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All the news for Saturday 10 November 2018

2018 Test Matches: RSA v FRA (M) - 3rd Test
Johannesburg (RSA)

RSA v FRA     1 - 3

4th Test 10 November

14:30     RSA v FRA

FIH Match Centre

France seal series with thrilling 3-1 win in third test

By Jabu Barnard


IIMAGE - MARCEL SIGG / RUN RIDE DIVE

The South African and French Men’s Hockey sides locked horns at Wits Hockey Astro tonight in the third test of the four-match series. The game was scheduled to get underway at 16:30 before a water supply issue delayed the start to 18:15. The delayed start saw both teams struggle to get their formations going straight away and that led to two goals in the opening three minutes.

France struck first through a beautiful deflected goal by Timothee Clement before Nic Spooner levelled after a trademark Julian Hykes intervention. If the decent crowd at Wits expected more goal mouth action to follow that they were a bit disappointed as the remainder of the first quarter saw no further goals. South Africa were forced to defend in the opening chukka where a combination of poor French finishing, and great rear-guard defence stopped the French from scoring. Their usually lethal penalty corners failed them to as they were unsuccessful for three in a row.

South Africa finally clicked into the game in the second quarter a looked to take advantage of their numerical advantage when Cristoforo Peters-Deutz was yellow carded. They created two penalty corners but one from Austin Smith and one from Jethro Eustice were saved well. Although it was a far better half for South Africa, there were certain combinations that were just not quite clicking, keeping the French very interested.

And they were beyond interested in the third quarter when South African hesitation created space in the D and first Maximillien Branicki and then Gaspard Baumgarten punished the space giving the French a 3-1 lead. That double punch winded the South Africans and in truth they were hanging on for the remainder of the third quarter.


France vs SA. 9 November 2018 Wits Hockey Astro (photo Marcel Sigg / Run, Ride, Dive)

But whatever was said galvanised the team and after withdrawing the keeper and playing Rhett Halkett as a kicking back, South Africa played with a much better intensity and created numerous circle entries with the closest chance being struck against the post by Taine Paton. Tyson Dlungwana, Dayaan Cassiem, Keenan Horne and Bili Ntuli all fancied good chances but were denied by good defending by the European side.

For the South Africans it was a match that showed more growth as they spend time together, but the questions will continue to be asked while the side fail to convert on the number of opportunities that are being made. What was evident though is that the new-found freedom is clear, and the South African men are going to cause a lot of upsets when they get their combinations to click.

After the game, his 94th, French winger Viktor Lockwood was gracious in victory: “It’s great to be in South Africa because the people are amazing, and the country is beautiful. The delay to the game was tough as we had to go through warm-ups again. South Africa gave us a great game and we were able to take our chances better than them for the win. We are happy as its more good progress towards our World Cup journey.”

While South African captain Keenan Horne shared: “Its only our third test together as this squad and in the new era of South African hockey, but we are really enjoying playing together and getting the culture right in the team. We may not be the biggest country in the hockey world, but South Africa has a superb sporting history and we want to be part of writing more of that history. One country, one team.”

The two teams play the final test match tomorrow at 14:30 before both turn their eyes to the Hockey World Cup in India starting on the 28 November.

Match Gallery from Run, Ride, Dive

SA Hockey Association media release

2018 Test Matches: ESP v GER (M)
Alicante (ESP)

10 Nov 2018 15:00     ESP v GER
12 Nov 2018 12:30     ESP v GER
14 Feb 2019 12:30     ESP v GER
(Times GMT +1)

FIH Match Centre

Netherlands seek to continue winning ways in Changzhou



The Netherlands arrive in China for the Wanglibao Hockey Champions Trophy Changzhou Wujin 2018 as the team to beat. Currently ranked number one in the FIH Hero World Rankings and the reigning World Cup holders, they are undoubtedly a force to be reckoned with.

Head Coach Alyson Annan has rested some of her experienced players, bringing in eight players with fewer than 20 caps and two debutants – Renee van Laarhoven and goalkeeper Alexandra Heerbaart. However, there are also some very familiar names on the team sheet, including Eva de Goede, Margot van Geffen and Caia van Maasakker.

It is penalty corner specialist van Maasakker and her fellow defender Lauren Stam who took time out from training to speak to FIH about the forthcoming challenge in China.

"Aside from winning we want to be able to always play our game, grow as a team and sustain our team culture."  Caia Van Maasakker, Netherlands

“The Champions Trophy has always been a prestigious event in the hockey calendar,” says van Maasakker. “Top world teams compete at the highest level possible and it is such a cool event to be a part of. To be able to play every team gives a lot of information and is a great learning experience as a team.”

Stam agrees: “It is important that we are able to see how we compare and stand against the other teams. For me, it is also a great learning experience culturally. I've never been to China so I'm completely blank when it comes to knowing what to expect. Maybe the language: the Chinese characters can be challenging, but I'm sure it would be fine by speaking English.”

Despite being a member of the Dutch team since 2011 and with 150 caps to her name, this will also be van Maasakker’s first trip to China. “I am really looking forward to it. One challenge that we have to be aware of is the time difference; we arrive a short time before the tournament begins so we have to make sure we adapt quickly. Generally, we need to adapt to the new environment and take care physically so we are at our best during the tournament.”

