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All the news for Thursday 20 May 2021

Spain men and USA women face GB in London



The FIH Hockey Pro League will continue this weekend with double headers taking place at the Lee Valley Hockey & Tennis Centre in London, where hosts Great Britain will entertain Spain men and USA women on both Saturday 22 and Sunday 23 May.

For the men and women of Great Britain, the fixtures are a chance to continue ramping up preparations for the upcoming Olympic Games Tokyo 2020, where GB’s women will be aiming to defend the Olympic title that they claimed at Rio 2016, while GB men target a first Olympic gold medal since Seoul 1988. Spain men are also preparing for an Olympic challenge, with success at next month’s European Championships in Amsterdam – where various GB players will be representing the individual nations that make up Great Britain – also being a major goal for the team coached by former France international Fred Soyez.

In a change to the original schedule, on both Saturday and Sunday the action at Lee Valley will begin with Great Britain’s men doing battle with Spain’s always entertaining Red Sticks team (please see new match times below). Having claimed a maximum six points from their two matches against a below strength Germany last week, Danny Kerry’s GB team should come into the contest in confident mood. Defender David Ames produced a Player of the Match performance in their second game against Die Honamas, with Chris Griffiths, Phil Roper and Zach Wallace also impressing.

GB men currently sit sixth in the FIH Hockey Pro League standings with three wins from ten matches played, giving them a points percentage of 36.67. Spain’s two wins from ten matches sees them sitting bottom of the table with a 23.33 points percentage, but maximum points thisl weekend would drastically aid their climb up the ladder. With the likes of Pau Quemada, Enrique Gonzales, David Alegre and Xavi Lleonart all named in Soyez’s squad for the trip to London, they have more than enough attacking prowess to secure positive results against the Brits on the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park.

Match two on both days will see Great Britain women going head-to-head with USA, a team that journeys to London on the back of a brace of FIH Hockey Pro League defeats at the hands of Belgium in Antwerp last weekend. Head coach Anthony Farry is very much at the start of the rebuilding process with this young and inexperienced American team, and the fixtures against the Red Panthers will have provided the Australian tactician with plenty of learnings about a group that included six international debutants.

It goes without saying that USA are at the start of a long journey of evolution, but with Farry – the man who guided Japan’s women to the Asian Games title in 2018 - at the helm, you can be sure that the group will be given the tools they need in order to make rapid progress. Two matches against the reigning Olympic champions – a team coached by Farry’s compatriot Mark Hager and that claimed three points from a potential six against Germany at home last week – can only serve to assist that process.  GB will certainly prove a stern test, with the hosts regarded as clear favourites coming into this double header.

The matches will be available to watch via television or digital streaming thanks to our broadcast partnerships, as well as on the Watch.Hockey app in every country where a rights holding broadcaster is not showing the matches live.

 More information about this weekend’s matches can be found below. 

Great Britain v Spain (Men) & USA (Women)

Where:Lee Valley Hockey & Tennis Centre (GBR)
Dates:Saturday 22 & Sunday 23 May 2021

Men’s Matches

Times (BST – UTC +1): Saturday: 13:00 | Sunday: 12:00
Match pages: Match 1|Match 2

Current FIH World Ranking: Great Britain: 6* | Spain: 9
Current FIH Hockey Pro League position: Great Britain: 6 | Spain: 9
Final standings - FIH Hockey Pro League 2019: Great Britain: 4 | Spain: 7

Head-to-heads in all competitions (since 2013 – 7 matches)
Wins:Great Britain: 2 | Spain: 4 | Draws: 1
Goals scored:Great Britain: 11 | Spain: 16

Team pages (squads & statistics): Great Britain| Spain

Women’s Matches
Times (BST – UTC +1): Saturday: 15:30 | Sunday: 14:30
Match pages: Match 1|Match 2

Current FIH World Ranking: Great Britain: 5* | USA: 15
Current FIH Hockey Pro League position: Great Britain: 6 | USA: 9
Final standings - FIH Hockey Pro League 2019: Great Britain: 8 | USA: 9

Head-to-heads in all competitions (since 2013 – 5 matches)
Wins:Great Britain: 3 | USA: 1 | Draws: 1
Goals scored:Great Britain: 8 | USA: 7

Team pages (squads & statistics):Great Britain | USA

* England ranking used as Great Britain do not have a World Ranking. For a detailed explanation of how world ranking points are calculated and exchanged after GBR matches, please click here. 

