News for 19 April 2021
All the news for Monday 19 April 2021
Namibia Women and South Africa Men reign supreme
At the start of the 2021 Indoor Africa Cup the Namibian women were determined to prove that the 2017 victory was not a fluke. Throughout the tournament they reiterated the fact that the only game that mattered was the final and today was their opportunity to show that.
Despite a fast paced start by the hosts the defensive wall at the back held firm for the Namibians with Gillian Hermanus being forefront of that effort. When called upon Petro Stoffberg was keen to show the 2017 form that was paramount in qualifying the team and she did just that. As the clock ticked it the opportunity opened for Namibia and 17 year old Cailtin Gillies fired home a low penalty corner to give the defending champions the lead.
It was a lead they would double when Caitlin Gillies turned provider and set Sunelle Ludwig up who finished a superb opportunity. 2-0 and the hosts were shook. That would stay the final score despite 12 penalty corner attempts for South Africa and at the final whistle there was jubilation as Namibia had sealed the spot at the 2022 Indoor Hockey World Cup and as the champions of Africa.
Namibia’s captain and stalwart midfielder Magreth Mengo said: “It feels fantastic, amazing and blessed. I don’t really have the words. We sorted out our defensive team and worked hard together. We helped each other and we had each other’s back. Belgium here we come. We are representing Africa, so watch out, here we come. Namibia is representing Africa at world level.”
FINAL RESULTS
Namibia 2-0 South Africa
AWARDS
Top Goalscorer – Tegan Fourie (South Africa)
Goalkeeper of the Tournament – Petro Stoffberg (Namibia)
Player of the Tournament – Petro Stoffberg (Namibia)
After watching a repeat of the 2017 result the two mens side took to the court at Thomas Moore College to renew their own battle and it could not have started better for Namibia than taking the lead in the 12th minute through Fagen Hansen.
South Africa would however pull level through the younger Cassiem, Mustapha on the verge of half-time and then turned the temperature up a degree in the third chukka with a quick double from Chad Futcher, the player of the match in the final, and skipper Jethro Eustice.
Namibia never backed down and although they searched gainfully for a way back into the game their hopes were distinguished with a Chad Futcher second. The score would stay that way and South Africa confirmed their fifth attendance at the Indoor Hockey World Cup
Captain of South Africa men, Jethro Eustice, said: “I am so excited, we have put a long process together with this group over the past year and a half. It wasn’t easy, Namibia put up a good fight but now we can’t wait to build up for the World Cup. We have an exceptionally talented group but we have to challenge the world now. We had an exciting programme that challenged Africa, now we challenge the world.”
FINAL RESULTS
Namibia 1-4 South Africa
AWARDS
Top Goalscorer – Fagen Hansen (Namibia)
Goalkeeper of the Tournament – Bongumusa Mngoma (South Africa)
Player of the Tournament – Dayaan Cassiem (South Africa)
SA Hockey Association media release
Watch out world, Namibia and South Africa are on their way
South Africa men and Namibia women have secured their places at the FIH Indoor Hockey World Cup in Belgium next year after an intense three days of hockey competition in Durban, South Africa.
It was a tournament packed with high scoring matches, a great competitive atmosphere and a sense of relief to be back playing international hockey. As Tournament Director Sarah Bennett said: “The Indoor Africa Cup was a great success. It was amazing to see international hockey being played on African soil during these very trying times, due to the Covid 19 pandemic.
“The quality of hockey was of a high standard and it was fantastic to see the growth in Botswana hockey since their last international series in 2019.
“It was also a credit to the South African Hockey Association, the local organising committee and Thomas Mores College to host this event of such a high standard
Perhaps indicative of how much playing hockey meant to the athletes was demonstrated by the positive attitude shown by the Botswana teams. With no world ranking and a team that has had little opportunity to prepare together, the sides took to the tournament with verve and enthusiasm. 
Match score lines included a 37-0 loss by Botswana men to Namibia and a 30-0 loss for the women’s team to the eventual champions.
In the round robin matches, South Africa men were a class apart as they scored 85 goals and conceded just seven during their five matches. While the 36-0 against Botswana was a master class in taking opportunities, it was the composed performance that saw them beat Namibia 4-1 in the final that marked their cards as champions of Africa and qualifiers for the FIH Indoor Hockey World Cup next year in Liege, Belgium.
