawton (Victoria)
Women’s Top Goal Scorer - Claire Colwill (Queensland) 12 goals
Play the Whistle Award - Queensland
Umpires of the Bronze Final - Tilka Hassing, Steph Thompson, Mel Blanchard
Technical Official of the Bronze Final - Michael Hart
Umpires of the Gold Final - Paula Grover-Johnson, Kelby Pointon, Iris Milham
Technical Official of the Gold Final - Alison Page
Hockey Australia media release
Energy levels high as Merino enters countdown mode
The recent celebration of 100 Days to Go to the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 will have caused a quickening of the senses for many athletes as they continue with their preparations for the blue riband event.
Delfina Merino was one of the guests on Episode 6 of the Hockey Pod podcast and, as she told the listeners, she was in no doubt about her own levels of excitement leading up to the event. She also reflected on the delay to the games and the impact that has had on the players.
“It has been really hard for all the players, but also for everyone, because no-one saw Covid coming and our lives changed for a whole year,” she said. “Knowing that Tokyo will take place is really fantastic.
“We are training lots, which has been tough as there haven’t been any matches. It will be a special Olympics, it will be emotional I think. And the 100 Day to Go mark makes us train with more focus.”
The Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 will be Merino’s third Olympic Games. In London, she and her team won silver and this time they have their hearts and minds firmly set on gold. Whatever form the event in Tokyo takes, the Argentina captain says: “Olympics are Olympics. If you play an Olympic Games, you are an Olympian all your life. It is a special moment for all players and it is happening. It is also a way to show the world that there is hope. It will be emotional and very, very powerful.”
Merino says the delay of a year and the lack of international matchplay for 12 months did cause a momentary question to pop into her head about the reasons she was continuing to put herself through the tough training regime of an elite athlete.
“There was a moment when I thought “Oh, I am training for the Olympics and, if the Olympics don’t take place, what am I doing? It was a day that I had a crush in my head and then I thought, ‘but I play hockey and I train because it is my passion. I love it. It doesn’t matter if it is Olympics, or Pro League or just playing with my club, I enjoy it so when I see it in that way, at the end of the day, I love hockey. So, no, I didn’t think that I would quit, I just thought ‘Come on Tokyo, you need to happen!’”.
And with the announcement that the Olympic Flame will fly over the stadium in Tokyo in less than 100 days, Merino says her energy levels, and the energy levels of her team mates have never been higher. It all points to this being a very special hockey competition.
#HockeyPod
FIH site
2021 Big Ten Field Hockey Tournament Bracket Announced
Tournament begins April 20 in Iowa City, Iowa
ROSEMONT, Ill. – The Big Ten Conference announced the 2021 Big Ten Field Hockey Tournament bracket on Friday, with Michigan earning the No. 1 seed after clinching the Big Ten title last week. All nine field hockey programs will play in the tournament, which will take place April 20-24 at the University of Iowa’s Grant Field in Iowa City, Iowa.
No. 8 seed Michigan State and No. 9 seed Indiana will open the tournament with a first-round game at 1 p.m. (ET) April 20. The winner of that matchup will face top-seeded Michigan in the quarterfinals at noon (ET) April 21.
In the other quarterfinals on April 21, No. 4 seed Maryland will take on host and No. 5 seed Iowa at 2:30 p.m. (ET). Penn State secured the No. 2 seed and will play No. 7 seed Ohio State at 5 p.m. (ET), while No. 3 seed Northwestern and No. 6 Rutgers will wrap up the day at 7:30 p.m. (ET).
The Big Ten Tournament semifinals will be played April 22 at 5 and 7:30 p.m. (ET), while the conference championship game is set for noon (ET) April 24. The tournament winner will earn the Big Ten’s automatic berth into the NCAA Tournament.
All eight Big Ten Tournament games will be televised live on the Big Ten Network and can be streamed via the web, smartphones, tablets and connected devices through FOX Sports Go and the FOX Sports App. Fans can also stay up to date with the tournament at the tournament central page.
B1G Ten media release
Penn State Field Hockey Team Downs Visiting Ohio State in B1G Battle
Goalie Brie Barraco grabs nine saves to help lift Nittany Lions to victory
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – The Penn State Nittany Lion field hockey team (7-5, 5-2 B1G) downed visiting Ohio State (4-8, 2-5 B1G) in the first of two weekend meetings. Head coach Char Morett-Curtiss' squad rode the strong play of goalie Brie Barraco (Allentown, Pa.) to a 2-1 victory at the Penn State Field Hockey Complex.