You can also keep up to date with all the latest news on the FIH Hockey Pro League via the event website and through FIH social media channels -Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

 #FIHProLeague
 #HockeyInvites
 #PlayHockeyStayHealthy

Official FIH Pro League Site

Taking opportunities is key to success for Maddie Hinch



Maddie Hinch has been the Great Britain and England number one goalkeeper since 2013 and in that time has built a reputation as a goalkeeper for whom preparation is key. So there is little surprise that she has studied Great Britain’s next opponents in the FIH Hockey Pro League, the USA, to the best of her ability.

However, a lengthy break from international action means that every team could spring a surprise and, with a new Head Coach at the helm, Hinch is aware that the USA could pose a real threat to Great Britain’s growing momentum.

“There are a lot of new faces in the USA team, but they are a side that bring a huge amount of energy and a huge work effort. They are not going to make it easy for us, so we need to focus on our processes and stick to our game plan and not get drawn into a physical battle because they are a strong side that will just keep growing.”

Great Britain currently sit in sixth place in the FIH Hockey Pro League, with the USA team three places below in ninth place. This weekend’s matches provide a chance for Great Britain to both consolidate their position in the league and to build on the core strategies the team will be taking to the EuroHockey Championships and the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 in just a few weeks time.

“We learnt plenty in our matches against Germany,” says Hinch [Great Britain lost the first match and won the second]. Firstly, it was great to be back at Lee Valley. I personally hadn’t played an international for 15 months so I was really glad to be back. The loss in the first match was a bit of a wake-up call and the second game saw us play much better. We need to work on that consistency, but it is huge for us to be playing matches as we come into Tokyo.

“In the second game, to keep it to zero was massive for us. If I am being honest, we haven’t been great defensively of late, so that was good. We are now getting stronger and stronger defensively. I also think our attitude to win the ball and impose ourselves on the game was really good and that is important for us. We can’t just sit back and wait for moments, we need to believe that we can go at teams.

“On reflection, we had a lot of opportunities to score so we must do better there, because in the big games those opportunities won’t come along that often.’

As a relative veteran of the team, Hinch has observed just how her younger team mates have been growing into their roles within the squad.

“We have a really young group but now you can see the growth and belief in the players. But, if there is one thing I have learnt, it is that what goes on in your head is so important. We must believe in our processes and structures and have confidence in what we are doing.”

For the last two FIH Hockey Pro League matches, the national governing body England Hockey have enabled a small number of spectators – all family and friends of the players. For Hinch, having a crowd, albeit a small one, is going to add to the occasion.

“It is going to be so nice to have people in the crowds. It means so much to our parents to see us play before Tokyo, so it will be a very special weekend.”

While Hinch will be aware of her parents in the crowd, there is no doubt that at the forefront of the Olympic gold medallist, thrice FIH Goalkeeper of the Year’s and self-confessed perfectionist’s mind will be how these matches can prepare the squad for the bigger challenges to come.

“Learning how to win is massive. And we have to take very game as an opportunity to grow. Through these matches, we will be establishing connections across the pitch and we will go to Japan absolutely certain of what our roles and structures are.”

You can watch her full interview here.

#FIHProLeague

Official FIH Pro League Site

GB Name Squads For Final Matches Before Tokyo Olympics



Great Britain’s squads for their final matches ahead of this summer’s Olympics have been announced.

Following on from last week’s thrilling double header against Germany, the men will take on Spain while the women face the USA at Lee Valley Hockey and Tennis Centre on 22-23 May.

Danny Kerry has announced a squad of 19 for his side’s matches against the 2019 EuroHockey silver medallists, with Will Calnan coming in to the side while Phil Roper and Ian Sloan are unavailable due to injury.

