News for 02 June 2020
All the news for Tuesday 2 June 2020
2022/23 FIH Hockey World Cups qualification process reviewed
Lausanne, Switzerland: Following the postponement of the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 to next year, and therefore hockey Continental Championships having to be rescheduled, the FIH Executive Board, after consultation with the Continental Federations and the FIH Athletes Committee, has reviewed the qualification process for the 2022/23 FIH Hockey World Cups.
This new FIH Hockey World Cup qualification process includes:
• an increase of the quota of places available through Continental Championships from 6 (the five Continental Champions + the World Cup hosts) to 11 (including the World Cup hosts); these Continental quotas will be filled based on the final rankings at the relevant 2021 Continental Championships (see allocation of Continental quotas below)
• the organisation of FIH qualification events (in March 2022) for the remaining 5 places; for those events, the Continental quotas will be confirmed at a later stage
The allocation of Continental quotas from the 2021 Continental Championships (plus the World Cup hosts) has been determined as follows:
Women:
• Africa 1
• Asia 2
• Europe 4 (including 2022 FIH Hockey Women’s World Cup hosts The Netherlands and Spain)
• Oceania 2
• PanAm 2
Men:
• Africa 1
• Asia 3 (including 2023 FIH Hockey Men’s World Cup hosts India)
• Europe 4
• Oceania 2
• PanAm 1
#HWC2022
#HWC2023
FIH site
Indian women’s hockey team captain Rani recommended for Khel Ratna
Indian women’s hockey team captain Rani Rampal, who played an indispensable role in the team's qualification for the Tokyo Olympics, has been recommended for the Khel Ratna.
Rani Rampal, who is the first Indian to be named as the World Games Athlete of The Year, has also been the recipient of the Arjuna Award (2016) and Padma Shri (2020). - Biswaranjan Rout
Hockey India on Tuesday nominated national women’s team captain Rani for the prestigious Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award while Vandana Kataria, Monika and Harmanpreet Singh were recommended for the Arjuna Award.
For the Major Dhyan Chand Award for Lifetime Achievement, the federation has recommended former India stalwarts R. P. Singh and Tushar Khandker.
Coaches B. J. Kariappa and Romesh Pathania have been nominated for the Dronacharya Award.
The period of consideration for the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award, India’s highest sporting honour, is between January 1, 2016 to December 31, 2019.
During this period, Rani led the team to historic victories in the Women’s Asia Cup in 2017, silver at the 2018 Asian Games and played a critical role in the FIH Olympic Qualifiers in 2019 by scoring the deciding goal that helped India qualify for the Tokyo Olympics. The team also climbed to a career-best ninth the FIH world rankings.
Rani, who is the first Indian to be named as the World Games Athlete of The Year, has also been the recipient of the Arjuna Award (2016) and Padma Shri (2020).
India striker Vandana, with over 200 international caps, and Monika, with more than 150 national appearances, have been recommended for the Arjuna Award.
They both played key roles in the team’s sensational wins in 2019 including the FIH Series Finals in Hiroshima, Tokyo 2020 Olympics Test Event and the Olympic Qualifiers in Bhubaneswar.
The Indian men’s team dragflick specialist, Harmanpreet Singh, is also in the shortlist for the Arjuna nominees. He was instrumental in the team’s winning performance in the FIH Series Finals in Odisha.
At the 2020 Olympics Test Event, he captained the team to victory in the absence of Manpreet Singh who was rested for the tournament. Harmanpreet was also a part of the Indian team that won the Olympic Qualifiers against Russia last year.
Former India stars Dr RP Singh and Khandker’s continued contribution in the field of hockey has led to their recommendation for the Major Dhyan Chand Award for Lifetime Achievement.
Kariappa, who has been nominated for the Dronacharya Award, has coached the Indian junior men’s team to a silver at the Sultan of Johor Cup in 2019.
Speaking on the recommendations for the National Awards, Hockey India President Mohd Mustaque Ahmad said: “Sardar Singh was the last hockey player to win the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award.
“Rani has set new benchmarks in women’s hockey and we feel she is very deserving of the top award.”
A panel formed by the Sports Ministry will shortlist the nominations received from various national federations with the awards to be presented on National Sports Day, August 29.
Sportstar
Cuba, 51 years of hockey !
Federacion Cubana de Hockey
2019 Pan American Games, Lima - CUBA
Next, we are going to tell a bit of the history of Cuban hockey. Cuban hockey began in Cuba in 1969, Jesus Molina was its first commissioner and maximum promoter of our sport in our country. The first steps were as a recreational activity playing in the street, with the sticks that were golf at that time, the goalkeeper protections were those of the baseball catcher as well as balls and gloves, face protection did not exist.
