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All the news for Friday 14 May 2021

2020-21 FIH Pro League (M) - 14 May
Lee Valley Hockey & Tennis Centre, London

12 May 2021 GBR v GER (RR)   5 - 3
13 May 2021 GBR v GER (RR)   3 - 1

Keep up to date with all the latest news on the FIH Hockey Pro League via the Watch.Hockey app, event website and through FIH social media channels - Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

Live streaming and full game replay on the Watch Hockey App (May be Geo blocked if there is TV coverage)

Men's Pool Standings

FIH Match Centre

2020-21 FIH Pro League (W) - 14 May
Lee Valley Hockey & Tennis Centre, London

12 May 2021     GBR v GER (RR)   2 - 3
13 May 2021     GBR v GER (RR)   2 - 0

Keep up to date with all the latest news on the FIH Hockey Pro League via the Watch.Hockey app, event website and through FIH social media channels - Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

Live streaming and full game replay on the Watch Hockey App (May be Geo blocked if there is TV coverage)

Women's Pool Standings

USA v NED (26.01.2020) worth double points because of the match cancelled on 24.01.2020
AUS v GBR (01.02.2020) worth double points because of the match cancelled on 02.02.2020

FIH Match Centre

GB teams victorious over Germany in second matches



It was a day to remember for the men’s and women’s teams of Great Britain, who both recorded FIH Hockey Pro League wins on Day 2 of their double headers against the national teams of Germany.

Great Britain’s men claimed a 3-1 victory over Germany – who they will face in the pool phase of the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 – to add to Wednesday’s 5-3 triumph, with Danny Kerry’s men capturing all six points from their double header against the Olympic bronze medallists from Rio 2016.

The double success leaves Great Britain sixth in the standings, boosting their win percentage – which will be crucial to the outcome of the league this year – to 36.7. Germany's win percentage has dropped to 63.3, but Die Honamas remain second behind Belgium in the FIH Hockey Pro League table.

While not quite reaching the same levels of excitement achieved in Wednesday’s thrilling first game, the second encounter was evenly balanced for long periods. Great Britain took a stranglehold on the game in the minutes before half time, with Chris Griffiths and Alan Forsyth both netting from open play to put their team on course for victory.

Germany rattled the crossbar in the third quarter and piled on the pressure in the final stages before GB put the game to bed thanks to Rupert Shipperley’s diving finish, which added gloss to a superb counter-attack started by GB defender and man of the Match David Ames. Germany’s Niklas Wellen pulled a goal back late on, but it did not stop Great Britain from claiming a second successive victory over Die Honamas.

When asked if he enjoyed the victory, GB’s David Ames said: "Yes, for large parts. We got a little nervous towards the back end of the second half. I think we always knew that Germany would put us under pressure. But credit to the boys, I think we dug in really well in the last ten minutes and got a really good result. It's been a good few days."

More information can be found by clicking here.

Great Britain’s women bounced back from Wednesday’s 3-2 defeat to claim a 2-0 win in their second encounter with Germany. The result sees Great Britain improve their win percentage to 46.67 but remain sixth in the standings, with Germany dropping to fourth with 58.33.

It was a vastly improved performance from the team coached by Mark Hager, who scored both of their goals in the second quarter before showing discipline and defensive resilience to see out the result. Anna Toman’s deflected penalty corner strike put Great Britain ahead in the 23rd minute before Susannah Townsend netted her second goal in two games with another deflected strike.

"It was great to get the win, much more enjoyable [than the defeat on Wednesday]” said Great Britain’s Sarah Evans, who was named Player of the Match. “All over the pitch I think you could see that we were on the front foot, more aggressive, and able to win the ball higher up the pitch."

On the build-up towards GB’s title defence at the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 – where like their men they will face Germany in the pool phase – Evans said: "It's great to play matches like this in the build-up. We are gaining great momentum now, having also played Ireland [recently], and each time we are stepping our game up. We are really confident with how these matches have gone, but we just have to step it up further and progress through to the Olympics."

Germany captain Charlotte Stapenhorst said: “We are a bit disappointed that we only started playing after the third quarter, when we created chances, which we didn’t do in the first half. It is a totally new mix of girls, but everyone made sure that they put their best in – I am proud of that, obviously. It is difficult to come in and play at such a high level, so that is a good thing and a good start for [those players].”