Several players could also achieve significant milestones this weekend, with both David Ames and Alan Forsyth in line to make their 50th appearance for Great Britain if they feature in either game. In addition, Liam Ansell, Zach Wallace and Jack Waller could all make their 50th combined international appearance for England and Great Britain if they play in both matches.

Meanwhile, women's head coach Mark Hager has selected also a squad of 19 to take on the Americans. The only change to the squad originally announced for last week’s fixtures against Germany is the absence of Charlotte Watson, who was unavailable for those games due to an injury that also rules her out of this double header. Hannah Martin is also out as she continues her rehabilitation from a leg injury, while Tess Howard and Emily Defroand are long-term absentees.

These matches will once again take place behind closed doors, although a small number of family members have been invited to attend Sunday’s fixtures to see their loved ones in action before Tokyo 2020. The times for the games have also changed; the men will now begin proceedings at 13:00 on Saturday and 12:00 on Sunday, with the women following on at 15:30 and 14:30 respectively.

The squads will then separate into their Home Nations ahead of the EuroHockey Championships, which take place in The Netherlands between 4-13 June.  

After the conclusion of that tournament, they will return to Bisham Abbey to continue their preparations ahead of the Olympic Games, with Great Britain’s men beginning their campaign against South Africa at 10:00 on Saturday 23 July before the women follow suit against Germany at 01:00 on Sunday 24 July.



GB fixtures

    Saturday 22 May: GB v Spain (M) – 13:00 (BT Sport 2)
    Saturday 22 May: GB v USA (W) – 15:30 (BT Sport 3)
    Sunday 23 May: GB v Spain (M) – 12:00 (BT Sport 2)
    Sunday 23 May: GB v USA (W) – 14:30 (BT Sport/ESPN)

Men’s squad

    1) George Pinner (GK) – England
    5) David Ames – England
    6) Henry Weir – England
    7) Alan Forsyth – Scotland
    8) Rupert Shipperley – Wales
    10) Chris Griffiths – England
    13) Sam Ward – England
    16) Adam Dixon (C) – England
    18) Brendan Creed – England
    19) David Goodfield – England
    20) Ollie Payne (GK) – England
    21) Liam Ansell – England
    25) Jack Waller – England
    26) James Gall – England
    27) Liam Sanford – England
    29) Tom Sorsby – England
    31) Will Calnan – England
    32) Zach Wallace – England
    33) Jacob Draper – Wales

Women’s squad

    1) Maddie Hinch (GK) – England
    4) Laura Unsworth – England
    5) Sarah Evans – England
    6) Anna Toman – England
    8) Sarah Jones – Wales
    9) Susannah Townsend – England
    10) Sarah Robertson – Scotland
    13) Ellie Rayer – England
    17) Leah Wilkinson – Wales
    18) Giselle Ansley – England
    20) Hollie Pearne-Webb (C) – England
    24) Shona McCallin – England
    25) Sabbie Heesh – England
    26) Lily Owsley – England
    27) Jo Hunter – England
    31) Grace Balsdon – England
    32) Amy Costello – Scotland
    33) Izzy Petter – England
    38) Fiona Crackles – England

Great Britain Hockey media release

Last opportunity for Kookaburras to push for Olympic selection



The upcoming four match test series against New Zealand will be a major determinant to who will represent Australia in the men’s hockey tournament at the Tokyo Olympics.

Kookaburras Head Coach Colin Batch has selected a 22-player squad for the Sentinel Homes Trans-Tasman Series to be played in New Zealand’s Palmerston North from 27 May - 1 June.

With only 16 players making the cut for the Olympic team, spots are on the line as the Kookaburras not only compete against New Zealand but also their teammates to try and cement their ticket to Tokyo.

Batch said the high-pressure environment for players to perform, coupled with being the Kookaburras’ first international matches in almost 15 months is an ideal stage to assess where each player and the team collectively is at.

“In every training session and intra-squad match we have had since COVID there has been that expectation that players will bring their best and push each other to improve,” said Batch.

“This has been the case while we haven’t been able to have any international competition, but now the time is finally here where we get to test ourselves against official opposition.