The first national competition was held in the sports city in 1971 as an activity of the National Recreation Directorate, 6 teams participated, Camagüey presented 2 one with the name of the province and another as Orientals, but with players from it. This province at that time was the greatest power in Cuban hockey.
The first international participation was not until 1975 where the first game was held against a Canadian team named Jockey XI at the time, also made up of players from India and Ghana. Cuba entered through the big door to the international arena since the results were in favor of Cuba 2 to 1 and 2 to 0 and a third match that ended tied at 3. The first player to score a goal for Cuba abroad was the Camaguey, Mario Tomas Ruiz Exposito. The first hockey competition abroad was in 1976 in Poland IV Youth Friendship Games for under 18 players, where Cuba obtained a creditable 4th place. Cuba manages to participate in the Pan American Games in San Juan, Puerto Rico in 1979 and reaches 4th place, being defeated by Mexico 2-1.
Decade of the 80 begins with the participation of Cuba in the Olympic Games of Moscow 1980 in which it also obtained a meritorious 5th place. Two years later the 1982 Central American and Caribbean Games in La Havana and Cuba achieves its first gold medal in a disputed match against the Mexican national team, winning 2-1, where Lazaro Hernández, the so-called "Caribbean hurricane" by many, he scores the winning goal and reaches the award as a scorer, making him the 1st Cuban scorer in the Central American Games. The aforementioned title has been defended for almost 40 years, thus achieving Central American supremacy. The only exceptions in which we did not achieve this title were in 2002 and 2010 since there was no participation from the Cuban delegation.
In the 80s, women's hockey began to develop in Cuba, and after a great battle, it was possible to participate for the first time in the 1986 Central American Games in Mexico. The team was led by the illustrious Guillermo Stakemann, Cuba's foremost activist educator and trainer at the time. Guillermo himself owned all the relevant hockey titles in both men's and women's named by many the father of hockey.
Women's hockey achieved their 1st Central American gold medal in Ponce in 1993, a title that has also been defended to date, which also makes them the most successful in this competition.
The youth from Cuba did not lag behind in the men's branch either, since we have two silver medals at the Pan American level. These men's medals gave the right to participate in the World Cups in Terrassa, Spain 1993 and in Milton Keynes, England in 1997, placed us in 8th and 10th place in the world.
In 1999, the long-awaited bronze medal at the Pan American level was obtained for the first time, a result that was repeated in 2003, this being one of the most relevant results in Cuban hockey. For many, the most relevant was the first Pan-American Cup held at the Antonio Maceo stadium in Havana in 2000, where Cuba defeated Argentina and Canada for the first and only time and thus participated directly in the 2002 World Cup in Malaysia. where the XVI place was reached and a unique experience without a doubt, at the highest level of world hockey.
After 2003 at the Pan American level, the bronze medal could not be hung again. The Cuban women's team has achieved as the best Pan American result, the 4th place in Mar del Plata 1995. The effort has never been lacking to try to overcome it and we are confident that one day they will improve that history. We know that the level in America is very good, but we have the confidence and the strength to continue.
Relevant data from the history of Cuban Hockey:
- Top national scorer in the beginning of Cuban hockey until 1980, Bernabé Izquierdo Martínez , with a mark of up to 34 goals for national competition.
- First international scorer, Lazaro Hernández Rangel, the only player to have participated in an intercontinental cup.
- Participating by Americas team, Juan Carlos Benavides Ojeda.
- Cuban female top scorer of all time Yakelin Drake.
- Cuban umpires who participated at the highest international level, Alfonso Fraga and Aristóteles Puentes, the latter participated in the Youth Friendship Games and was the best umpire in the tournament.
- Cuba's foremost coach from the ground up, the activist and baker from Camagüey, Henry Soutton Limonta.
This is a brief summary of our history, there are many relevant data from this time which will not be mentioned here, they are still fresh and may create some discord and the reason for all this is that a little of our rich history is known and remember many who are no longer with us.
Thanks to all the hockey players and lovers for belonging to such a beautiful discipline, to which all of us dedicate our love. I know that some will feel sadness, others happiness reading this, but the important thing is that today we are 51 years and we are congratulating ourselves in front of the world.
Congratulations to Cuban hockey!
Pan American Hockey Federation media release
Rey to return to Argentina after 15 uninterrupted seasons with Polo
Matías Rey is set to leave Real Club de Polo after an incredible 15 uninterrupted seasons wearing the club’s number 22 shirt.