More information can be found by clicking here.

The FIH Hockey Pro League continues in Antwerp this coming weekend, with Belgium’s women facing USA on both Saturday and Sunday.

Keep up to date with all the latest news on the FIH Hockey Pro League via the Watch.Hockey app, event website and through FIH social media channels - Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

FIH Hockey Pro League
Thursday 13 May 2021 – London (GBR)

Men
Great Britain 3, Germany 1 [Match 2 of 2]
Player of the Match: David Ames (GBR)
Umpires: Paul Walker (ENG), Martin Madden (SCO) and Hannah Harrison (ENG - video)

Women
Great Britain 2, Germany 0 [Match 2 of 2]
Player of the Match: Sarah Evans (GBR)
Umpires: Hannah Harrison (ENG), Sarah Wilson (SCO) and Martin Madden (SCO - video)

#FIHProLeague
#HockeyInvites
#PlayHockeyStayHealthy

Official FIH Pro League Site

Great Britain's Men Record Second Impressive Win Over Germany



Great Britain’s men eased their way to a second victory in as many days over Germany in the FIH Hockey Pro League at Lee Valley Hockey And Tennis Centre.

Chris Griffiths struck his 25th international goal to give the hosts the lead after a much quieter opening corner than the game the day before.

Alan Forsyth added a second shortly before the end of the first half to give Danny Kerry’s side a clear half-time lead before Rupert Shipperley swept home a beautiful counter attacking move in the final quarter.

Niklas Wellen pulled one back for Germany late on but it was too little, too late as the hosts bagged all three points once again.

After the gluttony of goals in the first half yesterday, today’s opening quarter was a somewhat quieter affair with the only chance of note for much of it being a German corner that Ollie Payne saved.

Great Britain grew into the game though and firstly Roper and then Shipperley forced Viktor Aly into point blank saves in the final minute of the quarter.

Griffiths then scored in his third consecutive game – and his fifth straight match at home – as he placed the ball perfectly between Aly’s legs with a beautifully controlled finish.

Germany look to hit back quickly as Hannes Muller flashed in a dangerous cross that evaded his team-mates but moments later GB doubled their lead as Forsyth lifted the ball home after Aly only partially blocked Sam Ward’s cross.

The crossbar then came to GB’s aid early in the second half to thwart a clever German corner before Liam Sanford charged off the line to block a second set piece shortly after.


Rupert Shipperley converted a beautiful counter attacking move for GB's third in the final quarter Credit: WorldSportPics/Will Palmer

The chances died down once again after that as both defences once again thwarted any promising attacks, while Aly was quickly off his line to thwart Phil Roper in the 40th minute. The forward stayed down for a period of time after the collision but was able to walk off the field with some assistance.

Payne was called into action in the final quarter as Germany ramped up the pressure but Great Britain struck again shortly after, Shipperley sliding in to deflect home Zach Wallace’s cross after a sweeping counter attack.

Liam Sanford received a yellow card with three minutes remaining and Wellen slotted home shortly afterwards but it wasn’t enough to derail the hosts as they picked up their third victory in the 2020/21 FIH Hockey Pro League.

After the game, Griffiths said: “Feeling absolutely brilliant. It’s been a long time coming – we haven’t had a win for a while so to get two on the bounce is great and testament to the work we’ve been doing back at Bisham.

“I’m more pleased to get through the games than to score the goals to be honest! I’ve had a few niggles so it’s just been great to be able to get back out with the boys.

“I haven’t played a full international since February so to get back out playing is brilliant, I’m so happy.”


Chris Griffiths scored in his fifth consecutive home game. Credit: WorldSportPics/Will Palmer

Great Britain’s men are next in action against Spain on 22-23 May.

Great Britain (2) 3

Griffiths (24’, FG); Forsyth (29’, FG); Shipperley (54’, FG)

Germany (0) 1

Wellen (58’, FG)

Starting XI: Payne (GK), Ames, Martin, Griffiths, Roper, Dixon, Creed, Goodfield, Ansell, Sorsby, Wallace

Subs (Used): Weir, Forsyth, Shipperley, Ward, Sanford, Draper

Subs (Unused): Gibson (GK)

Great Britain Hockey media release

Toman And Townsend Strikes See GB Overcome Germany



Susannah Townsend scored for the second game in two days as Great Britain’s women took revenge on Germany and secured victory in the FIH Hockey Pro League.

