News for 10 October 2019
All the news for Thursday 10 October 2019
2019 Test matches NZL v JPN - Men
Stratford (NZL)
10 Oct 2019 NZL v JPN 1 - 2
FIH Match Centre
Japan take out game one of the TSB Community Trust Series
Japan have held their nerve in the first match of the TSB Community Trust Series 2-1 over the Vantage Black Sticks Men. The Japan side hit the front early and never relented throughout the match.
Hirotaka Wakuri was named the Asia Foundation man of the match for his outstanding effort in helping the Japan side take out the match one victory.
The Vantage Black Sticks Men began their road to Tokyo Qualification against the Japan Samurai Men, on a blustery Stratford evening the two sides battled out a tough first quarter. The New Zealand Men were looking to hold possession early on and size up the Japan screen. It was the Japan side who managed to create the first scoring opportunities when they had two early penalty corners. On their second corner George Enersen pulled off a great save, it was Japan who jumped on the rebound and Kota Watanabe put the ball into the side of the New Zealand goal. New Zealand would have a late penalty corner; however, the Japan goalkeeper was up to the task to keep the Kiwis out.
The New Zealand side looked to be playing with more freedom and confidence in the second quarter, the Japanese Men were stoic in defence and continued to stifle the Black Sticks attacking opportunity. Late in the half, Simon Child managed to create a great circle entry after eliminating two Japanese defenders, unfortunately for the New Zealand side, they couldn’t find the space in the Japan circle to get a clear shot off.
Japan reasserted their dominance of the match in the third quarter, seven minutes into the third quarter the Japan side was rewarded off a crash ball into the circle that the Black Sticks couldn’t clear. Hiromasa Ochiai grabbed the rebound off the New Zealand defence and the Japan side managed to scramble the ball into the goal.
New Zealand managed to find their way onto the score sheet with six minutes to go in the match when Nic Woods powered a drag flick into the Japan goal. The goal brought the Black Sticks to life and were playing with a renewed hunger out on the field as they looked to tie the match back up. Japan managed to absorb the late pressure that the New Zealand side threw at them as they held on for a 2-1 win.
Vantage Black Sticks Men 1 (Nic Woods 54 min)
Japan 2 (Kota Watanabe 11 min, Hiromasa Ochai 37 min)
Hockey New Zealand Media release
We must take our chances against Belgium, says China captain Cui Qiuxia
In the latest of a series of videos featuring athletes from the teams that will participate in the upcoming FIH Hockey Olympic qualifiers, China (FIH World Ranking: 10) women’s captain Cui Qiuxia looks ahead to her team’s crucial two-game home fixtures against the ever-improving Belgium (WR:12). The all-important matches will take place at Changzhou’s Wujin Hockey Stadium on 25/26 October 2019, with the winner securing a ticket to the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020.
The two sides twice faced each other in the FIH Pro League earlier this year, with Belgium’s Red Panthers winning 4-1 in Antwerp before claiming two points out of three in Changzhou, triumphing in the shoot-out after the match finished with the scores locked at 3-3. A transcript of the video can be found below.
The FIH Hockey Olympic qualifiers will be taking place very soon. How is your team preparing for these hugely important matches?
Cui Qiuxia: “We are all preparing as good as we can for the games against Belgium. We went abroad for play-off games against Spain and Ireland, and we got some good results.”
What are your thoughts about your opponent in the FIH Hockey Olympic qualifiers and how is your squad feeling about these matches?
Cui Qiuxia: “Belgium is a strong opponent. In the Pro League we played two games [against them], creating a lot of chances but we didn’t convert to win. So, in the [upcoming] month, we need to focus on making sure we score goals.”
What can we expect to see from your team at the FIH Hockey Olympic Qualifiers?
Cui Qiuxia: “I think everyone is looking forward to these two games. There will be more people there [at the stadium] to support us over the two games, which will be wonderful. Hopefully we can find a winner.”
What would qualifying for the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 mean to you and your team?
Cui Qiuxia: “The Olympic Games is the most important competition. We want to go to Tokyo, we want to show the world China hockey, which will let more Chinese people know [about] hockey and [increase participation] in hockey sports.”
Each qualifier consists of two back-to-back matches which will be played in the same venue. The winners of these FIH Hockey Olympic qualifiers will qualify for the 2020 Olympic hockey tournaments which will be staged in Japan’s capital city from 25 July to 7 August next year and involve 12 Men’s and 12 Women’s teams.
