Welcome to the Fieldhockey.com Archives

Daily Hockey news updated @ 10:00 GMT

News for 03 July 2021

All the news for Saturday 3 July 2021


2021 Test Matches POL v SUI (M)
Gniezno (POL)

2 Jul 2021     POL v SUI     3 - 0
3 Jul 2021 16:00 (GMT +2)     POL v SUI

FIH Match Centre



Malaysia and Chile to host 2023 Men’s and Women’s Junior World Cups



Upon recommendation from the Task Force Events Bidding (comprising of EB Members of all five Continental Federations), the Executive Board (EB) of the International Hockey Federation (FIH) has appointed Malaysia as the host country for the 2023 FIH Hockey Men’s Junior World Cup and Chile for the 2023 FIH Hockey Women’s Junior World Cup. The matches will be played in Kuala Lumpur and Santiago, respectively.

The FIH Junior Hockey World Cup is the flagship event for under-21 players and involves 32 of the world’s best national teams (16 Men's and 16 Women's teams).

FIH CEO Thierry Weil said: “The FIH Hockey Junior World Cup is the perfect platform for young players to unleash their skills onto the international hockey scene. It’s a stepping stone for athletes in their development to senior international hockey. Our thanks go to Malaysia and Chile. We’re privileged to rely on these experienced host countries and we’re looking forward to magnificent FIH Hockey Junior World Cups in 2 years time!”.

"While hosting a tournament is always a big responsibility, in Chile we have always seen it also as a development opportunity to showcase world-class Hockey at the highest level at home in front of our fans, sponsors and media. Bringing Hockey's global finest athletes to Chile will surely become an inspiration for many more young boys and girls to start trying hockey as their sport, making hockey actually bigger in Chile and our region of the Americas”, said Walter Krämer, President of the Chile Hockey Federation.

“The Malaysian Hockey Confederation (MHC) is thrilled to have won the bid to host the 2023 FIH Hockey Men’s Junior World Cup tournament. For Malaysia and this region in particular, the Junior World Cup will be a catalyst for the growth and development of the sport amongst youngsters. Over the next two years, MHC will invest in the necessary resources and work closely with all relevant parties including the Government of Malaysia, FIH and various stakeholders to ensure the event is an overwhelming success”, said Dato Seri Subahan Kamal, President of the Malaysian Hockey Confederation.

#RisingStars

FIH site



MHC land job as 2023 JWC hosts

Malaysia have won the bid to host the men's Junior World Cup (JWC) in 2023.

"We are grateful to the International Hockey Federation (FIH) for selecting our bid and awarding this event to us for a record fourth time.

"It reflects FIH's trust and confidence in MHC to organise and deliver an outstanding competition for global hockey fans," Malaysian Hockey Confederation (MHC) president Datuk Seri Subahan Kamal said yesterday.

Malaysia had hosted the Junior World Cup in 1982, 1989 and 2009 (co-hosted with Singapore). Malaysia also twice hosted the FIH World Cup in 1975 and 2002.

"For Malaysia and this region, in particular, the JWC will be a catalyst for the growth and development of the sport."

"We will invest in the necessary resources and work closely with all relevant parties to ensure the event is an overwhelming success," he added.

New Straits Times



Jen Wilson decides to step down as Scotland Women’s Head Coach



After nearly three years in charge of the Scotland senior women’s national team, Jen Wilson has decided not to seek to renew her contact which expires at the end of August.

It has been a successful tenure for Wilson with notable success in EuroHockey competitions. Scotland women won EuroHockey Championship II in Glasgow in 2019, earning the right to compete at the recent EuroHockey Championships in Amsterdam where Scotland finished above ranking. Scotland women have also won a host of national awards including the prestigious Sunday Mail sportscotland Team of the Year Award, and the Scottish Women in Sport Team of the Year Award.

Jen has also played a key role in helping develop the Brave Performance Blueprint, which will help develop the Scotland players of the future.

Commenting on the decision Jen said, “This has been an extremely tough decision for me to make but it has also been an honour to lead the Scotland senior women’s programme for the past three years, and a huge privilege to see the growth from this extremely dedicated group of players.

“Their willingness to challenge themselves and step outside their comfort zones produced some bold, exciting hockey which I am immensely proud to have been a part of. I have no doubt the style of hockey they are now playing is exciting to watch and enjoyable to play, which has been a key objective for me. This has only been possible because I’ve been lucky enough to work with not only world-class athletes and inspirational role models, but also a wonderful group of women. It has been an incredible journey to challenge the best in the world, and I can’t thank the players enough for showing true Scottish character and a relentless attitude.”

Wilson added, “I would also like to thank Scottish Hockey, the sportscotland team, our sponsors, and my dedicated support staff who have all been so committed to our journey. There are exciting things happening in Scottish Hockey at the moment and some very passionate people involved in driving our game forward, and I look forward to watching all areas continue to flourish. There is still work to be done, but I have no doubt this squad has a successful future ahead of them.”

Commenting on Wilson’s decision to step down, Head of Performance Andy Tennant said, “I would like to place on record our thanks to Jen for the outstanding commitment, skill and passion she has brought to the role. Jen has set us on our desired course to play an exciting brand of hockey, in line with our Brave Performance Blueprint, and the playing group is definitely on an upward trajectory – that is testament to the work that Jen and her dedicated support staff have put into the programme in the past three years. Like this team, I am sure Jen has a bright future ahead of her.”