Coming into the event, Stam says the team has been training together for the past six weeks. Before that, the players were with their club sides, playing in the fiercely competitive domestic league.

Van Maasakker has a strong attachment to the Champions Trophy, as she explains: “For me personally the 2011 Champions Trophy in Amstelveen was my first international tournament, so it has sentimental values for me. That first event was my standout moment at a Champions Trophy event. We were 3-0 behind in the final, but we came back and won the game on shoot-out. It was such a high to achieve this with my team in our home country.”

The Netherlands open their campaign with a clash against the lowest ranked team, Japan. And they will be looking to make sure they continue their long-running winning streak at major competitions, which goes back to the 2016 Olympic Games.

In a statement that exemplifies the Netherlands’ approach to any competition in which they participate, Stam says: “Personally I would like to win every tournament, or every game to be more specific. Even at home with my family and friends when we play games, I always want to win.”

Van Maasakker agrees: “As the Netherlands we always strive for the best and to win this strong competitive tournament is a boost as a team and confirms we are on the right track as a team.

“But, aside from winning we want to be able to always play our game, grow as a team and sustain our team culture. We work hard for each other and give it all every second of the game. This tournament we are competing with a relatively new team. You will see some new players which will give a fresh dynamic to the group and I’m really looking forward to sustaining our team culture and to see us grow as team.”

For further information on the Wanglibao Hockey Champions Trophy Changzhou Wujin 2018, click here.

#HCT2018

FIH site

Egara quartet get the nod for Spanish World Cup team


©: Frank Uijlenbroek / World Sport Pics

Four Club Egara players and two Real Club de Polo stars will form part of the Spanish side to contest the World Cup in India which starts later this month.

From Egara – who will play Saint Germain in the EHL KO16 next Easter – are Pau Quemada, Pepe Romeu, Vincenc Ruiz and vastly experienced goalkeeper Quico Cortes.

They are joined by Polo keeper Mario Garin and Xavi Lleonart who was player of the match in the EHL GRAND FINAL in June while playing with HC Bloemendaal.

The side also features Marc Serrahima and Sergi Enrique from Junior FC from EHL ROUND1.

The red sticks have been in good form in recent weeks, beating the Netherlands in their opening Four Nations game in Valencia before defeating England (2-1 and 3-0) twice and also seeing off Ireland 1-0.

They complete their preparations with a three-game series against Germany, starting on Saturday in Alicante, playing again on Monday and Wednesday.

Euro Hockey League media release

I don't define players as senior or junior: Harendra Singh

By Rutvick Mehta
 

Harendra Singh says he is holding team meetings as well as individual meetings to address the issue of better finishing inside the circle from forwards ahead of the FIH World Cup later this month

The final 18-member squad for the World Cup seems a mixture of experience and youth. It also has some big names like SV Sunil, Rupinder Pal Singh and Ramandeep Singh missing. How do you analyse the side that has been picked?

Firstly, we have gone with current form and fitness, that's the primary criteria we had spoken about. There were a few injury issues, like that of Sunil (Sunil picked up a knee injury during a national camp last month). It will take some time for him to recover fully. He has looked fine in training, but this is the World Cup, and we cannot take any chances with fitness.It is unfortunate for Sunil to miss out because of the injury. Otherwise, the rest of the players have been picked on form.

There are as many as six players in this team who were also part of India's victorious Junior World Cup-winning campaign in 2016 at home. Was it a conscious decision to go in with fresh blood and back youngsters for the senior World Cup as well?

Look, from 2016 to 2018, these youngsters have played enough matches and enough tournaments. So, the only focus for us was the fitness and form over the last two to three tournaments, and that's the only basis on which we haven chosen the team.

Indian teams in the recent past have failed to rise to the occasion in big world events, and a lot of it is down to the psychological aspect. By picking youngsters who might not have that mental block and mental baggage of the past, do you hope that these players will be able to play more freely?

It's not my hope, it's my confidence. One thing with a lot of players in this team is, they know how to play in front of 25,000 people screaming from the stands. They have been tested in the same environment in the Junior World Cup. Their Junior World Cup experience can be looked upon as a cushion, but at the same time we cannot ignore their current form and fitness.

My thinking is that we should look at the fact that we are playing at home as an advantage, rather than pressure. We have to enjoy the audience backing us, enjoy the atmosphere. How many opportunities like this will players get: to show their skills and talent in front of thousands of passionate home fans?

Some of these players, especially the junior boys, know what it is like to play a World Cup in India, while some don't. How much of that experience matters?

There is less pressure the next time, because you know you have been tested under a similar scenario and you know how to enjoy such an atmosphere. And it's not just for the players, it's an opportunity even for the coaching staff. We, as a team management, need to make the players look at the positives of entering into a full stadium rather than them going, 'Oh, this is so much pressure'. That's where the team management and the team environment that we create will play a big role, because that will give the extra energy to the players when they step on to the field.