#Tokyo2020
#RoadToTokyo
#GiftOfHockey
FIH site
Tumilty keen to deploy players in preferred positions for Olympic qualifier
Jonny McKee has been recalled. Pic: Adrian Boehm
Mark Tumilty says he is keen to seeing his Ireland side getting back to deploying players in their regular positions as he announced his Olympic qualifiers panel to meet Canada on October 26 and 27.
In so doing, he has made six changes to the 18 for August’s Europeans with David Harte, David Fitzgerald, Chris Cargo, Jonny McKee, Matthew Nelson and Peter Caruth all coming in.
Stephen Cole and Ben Walker will be travelling reserves for the two-game series while Mark Ingram, Kirk Shimmins, Paul Gleghorne and Jamie Carr – who sustained a knee injury against England – are not included.
The most obvious change will be the use of players in positions they are more accustomed to with Sean Murray and Michael Robson likely to be used in midfield roles rather than being used as auxiliary forwards.
That opens the door for both Caruth and McKee to return for first world ranking games in over two years. With Nelson also returning, it gives the forward line some serious pace to work with.
“We want to have people playing in their regular positions so we have selected full-backs as full-backs and centre backs as centre backs,” Tumilty said of the squad named.
“That was something me and [assistant coach] Jason Lee were clear on when we first met the group. It is hard enough playing international hockey and then try and adapt to new positions. So I am happy with the squad – I think there is a good balance and shape about it.”
Welcoming back Caruth and McKee, he added: “Peter has been excellent since he came back in, particularly after so much time away with injury. He brings real pace and an intelligence to the forwards and is also a really positive person to have around the squad.
“John is another one who had his issues with illness and injury over the last year or so. He was excellent in the second game against the French, he’s hungry and gives us an energy and focus.”
He can also call on Cargo to bring experience to the midfield, returning after work commitments ruled him out of much of this year’s calendar to date. He captained Hampstead & Westminster to a memorable win over Dutch club HGC last weekend in the Euro Hockey League.
In the EHL’s history, English teams have beaten Dutch sides just three times – Cargo has been present on each occasion, twice with Reading in 2011 and 2013.
“Chris’s style of play is the style we want to be playing. With his penalty corner pull-out and his vast experience, he brings a lot to the side, especially with a very young midfield with Daragh [Walsh], Sean [Murray] and Michael [Robson], and he understands that role.”
The tournament comes too soon for Luke Madeley following his foot injury while Walker and Cole will travel as cover with Eugene Magee the main issue.
He suffered a hamstring tear in club action for Banbridge against Three Rock Rovers but it is not as severe as originally feared and Tumilty says the 293-time international is “definitely worth taking a gamble on”.
He will not be risked, though, in their final warm-up game against Belgium on October 15 in Wavre. The side will fly out to Canada a day later to acclimitise to conditions.
Irish senior men for Olympic qualifiers (West Vancouver, Canada; October 26th and 27th): David Harte (SV Kampong), David Fitzgerald (Monkstown), Lee Cole (Oree), Conor Harte (Racing Club de Bruxelles), Jonathan Bell (Lisnagarvey), Stuart Loughrey (Reading), John Jackson (Bath Buccaneers), Tim Cross (Tilburg), Daragh Walsh (KHC Leuven), Sean Murray (HC Rotterdam), Chris Cargo (Hampstead & Westminster), Shane O’Donoghue (KHC Dragons), Michael Robson (Crefelder HTC), Eugene Magee (Banbridge), John McKee (Banbridge), Matthew Nelson (Lisnagarvey), Jeremy Duncan (Oree), Peter Caruth (Corinthian)
The Hook
Keeper Hamiz to make his debut in Sultan of Johor Cup
KUALA LUMPUR: Things have been going great for goalkeeper Mohd Hamiz Mohd Ahir.
Last October, he helped Malaysia win the first-ever gold medal at the Youth Olympics Games in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
And exactly a year later, the Pahang player will make his debut at the six-nation Under-21 Sultan of Johor Cup, which begins on Saturday at the Taman Daya Hockey Stadium in Johor Baru.
National junior coach Nor Saiful Zaini selected Hamiz thanks to his outstanding performance during the Malaysian Junior Hockey League (MJHL) and at the Razak Cup last month.
“He is a player with great potential. I have faith in him and I’m sure he will perform well in Johor, ” said the former international.