Having not found the target since the 2018 Commonwealth Games before yesterday’s opener, Townsend was on hand again to bag Great Britain’s second of the game shortly before half-time.

That followed on from Anna Toman’s fifth international goal a few minutes before, the defender’s slapped effort deflected past the German goalkeeper.

Germany pressed hard in the final quarter but Maddie Hinch was not to be beaten, producing two fine saves.

The first half was certainly nothing to write home about, with chances at an absolute premium. Neither goalkeeper was worked, although Hinch had Grace Balsdon and Hollie Pearne-Webb to thank for that as they produced some timely challenges to thwart German attacks.

Sarah Jones sparked the game into life in the 23rd minute as she produced some sublime 3D skills to ghost past several defenders and win the game’s first corner.

That then sparked a very bizarre passage of play as Great Britain won seven corners in a row, finally converting the final one – which was given after a review – as Toman’s slap was deflected beyond an unfortunate Nathalie Kubalski.



The German goalkeeper was then very unlucky once again on the stroke of half-time as Townsend struck for the second time in as many days, with her shot also taking a big deflection on its way into the goal.

Sarah Evans went close twice in the third quarter, drawing a fantastic block just thirty seconds after the game’s resumption before forcing Kubalski into a smart save a few minutes later.

She then forced Kubalski into a diving save early on in the final quarter before Maddie Hinch was called into action for the first time, showing sublime reactions to keep out an effort from two yards out.

Ellie Rayer then raced up the other end and produced a dangerous cut back that only narrowly avoided reaching Sarah Robertson before Hinch produced another fine save from Janne Muller-Wieland as Germany won their first corner with just six minutes remaining.

Speaking after the game, Townsend said: “It’s good to get three points under out belts. Playing Germany is always tough and we were disappointed with yesterday, being in the lead and then conceding late. It was another good performance today and another step in the right direction.

“My Mum messaged me this morning as it’s her birthday and said ‘Susannah, please score me a goal.’ So that one’s for her. I’m delighted to get on the scoresheet and it’s something I will continue to try and do.

“We’re very, very lucky to have this as our home turf. It’s in London, my home city and to be back at Lee Valley it’s a dream. Hopefully not too far away we’ll get our fans back too.”

Great Britain’s women are next in action against the USA on 22-23 May at Lee Valley Hockey And Tennis Centre.

Great Britain 2 (2)

Toman (23’, PC); Townsend (30’, FG)

Germany 0 (0)

Starting XI: Hinch (GK), Unsworth, Evans, Townsend, Rayer, Ansley, Pearne-Webb (C), McCallin, Costello, Petter, Crackles

Subs (Used): Toman, Jones, Robertson, Wilkinson, Owsley, Balsdon

Subs (Unused): Heesh (GK)

Great Britain Hockey media release

Britain claim double success against Germany in latest FIH Pro League matches

By Neil Shefferd


Britain sealed their second victory in as many days over Germany in the FIH Pro League in London this evening ©Getty Images

Britain enjoyed a double success over Germany as both the men’s and women’s teams secured victory as the sides met in their second International Hockey Federation (FIH) Pro League encounters in as many days in London.

After winning yesterday’s men’s match 5-3, Britain secured a double over their opponents, whom they face in the pool stage at Tokyo 2020, after a 3-1 win at the Lee Valley Hockey and Tennis Centre this evening.

Britain took a grip on the contest before half-time with two goals in five minutes courtesy of Christopher Griffiths and Alan Forsyth.

Germany hit the crossbar in the third quarter as they looked to force a way back into the contest but Britain sealed victory with six minutes remaining courtesy of Rupert Shipperley.

Germany scored a consolation with two minutes remaining courtesy of Niklas Wellen, with the result putting Britain in sixth with a points percentage of 36.67.

Despite the two defeats, Germany are still second in the table with a points percentage of 63.33 per cent.


Britain's women's team beat Germany 2-0 to put themselves sixth in the FIH Pro League table ©Getty Images

In the women’s encounter which followed, Britain bounced back from the previous day’s defeat to their German counterparts to triumph 2-0.

Two goals in seven minutes in the second quarter helped Britain earn the win, with Anna Toman and Susannah Townsend the scorers of the two deflected strikes.