Captain of South Africa men, Jethro Eustice, said: “I am so excited, we have put a long process together with this group over the past year and a half. It wasn’t easy, Namibia put up a good fight but now we can’t wait to build up for the World Cup.
“We have an exceptionally talented group but we have to challenge the world now. We had an exciting programme that challenged Africa, now we challenge the world.”
For the women’s competition, it was always going to be tight between South Africa and Namibia. South Africa had the edge going into the final as they had beaten Namibia in the two round robin encounters – a tight 2-1 victory and a more convincing 4-0. However, Namibia have a lot of experience following their appearance at the FIH Indoor Hockey World Cup 2018 and were not going to be easily thrown from their goal of achieving a second consecutive African title.
Head Coach Erwin Handura set his defence up to cope with all South Africa could throw at them, and goals from Caitlin Gillies and Sunelle Ludwig were enough to secure the win, the title and World Cup qualification.
Namibia’s captain and stalwart midfielder Magreth Mengo said: “It feels fantastic, amazing and blessed. I don’t really have the words. We sorted out our defensive team and worked hard together. We helped each other and we had each other’s back.
“Belgium here we come. We are representing Africa, so watch out, here we come. Namibia is representing Africa at world level.”
Top goal scorers for the competitions were Fagan Hansen of Namibia men, with an incredible 24 goals and Tegan Fourie of South Africa with 10 goals.
The result means South Africa men and Namibia women become the 11th teams to qualify for the FIH Indoor Hockey World Cup 2022, with just the PAHF competition left to decide who the 12th and final place in each competition goes to. The 2022 FIH Men's and Women's Indoor Hockey World Cups take place 2-6 February in the Belgium city of Liege.
#IndoorHockey
#IndoorWC2022
FIH site
Speedy Tigers put to the sword
By Jugjet Singh
Japan players (in red) celebrate scoring against Malaysia in Saturday’s friendly in Bukit Jalil. - Pic courtesy of MHC
The national hockey team had everything at their disposal but still lost 3-0 to a visiting Japanese side in an international friendly in Bukit Jalil on Saturday.
And they can expect a much more torrid time when they play Britain in the Triangular today.
Playing at the National Hockey Stadium, the weather, the food and the home ground advantage meant nothing as the Speedy Tigers were outpaced and outfoxed by the Olympic-bound Blue Samurai.
World No 11 Malaysia did nothing right from the first whistle.
"Fitness was the biggest problem as we had to keep chasing an amazingly fit Japanese side in the opening two quarters. In the final quarter, we never even got out of our 25-yard line," said national coach Arul Selvaraj on Saturday.
Hirotaka Zendana got things rolling with a goal off a penalty corner attempt in the 19th minute.
Japan then piled relentless pressure in the last quarter and were rewarded with goals from Kota Watanabe (50th) and Ryosei Kato (55th).
It was Arul's first competitive match after taking over from Dutchman Roelant Oltmans.
"What I am looking for is hardworking and fighting players. Even though we did not score today, I saw those traits in my players, so I am not disappointed with their attitude.
"We need to improve our fitness. Playing during the fasting month is also harder.
"After this, it is Hari Raya and only then I can push them to maximum fitness for the Asia Cup (on July 1-10, a World Cup qualifier)," said Arul.
The win on Saturday was Japan's first competitive match in 18 months, but the World No 15 have been training regularly at the Olympic venue in Tokyo for months.
Going by their well-oiled display against Malaysia, it looks like Japan are going to upset the form book in the Olympics.
New Straits Times
Great Britain in match play as heat turns up on Tokyo
GB stand for a minute's silence to pay respects for Prince Philip PIC: Andy Halliday
Great Britain finally ramped up the heat on their Tokyo Olympic preparations with matchplay after seven days of quarantine in Kuala Lumpur.
On Sunday they played the first of five matches against Japan and Malaysia at the national hockey stadium in KL. All teams moved to a new hotel and are now in a sports bubble.
In an uncapped match, Rupert Shipperley and James Gall scored goals in a 2-2 draw against Japan, the Olympic hosts.
Great Britain Hockey Performance Director, Ed Barney, said: “The heat and humidity in Tokyo is a key piece of the Olympic Games environment and is something that the men’s squad will experience in Malaysia.
“Over the past couple of years, we’ve been growing our experience in these environments and continue to have a number of creative strategies to ensure we are exceptionally well prepared.”