In instances where teams are scheduled to play each other twice during this year's Big Ten season, only the first game between the two squads is considered for the Big Ten regular season standings. Given that, today's game counts in both the conference and overall standings.
The Nittany Lions came out and scored quickly, looking to control the game from the onset. Five minutes into the game, freshman Sophia Gladieux (Boyertown, Pa.) took a great pass from senior Abby Myers (Harland, Wis.) to score just at the 9:35 mark, giving Penn State an early 1-0 lead. But the shot was the lone one for Penn State in the opening period and the Penn State defense needed to come up big for the remainder of the opening stanza. Senior Madison Hutson (Gloucester Point, Va.), sophomore Elena Vos (Grave, The Netherlands) and junior Meghan Reese (Coopersburg, Pa.) withstood Ohio State's pressure and Barraco made a save on one of two OSU shots. The Nittany Lions carried the 1-0 lead into the second period.
The second period was an evenly played session, with the Nittany Lions notching two shots to just one for Ohio State. But the Lions could not work the ball into the Buckeye circle to draw any penalty corners and OSU picked up the game's first corner (and the lone one of the first half) with 5:44 left in the period. Buckeye Mackenzie Allessie put the ball on the cage but Barraco notched another save to keep Penn State in front. The Nittany Lions nearly added a late goal in the period with Gladieux getting off a hard effort on the OSU goal but Buckeye Keeper Abby Danson made one of her two saves in the second period. Penn State led 1-0 at the halftime break.
Each team had three shots in the first half and both keepers had two saves. Ohio State had the only corner of the opening 30:00.
Ohio State came out in the third period and put consistent pressure on the Nittany Lions. The Buckeyes reeled off eight shots in the third period alone, thanks in large part to five penalty corners in the third stanza. Nevertheless, it was Penn State that scored the first goal of the third, with Emma Spisak (Boiling Springs, Pa.) taking a great pass from Grace Wallis (Blue Bell, Pa.) just over a minute into the half to give Penn State a 2-0 lead at the 13:58 mark. From that point on in the period, however, Ohio State's attack pressured the Nittany Lions until Delaney Lawler notched a goal with assists from Allessie and Lotte Algra, cutting Penn State's lead to 2-1 with 4:11 on the clock. Barraco continued to face pressure from the Buckeyes and had five saves in the third period alone.
Barraco stood tall in the goal over the final 15:00 as well as Ohio State reeled off five more shots, with the sophomore keeper grabbing two more saves. The Nittany Lions were able to maintain the 2-1 lead for the entirety of the final period despite Ohio State winning the ball possession game. The Buckeyes pulled their goalie with just over 3:00 left to play but the Nittany Lions kept the visitors from finding the goal and Penn State held on for a hard-fought 2-1 victory.
Ohio State outshot the Nittany Lions 16-6 and had eight penalty corners to none for Penn State. Barraco collected nine saves in the contest while Danson had three for Ohio State.
"I give a lot of credit to Ohio State, I thought they came out with a great game plan," said Morett-Curtiss. "They put a lot of pressure on us in the second half and credit to Brie Barraco and our defense. They held their own and really played outstanding today, they kept us in the game."
Penn State is now 7-5 overall and ends the conference slate with a 5-2 record. Ohio State falls to 4-8 overall, 2-5 in the conference. The two teams play again tomorrow, Saturday, April 17, at 3 p.m. in the final regular season game for both teams.
GAME BREAKDOWN
SCORING: 1 2 3 4 FINAL
PENN STATE 1 0 1 0 2
OHIO STATE 0 0 1 0 1
STATS: PSU OSU
Shots 6 16
Corners 0 8
SCORING SUMMARY (goal/assist) – TIME
1st: TEAM – Name (assist); 0:00
1st: PSU – Sophia Gladieux (Abby Myers); 9:35
3rd: PSU – Emma Spisak (Grace Wallis); 13:58
3rd: OSU – Delaney Lawler (Mackenzie Allessie, Lotte Algra); 4:11
GOALKEEPERS: MIN GA S
PSU: Brie Barraco 60:00 1 9
OSU: Abby Danson 56:49 2 3
Team 3:11 0 0
Go PSU Sports