“Despite guys competing for spots, they know that it is a team first mentality and that is part of what we look for in assessing performance.

“It is not only what they do individually but what they do to better their teammate alongside them.”

“At the Olympics we need players who can perform at a high level consistently, and with four matches in six days this series against New Zealand is going to be no different.”

The Kookaburras squad will depart Perth on Friday ahead of the opening match of the series on Thursday 27 May.

The final Kookaburras team for the Tokyo Olympics will be announced on 14 June in Perth.

The Sentinel Homes Trans-Tasman Series will be broadcast LIVE on Sky Sport 2 and the Sky Sport Next YouTube Channel.

Kookaburras squad for Sentinel Homes Trans-Tasman Series v New Zealand

Sentinel Homes Trans-Tasman Series
New Zealand v Australia
Massey University turf, Palmerston North

Thursday 27 May 2021
5.30pm (3.30pm AEST) Kookaburras v Vantage Black Sticks Men
7.30pm (5.30pm AEST) Hockeyroos v Vantage Black Sticks Women

Friday 28 May 2021
5.30pm (3.30pm AEST) Kookaburras v Vantage Black Sticks Men
7.30pm (5.30pm AEST) Hockeyroos v Vantage Black Sticks Women

Sunday 30 May 2021
1.00pm (11.00am AEST) Hockeyroos v Vantage Black Sticks Women
3.00pm (1.00pm AEST) Kookaburras v Vantage Black Sticks Men

Tuesday 1 June 2021
5.30pm (3.30pm AEST) Hockeyroos v Vantage Black Sticks Women
7.30pm (5.30pm AEST) Kookaburras v Vantage Black Sticks Men

Broadcast: LIVE on Sky Sport 2 and the Sky Sport Next YouTube Channel.

Hockey Australia media release

New Zealand series ‘high stakes’ for Hockeyroos Olympic aspirants



Next week’s four-match series against New Zealand will be the final audition for players in the Hockeyroos squad to prove they deserve to be in the team for the Tokyo Olympics.

The full 27-player Hockeyroos squad will fly to New Zealand on Saturday for the Sentinel Homes Trans-Tasman Series against the Black Sticks, which starts on 27 May.

When the Hockeyroos run out for the first match on Thursday, 446 days will have passed since their last international hit out.

Hockeyroos Head Coach Katrina Powell said the players are itching to compete on the international stage again.

“Last year was really tough for everyone, particularly the girls who spent the majority of last year in lockdown in Victoria as they didn’t even get to play club hockey,” said Powell.

“That makes this international match piece massive. We have had a number of intra-squad matches and games against the WA Under 18 Men’s team but the group has been waiting a long time to play an international opponent. Everyone is really excited to get back into it.”

With only 16 selected in the final team for Tokyo and with just over three weeks until the Australian Olympic women’s hockey team is announced, each players’ Olympic ambitions largely hinge on the upcoming four matches.

“The athletes are really committed, determined and looking forward to showing what they can do at international level in order to put their hand up for Olympic selection,” said Powell.

“It’s really high stakes with this series being their only international match opportunity to show what they can do.

“But that’s how it is at the Olympics. You need to perform on demand and that’s what we want to see for Tokyo. This series will be a great test and the right one to face at the moment.”

“The players need to perform well for the team because that is what they will need to do if we are going to be successful in Tokyo.

The last time the Hockeyroos played against the Black Sticks was at the 2019 Oceania Cup, a tournament the Black Sticks prevailed to automatically qualify for Tokyo.

“We’re looking forward to some really tough competition and we know that is what the Black Sticks will provide,” said Powell.

“We have had some really tough battles with New Zealand over recent times, including ones that we have not come out on top of, so it’s going to be a real test of where we are at.

“That has been the other thing that has been missing. It’s not just the international competition but the opportunity to gauge how we are tracking.”

The final Hockeyroos team for the Tokyo Olympics will be announced on 14 June in Perth.

The Sentinel Homes Trans-Tasman Series will be broadcast LIVE on Sky Sport 2 and the Sky Sport Next YouTube Channel.