GB Women prep at home
Mark Hager’s side will host a series of practice matches against Ireland on 27, 28 and 30 April, with the final match on Sunday 2 May.
All of the games are being played behind closed doors and will not be streamed.
GB were due to travel to Malaysia but pulled out at the last minute after Ireland also cancelled their trip.
Reports in Malaysia suggest that changes to travel rules meant that Ireland would have been forced into 10 days of quarantine once they returned to Dublin.
GB Hockey schedule:
GB men:
Sunday 18 April: Great Britain v Japan, 14:00 BST
Monday 19 April: Malaysia v Great Britain 14:00 BST
Wednesday 21 April: Japan v Great Britain 14:00 BST
Thursday 22 April: Malaysia v Great Britain 14:00 BST
Saturday 24 April: Great Britain v Japan 03:00 BST
GB women:
Tuesday 27 April: Great Britain v Ireland, 10:00 BST
Wednesday 28 April: Great Britain v Ireland, 18:00 BST
Friday 30 April: Great Britain v Ireland, 14:00 BST
Sunday 2 May: Great Britain v Ireland, 13:00 BST
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The Hockey Paper
SA Hockey players desperate for Olympic Games funding and future sponsorship
Excitement is building among South African athletes, yet smaller sporting codes continue to search for funding that could make all the difference to their respective campaigns.
By Jon Cardinelli
Nqobile Ntuli of South Africa (#27) celebrates his goal with teammates during the FIH Men's Hockey World Cup Group C match between Canada and South Africa at Kalinga Stadium on 2 November 2018. (Photo: Charles McQuillan / Getty Images for FIH)
The South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee (Sascoc) had secured a sponsor and would have the financial means to send Team SA to Tokyo in July and August, president Barry Hendricks recently confirmed.
In March, Sascoc presented an Olympic budget to Parliament in which it had costed flights and accommodation, as well as a $25 per diem for a 350-person contingent in Tokyo. The total was R44-million, which, compared with teams such as the US, China and Great Britain, is small change.
But that’s the reality of South African sport. If there isn’t private funding through sponsors or broadcast rights sales, Sascoc is not going to save federations.
Although Sascoc will pick up the tab for sending Team SA to Tokyo, for smaller disciplines such as hockey, the challenge of generating funding for the preparation phase still looms large. Olympic funding is needed constantly to improve a sports code, not just for a few weeks every four years.
Even in these dire financial times, rugby, cricket and football have the means to fund training camps and cover basic requirements such as food, accommodation and travel.
The Springbok Sevens team, which will be in Tokyo for the Games, has been preparing for years with SA Rugby’s funding. Similarly, the SA Under-23 football team has been lavishly prepared on the back of money from the South Africa Football Association.
The men’s hockey side, however, does not enjoy such resources.
The sport is amateur and, in an ideal world, would be backed by constant funding from Sascoc. But they are not and as a result they may arrive in Tokyo woefully undercooked.
“If we don’t receive the necessary funding, we won’t have the resources to participate in the events leading up to the Games,” Austin Smith, a two-time Olympian and one of South Africa’s most senior players, told DM168.
“We’re not sure how much we will have to pay out of our own pockets. It’s going to be a great honour to represent our country, but it might be a bit of a downer to get home afterwards and pay back a debt in the region of R50,000.”
Crowdfunding campaign
Smith (35) is a former South African captain who has won 165 caps over a period of 17 years. He travelled with Team SA to Beijing in 2008 and London in 2012.
The sport was done a disservice when Sascoc refused to send the national team to Rio de Janeiro in 2016. Nine years have passed since the team last represented South Africa at the Olympics, and the coaches and players are desperate to make this next opportunity count.
Last month, South Africa partnered with matchkit.co to launch a crowdfunding campaign.
The side needs to generate between R3.5-million and R5-million to ensure that they travel to Japan with the best possible chance of beating top teams such as world champions Belgium, Great Britain and Germany.
While they remain well short of that financial target – and while time is running out – Smith remains optimistic.
“The response has been brilliant so far. These are difficult times, so we’ve been grateful to receive any kind of support,” Smith said.
“Some people have told us that they can’t support us financially, but have gone out of their way to help us with other things, such as accommodation. That’s given us hope.”