Scottish Hockey’s focus now turns to finding a new head coach, with a World Cup qualification place up for grabs in October.

Scottish Hockey Union media release



 Cal Cup 49.5 from July 3 through 5 at Moorpark College


Jawwad Qamar

An abbreviated version of California Cup is being held this Independence Day weekend at Moorpark College to start field hockey season post pandemic. Usually held during the Memorial Day Weekend, Cal Cup, like other sporting events, did not take place last year or earlier this year due to the Covid pandemic.

39 teams in nine divisions consisting of Super Men (6 teams), Competitive Men (4 teams), U19 Men (4 teams), Mixed Social (6 teams), U19 Women (4 teams), U16 Girls (4 teams), U16 Boys (4 teams), U14 Mixed (3 teams), and 55+ years 6 vs 6 (4 teams). All matches will take place at Moorpark College.

The organizers hope to be back on schedule next year with a massive celebration for the 50th anniversary of Cal Cup with over a 200-team field.

For schedule, results and directions to the venue, please visit www.calcup.com  

CalCup media release



Beeston new men’s coach relishing club prospects


Beeston - NOW: Pensions champions for 2014 (c) Ady Kerry

Mark Bateman, freshly-installed as Beeston’s men’s coach, says he will lead “the most forward-thinking club in England” and one which was “too good to turn down.”

Bateman, a former coach at Brooklands, is currently head coach of the England under-18 boys’ programme and will combine both roles.

Bateman said: “I’m looking forward to the fresh challenge and developing an incredibly talented squad over the coming seasons. The chance to lead the most forward-thinking club in England was too good to turn down.”

He takes over from Mark Wadsley, who is pursuing coaching opportunities in the USA, which ends his 15 years at Beeston HC.

Wadsley joined as a player and went on to help the club win the England Hockey Premier Division three times, as well as the England Hockey Cup on five occasions. During this highly successful time for the club, Beeston HC represented England as one of its EHL teams for five seasons.

A highlight included the 5-4 win vs Amsterdam in Barcelona, in which Mark scored the winning goal. Mark made 244 playing appearances for Beeston.

Beeston Chairman, Graham Griffiths, said: “We wish Mark all the best in his new ventures across the pond and we remind him of the old saying, ‘once a Bee, always a Bee’. The club are delighted to welcome Mark Bateman as the new head coach of the men’s first team. He is the perfect fit for the squad that we are developing.”

The club are due to announce the new women’s head coach shortly.

SIGN UP for The Hockey Paper’s returning newsletter: Promotions, exclusives and our best coverage

The Hockey Paper



The year India women made a mark on world hockey stage



The year 1953 was a big one for the nation and for hockey, especially women’s hockey, writes The Hockey Museum‘s Mike Smith.

In March, England played their third “big” match at Wembley, then in June Queen Elizabeth II was crowned and in September and October the IFWHA (International Federation of Women’s Hockey Associations) held its conference and tournament in Folkestone.

At that time IFWHA was the main body governing women’s hockey around the world and the triennial tournament was the top women’s international competition of the era. National teams travelled from all over the world to play on the splendid grass pitches at Folkestone which was also the home of the world famous Easter Festival.

One of the 16 teams that travelled to the south coast of England was the Indian Women’s team, making their first appearance in an international event. Although by 1953 India’s men had won the Olympic Gold Medal at five consecutive Olympic Games, the Indian women were newcomers.

However with so much hockey talent and know-how available in India their women made very good use of it. Inspirationally (literally) they called on Dhyan Chand, already a legend in Indian hockey and admiringly known as the Wizard because of his amazing stick work. He played in India’s first ever international match in 1926 when he was a mere soldier, or sepoy as they were called. By now, in 1953 he was a major and one of the most revered men in India, later to have statues and stamps depicting him.

The AIWHA (All India Women’s Hockey Association) called upon Major Chand to coach and train the squad. Yes, although this was 66 years ago, India had assembled a squad of 21 players and Dhyan Chand put them through their paces.



They went into a training camp at Jagpur for two weeks and from there a squad of 17 was chosen to make the long sea journey to England. In the team was a woman, Mary de Souza, who had already represented her country but this was as a runner at the Helsinki Olympics in 1952. This is yet another example of how talented sports people can cross over disciplines with Mary showing her athletic speed on the right wing.

In our records at The Hockey Museum we have film footage of the Folkestone event which includes the Indian team proudly marching and parading at the Opening Ceremony. Also, and undoubtedly under the direction of Dyhan Chand, the players used the shorter head sticks that their men’s team had made famous and which became known as “the Indian head.” This would have been the first time that most of the other nations’ players would have seen these sticks in use.

Perhaps the tailpiece should be from journalistic doyen of the era, Marjorie Pollard, whose report ran to over 130 pages in Hockey Field magazine. Of our subject team Marjorie commented “I was however intrigued with the Indians and their delightful close dribbling game”.

This was surely a compliment to their coach and mentor.

SIGN UP for The Hockey Paper’s returning newsletter: Promotions, exclusives and our best coverage

The Hockey Paper

Fieldhockey.com uses cookies to assist with navigating between pages. Please leave the site if you disagree with this policy.
Copyright remains with the credited source or author