Hockeyroos squad

Sentinel Homes Trans-Tasman Series
New Zealand v Australia
Massey University turf, Palmerston North

Thursday 27 May 2021
5.30pm (3.30pm AEST) Kookaburras v Vantage Black Sticks Men
7.30pm (5.30pm AEST) Hockeyroos v Vantage Black Sticks Women

Friday 28 May 2021
5.30pm (3.30pm AEST) Kookaburras v Vantage Black Sticks Men
7.30pm (5.30pm AEST) Hockeyroos v Vantage Black Sticks Women

Sunday 30 May 2021
1.00pm (11.00am AEST) Hockeyroos v Vantage Black Sticks Women
3.00pm (1.00pm AEST) Kookaburras v Vantage Black Sticks Men

Tuesday 1 June 2021
5.30pm (3.30pm AEST) Hockeyroos v Vantage Black Sticks Women
7.30pm (5.30pm AEST) Kookaburras v Vantage Black Sticks Men

Broadcast: LIVE on Sky Sport 2 and the Sky Sport Next YouTube Channel.

Hockey Australia media release

Scotland men to face Wales in Cardiff this weekend



Scotland men will be back in action this weekend after a long lay-off due to the Covid-19 pandemic when they take on Wales at the Sport Wales Institute, Cardiff.

The games will be played on Saturday at 14:00 and Sunday at 11:00, and come after elite dispensation was granted to our national squads to prepare for European competition this summer.

Scotland men are due to play at Men’s EuroHockey Championship II on 15-21 August in Gniezno, Poland, where they will face Austria, Switzerland and Ukraine in Pool B. Ireland, Italy, Croatia and Poland will also feature at the tournament.

The Blue Sticks will be battling for promotion back to the top tier of European hockey at the tournament in August. The Scots won EuroHockey Championship II back in 2017 in front of a full house in Glasgow, before goal difference saw them relegated from the EuroHockey Championships in 2019.

Wales, ranked 18 in the world, will provide excellent competition this weekend as the Scots bring some new faces into a largely home-based squad for these test matches.

Head Coach Derek Forsyth said, “These games are an opportunity to look at new players with several players winning their first or second cap. We’re at the very beginning of our programme, building towards the Euros and other tournaments this year, so with ten players missing at the moment we’re looking forward to seeing how the new players cope at international level against a good Wales team preparing for the Euros. It’s a great opportunity for them.

“We’re in a transition period right now and these games are all about giving players an opportunity to show what they can do as we get back playing again after such a long layoff.”

Scotland squad to play Wales

Sam Lloyd (GK) (East Grinstead)
Rory McCallum (GK) (Teddington)
Gordon Amour (Clydesdale)
Andy Bull (Old Georgians)
Murray Collins (Teddington)
Robbie Croll (Edinburgh University)
Rob Field (Holcombe)
Hamish Galt (Western Wildcats)
Jamie Golden (Surbiton)
Ed Greaves (Teddington)
Rob Harwood (Western Wildcats)
Hamish Imrie (Royal Antwerp)
Lee Morton (Old Georgians)
Andy McConnell (Western Wildcats)
Joe McConnell (Teddington)
Duncan Riddell (Grange)
Robbie Shepherdson (Grange)
Kyle White (Teddington)

Scottish Hockey Union media release

India Hockey Team's Recent Tour Reflects The Team Is On Right Path For Tokyo Olympics, Says Midfielder Sumit

Indian men's hockey team midfielder Sumit said that the team's results from recent tour reflected that it was on the right path ahead of the Tokyo Games.


Indian men's hockey team midfielder Sumit feels the team is on the right track ahead of the Tokyo Games.© Twitter/TheHockeyIndia

Indian men's hockey team midfielder Sumit, who is currently training with the men's senior core group at the Sports Authority of India (SAI), Centre in Bengaluru, states that the team has been closely watching the ongoing FIH Pro League matches. Sumit said they are analysing other team's style of play and structure to use them during their practice sessions, "We have been closely watching the teams who are currently playing their Pro League matches. We are analysing their style of play and structure to use them during our practice sessions."

"We create the same match scenarios or use a particular team's structure during our internal practice games. It's really effective, and we are trying to make the most out of it," said Sumit, who has played 66 matches for the national side.