That said, if I say there is no pressure, I would be lying. The moment you wear the India jersey, be it in any tournament, there is bound to be some pressure on you. We must understand that we are not backed by three-four crore people, we are followed by 130 crore people. So, it is bound to have an effect on your mind.

But, it's part and parcel of your journey as an international sportsperson. You may play in any other country in the world in front of thousand or three thousand or six thousand people. But, where else will you get a chance to play in front of tens of thousands of people in a World Cup in India? That's what I told the boys during the Junior World Cup. And the same thinking stands now.

Will there be more responsibility on the senior players now to carry the juniors along and ease them off this pressure?

No, no, no. I don't define players as senior or junior. Those words don't exist in my team. Because the moment you play international hockey, it means that you have enough experience to represent the country. For me, if you have played 400 matches for India or you're playing for the first time, you're wearing the same India jersey, you're playing for the same team, you're playing to win, and you're playing a sport you love. So, that passion should be the same, whether you're representing India for the 400th time or the first.

Looking back, the Asian Champions Trophy was a decent campaign after the Asian Games disappointment, but the issue of applying finishing touches inside the circle still remains. How are you addressing it?

Yes. That's something we have to keep improving every match. We manage to get many shots on goal, but they need to be converted into goals. That's one thing we're focussing on, and I'm holding team meetings as well as individual meetings to address it. Now that the team is declared, the coaching staff will have a bigger job of defining the thin line of where players can score a goal and where they should pass the ball.

With no Rupinder Pal, Harmanpreet Singh becomes the leader of the dragflicking group, and converting penalty corners (PC) will be crucial, isn't it?

PCs are important for any team. And not only PC conversion, but also PC defending. I think we have some very talented people for that, we have (Amit) Rohidas, we have Varun (Kumar) and Harmanpreet, of course, who will be the leader of the pack now. The depth gives enough cushion to the team management to try out a few different direct as well as indirect combinations (for PC conversion).


Indian Squad

Goalkeepers: PR Sreejesh, Krishan Bahadur Pathak;

Defenders: Harmanpreet Singh, Birendra Lakra, Varun Kumar, Kothajit Singh Khadangbam, Surender Kumar, Amit Rohidas;

Midfielders: Manpreet Singh (C), Chinglensana Singh Kangujam (VC), Nilakanta Sharma, Hardik Singh, Sumit;

Forwards: Akashdeep Singh, Mandeep Singh, Dilpreet Singh, Lalit Kumar Upadhyay, Simranjeet Singh

Daily News & Analysis

Hockey team should stick to Hairi as keeper in World Cup

By Aftar Singh



KUALA LUMPUR: Goalkeeper Mohd Hairi Abdul Rahman (pic) is keeping up the good work – after proving he’s a steady figure between the posts in tournaments in the last eight months.

For that, he looks set to be named for the Hockey World Cup in Bhubaneswar, India.

And Hairi is fancied to be the first-choice after his outstanding performance in the Asian Champions Trophy in Muscat, Oman, last month.

Malaysia’s top keeper S. Kumar did not play a single match in the Asian Champions Trophy as he was recovering from a thumb injury he suffered in training.

National coach Roelant Oltmans was impressed with Hairi’s performance in in Oman.

“He played in all the seven matches and made some good saves.

“Hairi also played a big part in the penalty shootout by making some fine saves to help Malaysia finish third over Japan,” said the Dutchman.

Malaysia edged Asian Games gold medallists Japan 3-2 in a penalty shootout after both teams were tied 2-2 in the third-placing match.

The 27-year-old Hairi, who featured in the Commonwealth Games in Gold Coast in April and the Asian Games in Jakarta in August, is keeping his fingers crossed that he will feature in his first World Cup after his impressive outing in Oman.

There are four keepers in the national team. Apart from Hairi and Kumar, the other two are Mohd Hafizuddin Othman and Muhd Zaimi Mat Deras, who featured in the Under-21 Sultan of Johor Cup in Johor Baru last month.

Zaimi has yet to play for the national senior team in that tournament while Hafizuddin has just recovered from a knee injury.

There are 24 players in the training squad and Oltmans will name 20 on Monday.

Kumar and Hairi are sure to make the cut for the World Cup.

Oltmans added that Kumar’s services are needed as he is vastly experienced and is an asset to the team.

Kumar played a crucial part in helping Malaysia to finish a creditable fourth in the World League Semi-Finals in London last year to qualify for the World Cup. He was also named the tournament’s best keeper.

A total of 16 teams will feature in the World Cup and Malaysia open their campaign against Holland on Dec 1, followed by matches against Pakistan (Dec 5) and Germany (Dec 9).

The Star of Malaysia

GB EDP Unlucky To Lose To China In Four Nations


GB EDP W v China

Two late goals saw China beat the Great Britain EDP women in a closely fought Four Nations encounter.

Both sides cancelled each other out in the first half before Freya Bull gave Great Britain the lead as she pounced on a rebound from a penalty corner.

However the hosts equalised quickly courtesy of a fine individual effort to ensure the scores were equal heading into the final quarter.

China then took the lead from a corner but GB battled hard to find the equaliser and were unlucky not to score on several occasions before their opponents notched a third to seal a win that so easily could have gone the other way.