Sascoc has committed to delivering Team SA to Tokyo. It’s up to the respective federations and athletes, however, to fund the preparation phase of the journey.
The South African Hockey Association told DM168 that the men’s team’s outstanding fundraising efforts had generated significant momentum, and that various funding channels had now been unlocked.
Another sponsor has been secured, and details of that partnership are expected to be announced in the near future.
Covering the bare necessities
Smith made it clear that all money generated by the crowdfunding campaign would go towards covering basic costs. Each expense has been broken down on the various social media platforms for the public and all would-be investors to see: 200 hockey balls (R70,000), 300 Covid-19 tests (R255,000), 81 days’ access to a physiotherapist (R243,000), 1,498 hotel rooms (R1,121,250), 107 international flights (R1,605,000), 50 domestic flights (R100,000), and 4,494 meals (R674,100).
“This is not about upgrading our flights from economy to business class, or about ensuring that we have a great time,” he said.
“This is about meeting the costs of the bare necessities … What I’ve found interesting about this process is that most people are unaware that hockey is an amateur sport in South Africa. Some believe that we earn as much as football players. They’re surprised when they hear that we have full-time jobs outside of the sport. They assume that all athletes [who]compete at the highest level must have the same resources, which is obviously not true.”
Smith confirms that everybody in the team has taken responsibility to generate interest in the campaign.
“We all know what’s at stake here – whatever we don’t raise we will have to pay ourselves. We don’t want to be in a situation where we have to cancel our plans to compete in what we view as crucial tournaments ahead of the Olympics.
“In a way, it helps that our team is scattered around the world,” said the veteran defender, who was speaking from his base in the Netherlands, where he works as a teacher and represents the HC Den Bosch club.
“That way we will have a bigger reach. I did an interview with a local Dutch paper the other day. We want to get our message out there.
“We’re not only doing this for ourselves. We want to go to the Olympics and do South Africa proud. We also want to inspire the next generation of hockey players.”
‘SA are used to being the underdogs’
Should they secure the necessary funding, South Africa will play fixtures against Namibia and Malaysia in May, before participating in the Azlan Shah tournament in June. Plans are in place to stage a training camp in Japan ahead of the Olympic group matches.
“We have to beat our rivals Canada as well as another big team to advance to the next stage of the tournament,” Smith says of the Olympic draw.
“Anything can happen once you get to the knockout stages. The odds may be against us, but as South Africans we are used to being the underdogs. We are used to fighting for every inch.”
Indeed, the players appear to be fighting for a lot more than the opportunity to prepare for a major event.
Smith reiterated what a good campaign in Tokyo could do for the sport in the long term. Since readmission in 1992, South Africa have never finished higher than 10th at the Games.
“To come back from the Olympics with an improved placing, and perhaps an improved world ranking, would be hugely positive. This is a young squad, and they may be well placed to progress en route to the 2023 Hockey World Cup and the 2024 Olympics in Paris.
“If the team achieves any success in Tokyo, this will encourage big sponsors to fund a programme in South Africa and ultimately improve the team’s preparation for future tournaments.
“There’s pressure on us to make this next opportunity count … but we’re proud to have this chance. A lot of people have shown their support already, and we don’t want to let them down.”
Daily Maverick
Rot-Weiss men earn European spot from German regular season
Rot-Weiss Köln’s men confirmed they would take first place from the regular season in Germany, ensuring they will take up a European spot for the 2021/22 season thanks to a 4-1 win over TSV Mannheim.
The result means they can no longer be overhauled and coach André Henning was delighted with the outcome.
“We secured the first EHL place, which was basically one of the primary goals for the main round the season. we are proud of that. After what was actually a good start, Mannheim broke away and took the lead. It wasn’t an easy game, we always had to bring up the tempo and that was then the key to victory.”
Nicolas Proske had given TSV a first half lead but Rot-Weiss got back level by half-time via Kai Aichinger. Mink van der Weerden put them in front for the first time from a corner and the game was made safe by Florian Pelzner and from Thies Ole Prinz late in the game.
They got the win despite the absence of Mats Grambusch who is still recovering from a slight Achilles tendon injury as they finished with 69 points.
On Sunday, Rot-Weiss drew with Mannheim 1-1, a result which was just enough for the latter club to finish second in Pool B, staying clear of fast-finishing Berliner HC.
Berlin beat Polo Hamburg 3-2 on the final day of the regular season with all four clubs going through to the quarter-finals.