The 24-year-old midfielder got an opportunity to play for the Indian team on their recent tour of Argentina.

He played his first high-level competition since India's Pro League matches against the Netherlands in January 2020.

Speaking about making a comeback after a long hiatus, Sumit said, "I was a bit nervous initially because I was playing after a very long time. But, at the same time, I was very excited to be back in the team, and play against Olympic Champions Argentina."

He further added, "I had suffered a wrist injury during the FIH Series Finals in Bhubaneswar in 2019, so I was out for almost six months."

"After recovering, I did get a chance to play during our Pro League Matches against the Netherlands in Bhubaneswar in January 2020, but to be honest, I didn't feel like I made a strong comeback to the team," he revealed.

"After that, we didn't get much competition due to the COVID-19 pandemic situations. Hence, there were mixed feelings on the Argentina tour initially, but I am really happy with the opportunity I got, and I feel I did well," Sumit said.

Speaking about the takeaways from the Argentina tour, Sumit said, "The results from recent tour reflect that we are on the right path for our Olympics. However, I think we can improve more on our attack. We should play attacking hockey, and try to convert the chances we get in the first three or five minutes of the game so that we can capitalise on the early leads."

"Comparing both Europe and Argentina tour, I feel there has been a constant improvement, and we are working hard to maintain this consistency," he added.

"On a personal level also, I think I can play more attacking hockey. There's still a lot more to improve on my attacking skills, and I am giving 100 per cent to it," he said.

With the clock ticking towards the Olympics, Sumit feels there is a great atmosphere around the team, and everyone's really excited about the quadrennial event.

"There is a great atmosphere around the team. Everyone's really excited about the Olympics. We are itching to perform and give our everything for our biggest dream, the Olympics," he concluded.

NDTV

SPAR KZN Schoolgirls’ Hockey Challenge Take Two Paused

 
Mixed emotions, keeper Ella Thorburn from St Anne’s College was jumping for joy at the prospect of taking part in the SPAR KZN Schoolgirls’ Hockey Challenge but alas, the tournament has been postponed due to the imminent third wave.  The PMB Centrals and Northern Regionals were due to take place on Saturday at St Anne's. Photo - Rogan Ward

In almost a carbon copy of last year’s SPAR KZN Schoolgirls’ Hockey Challenge, the Take Two of the milestone celebratory tenth year has been put on hold.

Midway through the ten regionals, the news was announced that due to the threatening Third Wave of the pandemic, the tournament would be postponed.

Tournament Director, Les Galloway stated, “We were so excited to be back on track and get the girls out onto the field to enjoy this wonderful game, but the responsible decision is put everyone’s safety and health first. We got a directive from SA Hockey, and with Gauteng announcing that their third wave had hit, we thought it best to make the hard choice of pulling the remainder of our tournaments here in KZN.”

As soon as Galloway got the green light that the tournaments could go ahead in April, she quickly announced the fixtures for the ten regionals, with a six week action packed plan starting the first weekend in May. The tournament that usually takes place over three months, rolled out in quick succession.

Galloway and her team managed to get in five tournaments before having to hit the pause button. The successful tournaments played were the Durban North Regional, where Danville Park Girls’ High was crowned; uMvoti, uThukela and uMzinyathi Regional where Wembley College took the honours; the Highway Regional where St Mary’s lifted the trophy; the North Coast Regional where Grantleigh reclaimed their title and finally the Durban Central Regional where Durban Girls’ College maintained their 100% domination of the region.

Tournaments still to be played were the Norther KZN Regional hosted by Ferrum Hoerskool; the Pietermaritzburg Central and Northern Regionals at St Anne’s College; the Durban South Regional hosted by Kingsway High School and finally the Southern KZN Regional hosted by King Edward High School.

“For now, our challenge has been postponed but we managed to get five fantastic tournaments in, and watched the girls have an absolute blast on the field. We look forward to continuing this tournament when it is safe to do so.” Galloway concluded.

Publicity Matters media release for SPAR KZN Schoolgirls’ Hockey Challenge