Despite the result, head coach Kevin Johnson was pleased by the progress the team had shown sine their previous game against Australia.

“We had clearly improved on our previous performance against Australia and for three quarters of this game we were more than a match for a very strong and experienced China team,” he said.

“Whilst their two goals in the final quarter frustratingly took the scoreboard away from us, I was delighted to see improvements in our process and performance and we continue to grow stronger as a team.”

China 3 (1)

Great Britain 1 (0)
Bull

Great Britain Hockey media release

PREVIEWS: English Men's Hockey League

The season is only seven weeks old, but already the University of Exeter are facing a battle for survival in their first season back in the Men’s Hockey League Premier Division.

They held last season’s champions and current leaders Surbiton to a draw in week two, but since then have lost every match and are bottom of the table.

This Sunday they play host to second-bottom Sevenoaks, who are just one point above them, knowing that a win will lift them off the foot of the table.

“We’re picking from a full squad, and it will be good to welcome back four of our old boys who now play for Sevenoaks,” said University of Exeter’s team manager and assistant coach Simon Tyson.

“We’re in a good place, we feel we were unlucky to lose to Holcombe last weekend, and we’ve played well against several other teams, so we’re happy with how we’ve adapted to life in the Premier Division.”

At the other end of the Premier Division table, leaders Surbiton are heading to Holcombe on Sunday for a crucial match for both sides.

A win for the Kent outfit could see them move to the top of the table, while Surbiton will want to continue their current good form which has seen them unbeaten in the first seven league matches so far.

Hampstead & Westminster are level on points with Surbiton, and they have a home match on Sunday against a Brooklands MU side with just one win so far this season.

Elsewhere in the top flight, Reading head north to take on Beeston, while East Grinstead have a home match against Wimbledon.

In the Men’s Conference West, leaders the University of Birmingham travel to second-placed Cardiff & Met in what could prove to be a crucial clash for both side’s title ambitions.

Meanwhile, Olton & West Warwicks are level on points with Cardiff & Met, and they host Isca on Sunday.

Men’s Conference East leaders Old Georgians are hosting strugglers Cambridge this Sunday, while Oxted are just one point behind and could go top if they beat hosts Southgate.

Leaders Bowdon have a home match against Loughborough Students in the Men’s Conference North, while second-placed University of Nottingham go to Leeds. Level on points with Nottingham, the University of Durham could go top if they can win at bottom club Alderley Edge.

FIXTURES

Saturday, November 10

Men’s Conference North
Sheffield Hallam v Belper 18:30

Sunday, November 11

Men’s Premier Division
Univ of Exeter v Sevenoaks 12:30
Hampstead & Westminster v Brooklands MU 13:30
Holcombe v Surbiton 14:00
Beeston v Reading 14:00
East Grinstead v Wimbledon 15:00

Men’s Conference East
Brighton & Hove v Old Loughtonians 13:00
Richmond v Canterbury 13:30
Teddington v City of Peterborough 13:30
Old Georgians v Cambridge City 14:00
Southgate v Oxted 14:30

Men’s Conference North
Preston v Doncaster 14:00
Alderley Edge v Univ of Durham 14:00
Leeds v Univ of Nottingham 14:30
Bowdon v Loughborough Students 14:30

Men’s Conference West
Cardiff & Met v Univ of Birmingham 12:30
Chichester v Fareham 13:00
Team Bath Buccaneers v Havant 13:00
Olton & West Warwicks v Isca 13:30
Oxford Hawks v Univ of Bristol 14:00

England Hockey Board Media release

PREVIEWS: Investec English Women's Hockey League

Title rivals Holcombe and Surbiton face off in Kent on Saturday as the battle for the Investec Women’s Hockey League Premier Division continues to gather pace.

Holcombe hammered home five goals at the University of Birmingham last weekend, but they will need to be on top form if they want to replicate that feat this weekend against a Surbiton side who have conceded just three goals in the league so far.

“We’re down a few players because of the senior team preparing for the Champions Trophy and the development program, but it’s the same for Surbiton too,” said Holcombe coach Leigh Maasdorp.

“Our strength in depth has improved this season, and we’ve still got a really good side we can put out. I’m happy with where we are in the table after seven matches, but also about where we’re at with our learning and development.”

Elsewhere, East Grinstead are second in the table and go to Bowdon Hightown in search of another win after beating strugglers Canterbury 5-0 last weekend.

Buckingham are fourth and could climb to second if they can beat Slough at home, while in other top flight action the University of Birmingham will want to bounce back from last weekend’s loss to Holcombe when they go to Clifton Robinsons, while Beeston travel to Kent to take on Canterbury.

Leaders Harleston Magpies host St Albans as they bid to extend their two point lead in the Investec Women’s Conference East. Meanwhile, second-placed Hampstead & Westminster are also at home with Southgate providing their opposition.

Cambridge City are level on points with Hampstead and Westminster, and could also go top of the table if they beat visitors Horsham and the teams above them lose.

Loughborough Students will be aiming to continue their unbeaten run of form in the Investec Conference North as they go to Fylde, while second-placed Ben Rhydding go to bottom of the table Sutton Coldfield.