The victory puts Britain in sixth place with a win percentage of 46.67 while Germany sit fourth with a win percentage of 54.17.

Women’s Pro League action is scheduled to continue this weekend, with Belgium set to host the United States in two matches on May 15 and 16 at the Sportcentrum Wilrijkse Plein-Antwerp.

Inside the Games

Great Britain secure Germany double



After the chaos, the control. Great Britain men recorded back-to-back victories against Germany for the first time since reunification thanks to a classy 3-1 win on Wednesday at a deserted Lee Valley.

Britain’s victory over the Germans in Moenchengladbach during the 2019 Pro League was a first over their old rivals since the 2000 Olympics. Two years on and these eight goals over two more FIH Pro League games, against an albeit weakened Germany team, gave Danny Kerry’s side plenty to savour, which culminated with a bulldog British move to cap a fine evening.

Chris Griffiths netted his second goal in as many days, firing low on the turn, while Alan Forsyth scored his first of the week with a gentle tap-in. Sam Ward was again in the mix as provider.

Germany’s best passages of play came at 2-0 down. Having hit the bar, GB were in tune with the visitor’s PCs, though No 1 runner Liam Sanford felt the full brunt from a high ball hit flush into his left hand from close range. The spirited defender was soon back on the field.

The same quarter saw Phil Roper face a crunching one-on-one tackle with the diving Victor Aly, whose stick upended the Briton. Roper’s left thigh seemed to come worse off and it remains to be seen the extent of the injury.

Germany continued to look menacing but with six minutes left, a superb move – started with pressing intentions by player of the match David Ames – saw Ansell and Wallace link up and ended on the dive by Rupert Shipperley. After soaking the pressure, it was fine counter-attacking fare.

Germany scored a consolation two minutes from time thanks to Niklas Wellen’s brilliant individual goal, running into the circle from the left and finishing past Ollie Payne, playing a full game for the second match.

Ames said: “We got a little nervous towards the back end of the second half. I think we always knew that Germany would put us under pressure. But credit to the boys, I think we dug in really well in the last 10 minutes, and got a really good result. It’s been a good few days.”

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The Hockey Paper

Susannah Townsend nets goal wishes for GB women



Susannah Townsend gave her mum a birthday goal as Great Britain atoned for an opening double header defeat to see off Germany 2-0 on Thursday night in the FIH Pro League.

Anna Toman’s deflected penalty corner strike put GB ahead before Townsend netted her second goal in succession with another deflected strike on the stroke of half-time.

There were chances for Sarah Evans and Izzy Petter, while a stout defence kept Die Danas at bay.

GB have worked with Townsend on finding the net more often and the midfielder admitted that the team’s win was a “step in the right direction” after a string of uncapped and now Test match games under their belt.

She said: “It’s my mum’s birthday today and she messaged me asking for a birthday goal so that one is for her! It’s something I’ve been working on, to be on the end of things. But most of all it’s three points for the team.

“We’ve not had a lot of matches recently so it’s good to put in a good performance. We’ve been on the pitch almost every day fine tuning things, we’ve got the Europeans as England coming up, then the Olympics as GB so hopefully we’ll perform as well as we can.”

Meanwhile, Evans spoke of GB’s match ploy of finding more attacking intent after reversing the 3-2 defeat to Germany on Wednesday.

“It was great to get the win, much more enjoyable [than defeat on Wednesday],” said Evans, named player of the match. “All over the pitch I think you could see that we were on the front foot, more aggressive, and able to win the ball higher up the pitch.”

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The Hockey Paper

Men's and women's teams celebrate victories in Pro League


Toman (left) celebrates with Maddie Hinch after beating Germany on Thursday

Great Britain's men beat Germany at home for the second time in two days, with the women's side also celebrating a victory in the FIH Pro League.

The men eased their way to a 3-1 win thanks to goals from Chris Griffiths, Alan Forsyth and Rupert Shipperley.

Anna Toman and Susannah Townsend were on target for GB women during their 2-0 victory, also over Germany.

GB are due to play Germany in the group stages of the Olympic Games in Tokyo this summer.

On Wednesday at Lee Valley Hockey and Tennis Centre, the men recovered from conceding after 42 seconds to eventually win 5-3, while the women, who won gold at Rio in 2016, suffered a 3-2 defeat at the hands of Germany.