The 19-year-old Hamiz said he owed it to his elder sister Seri Hirdayu who encouraged him to take up the sport when he was nine.
“She played for Pahang and was called up for the national training squad in 2012 but she could not make it due to personal reasons, ” said Hamiz.
“She always encouraged me to earn a spot in the national team.
“I finally did and played for Malaysia in the four-nation Under-16 tournament in Mannheim, Germany, in 2016.
“My biggest break was of course at the Under-18 Youth Olympics Games. And now, I’m in the Under-21 side. Hopefully, I’ll make it to the senior squad, ” added Hamiz, who guided Tunku Mahkota Ismail Sports School to a double by winning the league and overall title in the Under-19 MJHL in July.
Malaysia, who finished fifth in Johor last year, will face a strong challenge from world junior champions India, defending champions Britain and Australia.
The other teams in the fray are New Zealand and Japan.
“This tournament is part of our preparation for next year’s Junior Asia Cup (Dhaka, June 4-14) as the top four teams will qualify for the 2021 Junior World Cup, ” said Hamiz, who was named the best goalkeeper in the MJHL in 2016.
The Star of Malaysia
Sultan of Johor Cup Live-stream
Ashley Morrison
The Sultan of Johor Cup is regarded by many as the leading Men’s under 21 Hockey tournament outside of the Junior World Cup.
Started in 2011 five nations have lifted the trophy, Malaysia, Germany, India (twice), Australia (twice) and Great Britain(twice). Great Britain are the defending champions having defeated India 3-2 in the final of 2018.
In 2019 past winners Malaysia, Great Britain, Australia and India will be joined by Japan and New Zealand when the competition gets under way from 12-19 October.
Ashley Morrison Media has been asked by the Johor Hockey Association to live stream the matches in 2019, as they did in 2017. This will make all of the matches available to all of the friends and family of those playing and hockey fans across the globe.
Thank you to Organising Secretary of the Sultan of Johor Cup Datuk Manjit Majid Abdullah for this opportunity and for making the game available to those outside of Malaysia.
It should be a keenly fought tournament in 2019 and it would be a brave man who would predict a winner. Make sure you don’t miss the action.
Links to all of the games being live streamed are here:
2019 Sultan of Johor Cup
12-19 October 2019
Johor Bahru, Malaysia
(All Times GMT +8)
Saturday 12 October
16:05 Australia v Japan (Click here to watch the LIVE stream)
18:05 Great Britain v New Zealand (Click here to watch the LIVE stream)
20:35 Malaysia v India (Click here to watch the LIVE stream)
Sunday 13 October
16:05 Japan v Great Britain (Click here to watch the LIVE stream)
18:05 India v New Zealand (Click here to watch the LIVE stream)
20:35 Australia v Malaysia (Click here to watch the LIVE stream)
Tuesday 15 October
16:05 Great Britain v Australia (Click here to watch the LIVE stream)
18:05 Japan v India (Click here to watch the LIVE stream)
20:35 India v Australia (Click here to watch the LIVE stream)
Wednesday 16 October
16:05 New Zealand v Malaysia (Click here to watch the LIVE stream)
18:05 Malaysia v Great Britain (Click here to watch the LIVE stream)
New Zealand v Japan (Click here to watch the LIVE stream)
Thursday 17 October
16:05 Great Britain v India (Click here to watch the LIVE stream)
18:05 Malaysia v Japan (Click here to watch the LIVE stream)
20:35 Australia v New Zealand (Click here to watch the LIVE stream)
Saturday 19 October 2019 - Play-off for all placings
16:05 5th & 6th Placing (Click here to watch the LIVE stream)
18:05 3rd & 4th Placing (Click here to watch the LIVE stream)
20:35 1st & 2nd Placing (Click here to watch the LIVE stream)
Not the Footy Show - Ashley Morrison Media
Lakers eye top two finish ahead of USIU and Sliders ties
By Washington Onyango
Strathmore University’s Ruth Adhiambo (right) in action against Lakers in Kisumu. [Washington Onyango, Standard]
Lakers Hockey Club coach Austin Tuju is confident his team will finish in the top two after steering the side to a nine-match unbeaten run in the Kenya Hockey Union (KHU) Women Premier League.
The Kisumu-based team is fifth in the Premier League table with 15 points and is the only unbeaten team alongside record champions Telkom.
Lakers set the target of a top-two finish as the season began and Tuju has predicted his side could meet achieve t hat target if they maintain their top form.