The only team in the league with a 100% record, Stourport will be expected to notch up another big win as they host bottom of the league Oxford Hawks on Saturday.

Meanwhile, Olton & West Warwicks are second and go to Trojans in search of a win.

FIXTURES

Saturday, November 10

Investec Women’s Premier Division
Buckingham v Slough 12:00
Clifton Robinsons v Univ of Birmingham 13:00
Bowdon Hightown v East Grinstead 13:45
Holcombe v Surbiton 14:00
Canterbury v Beeston 16:00

Investec Women’s Conference East
Harleston Magpies v St Albans 13:30
Hampstead & Westminster v Southgate 13:30
Bedford v Wimbledon 13:30
Cambridge City v Horsham 15:30
Sevenoaks v Ipswich 17:00

Investec Women’s Conference North
Leicester v Univ of Durham 12:00
Sutton Coldfield v Ben Rhydding 12:30
Timperley v Belper 12:30
Leeds v Brooklands-Poynton 12:30
Fylde v Loughborough Students 13:30

Investec Women’s Conference West
Barnes v Exe 12:00
Gloucester City v Swansea 12:00
Isca v Reading 12:00
Trojans v Olton & West Warwicks 12:00
Stourport v Oxford Hawks 18:00

England Hockey Board Media release

Squads announced for Scottish Super Series

The squads have been announced for Women’s Super Series 2018, Scottish Hockey’s new best-v-best tournament, which will be held at the Glasgow National Hockey Centre on 30th November, 1st and 2nd December 2018.

The inaugural best-v-best hockey tournament will feature three teams: Dundee Devils; Edinburgh Lightning; and Glasgow Thunder.

The teams are based roughly on geographical allegiances, with flexibility built in to ensure the best players are playing.

The series has been designed to bridge the gap between club and international hockey with 54 of Scotland’s best female hockey players featuring in three teams of 18 in this exciting new competition. Amy Costello and Sarah Robertson are unavailable due to GB commitments.

A Scottish Hockey Development Series will also be played as part of the event before each of the Super Series matches. Emerging talent from across Scotland will compete in a contest mirroring the Super Series matches.

Entry to the Super Series is free.

Squads

Glasgow Thunder

Danie McMurray – Western Wildcats
Mairi Fletcher – Clydesdale Western
Kaz Cuthbert – Western Wildcats
Kate Holmes – Western Wildcats
Becky Ward – Western Wildcats
Millie Brown – Clydesdale Western
Lexi Sabatelli – Clydesdale Western
Fran Lonergan – Clydesdale Western
Millie Steiger – Clydesdale Western
Heather Howie – Clydesdale Western
Jen Eadie – Clydesdale Western
Karin Belch – Clydesdale Western
Rachel Bain – Western Wildcats
Ali Eadie – Clydesdale Western
Zoe Sinclair – Hillhead
Louise Redpath – GHK
McKenzie Bell – Western Wildcats
Connie Lath – University of Glasgow

Edinburgh Lightning

Nicki Cochrane – Beeston
Lucy Camlin – Watsonians
Sarah Jamieson – Munchner Sports Club
Fiona Burnet – Wimbledon
Fiona Semple – Wimbledon
Mairi Drummond – Wimbledon
Nicki Skrastin – Sevenoaks
Zoe Gittens – Trojans
Becky Mill – University of Edinburgh
Lucy Lanigan – Watsonians
Laura Swanson – University of Edinburgh
Maris Cawthorne – Aberdeen University
Marjory Justice – University of Edinburgh
Jenny Walls – University of Edinburgh
Louise Campbell – University of Edinburgh
Ellie Hutcheson – University of Edinburgh
Ella Watt – University of Edinburgh
Beth Dodds – Grange

Dundee Devils

Amy Gibson – Der Club an Der Alster
Katie Stott – Grove Menzieshill
Bex Condie – Gloucester City
Robyn Collins – Surbiton
Rachel Mack – Leicester
Claire Wallace – Sevenoaks
Nikki Alexander-Lloyd – Wimbledon
Charlotte Watson – Dundee Wanderers
Emily Dark – Dundee Wanderers
Ellie Wilson – Dundee Wanderers
Lorna Cruickshank – Durham University
Cat Booth – Western Wildcats
Aspen Cumming – Dundee Wanderers
Amy Cairns – Dundee Wanderers
Georgia Smith – Clydesdale Western
Heather Elder – Dundee Wanderers
Bethan Mann – Watsonians
Millie Skidmore – Dundee Wanderers

Scotland women will host fun hockey skills sessions

As part of the event Scotland women’s internationalists will be hosting fun hockey skills sessions for youngsters on the Sunday.

Schools, clubs, and parents interested in arranging for young people to take part in these sessions should email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

There will also be many other fan-friendly activities during Super Series and we’ll be announcing some of our partners very soon.

Scottish Hockey Union media release

Inside Coaching: Two’s company, three’s a crowd in hockey



You’ve got a brilliant game lined up at training, an even number of players and then suddenly another player turns up, or even worse, someone gets injured. What do you do? asks Todd Williams.

Add purpose

Well, of course you can play with uneven teams, but you can add even more purpose to that depending on what you are trying to develop.