On Thursday, Griffiths struck his 25th international goal to give GB's men the lead, before Forsyth doubled the hosts' advantage and Shipperley finished off a counter-attacking move in the final quarter.

Niklas Wellen pulled one back for Germany late on.

The women's match saw a seventh-straight Great Britain penalty corner turned in by Toman, with Townsend scoring two goals in two games thanks to a thumping strike before half time.

Both teams sit sixth in the Pro League standings.

Great Britain return to Lee Valley on 22-23 May, with the men facing Spain and the women in action against the United States.

BBC Sport

Driving force: Coach Mark Hager sets sights on GB hockey women success

By Rod Gilmour



Here’s a little known fact about Mark Hager, England and GB women’s coach: the former teak-tough Australian forward was once pretty handy as a signage engraver in Perth. Unable to travel back home to New Zealand in his current guise, Hager has now focused on Lego Technics and is currently constructing a Lamborghini in his spare time.

This could also be a metaphor for his GB team as they finally returned to the international fold this week, set their sights on playing the driving forces of world hockey – Holland, Germany, Argentina et al – over the next two months or so and look to engrave themselves on some silverware this summer.

“Just playing intra squad matches over time you tend to work each other out and it probably doesn’t challenge you enough,” Hager said ahead of the Pro League return. “The trip to Ireland really challenged us and it opened our eyes from where we were at that stage of the year. And to play them again and try some new tactics was good for us also.”

That included six goals in the last quarter (Izzy Petter double) against Ireland recently at Bisham. “There were some really good attacking moves in key areas which Katie [Glynn] has been working on,” he adds.

In the Belfast matches, Sarah Robertson scored three and Hager noted that she was offering GB some target on the mid left. “It is pleasing to see she is playing quite well and giving some consistency in her play,” he says. Sure enough, she was strong on the left in GB’s 3-2 defeat by Germany on Wednesday.

“One of things as a forward is you always stress when you’re not scoring goals, so to knock a few in for quite a few of our forwards gives us confidence moving forward.”

The GB women’s programme has recently been in heat tents on bikes, with temperatures running at 35-40 degrees celsius and 90+ humidity. To replicate the Tokyo heat, the squad undertook cooling strategies before using ice vests to get core temperatures down quicker.

This will continue up until the Tokyo Olympics to get used to the humidity, while Hager’s off pitch, mundane routine has taken in “hockey training, walking and going to the supermarket” due to the Covid bubble employed at Bisham.

The 57-year-old was last back home at the start of 2020, while his wife returned to New Zealand when her tourist visa expired last June. All told, he is unlikely to get back down under until well after the Olympics finish.

“The beauty is Zoom and Facebook but it’s not the same human contact,” he admits. “The most difficult thing I’m finding is that they are leading normal lives if that makes sense. And it’s a bit different here.”

At least the monotony will lift soon with tournament action. Following the Germany and USA matches at Lee Valley, GB will revert to England for the EuroHockey Championships but Hager already has a clear mind on how his Team GB squad will look for the Tokyo Olympics. “You don’t select the team on the last week, it’s over a year, two years and how athletes have progressed as well as the team environment.”

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The Hockey Paper

Hockeyroos squad finalised



The Hockeyroos 2021 squad has now been finalised with the additions of Rachael Lynch and Savannah Fitzpatrick.

Lynch and Fitzpatrick were selected by the National Women’s Selection Panel from 13 athletes vying to be included.

Lynch returns to the squad after having her appeal into her initial non-selection upheld.

Queensland striker Fitzpatrick, who has made 60 international appearances, returns to the Hockeyroos fold after missing out on selection in 2020.

“The selection period for these athletes included the training camp in Darwin, a number of intra-squad matches and performance in our Daily Training Environment,” said Hockeyroos Head Coach Katrina Powell.

“Across the duration Rachael (Lynch) has shown herself to be up to international standard and has been selected on her performance in this training block.”

“Savannah (Fitzpatrick) played really well in the five intra-squad games and proved herself to be a constant goal scoring threat in the penalty circle.”

“She has shown improvement in key areas that she needed to work on. Coupled with her previous international experience, having Savannah in the group will be beneficial as we ramp up our preparations for Tokyo.”


Defender Georgina Morgan, who was also considered for selection after having her appeal into non-selection upheld, was not reselected.