Last weekend, the lakeside outfit edged Strathmore University 3-2 after previously playing to a 2-2 draw against Kenyatta University and with two games in hand, the Blue Queens can cut Telkom’s lead to seven points with victory over second-placed USIU and Sailors this weekend.
Speaking with the Standard Sports, Tuju said they are ready and prepared for their two games and they are confident of collecting maximum points.
“We have been playing well in our past nine matches and I think we have reached the peak of giving our best. We are going for maximum points and we have to take advantage of the two games in hand to climb up the ladder,” he said.
He further urged the girls to be clinical in goal and begin taking their chances and winning matches. They have won three matches and drawn in six.
“The ladies must up their game from this weekend and start winning more matches. I am happy we won last weekend but we have to be consistent,” Tuju added.
The Standard Digital
Great Britain EDP squads announced for 2019/20
The Great Britain Elite Development Programme (EDP) squads for the 2019/20 season have been selected.
Entering its third season, the GB EDP is part of a strategic objective during the Tokyo 2020 cycle to accelerate the development of future medal winning Olympians.
Numerous athletes have already transitioned from EDP and become regular players in the senior teams with Tom Sorsby, Tess Howard, Esme Burge, Lizzie Neal and Izzy Petter making the step up in 2018/19.
Speaking on the announcement, Head of Elite Talent Development at GB Hockey, Heather Williams said: “A huge congratulations to all the players who have been selected for the 2019/20 squads.
“It’s always pleasing to see all Home Nations represented with three players representing Wales and another 11 from Scotland.
“It’s also important to thank and recognise the contribution of all the coaches, clubs, friends and families, whose support is essential in helping these players balance the demands of elite level hockey and achieve their potential.”
While not age categorised, the EDP has been designed for athletes aged between 19-23 who may have the potential to become Olympic medallists.
Jody Paul, who was recently been named as interim Head Coach for the women’s EDP programme following Paul Revington’s move to Assistant Coach with the women’s senior squad for the next year, commented:
“The quality of the squad looks really good. Having just moved over to the programme it’s exciting seeing the potential, especially after seeing four former EDP players featuring for the senior team against India in recent Test matches.
“I think the players that have recently made the step up to the senior side serve as really good role models for the EDP players. The EDP squad can see how close they are and that pushes them on to really go for it. We’ve had two camps, which have been hard work, but the players have applied themselves and have made progress. We played well and I’m looking forward to seeing us in a match situation.
“I’m really happy being able to lead the programme and working with the EDP staff team, it’s really exciting and I’m looking forward to what we can do in 2019/20.”
Charlotte Watson India Test
Barry Middleton, who announced his retirement from international hockey earlier in the year, will take on a coaching role in the men’s GB EDP and work alongside Head Coach Jon Bleby who commented on the squad selection:
“We’ve got a really exciting group of players with a lot of talent in there. It’s been really great to see over the last 18 months so many players who have successfully transitioned into the senior team which has given a real spirit to all the EDP players that if they work hard and perform that the opportunity is there for the taking.
“I think it’s really nice for the players to see their peers work hard and get the reward of selection, it gives them the belief that if they do the same then the chances are definitely there for them.
“I think the EDP is really important, in the last two years it has been a great way for both U21 players and talented players above that age to have consistent, high quality input into their hockey development which has really helped transition some of the most talented players into the senior squad.”
Both teams will attend a selection of training camps and tournaments across the coming months.