First of all, instead of one team just having one more player, you can play a game where either the attacking or defending team always has the extra player.

So, in a game of 4v4 with a team in red and a team in blue, you can have the extra player in an orange bib who is then always attacking or defending – whichever you want – no matter whether that’s the red or blue team.

This is really useful if you want to develop the relationships between players and a specific striker (who would be in orange). It’s also a good way of enhancing the effectiveness of one of your best scoring options as well as developing new ones e.g. a midfielder who isn’t converting as many chances as they should.

On the flip side, you simply might want to make the game tougher for the attacking team to score by having them outnumbered. Again, if you have an established striker, you might use a player to be their man-to-man marker, which will replicate the sort of pressure an opposition team might out them under.

You might also limit the extra defender to the defensive circle in order to increase the pressure and limit the time and space in that area.

Interchange practice

This provides another option and 7v6 can become 5v5 with one team interchanging one player and the other having two. That same game can also of course be 6v6 where you rotate the resting player across both teams, giving you the opportunity to talk to all of your players about specific aspects of the game, aspects of their hockey in general or really, any topic of your choice.

Often we get fixated on players being constantly active and being involved but don’t forget that’s its often not a bad thing to have a player watch what’s going on and have them think about how they can improve their own performance or their contribution to their team.

It’s also a skill for players to learn how to come out of a game, listen to a coach and then (hopefully) implement the sorts of changes you need when they go back on.

The same benefit also applies to the coach as far as refining their ability to speak quickly and clearly to a player before they get back on to the pitch.

The positive “sin-bin”

You can also operate a “sin bin” which sounds negative but you’ll be amazed at how positive it can be.

If you are trying to emphasise a particular aspect of your play e.g. accuracy of passing, start your game as say a 6v6 and nominate a player to start off. Then when the first pass is intercepted, the guilty party swaps with the player who started off.

This carries on with players moving between teams based on who they replace. As I say, it sounds a bit harsh but actually it becomes fun with players desperate not to be in the bin (NB: which achieves your aim) as well as players increasing their defensive pressure to put people in there (NB: another win).

Also, by standing next to the bin, the coach gets the opportunity to talk to the player about how and why they got there. Was it technique, was it their decision making or was it a bit of both? And most importantly, they can talk about what can they do to get better.

Then the coach can use their discretion to let players off the hook. For example, if the player coming out of the bin is intercepted looking for the sort of better option you’d been talking about, then letting them stay on is a great way of positively reinforcing their learning process.

Todd Williams’ coaching column is in association with Gryphon

The Hockey Paper

TigerTurf Breaking New Ground With Revolutionary New Hockey Pitch

Ben Somerford



Hockey Australia’s partners TigerTurf have broken new ground with the creation of the world’s first ever fully flat, watered from beneath EcoCept hockey pitch..

The ground-breaking pitch is a new experimental turf made from recycled plastic and rubber, which uses a fraction of the water and is eco-friendly.

From a Hockey perspective, the turf is revolutionary as it is perfectly watered permanently from beneath without the use of cannons.

A waterproof membrane has been laid over the entire pitch, which is being covered by TigerTurf’s EcoCept Insitu shock pad and drainage system.

The final touch is TigerTurf’s WETT Pro Hockey surface which has been approved to meet FIH Global Accreditation.

TigerTurf National Sales & Marketing Manager Nick Kerr said: “This is no ordinary Hockey pitch. We think this is the most advanced pitch ever built both in terms of playing quality and environmental credentials.

Watch a video of this new technology

“Most Hockey pitches are traditionally built using a convex “turtle back” design to allow water to drain away but Metro Park is built completely flat meaning there’s no drying from the centre creating perfectly even water distribution and thus no impact on play quality.

“Most pitches are kept watered for performance and safety reasons using water cannons but Metro Park will be watered from underneath. This will reduce water loss associated with cannons.

“Metro Park will also use recycled water captured from rainfall on the turf itself, treated and stored onsite and introduced back into the playing surface from underneath the turf itself. The savings in water bill costs for the club are estimated at $4,500 per turf per annum.

“As well Metro Park will use state of the art LED lights supplied and fitted by TigerTurf. These lights consume 50 per cent less energy, last longer and can be programmed to run in training mode on certain areas of the pitch only or at lower output levels meaning less energy consumption and lower operating costs.”

“Also the watering and lighting operations of a pitch normally requires people at the site to open the pitch up for play, but Metro Park will be fully controlled via a special app on the user’s phone or tablet to operate the field’s watering and lighting technology.

“Finally, Metro Park’s EcoCept shock pad provides a productive use for waste plastics (45,000kg) and car tyres (45,000kg) saved from landfill rather than a traditional rubber shock pad.”

TigerTurf have built a full-size Hockey field and a Hockey 5s specific field too at the Metro Park site.

Ecocept has also been used for more than 25 traditional hockey field builds worldwide where the field is not flooded from beneath but the ecocept layer replaces the traditional ashphalt and e-layer system under the turf. In this instance the ecocpet is offering improved drainage, improved playing performance and consuming considerable amounts of waste plastic and rubber that would otherwise go to landfill.