“Sadly for Georgina, she has missed out on this occasion,” said Powell.

The squad of 27 athletes will now vie for a spot in the 16-athlete Olympic women’s hockey team to represent Australia in Tokyo.

The Hockeyroos will travel to New Zealand later this month to play in a 4-match test series.

Australia’s women’s and men’s Olympic teams are scheduled to be announced on Monday 14 June in Perth.

Hockey Australia media release

Rachael Lynch makes Hockeyroos return; Georgina Morgan omitted



Former Hockeyroos captain Georgina Morgan saw her Olympic hopes dashed on Friday, while goalkeeper Rachael Lynch was reinstated to the squad.

Lynch and Morgan won their appeals last month over their non-selection for the Tokyo 2020 squad under a previous coaching and performance director regime who have now departed the Hockey Australia programme.

The pair were set to wait upon a new four-person selection panel, but Morgan’s omission left a dark cloud hanging over the Hockeyroos following the prolonged negative coverage engulfing the women’s programme.

Lynch was reinstated in a squad of 27 ahead of Australia’s women and men Olympic teams’ announcement, set for June 14 in Perth.

“Across the duration Rachael has shown herself to be up to international standard and has been selected on her performance in this training block,” said Hockeyroos coach Katrina Powell.


Rachael Lynch returns to Hockeyroos squad PIC: Hockey Australia

Queensland forward Savannah Fitzpatrick was also a late inclusion alongside Lynch.

“Savannah played really well in the five intra-squad games and proved herself to be a constant goal scoring threat in the penalty circle,” added Powell.

“She has shown improvement in key areas that she needed to work on. Coupled with her previous international experience, having Savannah in the group will be beneficial as we ramp up our preparations for Tokyo.”

Morgan, considered one of the world’s best defenders, was one of three co-captains to stand down from the role last year.

“Sadly for Georgina, she has missed out on this occasion,” was the only statement Powell made in a release on Friday.

The Kookaburras and Hockeyroos will end their 14-month drought of international games when they take on New Zealand in Palmerston North in a four-match series starting on May 27.

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The Hockey Paper

New Zealand Under-21 squads named following successful North v South series



Six Vantage Black Sticks feature in the New Zealand Under-21 squads named today in anticipation of the proposed Junior World Cups later in the year.

The women’s squad is incredibly strong featuring five Black Sticks squad members – Kaitlin Cotter, Katie Doar, Hope Ralph, Anna Crowley and recently named Under-21 Player of the Year Olivia Shannon.

The men’s squad includes new Black Stick Sean Findlay, who was also recently named Under-21 Player of the Year at the Hockey New Zealand Awards.

The FIH plans to hold Junior World Cups near the end of 2021 in Potchefstroom in South Africa for the women and India for the men. Argentina (women) and India (men) are the reigning champions.

The New Zealand Under-21 squads were named after the recent three-match Under-21 North v South series at St Paul’s Collegiate in Hamilton which involved 36 men and 36 women.

Hockey New Zealand Performance Network Manager Simon Brill said the series was a successful way to re-start a programme that has had few opportunities recently.

“It’s really the first activity since the men’s Sultan Johor trophy in Malaysia in 2019 and the Women’s Tri-series in Australia in the same year.

“The Under-21s were embedded next to our main North v South series where the Vantage Black Sticks were competing for Olympic positions. The best players and coaches in the country created a fantastic environment to watch and learn.”

Brill adds that this age group is particularly important to our long-term athlete development.

“Competition opportunities are an essential part of a player’s long-term development. It gives us a chance to check in against the best in the world at this level. While the Junior World Cups themselves are spectacular, it is the learnings we bring home that make a real impact.”

The two Under-21 squads can be added to after the National Under-18 tournament in July and the National Hockey Championships in September.

New Zealand Under-21 Women: Katie Doar* (Northland); Sophie Hildesley (North Harbour); Breana Catley, Isabella Gill, Olivia Grigg, Alice McIlroy-Foster (GK) (Auckland); Emilie Logan (Tauranga); Leah Hodges, Sharnae Taylor, Eva Zylstra (Waikato); Hannah Cotter, Kaitlin Cotter*, Rileigh Knapp, Arabella Sheild (Hawke’s Bay); Saffron Cribb, Anna Crowley*, Hope Ralph* (Taranaki); Rebecca Baker (Whanganui); Olivia Shannon*, Madeleine Harris (Manawatu); Kelly Carline (Horowhenua); Jessica Kelly (Nelson); Isabella Ambrosius, Emily Baker, Hayley Cox, Charlotte Lee, Jenna-Rae McIntyre, Brittany Wang (Canterbury).