Women’s GB EDP squad:
Millie Attwell – Birmingham University
McKenzie Bell – Western Wildcats
Darcy Bourne – Surbiton
Nicole Bowen – Exeter University
Louisa Bray – Durham University
Freya Bull – Club de Campo
Iona Campbell – Loughborough University
Nicki Cochrane – Beeston
Fiona Crackles – Durham University
Emily Dark – Dundee Wanderers
Annabelle Denly – Loughborough University
Jennifer Eadie – Clydesdale Western
Millie Giglio – Birmingham University
Olivia Hamilton – Loughborough University
Holly Hunt – Hampstead & Westminster
Catherine Ledesma – Birmingham University
Sally Sime – Nottingham University
Pippa Lock – Birmingham University
Alexandra Malzer – Nottingham University
Nicole Marks – Birmingham University
Molly Mason – Nottingham University
Vicki McCabe – Loughborough University
Miriam Pritchard – Loughborough University
Lexi Sabatelli – Clydesdale Western
Alice Sharp – Surbiton
Millie Steiger – Clydesdale Western
Lottie Summers – Loughborough University
Laura Swanson – Edinburgh University
Lily Walker – Birmingham University
Charlotte Watson – Dundee Wanderers
Men’s GB EDP squad:
James Albery – Old Georgians
Rohan Bhuhi – Loughborough Students
Rhys Bradshaw – Exeter University
Adam Buckle – Nottingham University
Jacob Draper – Hampstead & Westminster
Jamie Golden – Grove Menzieshill
David Goodfield – Surbiton
Josh Gravestock – Nottingham University
Gareth Griffiths – Beeston/Nottingham Trent University
Eddie Harper – Cambridge City
Ed Horler – Wimbledon
Max Lowrey – Exeter University
Callum Mackenzie – Cardiff & Met
James Mazarelo – Loughborough Students
Andrew McConnell – Western Wildcats
Lee Morton – Old Georgians
Tim Nurse – Bath Bucaneers
James Oates – Hampstead & Westminster
Nick Park – Beeston/Nottingham Trent University
Josh Pavis – Nottingham University
Oliver Payne – Durham University
Matthew Ramshaw – Loughborough Students
Toby Reynolds Cotterill – Hampstead & Westminster
Stuart Rushmere – Loughborough Students
Thomas Russell – Brooklands MU/Liverpool JM University
Peter Scott – Reading
Karan Sofat – Nottingham University
Toby Stanley – Beeston
Sam Taylor – Ashmoor
Jack Turner – Durham University
Ioan Wall – Cardiff & Mett
Eddie Way – Brooklands MU/Birmingham University
Daniel West – Loughborough Students
Conor Williamson - Surbiton
England Hockey Board Media release
Livermore to join Hall of Champions
Nic Kerber
Brent Livermore’s standing as one of Australian hockey’s all time greats has been further reinforced with the announcement that he will be inducted into the NSW Hall of Champions.
The former Kookaburras captain, who is the current Head Coach of the NSW Pride Men’s Team in the Sultana Bran Hockey One League, will be recognised for his achievements and decorated international playing career at the prestigious NSW Champions of Sport Ceremony to be held at The Star Sydney on Monday 18 November 2019.
The summary of Livermore’s playing career, which included receiving an Order of Australia (OAM) after captaining the Kookaburras to gold at the 2004 Athens Olympics (Australia’s only men’s hockey Olympic gold medal to date), more than exemplifies his induction…
With medals in two Olympic Games, three Commonwealth Games, 10 Champions Trophies and three World Cups, Brent Livermore is one of Australia’s best hockey players of all time. Between 1997 and 2010, he made 318 international appearances, 67 as captain, and scored 29 international goals. After winning bronze at the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games, Brent made history when captaining Australia to its first men’s hockey gold medal at the 2004 Athens Olympics, and also added Commonwealth Games gold medals in 1998, 2002 and 2006.
Barry Dancer was one of Livermore’s former coaches and arguably knew him better than most having been involved with him for the best part of a decade. Dancer’s first association with Livermore was as the National Junior Coach for Australia’s 1997 Junior World Cup team. Reflecting on Livermore’s career, the former Kookaburras Head Coach believes there were a number of traits that made the 43 year old one of the best.
“I think his dedication and commitment to the sport was exemplary,” said Dancer.
“Firstly, he was such a hard and committed trainer. In my experience with him, he was always looking at how to improve and was quite prepared to take constructive criticism.
“He searched for a lot of feedback and therefore was always striving to get better.”
“But he was also a strong team player. On the field he certainly facilitated a lot of players around him in a way that allowed them to play their best. He was very unselfish on the pitch and was certainly one of the key leaders in our group.
“I don’t think it’s any coincidence that when I first met him, he obtained the nickname “Chief” and it was something that stuck all the way through his playing career. It says something about the role he’s naturally fitted into and just moved to in the group I was involved with.”
Dancer believes Livermore is a more than worthy recipient to be inducted into the NSW Hall of Champions among five other NSW sports greats – Bradley Clyde AM (Rugby League), John Holt OAM (Surf Life Saving), Lauren Jackson AO (Basketball), Cheryl Salisbury (Football) and Lisa Sthalekar (Cricket).
“Brent has got a long and decorated claim into his contribution to the sport, including the success of the Kookaburras over a long period of time,” said Dancer.
