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News for 01 May 2021

All the news for Saturday 1 May 2021


2021 Test matches RSA v NAM (M) - 1 May
Johannesburg (RSA)

1 May 2021 15:30 (GMT +2)     RSA v NAM
2 May 2021 15:30 (GMT +2)     RSA v NAM
4 May 2021 19:00 (GMT +2)     RSA v NAM
5 May 2021 19:00 (GMT +2)     RSA v NAM
7 May 2021 19:00 (GMT +2)     RSA v NAM

No Spectators allowed
All matches to be streamed live on the Watch Hockey App

FMC



2,700 fans allowed per day at EuroHockey Championships in June



The Koninklijke Nederlandse Hockey Bond (KNHB) and European Hockey Federation (EHF) announced today that tickets are now on sale for the EuroHockey Championships 2021. The Championships for men and women will be played from 4th – 13th June in the Wagener Stadium in Amsterdam.

In consultation with the Dutch Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport, NOC * NSF, and the two municipalities of Amstelveen and Amsterdam, the KNHB and EHF have drawn up a plan that makes it possible to admit approximately 2,700 spectators per match day.  

These spectators will be placed in households and the mandatory 1.5 meters distance between households will also be taken into account throughout the venue. In addition, we understand currently that all spectators can only be admitted to the event upon showing a negative COVID19 rapid test.

In 2017, the atmosphere was electric with more than 9,500 spectators present every day during the EuroHockey Championships, this time far fewer people can be present, due to the COVID19 restrictions.  

At the KNHB, however, enthusiasm predominates the mood about the fact that ticket sales can start and hockey fans can enjoy the matches in the stadium. Erik Gerritsen, KNHB General Director: “In recent months, we have discussed various scenarios with the national and local government. The joint authorities have now given us permission to start ticket sales. At the moment we assume that we will be able to admit a limited number of spectators every day, but who knows, maybe more will be possible at the end of May. But even with a limited number of spectators, the atmosphere in the stadium will be great.”  

Gerritsen has also made agreements if the developments surrounding COVID19 throw a spanner in the works and the public is not allowed. “We don’t assume that now, but if that negative scenario evolves, we guarantee that the ticket buyers will get their money back. We have also agreed this with the national and local government.”

Angus Kirkland,  Director General of the European Hockey Federation (EHF) said “We are pleased that ticket sales have started. The EHC is the pinnacle event on our calendar. It will be a Championship like no other but we are sure that we can run a safe and fun event, with spectators back in the stands where they should be!”  

Where can I buy tickets?

Tickets can be purchased through the tournament’s official website, www.rabo-eurohockeychampionships2021.nl

Euro Hockey League media release



London To Host World Champions As 2021/22 FIH Hockey Pro League Fixtures



Reigning women’s World Cup holders The Netherlands and men’s world champions Belgium will head to London next summer as the 2021/22 FIH Hockey Pro League fixtures are confirmed. The series of home games is completed by visits from New Zealand and Australia in May next year.

As the new season takes place after the Olympics, GB athletes will compete with their home nations  with England men and women competing in the FIH Hockey Pro League, prior to the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham later in the year.  This will be the first time to watch them in action on home soil since more than 100,000 fans descended on London for the 2018 Vitality Women’s Hockey World Cup.

All four weekends will be double-headers with both the men and women playing their opponents twice across consecutive days, so there will be 16 matches of high-octane hockey across eight days that you really won’t want to miss out on watching.

England’s men begin their FIH Hockey Pro League 2021/22 campaign away against Spain on 4-5 February 2022, with both teams subsequently travelling to Argentina later in the month. The men will then take their first trip to India since the 2018 World Cup in early April, with the women facing China at the same time before heading to the USA a fortnight later.

A double-header against Germany will conclude England’s away fixtures in the third edition of the league before the home leg kicks off on 14-15 May against New Zealand.

Just a week later both teams will face Australia before The Netherlands visit on 4-5 June and Belgium make the journey over a fortnight later to conclude proceedings.


The last time England's men played on home soil was when they won bronze at the 2017 Hockey World League Semi-Final

More information will follow on ticket news and how you can secure your seats to these games.

For ticket buyers of the 2020/21 Home games that have been moved behind closed doors, you still have the option to retain your booking and transfer it to 2021/22 or claim a refund.  Click here for more information.