In Pool A, Uhlenhorst Mülheim finished first with a 5-1 win over Grossflotbek and then drew with Harvestehuder THC 4-4 on Sunday, giving Thilo Stralkowski’s side a grand total of 55 points.
UHC Hamburg were second with HTHC in third and Der Club an der Alster completing the quarter-final list.
Euro Hockey League media release
Maryland field hockey turned it around in weekend sweep of Rutgers
Shane Connuck
Bibi Donraadt handles the ball during Maryland field hockey’s 2-1 win over Rutgers on April 17, 2021. (Joe Ryan/The Diamondback)
Mayv Clune crept in front of the cage seven minutes into Maryland field hockey’s 2-1 win over Rutgers when Anna Castaldo sent a sharp pass from just inside the circle toward her.
Clune, a step in front of her defender, watched Castaldo the whole way. The redshirt junior saw the ball rolling toward her and smacked it through a small hole left open by Scarlet Knights’ goalkeeper Gianna Glatz.
Clune had yet to score a goal this season — and she put the Terps on the board against a top 10 opponent.
“I think it’s pretty cool that we’re able to score in standard situations, like penalty corners, and also have normal field goals,” forward Bibi Donraadt said.
In Thursday’s 4-2 win over No. 6 Rutgers, No. 12 Maryland capitalized on penalty corner opportunities — three of its four scores came off corners. The Terps struggled to score on penalty corners earlier in the season, but once they were able to consistently do it, it led to the team’s second-highest offensive output of the season.
On Saturday, Maryland drew just two penalty corners — but that didn’t matter.
In addition to Clune’s first goal of the season, the Terps ended up winning the match on a late strike by Donraadt on a miraculous offensive sequence during the final minutes. Coach Missy Meharg’s squad continued to find different ways to score without relying on penalty corner plays.
Earning these two wins against a dominant Rutgers squad has boosted Maryland’s confidence.
“Mindset can be very positive, it can be very neutral, and it can be very negative,” Meharg said. “And what we’ve loved about working with this team is it’s either been neutral or positive.”
Maryland entered the final regular season weekend with a .500 record and found itself on a three-game skid.
Now, after their two wins over the Scarlet Knights, the Terps roll into the Big Ten tournament with an 8-6 overall record. Since only the first match of every weekend series counts toward a team’s conference record, Maryland’s 5-3 conference finish earned it the No. 4 seed in the tournament. On Wednesday, it’ll face No. 5 seed Iowa on the Hawkeyes’ home pitch.
“We couldn’t be going into the tournament playing a better brand of hockey,” Meharg said.
It took more than finding new ways to score for the Terps to earn two wins against Rutgers — they had to control a Scarlet Knights attack that has found the back of the cage 25 times this season.
And goalkeeper Noelle Frost continued showing her brilliance in the net. During the latter half of the fourth quarter, Rutgers scored off the first penalty stroke against Maryland all season. They didn’t let up on Frost and the Terps’ defense, but Frost stayed cool under pressure.
The Scarlet Knights drew three consecutive penalty corners. They took three shots, and Frost put every one of them away, eventually allowing Maryland to drive down the pitch before Donraadt would knock in the match-winning goal.
“I can’t applaud Noelle Frost enough,” Meharg said. “The way these guys rebound, our corner defensive unit was unbelievable.”
The Diamondback
Iowa field hockey swept by Northwestern
Northwestern dispatched Iowa, meaning the Hawkeyes dropped down to the No. 5 seed in the Big Ten Tournament.
Ben Palya
Iowa midfielder Esme Gibson runs down the field with the ball during the second quarter of a field hockey game against Maryland on Friday, April 2, 2021 at Grant Field. The Hawkeyes were defeated by the Terrapins, 1-0. Hannah Kinson
Iowa field hockey has found incredible success in the spring 2021 season.
Going into the weekend, Iowa trailed only Michigan in the Big Ten, was ranked No. 2 in the country, and had a 10-2 record in what has arguably been the best conference in field hockey this season.
That all changed this weekend, as Iowa fell 2-1 and 1-0 to Northwestern in the doubleheader. Thursday’s 2-1 loss was particularly damaging for the Hawkeyes, who fell from the No. 2 seed all the way down to the No. 5 seed for the Big Ten Tournament.