“But since he finished playing he has also continued to contribute with his involvement in various ways, especially with his coaching roles.
“He’s had a very broad involvement in the sport for a long time, so I think it’s timely and very appropriate that he be recognised in this way.”
Since 1979, 377 sportsmen and women representing 55 sports have been added to the NSW Hall of Champions Roll of Honour. The NSW Hall of Champions is located at Quaycentre at Sydney Olympic Park.
Hockey Australia media release
Alex Danson able to 'jog for 30 minutes' following brain injury
Credit: Alex Danson's Instagram Account Account (alexdanson15)
Olympic gold medallist Alex Danson has celebrated her ability to "jog for 30 minutes", one year on from suffering a head injury while laughing at her husband's joke.
The 34-year-old said it was as a "massive day in her personal journey".
The incident happened on holiday in Kenya in September 2018 when she banged her head on a concrete wall.
"When it comes to the brain there are no timelines, only guidelines," she said.
In the months that followed the accident, Danson spoke of "losing her identity", as she experienced debilitating headaches, light sensitivity and loss of speech.
The former Great Britain and England captain has not played since England lost to the Netherlands in the 2018 World Cup quarter-finals at Lee Valley, just weeks prior to the accident.
Danson was part of the Great Britain team which won Olympic gold at the Rio 2016 Games.
From Alex Danson's Instagram Account Account (alexdanson15)
This picture says it all!!
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Today is a MASSIVE day in my personal journey ?
.
After I came out of hospital and saw a specialist I was told I would be better in a matter of weeks not a matter of months. He told me to come back and see him when I had jogged for 30 minutes
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Crucially over the next coming months these targets began to make me feel like I was failing. Why was I not getting better? Why did I feel so unwell and able to do so very little. Perhaps I had something more serious than was first detected?
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As the months went on I learnt a valuable lesson, from my own experience and other practitioners. When it comes to the brain there are no timelines, only guidelines
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All I know is that I have given everything to the best of my ability to try and recover
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Today, 1 year and 37 day later I jogged for the first time for 30 minutes ?♀️?♀️????
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Thank you once again for all your support
#mildtraumaticbraininjury #iwillgetbetter #iamgettingbetter #hobbsrehabilitation #itsnotwhatyoucansee #headinjury #brain #recovery #concussion #headways
BBC Sport
Hockey Australia announces partnership with revolutioniseSPORT
Nic Kerber.jpg)
Hockey Australia has announced a new partnership with revolutioniseSPORT as its technology services partner for the next three years.
Under the agreement, revolutioniseSPORT will provide hockey’s membership database and competition management systems, event registrations, websites, and a range of member analysis, business intelligence and engagement tools through its revolutionise360 platform.
The partnership will see Hockey Australia and all eight Member Associations operating on the same platform for the first time since 2016, when Hockey NSW moved onto the revolutioniseSPORT platform.
Under the agreement, all levels of Hockey will have access to the revolutioniseSPORT platform, providing administrators at club, association, and state level with a proven system to run their clubs and competitions.
The positive user experience in New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory, who have both been using revolutioniseSPORT, was an important factor in entering into the partnership.
Recent user-testing by several States, Associations and Clubs validated this positive assessment.
“Our priority is providing our Member Associations, and the hundreds of volunteer administrators through the sport, with the tools they need to make their life easier,” said Hockey Australia General Manager of Strategy & Game Development, Michael Johnston.
“The feedback we have had from Hockey NSW and Hockey ACT on revolutioniseSPORT has been extremely positive, and we are excited to see the rest of the country now have access to the platform.”
“We appreciate there have been some enormous challenges through 2019 with player registrations and competition management. Our focus throughout this time has been on ensuring this was addressed as soon as possible, and we have moved quickly to provide a solution.”
“It is exciting to see the sport now operating on the same platform nationally, and this outcome is a result of a collaborative approach among HA and all of our Member Associations. I would like to thank my counterparts at State level for their support in developing this solution.”
Hockey NSW CEO, David Thompson conveyed his support to the announcement. “After three years of using the Revolutionise system our Hockey NSW Community and its administrators continue to provide waves of positive feedback around the ease of use and how it has improved their day to day management of their organisation,” said Thompson.
“Associations, Clubs and Competition Bodies alike continue to increase the modules they use, as the system continues to relieve the burden on volunteer time. It will be great to have one system operating across hockey in Australia.”