2021/22 FIH Hockey Pro League fixtures (Venues, times and broadcast TBC)

    4-5 Feb 2022: Spain v England (M)
    19-20 Feb 2022: Argentina v England (M + W)
    2-3 Apr 2022: India v England (M)
    2-3 Apr 2022: China v England (W)
    23-24 Apr 2022: USA v England (W)
    30 Apr-1 May 2022: Germany v England (M + W)
    14-15 May 2022: England v New Zealand (M + W)
    20-21 May 2022: England v Australia (M + W)
    4-5 Jun 2022: England v Netherlands (M + W)
    18-19 Jun 2022: England v Belgium (M + W)

Great Britain Hockey media release



Indian men's hockey team should aim for medal, not be satisfied with 'Olympian title', says Vasudevan Baskaran

Baskaran, who had led India to its last Olympic gold medal in hockey in the 1980 Moscow edition, advised to the team to keep up its confidence level.


File image of Indian men's hockey captain Manpreet Singh. Hockey India

New Delhi: Former captain Vasudevan Baskaran feels the Indian men's hockey team cannot afford to be content with only playing in the Olympics if it is to relive the glory days and finish on the podium in Tokyo.

Baskaran, who had led India to its last Olympic gold medal in hockey in the 1980 Moscow edition, advised to the team to keep up its confidence level.

"The men's team has been playing really well. My advice to them is to keep the confidence level up. Each player has come up the hard way to reach here," Baskaran said on a Hockey Indian podcast 'Hockey Te Charcha.'

"It would perhaps be the first Olympics for about seven-eight players, and I feel they shouldn't just be happy with the 'Olympian title' but they should aim for a medal.

"This is possible only when everybody in the team believes that they can be a medal-winning team and finish on the podium."

Talking about the Indian women's team, which defeated USA to qualify for the Olympics, Baskaran said the side has earned its place by sheer determination and now must remain focused on finishing in the top four at the Tokyo Games.

"When I was playing 1980 Moscow Olympics, women's hockey was included. Our Indian team had missed the bronze medal closely.

"After seeing the current Indian women's hockey team, particularly from 2016 they have developed a lot of confidence.

"I saw them play live in Bhubaneswar when they beat USA, one of the best teams in the world. They rightfully earned the place in the Olympics."

"They are on the up-hill scale. They need to push themselves for the first 4 position. I know Rani and team are capable of doing very well," he added.

Firstpost



Jaskaran story: Like father, like son...even if it took some time!

By ERROL D’CRUZ



Jaskaran Singh blossoming in the India team has warmed the cockles of a former international – Rajinder Singh Chauhan, his father.

Recently, the 26-year-old got on to the score sheet in the final practice match against Argentina which India won 4-2. Although the match is classified as a friendly, the splendid goal he scored to put his team 2-0 up will have done wonders for the confidence of the midfielder who has collected six caps.


Olympian and World Cupper Rajinder Singh Jr

Sixty-one-year-old Rajinder ‘Junior’, as he was commonly called to differentiate from his senior namesake and colleague in the defence donned the country’s colours from 1981-86. His dream of seeing Jaskaran follow in his footsteps, however, didn’t seem to be coming true. If anything, his son showed interest in cricket and was selected to the district team when 13 years of age, something that not surprisingly wasn’t greeted with too much enthusiasm from his father.

“He used to occasionally go to the hockey ground with me in his school days but hardly showed keenness for the game,” Jalandhar-based Rajinder, former India coach, recollects.

In fact, Jaskaran even took to golf for a while but the hockey stick remained in the corner, much to Rajinder’s disappointment.

Moreover, Jaskaran has had a firm head over shoulders when it came to academics and after securing a B.Com degree began his quest for an M.B.A. degree.

“It was only when he was in college that he took to hockey and his interest for the game grew when the HIL started,” Rajinder explains.

“He worked hard and soon won a place in the Combined Universities team for the Nationals. He then excelled at the Punjab Sindh Bank (PSB) academy where I coached and I made sure he was put through hard training,” says Rajinder, a Dronacharya awardee.

It all came together for the late bloomer Jaskaran. “He was selected to the Punjab team for the National championship and summoned to the India camp in 2015. The Hockey India League (HIL) fuelled his passion for the game and in time he was picked by UP Wizards,” recalls Rajinder.