New Zealand Under-21 Men: Liam Mortimer (Northland); Luke Buxton, Calum Grassick (GK), Isaac Houlbrooke, Charl Ulrich (North Harbour); Aidan Fraser, Regan Harnell (GK), Luke Holmes, Joshua Irwin, Daniel Woud (Auckland); Campbell Maclean (Bay of Plenty); Luke Aldred, Jacob Soo-Choon (Waikato); Luke Elmes (GK), Sean Findlay* (Hawke’s Bay); Jordan Cohen, Patrick Madder, Connor Hoskin (Whanganui); Callum Olsen (Wellington); George Baker, Nicholas Lidstone, Joseph Morrison, Joshua White (GK), Simon Yorston (Canterbury); Zachary Mason, James Nicolson, Finn Ward (Otago).

*Vantage Black Sticks

Hockey New Zealand Media release

Hockey Ireland U19 Teams Withdraw from European Championships

Hockey Ireland has announced its decision to withdraw the U19 Boys and Girls National teams from competing in the EuroHockey Federation (EHF) European Championships in Valencia this July. The 2020 U18 EHF Championships were postponed last year, and an additional year was added to the age-group for 2021, making it an U19 event. The EHF distributed the tournament Covid-19 protocols this week and requested a decision from each Nation regarding their ability to travel and compete. Hockey Ireland are aware that a number of other nations have now also withdrawn.

Each nation has different levels of risk within their home country, along with different transport and quarantine requirements. The COVID-19 protocols were restrictive for underage players and costly to all the competing nations. It has been a very difficult decision for Hockey Ireland to make. However, several key factors from the protocols could not be overlooked and has led to this decision:

• Government Guidelines state that all persons in the Republic of Ireland are advised against non-essential travel to any country. Elite Exemption for travel has only been granted to Hockey Ireland Senior programmes and professional sports teams within Ireland. Unfortunately, our U18 squads do not have elite exemption at this moment in time and are not guaranteed that the elite exemption stance on the U18 squads will change ahead of the tournament.
• In line with Hockey Ireland safeguarding protocols, underage player and staff welfare is a priority. Hockey Ireland have concerns regarding the length of isolation periods should a player(s) test positive during the tournament or become close contacts, coupled with the fact that many travelling athletes would be U18 and would require an appropriate member of staff to remain nearby the isolation location in order to ensure their welfare.

Speaking on the decision, Performance Director Adam Grainger said, “This matter has been given careful deliberation. This was not an easy decision but one that was made with the players welfare in mind.

Following the decision to withdraw from the EHF European competition, Hockey Ireland have been discussing with the Home Nations regarding matches in July. We will be discussing this further with the management teams and will distribute information as soon as possible.”

Irish Hockey Association media release

Batra unveils manifesto in bid for re-election as FIH President

By Liam Morgan


FIH President Narinder Batra has unveiled his manifesto for re-election ©ITG

International Hockey Federation (FIH) President Narinder Batra has unveiled the 11 key targets he has pledged to achieve if he is re-elected to the position next week.

Batra, seeking a second term at the helm of hockey's worldwide governing body, has published a manifesto entitled "Team 11 for Hockey" prior to the election at the FIH Congress next Saturday (May 22).

The Indian official is being challenged by Belgium's Marc Coudron in the election, due to take place remotely after the FIH abandoned plans to stage a hybrid Congress in New Delhi because of the COVID-19 crisis.

"Enhancing financial sustainability", increasing the visibility of the sport and starting to work with esports and gaming platforms are among the main aims set out by Batra in his manifesto.

Batra, whose first term was extended after the FIH postponed the Congress to this year, said his "number one priority" is to develop the sport and has also vowed to "harmonise" hockey's global calendar and improve the sport's Olympic status.

Repairing the FIH's financial problems is likely to be the top item in the in-tray of the winner of the election.