Alex Mednis, Managing Director of revolutioniseSPORT, said the company is proud to be providing a unified solution to the Hockey community throughout Australia.
“We have been delighted to work with Hockey NSW and Hockey ACT over many years, and we are excited to roll out our flight proven platform to the remainder of the country through the end of 2019 and start of 2020,” said Mednis.
“Our platform was grown from a club environment – and we understand the challenges facing grassroots club administrators, of which most of our staff are themselves.
“The potential to augment Hockey game operations with technology is huge, and we look forward to the years to come.”
Migration onto the revolutioniseSPORT platform will commence from October 2019, beginning with a national roadshow of user training on the membership registration system.
Club and association administrators will have access to face to face training from revolutioniseSPORT as well as their Member Association, together with webinars and help resources.
Competition management system training will occur in early 2020, well in advance of the start of competitions. Clubs and Associations will be advised separately by their State body on timing of user training in each State. Websites will also migrate as part of the agreement.
Summer competitions will continue to operate on the existing GameDay platform through to their completion in early 2020, and existing support arrangements will continue unaffected. SportsTG will also continue to provide the registration system for Hookin2Hockey through 2020 and beyond.
Hockey Australia media release
Field hockey returns to the limelight under a new identity
After a disappointing finish in 2018, the Cavaliers have started the 2019 season playing at a championship level
By Kushal Patel 
A strong recruiting class has been one of the main keys for the Cavaliers' successful start to their 2019 campaign. Courtesy Virginia Athletics
Over the past few years, Virginia field hockey has established itself as a powerhouse, fueled by an aggressive playstyle that has earned it respect from many teams. Led by Coach Michele Madison, who became only the ninth NCAA Division I coach in history to reach 400 career wins, the Cavaliers have become perennial ACC contenders and plan on taking that success to the national stage, seeking their first national championship in program history.
In 2015 and 2016, Virginia enjoyed a wealth of success, going a combined 33-14 and earning an ACC Championship victory in 2016. The team rode a powerful offense that scored 128 goals and a stout defense that allowed just 99 goals over the two years.
However, 2017 was the year where the Cavaliers earned national notice. Virginia outscored its opponents by 56 goals that season — 88 goals scored to 32 goals allowed. Madison led the team to a 5-1 conference record and an ACC regular season title.
In short, Virginia was on a sharp uphill trajectory. The Cavaliers had improved every year over the previous three years and looked to make noise in the ACC Tournament. They ultimately earned a date with North Carolina in the ACC Championship, but the Tar Heels shut them out to capture the ACC crown.
Virginia had to quickly turn its attention to the NCAA Tournament. Rather than bounce back from the tough loss, the team suffered a heartbreaking double-overtime defeat to Princeton. In just two games, the momentum the Cavaliers had built over three years came to a screeching halt.
While the ending to the 2017 campaign was disappointing, Virginia believed it could bounce back in 2018. However, the Cavaliers knew the task would not be easy. Midfielder Tara Vittese and forward Pien Dicke — Virginia’s two leading scorers in 2017 — moved on and the Cavaliers had to desperately replenish their attacking corps for the 2018 season.
To the disappointment of the team, Virginia never got the firepower it needed — the Cavaliers mustered just 29 goals over the course of the season. No player recorded more than four goals during the season. For comparison, Vittese scored 25 the year prior.
While Virginia only allowed 30 goals that year — putting together one of its best defensive seasons under Madison — the offense struggled to the point where the team couldn’t earn wins consistently. The Cavaliers finished the season with a disappointing 9-10 record and only two ACC wins before suffering yet another first-round defeat in the NCAA Tournament.
Many were unsure if or how the team would bounce back in 2019. However, Madison got off to a good start by putting together a strong recruiting class — she needed freshmen that could make an immediate impact for the team. Accordingly, she recruited the talented pair in striker Laura Janssen and back Cato Geusgens from an unlikely source — the Netherlands. Just ten games into the season, the dynamic duo has been a breath of fresh air, with both players scoring four and three goals, respectively.
Janssen and Geusgens are just two members of the young nucleus Madison has developed to spark Virginia’s turnaround. Out of the 12 players that have recorded a point this season, eight are either freshmen or sophomores.
The biggest breakout player for the Cavaliers has been sophomore midfielder Annie McDonough. After scoring just one goal and registering zero assists in 19 games last year, McDonough already has a goal and six assists in 12 games this season. McDonough has become a true playmaker in the middle of the field, setting up her teammates for goals and controlling the pace of the game.