Current international hockey player Jaskaran Singh, proud son of Rajinder Singh Jr.

Jaskaran’s tenure in the HIL was cruelly cut short by a hamstring injury after just one game but there was no denying him a pathway to donning the country’s colours. In the meantime, he sparkled at the PSB Academy and made trips to Canada where he assisted clubs in Vancouver and Toronto.

“Jaskaran also did well in the Bombay Gold Cup, Senior Nehru Cup and the National championships,” Rajinder recounts.

It was a matter of time he donned the India colours and, when he did, Rajinder’s joy of having his son play for the country knew no bounds. “I am very happy that my son too plays for India,” Rajinder, who has two daughters settled in Canada, states quite proudly. Jaskaran finally earned his spurs, travelling to Australia for a test series and to Japan for the Olympic test event in Tokyo in 2019.

A midfielder with the capacity to attack and defend with equal adeptness, Jaskaran has the requisite skills, fitness and strength according to a pleased Rajinder who hopes his son continues to gain exposure which will only help his confidence grow.

Rajinder knows too well the trials and tribulations of competitive hockey, having gone through the grind during his heyday.

Not the one to grumble at rule changes that have steadily changed the face of the game in the decades since he retired from international hockey, Rajinder likes the self-pass. “It encourages skills like dodging and dribbling and, with five yards at one’s disposal, gives a player time to think and effect an intelligent move,” Rajinder opines.

Back in the days when the drag-flick wasn’t yet thought about and off-side still in force, he represented Punjab Police and Northern Railway before joining PSB, playing and later coaching their teams till retirement 32 years down the line.

Rajinder made his debut in a test series against the visiting erstwhile Soviet Union in 1981, represented India at the New Delhi Asian Games the following year and was in the 1984 Los Angeles Olympic squad. After retiring from international hockey, he focussed on coaching and his tutelage at PSB has resulted in a glittering trophy cabinet for an outfit committed to the cause of the game.

Rajinder now coaches young players – right from the age of five – at the Surjit Hockey Academy. His busy schedule keeps him at the ground from 7 am up until dusk.

Not that he minds. Rajinder considers himself to be a man on a mission and one who, in his words, is “made for hockey.”

Stick2Hockey.com



Wallace's JAC plan in jeopardy

By Jugjet Singh

The Covid-19 pandemic is affecting the Malaysian junior team's preparation for the Junior Asia Cup (JAC) on July 1-10. Coach Wallace Tan is working with 29 players.

Team manager I. Vikneswaran said since the quarantine period is now back to 14 days, it will be difficult to invite teams or travel overseas for matches.

"When Japan and Britain came down to play a triangular with the national senior side, the quarantine period was only seven days.

"However, it is now back to 14 days due to the rising Covid-19 cases in the country.

"It means we will have to spend more days in quarantine if we travel overseas.

"This will lead to insufficient preparation time for the JAC," said Vikneswaran.

Malaysia only need to reach the semi-finals of the JAC in Bangladesh to qualify for the Junior World Cup.

India, South Korea, Japan, China, Pakistan, Taiwan, Singapore and Uzbekistan make up the 10-team tournament.

"We may have friendly matches against the senior teams ahead of the JAC," he said.

While Malaysia are definitely playing in the JAC, it is becoming increasingly difficult for some countries to travel to Bangladesh.

"I really hope the other eight teams, especially India, will be able to travel to Bangladesh for the JAC.

"Right now, the situation in India is quite bad.

"Hopefully, things will get better in time for the tournament," Vikneswaran added.

New Straits Times



Field Hockey falls 5-4 in OT to Stanford, out of NCAA tournament

By Jack Schmelzinger


Senior midfielder Leonor Berlie shoots and scores a goal during an April 16 game vs Appalachian State. Photo by Zach Reichman | The Miami Student

Miami field hockey’s excellent season ended Friday afternoon with an opening round NCAA tournament loss to the Stanford Cardinal in Chapel Hill, N.C.

Stanford will move on to face top seeded North Carolina.

Miami scored  less than one minute into the game. First-year striker Claudia Negrete Garcia took a shot that Stanford goalie Hannah Santos saved. The rebound kicked out to senior forward Allie Grace Joyner, who buried it for her 12th goal of the year.