The FIH's recent financial difficulties have largely been caused by a combination of launching a new global tournament - the Hockey Pro League - and the coronavirus pandemic.

insidethegames revealed earlier this year that the FIH had lost more than CHF633,000 (£505,000/$707,000/€583,000) in 2019, more than doubling its 2018 deficit.


Narinder Batra has targeted enhancing the visibility of the sport and the international calendar ©Getty Images

The accounts, which predate the COVID-19 crisis, said TV production costs for the Hockey Pro League "were underestimated while, at the same time, revenues from broadcasting deals were overestimated".

"I believe that it's very important for us to develop media (digital + broadcast) rights as a strong source of revenue," Batra writes in his manifesto.

"This added to sponsor revenues are capable of leading us to the path of healthy sustainable financial stability."

Under the heading of "innovate", Batra admitted hockey "needs to reach a wider audience through different mediums".

"E-sports and gaming are developing at a fast pace and Hockey has to find its place among the  core sports that the developers are considering to integrate onto their platforms," Batra added.

Batra has cut a controversial figure at times during his reign as FIH President and has been accused of not dedicating enough time to the position.

His critics believe he has prioritised his role as President of the Indian Olympic Association - which is linked to his IOC membership.

"I hereby commit to engage all necessary efforts to fight the challenges coming our way and seize every opportunity to grow hockey, both in terms of participants and fans, as this is so crucial to generate the resources we need to make our sport flourish," Batra said.

"I commit to do so by continuing the spirit of dialogue which has to prevail in all our proceedings, therefore maintaining the unity of the hockey family, which is so crucial to the success of our organisation."

The winner of the election will serve as President until 2024 after the FIH shortened the second term from four years to three following the postponement of the Congress.

Inside the Games

Narinder Batra outlines ‘Team 11 for hockey’ in FIH presidency bid

By Rod Gilmour



Narinder Batra has launched his election manifesto as he seeks to carry on as International Hockey Federation president on May 22.

Batra’s ‘Team 11 for hockey’ outlines his steps to take hockey to the next level for what he hopes will be a second term in office.

Batra, who is also Indian Olympic Committee president, will go up against Belgium’s Marc Coudron in next week’s virtual congress in New Delhi. The winner will serve in the position until 2024.

The Indian aims to focus on growing competition among hockey nations and to explore new resources to generate revenue.

Batra’s 11 key aims

•     Developing hockey: No. 1 priority
•     Increase the visibility of hockey
•     Enhance financial sustainability
•     Put fans and athletes at the center of everything we do
•     Innovate
•     Improve our Olympic status
•     Harmonise international calendar for events
•     Maintain clean hockey
•     Improve our good governance
•     Make our sport even more inclusive
•     Use hockey as a catalyst for positive social change

Batra said that hockey could become a bigger global sport “via development of new formats and new events”. At the lower level of the game, he added: “We need to enhance proper training and ensure infrastructure is more accessible from the grassroot upwards to create different ecosystems feeding into the talent we need to grow the sport.”

Batra noted that one of world hockey’s “biggest priorities” was the retention of fan engagement across TV, digital and social media platforms.



While the FIH has a solid social media presence, the current TV deals it has in place across the globe with broadcasters leave many fans, or potential new audiences, unable to view matches such as the Pro League due to geo blocks, while clips of goals and action are often delayed. This is in contrast to bodies such as the NBA which promotes the immediacy of basketball clips and highlights online to a wider audience which in turn drives fan engagement and more revenue.

Batra added: “I believe that it’s very important for us to develop media (digital + broadcast) rights as a strong source of revenue. This added to sponsor revenues are capable of leading us to the path of healthy sustainable financial stability.”


Batra is seeking more fan engagement PIC: Worldsportpics

Since being elected as FIH president, Batra said that he had “put all my energy to enable FIH to fulil its missions – in particular the development of hockey globally – add new objectives and steadily improve its management, for the good of hockey.”

He has however come under fire due to also holding presidency of the IOA, while transparency has also been questioned, namley with the FIH’s failure to report online its recent audited accounts.

In his manfesto, he writes: “Developing the right kind of processes and transparency are essential to develop a long-term blueprint for good governance at the FIH. The professionalism of the sport ultimately determines the integrity and global positioning of the game of hockey.”

The Hockey Paper has requested an interview with Batra – the FIH is not handling media requests to aid neutrality – while we will be publishing Marc Coudron’s manifesto ahead of the FIH elections.

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