For further information contact TigerTurf on 1800 802 570 or email us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

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Hockey Australia media release

Foundation's work makes dreams come true



In the six years since it was created, Hockey Dreams Foundation has grown in scope and ambition. The organisation began life as a brainchild of Gijs Hardeman, who had previously set up a hockey project in Zambia on behalf of the KNHB, the Netherlands Hockey Association. 

At the heart of the Zambia project, which had the backing of the International Olympic Committee, was the idea that local coaches should be running sport – in this case hockey – within their community.

Once the Zambia project ended, Gijs decided to continue the work through a new foundation.

Initially the organisation was known as the Kadish Foundation but, in order to make it fully international, it changed names in 2015 to Hockey Dreams Foundation. But the objectives stayed the same.

Currently, Hockey Dreams Foundation has 24 coaches, who have all been educated in coaching skills and protocol, working in regions that cover four African countries – Malawi, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe. The aim is to eventually have coaches in 10 African nations.

Within each nation, the Foundation's representatives identify people who they feel have the potential to be coaches and leaders. Those selected are given the opportunity to become involved on a training and education programme and then provided with a project and the equipment to deliver the project.

And starting in 2019, Hockey Dreams Foundation is opening its own Academy. That means that coaches on the programme have to follow a specific pathway to get their Hockey Dreams certificate. On the curriculum are: personal development – which is called Education for the Future; training skills; and work & life skills. There are also modules such as leadership qualities, umpiring and coaching courses, administration and event organisation.

Eventually, the coaches will have the knowledge and skill to set up and run a local NGO. All the coaches receive an allowance when they perform their tasks, ensuring that taking a career pathway in coaching is a viable and sustainable option. Once established, the lead coach is able to choose other coaches to undergo training and to ensure succession. The lead coach also delivers training to the new coaching recruits – thereby reducing the need for intervention from Hockey Dreams Foundation headquarters in the Netherlands.

Initial funding for the projects comes largely from businesses and individuals who are based in the Netherlands. There are also financial and equipment donations from hockey clubs and teams. The Foundation visits all its projects regularly to check that the equipment and finding is being used in the most effective way.

Within each country that the Foundation operates, there are eight strands to its projects. These are:

Coach education – training and educating coaches
College funding - assisting coaches through high school and beyond
Hockey Dreams Trips – coaches will visit clubs in the Netherlands to gain experience and ideas

Hockey camps – These are organised two or three times a year by the coaches. At one camp up anywhere between 200-400 kids can be playing on one pitch. There are coaching clinics, games, workshops, tournaments and a chance to hear the coaches' own hockey stories.

Hockey Stixx – the scheme under which European clubs and individuals send equipment to communities in Africa. The Lab, which helps members of the local community produce hockey equipment such as shin pads and cones.

Girls First – encouraging girls to play hockey. For example, at a  recent camp in Malawi, 235 girls took part.

Super5s – This is the the competitive arm of the Foundation. The coaches organise leagues throughout the year  where local hockey clubs, which have been formed by the Foundation, join in. A lot of people come to watch these game.

To explain how the process works, we take the example of the coaching programme in Zambia.

In Zambia, the 10 pioneers coaches have either finished or are finishing their high school and a few of them are now attending college. Not only are they providing hockey activities within the community but they are also acting as role models. In addition, the hockey club provides a safe space where drugs and criminal activities are driven out.

One such coach, Samuel Tagwireyi, is now the coach for the Zambia U18 national team who recently finished fourth at the Buenos Aires Youth Olympics.

In six years, the people working on the Zambia project have seen many changes for the good. It has changed the lives of numerous people who came from very deprived backgrounds. They all have a higher level of education that would not have previously been possible; they have developed numerous other skills; they are earning money that helps their families and they have become role models for many people around them.

#GlobalProjects

FIH site

After slow start, No. 2 Maryland field hockey beats Albany, 2-1, in NCAA tournament 1st round

The Terps trailed 1-0 at halftime, but scored two quick goals in the second half to advance to Sunday’s second round.

By Lila Bromberg


Defender Kelee Lepage battles during Maryland field hockey’s 2-1 first-round NCAA tournament win over Albany at the Field Hockey & Lacrosse Complex on Nov. 9, 2018. (Andi Wenck/The Diamondback)

The Maryland field hockey bench exploded with cheers and laughter in the 42nd minute of its first-round NCAA tournament game against Albany.

Less than a minute earlier, the No. 2 Terps had trailed, 1-0. But now, they had a 2-1 lead, and they seemed ready to put the nervous start to the tournament behind them.

About five minutes into the second half, the Terps earned a penalty corner, and defender Bodil Keus hammered a hard shot from the top of the circle into the net.

Shortly after, the Terps forced a turnover and quickly pushed the ball upfield. Forward Linnea Gonzales passed to Brooke DeBerdine on her far right, and DeBerdine slipped the ball past Albany goalkeeper Melissa Nealon. Forward Bibi Donraadt was waiting there to easily tip the ball into the empty net.

After a slow start, Maryland used those scores to take a 2-1 victory over Albany and move to Sunday’s second round, where it will face either No. 5 UConn or No. 11 Rutgers.