Late in the first, Stanford struck back, as standout forward Corinne Zanolli scored her 12th goal of the year on a penalty corner.

The Cardinal scored the next two, both coming in the second quarter. Zanolli and defender Juli Porto found the back of the net for Stanford.

Both teams scored in the third quarter, and Miami entered the fourth down 4-2.

Just over a minute into the fourth, sophomore midfielder Madison Workman scored her first collegiate goal. Santos made a sprawling save on a shot by Garcia, and a Stanford defender tried to clear the ball. The clearing attempt found Workman’s stick next to the goal and she chipped it over a diving Santos to cut the Cardinal lead to one.

With less than two minutes left in regulation, Miami tied it up. Senior midfielder Leonor Berlie drove a shot on net, and Jenna Kirby — a first-year midfielder — deflected it in.

Neither team would score before the end of regulation. Sophomore goaltender Isabelle Parese saved a Zanoli shot with 30 seconds left to preserve the tie and send the game to overtime.

Zanolli finished the hat trick with the game winning goal in overtime. She slipped a shot past Parese after a penalty corner to walk it off for the Cardinal.

It was a valiant effort for the RedHawks, who finish the season 13-2 (10-0 Mid-American Conference). Both losses came against teams ranked in the top-20 of the National Field Hockey Coaches Association (NFHCA) poll.

Miami Student



Bucknell Field Hockey Advances to NCAA Quarterfinals with 2-1 Double-Overtime Win over VCU

Courtesy of Bucknell Athletics Communications



UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – The Bucknell field hockey team came away victorious in the program's first-ever NCAA Tournament game on Friday, defeating the undefeated VCU Rams 2-1 in double-overtime to advance to the quarterfinal round. Mary Kate Stefanowicz scored on a penalty corner with 13.5 seconds left in the second overtime for her second goal of the game to give the Bison their sixth consecutive victory.

Bucknell regrouped after falling behind 1-0 in the second quarter and scored the game-tying goal in the third to preserve the game. After neither team could find the back of the net in the fourth quarter or the first overtime, Stefanowicz scored the game-winner in the 79th minute off a Rachel Apa assist. The two goals were the first of the junior's career.

VCU outshot Bucknell 17-7 for the game and put four more shots on target than the Bison. Bucknell goalkeeper Clara McCormick finished with eight saves in the contest.

"I'm just thrilled. It's been an incredible ride with this group. We started 0-3, and here we are in the elite eight. We're still over the moon and still crazy excited to be on this ride," said head coach Jeremy Cook.

Bucknell will now face No. 2 seed Michigan at the Penn State Field Hockey Complex on Sunday, May 2 at noon.

The Rams jumped out in front first in the game when VCU junior Litiana Field received a pass during a penalty corner and snuck it between McCormick's pad and the left post. The goal came with just under four minutes to play in the first half. The Rams outshot Bucknell 7-2 in the first half and saw three penalty corners to Bucknell's one.

Bucknell's best chance over the first 30 minutes came on their lone penalty corner during the first quarter when Kayla Kisthardt sent a shot just wide of the goal.

The Bison ramped up the pressure in the third quarter, but still only managed two shots to VCU's three. It was on the first shot, however, that the Bison found the equalizer in the 37th minute. Sophomore Noor Kaur inserted a penalty corner and got it to fellow sophomore Mackenzie Kile at the top of the shooting circle. Kile left the ball for Stefanowicz, who fired a hard shot that skated past a pair of Ram defenders and just beyond the goalkeeper's outstretched leg.

Following a scoreless fourth quarter, Bucknell headed to overtime for the third time in as many games and for the fourth time this season.

In the second overtime, VCU nearly ended Bucknell's season in the 75th minute as the Bison were down a player due to a green card. On a penalty corner, the Rams fired a shot that ricocheted off McCormick and hit the post. It was VCU's last shot of the contest.

As the seconds ran off the clock it looked like the Bison would head to a shootout for the second time in three games. With only 13.5 seconds remaining, Stefanowicz scored the game winner to send the Bison to the next round.

"The battle was with a really talented, really hard-working team that controlled their spaces really well against a team like ours that tried to create bigger spaces and move the ball, and then force VCU to react by chasing us around a little bit," said Cook. "We did just enough of it. That game could have gone either way. They hit the post with two minutes to go. We just feel really fortunate and thankful for all the opportunities we've had to play."