The losses could pose a serious threat to Iowa’s postseason aspirations, and it may mean Iowa has to win the Big Ten Tournament to get a bid for the NCAA Tournament.
The Hawkeyes started the first game strong, holding the Big Ten’s best offense to no shots in the first quarter while getting two of their own. The momentum continued over into the second half, where sophomore midfielder Esme Gibson capped off an amazing run through the Northwestern defense with a strong finish into the corner to give Iowa the advantage.
Northwestern responded five minutes before the half as Bente Baekers leveled the game for the Wildcats.
Despite holding Northwestern to just four shots the entire match, the Wildcats converted twice. It was Baekers who scored once again for Northwestern early in the second half.
The Wildcats would hold on afterwards as Iowa failed to convert any of its four shots in the second half. A big reason for that was the strong performance of Northwestern goalkeeper Annabelle Skubisz, who saved four shots on the day.
Saturday’s match was an entertaining affair, despite the 1-0 scoreline to show for it. Both teams registered 10 shots in the match, but big days from both goalkeepers meant tensions remained high throughout the match. Iowa goalkeeper Grace McGuire impressed with four saves, while Northwestern’s goalkeepers had six saves between the two of them.
After a back-and-forth first half, in which both teams traded blows, Northwestern had all the momentum in the third quarter. The Wildcats got four shots off and scored late in the third quarter, with Bente Baekers scoring yet again for Northwestern.
Iowa dominated the fourth quarter to no avail. The Black and Gold pinned Northwestern back into its own half to finish the match, but Iowa couldn’t convert any of the four chances it created late.The Hawkeyes finish the regular season 10-4 and 5-3 in games counting toward the Big Ten Conference standings.
There is an incredible four-way tie for third place, but the Hawkeyes unfortunately fall near the bottom of the tie, despite their superior overall record on the season.
The Hawkeyes will now turn their attention to the Big Ten Tournament taking place in Iowa City, where Iowa will be given a tough test in the opening round against Maryland.
The two sides will square off at Grant Field Wednesday at 2:30 p.m., and the game can also be seen on BTN.
The Daily Iowan
Late Goals Doom Chippewa Field Hockey In Loss To Ball State
MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich. – Ball State scored twice in the final five minutes on Sunday in handing Central Michigan a 2-0 Mid-American Conference field hockey loss at Cristy Freese Field.
The Chippewas and Cardinals split their two-game weekend series. CMU, which won, 1-0, on Saturday, is 5-5, 3-4 MAC.
CMU entertains Longwood in a MAC game on Tuesday (1 p.m.). It is the Chippewas' home finale. They close the season next weekend with two games at Kent State.
Ball State outshot the Chippewas, 14-3, finished with a 9-1 advantage in shots on goal, and posted an 8-1 edge in penalty corners.
Maureen Donegan scored at the 55:21 mark. Kerrianne McClay added an empty-net goal with under two minutes remaining.
"I just don't think we ever really got going," CMU coach Catherine Ostoich said. "I think from the beginning Ball State came out really on fire and I think we just played catch-up the whole game.
"And yet we were in it the whole time and we had moments where it felt like we were going to settle in, but I just don't think we ever really settled in. They really came at us hard and kept the pressure up the whole game. We didn't really apply it back to them on the attacking side."
Chippewa freshman goalkeeper Katie Maxim faced 13 shots and registered seven saves.
"She definitely kept us in the game with some big saves," Ostoich said. "The first goal, she made two saves and (the goal) came after the third rebound; she was doing her part and I think we let her down a little bit as a team. It's something to learn from. We've got another opportunity on Tuesday to see if we can play some good hockey."
Saturday's game was CMU's first since March 27. The Chippewas' series with Miami (Ohio), scheduled for last weekend, was postponed.
"We knew that (fatigue) was something that could be a factor from having been off for so long, but I think we still could have played some better hockey," Ostoich said. "That's on us; we've got to be able to utilize our strengths and I'm not sure we did that today."
Despite Sunday's loss, the Chippewas can look ahead to the final week of the season and beyond with encouragement. Ostoich is in her third year in charge of the program and the roster is relatively young. The five wins in 2021 are more than the program has registered in any season since 2014.
"I've been really proud of this team," Ostoich said. "To have come so far, to have five wins, we've hit so many marks this season which has been incredible.