Furthermore, the rise of junior striker Makayla Gallen and senior back Anzel Viljoen has been a driving factor of Virginia’s improved offense. Gallen has already netted six goals and Viljoen has four goals and six assists through just 12 games. Virginia’s goal scoring struggles had to be addressed and Gallen and Viljoen’s production has helped solve the problem in part.
That being said, Madison knows she doesn’t have elite scorers — like national team players Vitesse and Dicke — to rely on in 2019. Since another 88-goal season is unlikely, Madison has instead changed the identity of the team.
With the addition of impact freshman and the emergence of key veterans, Virginia has seen a drastic improvement in its numbers. More importantly, Virginia has finally established a new direction. Madison has adapted to a new defensive mentality and has executed perfectly. The Cavaliers have allowed just 15 goals through 12 games, five of which came against the reigning national champion North Carolina. Virginia recorded three consecutive shutouts leading up to the North Carolina loss and have been stifling opponents all season.
Virginia’s personnel fits perfectly with the team’s defensive identity. In addition to shutting down opponents, Viljoen has added an offensive dynamic to her game, producing 14 points in 2019. Additionally, sophomore goalie Lauren Hausheer already has 39 saves and has a 1.06 goals against average. Together, the two players give Madison a critical defensive backbone.
So far in 2019, the Cavaliers have earned a 9-3 record, already tying their number of wins from last season with seven fewer games played. Their only losses came in a double-overtime thriller and against ranked teams including then-No. 4 ranked Maryland and top-ranked North Carolina.
This 2019 Virginia field hockey team are nothing like the explosive 2017 team. However, Madison understands the talent at her disposal and shifted to a defensive-minded strategy. With a surprisingly strong recruiting class and a lockdown defense, the Cavaliers still have a national title in their sights. The pieces are in place and Madison has her team poised to make a run.
The Cavalier Daily
Anthony Ravindra – RIP Gentle Giant
By Satwant Dhaliwal
It what can only be described as shocking, former international Anthony Ravindra suffered a fatal heart Attack while playing Hockey at the Shah Alam Gurudwara ( Sikh Temple) mini pitch on Monday.
The man who created history by bring the first Malaysian Hockey player to ply his trade in the Japanese Hockey League succumbed to the heart Attack despite best efforts by medical authorities and friends to try face him.
The 56 year old Klang boy, who donned with pride the jerseys of Selangor and Malaysia was a gentle giant off the field.
Known for his thundering runs down the right flank, Anthony was fast on his feet and packed crosses that gave loads of problems to many a defender.
Often he runs down the sidelines, with such speed and force that he was nicknamed “ The Bull” for all that came in his path were eliminated.
Anthony was a member of the MBf team that won the MHL title in 1992/1993.
He started his career playing for Maybank and later on joined MBf where he really showed his prowess on the right flank.
Equally apt in penalty corner defence, he built a telepathic understanding with his brother Joseph Granada who used to pick his sibling out with long hard drives out of defence whenever they played in the same team.
I was fortunate enough to have known Anthony while we were on the opposite sides, be it in the MHL or the Razak Cup.
He was often seen to keep to himself, preferring to let his Hockey do the talking.
Though burly with a serious look on the pitch, Anthony was a gentleman as far as playing the game was concerned.
Never one to get into trouble , either with opponents or match officials, his hits were much feared by many a keeper in between the post.
He died while doing what he loved – playing Hockey.
He was too young to go and the Hockey fraternity will surely miss the gentle giant of Hockey.
Rest In Peace my dear brother. For God loves you more and has a special place for you in his garden in heaven.
My heartfelt condolences to his family and friends
Gone but will forever remain in our memories and hearts.
Anthony Ravindra Arulanantham
From the Lord : 04-02-1963
To the Lord : 07-10-2019
House Add : No 1 Jalan Sembilang 1 Off Jalan Teluk Pulai
41100 Klang, Selangor
Contact no : Joseph 019-2656350
Wake service will be conducted today ( Tuesday) & tomorrow 8.30pm at the residence of Late Anthony Ravindra Arulananthan
Funeral mass is on 9th October 2019 ( Wed ) at 2pm .
There will be prayer conducted at the residence at 12pm and hereafter cottage will leave to Our Lady Of Lourdes Church , Klang at 1.00pm
Burial will be at Meru Cemetery
Malaysian Sports