Bucknell's matchup with Michigan will be the third in the all-time series, with the Wolverines holding a 2-0 edge. Michigan went 13-2 in the regular season and 6-0 in the Big Ten.

Patriot League media release



England aces put on Fareham Hockey Club coaching 'masterclass'

Fortunate Fareham Hockey Club players were recently put through their paces and provided the chance to pick the brains of England internationals past and present.

By Lewis Mason


Fareham's junior section players take on information from England aces Lily Owlsey and Ollie Willars

Both junior and senior club members were treated to a ‘masterclass’ coaching session led by England and Great Britain Olympic gold medalist Lily Owsley and recently retired international star Ollie Willars.

Fareham players worked on a variety of skills under the watchful eye of the England pair before being allowed the opportunity to quiz both Owsley and Willars in a Q & A session.

The masterclass proved incredibly popular with around 100 payers from both senior and junior sections taking on board tips from the pair who've enjoyed exceptional careers.

Owsley, who joined a Zoom call with Fareham's girls under-14s team in the first lockdown, was part of the GB Women's team who won gold at the Rio Olympics in 2016.

Defender Willars, who collected 138 England caps across a fine career, recently announced his retirement from the game and has now set up a coaching and mentorship programme 'Give & Go' offering personalised mentoring in the sport.

He won gold with his country Sultan Azlan Shah Cup and was a familiar face for Fareham having played against them for Beeston in the Tier Cup final.

The News, Portsmouth



SPAR KZN Schoolgirls’ Hockey Challenge

Fixtures for Durban North Regional

 
The future looks bright for star KZN hockey players as the tournament gets back on track after a year off. Looking forward to this weekend’s first regional of the SPAR KZN Schoolgirls’ Hockey Challenge are Janke Keyser, Alison Beck and Laikén Brisset from host school, Crawford La Lucia. Pic by Rogan Ward

Excitement mounts as the first regional of the SPAR KZN Schoolgirls’ Hockey Challenge gets underway this Sunday (2 May) at Crawford La Lucia.

Nine schools take to the turf for the Durban North Regional with the first whistle being blown at 07:25. The first fixture sees Our Lady of Fatima DCS taking on Reddam House uMhlanga. Fatima were the overall winners in the celebratory tenth year in 2020 and are out to reclaim and retain the title in the tournament’s ‘Take Two’ of their milestone year.

The nine schools will be split into two pools with Pool A consisting of Our Lady of Fatima, Ashton International College, Reddam House uMhlanga, Crawford North Coast and newcomers Reddam House Ballito. Pool B is led by host school, Crawford La Lucia, Danville Park Girls’ High School and Curro Mt Richmore.

This regional is always enthralling with the competition being action packed on the turf. In previous years, four teams have progressed to the Grand Finals to take on the other nine regional winners. Over the ten years, the teams that hoisted the trophy are Our Lady of Fatima, Danville Park Girls’ High, Ashton International College and Crawford La Lucia. This year the challenge consists of only the regionals, with the Grand Finals returning next year.


Excited to get back onto the turf, Crawford La Lucia top players Alison Beck, Laikén Brisset and Janke Keyser will be participating in the SPAR KZN Schoolgirls’ Hockey Challenge this weekend as they host other schools for the Durban North Regional, the first in this year’s Challenge. Pic by Rogan Ward

SPAR KZN Schoolgirls’ Hockey Challenge media release



Covid takes life of Hockey legend Yash Pal Vohra



CHANDIGARH: Yash Pal Vohra, a former Hockey player of Punjab and grand father of crickter Manan Vohra (Rajasthan Royals) died of Covid-19 infection on Friday at the age of 92. He lived with his son in Panchkula.

Yash Pal Vohra is contemprary of Hockey legends Balbir Singh senior, Dharam Singh and Bakhshish Singh. He played for Punjab in 50s and 60s and was among 24 probables for Indian Hockey team.

Yash Pal Vohra is a known name in Chandigarh sports circles. He was founder secretary general of Chandigarh Olympic Association and remained in the post for 25 years. He was main organiser of All India Gurmeet Memorial Hockey Tournament.

Manan's parents and grand mother had also tested positive for Corona but they all recovered from disease and are in good health.

Punjab News Express

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