"But I think we're all super competitive and we want more, and I think that's a good thing. We've just got to keep learning from each game. We did a phenomenal job of getting the job done (on Saturday) and while it didn't happen for us today, let's see if we can build from today and be better on Tuesday.
"If we're better on Tuesday, win or lose, I will look at that as a success because we've got to keep moving forward each game regardless of the outcome."
CMU Chippewas
Australian hockey club honours fallen soldiers
Norths Hockey Club players wear the special Diggers Day jerseys for ANZAC Day
A Brisbane hockey club is honouring fallen Australian Defence Force members with a special commemorative ANZAC Day jersey.
Northern Suburbs HC has a long tradition of Australian Army personnel in its playing ranks, given the club’s close proximity to the Gallipoli Barracks in the neighbouring suburb of Enoggera.
The club has paid tribute to ADF members with its new Diggers Appreciation Day jersey worn in games on ANZAC weekend as it also honours one of its former players, Ashley Birt.
Designed by Norths players Jack Tucker and Tim Riggall with assistance from clubmate and Australian Army Captain Aaron Evans, the jersey incorporates iconic ANZAC imagery including poppies, a soldier standing honourably over the fallen, and the eternal quote ‘Lest we forget’.
The special jersey honours Corporal Birt, a former Norths hockey player who was killed on operations in Afghanistan in 2011.
“We endeavoured to create a jersey that is respectful and honours past and present members of the ADF who have represented our country so that we may live blessed and privileged lives,” said Tucker.
“We feel very fortunate to wear this design and will do our utmost to represent their honour with dignity and pride, just as they have nobly done for us and Australia.”
Part of the purpose of the Diggers Appreciation Day commemoration is to raise awareness of people’s mental health.
Norths is also raising money for Cor Infinitus, whose purpose is to provide dignity and respect to the families of ADF personnel who have taken their own lives.
The organisation also aims to break down the stigma around mental health for serving and veteran defence force members.
Norths is hosting an event at its clubhouse on April 24 with guest speaker Kevin Humphreys, who had a 20-year military career flying Blackhawk and Chinook helicopters for the Australian Army.
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The Hockey Paper
Former International Umpire Anupama succumbs to Covid-19
International umpire Anupama
New Delhi, 18 April 2021: Former International umpire Anupama Punchimandais no more. The 40-year old former state player passed away on Sunday morning in Bengaluru due to covid-related complications.
Anupama, a former national level hockey player, had officiated in several prestigious international tournaments including the 2005 BDO Junior World Cup (Women) in Santiago, Hero Hockey World League Round-2 (Women) in 2013 at New Delhi as well as the 2013 Women’s Asia Cup in Kuala Lumpur.
Expressing Hockey India’s condolences to Anupama’s bereaved family, President Gyanendro Ningombam said, “This (Sunday) morning we woke up to the very sad news about Anupama Punchimanda’s demise in Bengaluru. She was one of the first few women in India to umpire at very reputed international tournaments. We at Hockey India share the grief of her family and friends and we extend our deepest condolences to Anupama’s family members.”
Anupama is first international hockey umpire from the Coorg region of Karnataka.
Stick2Hockey.com
Former hockey umpire Anupama Punchimanda succumbs to COVID-19 at 40
Anupama had officiated in junior women's World Cup and the Asia Cup among other major hockey events.
By Naveen Peter
One of India’s former international hockey umpires Anupama Punchimanda lost her battle with COVID-19 in Bengaluru on Sunday. She was 40!
Punchimanda, a former national level player, took to officiating early in her career and excelled as an umpire.
She oversaw a number of big-ticket events like the 2005 Junior Women’s World Cup in Santiago, Chile, the 2013 Hockey World League Round II in New Delhi and the 2013 Women’s Asia Cup in Kuala Lumpur.
“Anupama Punchimanda was one of the first few women in India to umpire at very reputed international tournaments,” Hockey India president Gyanendro Ningombam said in a statement.
“We at Hockey India share the grief of her family and friends and we extend our deepest condolences to Anupama's family members.”
Punchimanda’s death comes just a few days after former Indian footballer and Olympian Ahmed Hussain died following complications related to the novel coronavirus. Hussain was 89 years old.
India have been dealing with a second wave of COVID-19 over the past few weeks with the ministry of health and family welfare reporting 1.8 million active cases as on April 18 with 177,150 reported deaths.
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