But it wasn’t always pretty. About seven minutes into the game, Albany was awarded its second penalty corner. Goalkeeper Sarah Holliday fell to the ground and stopped the initial shot, but Great Dane defender Viol Von der Muhlen grabbed the rebound and snuck the ball into the left corner to give her team a one goal lead.

Maryland played decent defense following the goal, but its offense struggled mightily. The Terps had trouble maintaining possession, with Albany playing aggressively and forcing turnovers. Long passes down the field typically jumpstart Maryland’s offense, but the Great Danes repeatedly intercepted those efforts Friday.

Maryland ended the first half with four shots, only one of which was on target, while Albany had three shots and two on goal.

The Terps have talked all season about avenging last year’s national title game loss, and after intermission, they seemed determined not to allow those hopes to be dashed so easily. Maryland took control of possession and pace and were rewarded with the two quick goals. The Terps outshot Albany, 8-4, in the second half.

The Great Danes had the chance to equalize with a few penalty corner chances late, but Maryland fended them off for the victory.

The Diamondback

UAlbany field hockey eliminated in NCAAs

Lose to Maryland 2-1


Saratoga Springs High School graduate Kelsey Briddell of the University at Albany field hockey team. (Bill Ziskin / UAlbany Athletics)

The University at Albany's field hockey season came to an end Friday when the Great Danes dropped a 2-1 decision to Maryland in a first-round game of the NCAA Tournament at the Terps' Field Hockey & Lacrosse Complex in College Park, Md.

Maryland (20-2), the second-seeded team in the tournament, scored second-half goals 1:33 apart to erase a 1-0 deficit. Bodil Keus got her ninth goal of the year off a penalty corner at 40:13 and then the Terps shocked the Danes when Bibi Donraadt scored her 13th at 41:44.

UAlbany (16-5) had taken a 1-0 lead when junior Viola Von der Muhlen scored her first goal of the season off a penalty corner at 6:57 of the first period.

UAlbany junior goalie Melissa Nealon of Shenendehowa had six saves.

Maryland will move on to play the winner of the game between defending champion Connecticut and Rutgers on Sunday.

Times Union

'She's just amazing:' Hoffman leads way for UNC field hockey in quest for NCAA title

By Chris Hilburn-Trenkle


Senior midfielder Ashley Hoffman (13) competes for the ball against William & Mary forward Ashley Drum (26) during the first round of the NCAA Tournament on Friday in Karen Shelton Stadium. UNC field hockey advances to the second round of the NCAA Tournament after defeating William & Mary 4-0. Emily Caroline Sartin

Ashley Hoffman has accomplished many things in her collegiate career.

She’s a two-time ACC Defensive Player of the Year, a first-team All-America selection, the captain of the undefeated North Carolina field hockey team and a member of three Final Four squads.

But there’s one glaring omission on an otherwise pristine resume — a national championship.

“It’s in the back of my mind all the time, but not in the forefront,” Hoffman said. “I try and stay in the moment.”

She certainly stayed in the moment on Friday, scoring a game-high two goals to lead the No. 1 North Carolina field hockey team past William & Mary, 4-0, in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. It was first-year forward Erin Matson who got the scoring started with an 18th minute strike, before Hoffman put the nail in the coffin with two goals.

“She’s a big-time player,” head coach Karen Shelton said about Hoffman. “She plays defense, she cleans up in the back so people know that if they do make a mistake, Ashley’s back there and on attack, we know that her drag flick was going to be important today and it was. So she’s our big-time player and our senior captain that leads both sides of the ball.”

Hoffman certainly led on both ends of the field on Friday, hustling on defense to intercept passes and limiting the Tribe to no shots on the day while adding a game-high six shots of her own.

In the midst of a perfect season, Hoffman feels this team is different, something that could benefit the Tar Heels in a quest to win the program’s first national championship since 2009.

“Everyone takes their own responsibility, and we kind of stick together rather than go apart and I think that’s different than any other team I’ve been on here,” Hoffman said.

Another different element of this year’s team is the addition of Matson, who leads the squad with 17 goals and was named ACC Offensive Player of the Year on Oct. 31. Matson considers Hoffman to be, “like an older sister” and looks up to her senior captain.

“We’ve just kind of grown up playing together through U-19, U-21, now the national team and she’s honestly a role model, a family member, a great teammate,” Matson said. “She’s just amazing.”

The two not only have chemistry off the field — but on it. Matson delivered assists on both of Hoffman’s goals to put away William & Mary and set the Tar Heels up for a potential rematch with No. 8 Michigan, a team the Tar Heels beat 5-1 in the inaugural game at their new complex this season.

A win on Sunday would send North Carolina to its 10th consecutive Final Four as Hoffman and her fellow seniors continue a final run at a national title.

Although Matson noted her focus was on Sunday, she admitted the team’s desire to have the seniors go out on a high note.

“I think every team wants the best possible year for their seniors and obviously ours would be to kind of go all the way,” she said.

If the Tar Heels can take care of the winner of Michigan and No. 10 Saint Joseph's on Sunday, they will travel to Louisville for the Final Four, giving Hoffman potentially two more games to check that final box off a memorable career.

The Daily Tar Heel