The Olympic gold medal winner from Argentina helped the club win five Honor Division titles in Spain, six Copa del Rey crowns, six Catalonian championships and a couple of EHL runs to the FINAL4 in 2010 and 2019.
Since joining the club in 2005, the defender has twice been named the best player in the Spanish league and also won the best player of the playoffs twice and the Copa del Rey best player three times.
He will return to Argentina for the country’s Tokyo 2021 Olympic preparations.
In a club statement about Rey’s departure, they said: “Our Mati, loved by everyone, both on and off the field, leaves the RC de Polo to prepare in Argentina for the next Tokyo 2021 Olympics. Thank you very much Mati, we will not forget you! and we want to see you at home very soon to be able to say the goodbye you deserve.”
Matìas Rey in action for Polo in the club’s first ever EHL match in November 2007. Pic: Frank Uijlenbroek
For next season, Polo will welcome Spanish international Marc Miralles to the club for an initial two-year stint, joining from CD Terrassa.
He was one of the stars of the Honor Division before it was cut short, top-scoring with 14 goals – including two against Polo in a 6-3 loss in March – in 13 games. Cesc Mata is another new arrival; he makes the switch from Junior FC.
Polo have also been active in attracting two young talents to Barcelona with sisters Constanza and Florencia Amundson Teves joining the club.
Born in Madrid, both have been part of the Spanish underage international setups and conquered Europe at Under-21 level in Valencia in 2019. They both grew up at CH Pozuelo before moving to Belgium and KHC Dragons.
Euro Hockey League media release
'I'm the definition of a human target' - Ireland captain Davey Harte on life in the Hoofdklasse
By Nigel Ringland
David Harte represented Ireland at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio
Ireland hockey captain Davey Harte has been spending lockdown in the Netherlands but recently was able to return to training with his club Kampong.
Based in Utrecht, the two-time world goalkeeper of the year has been keeping in touch with family and friends in Ireland, using the same methods we've now all become used to.
"I think Holland has always been a few weeks ahead so the lockdown rules and regulations would have a different timeline to back home," said the 32-year-old.
"Speaking with family and friends in Ireland daily, it is still so surreal that the majority of our conversations are dominated by the COVID-19 pandemic.
"Without a doubt the toughest updates to hear are the long weeks that my parents were not able to hold and embrace their granddaughters, my sister Ciara's two young girls, as well as being confined to a two-kilometre travel radius from the family home in Kinsale. It's just all very unnatural."
Hockey in Holland is a religion along with football and long-track speed skating, with games in the top division, the Hoofdklasse, attracting thousands of spectators every week. The season was cancelled at the start of March but recently clubs have been able to return to training, albeit socially distanced.
Sticking to the rules
"It is class to be back on the pitch with Kampong but yet all a bit odd with the social distancing rules we need to adhere to.
"A constant distance of 1.5 metres must be kept at all times so that means no tackling between field players and for me it rules out my ability to close players down or smother a shot. We are only allowed a maximum of 18 players plus two staff members on the pitch at one time.
"Players are not allowed to lift the hockey balls, cones or other pieces of equipment by hand. I am now the definition of a human target having nothing but shooting exercises with 100s of balls being lashed at goal each session. I'll not complain of not having enough to do ever again."
The hope is that the new season will begin on time in September but the Dutch government has set down some strict guidelines.
"I am not sure if optimism is the correct word - hope would probably be a better way to describe it.
"Reading between the lines I reckon the hockey season may well start but with no supporters around the sidelines and hockey clubs being almost business-like where players come play their matches and leave.
David Harte has twice been named the FIH Goalkeeper of the Year
"This would have a terrible effect on the all important social aspect of the Hoofdklasse and for the hockey clubs themselves."
As well as being one of the top hockey goalkeepers in the world, Harte also serves on three important Athletes' Commissions - the Olympic Federation of Ireland, the European Olympic Committee and the European Hockey Federation.
So he has been a key figure in listening and then putting forward the opinions of athletes on many issues including the decision to postpone the Tokyo Olympics for a year.
"All were in overwhelming favour of the Tokyo Games being postponed. The very fact that the Olympic motto is "faster, higher, stronger" this would have not been the case in Tokyo with athletes all around the world being negatively impacted by the coronavirus.
"As well as this, there are still over 40% of Olympic places still up for grabs and now athletes who have not yet qualified can have peace of mind about being able to adequately prepare to do so."
Some observers believe the Games are still in doubt if a vaccine can't be found.
"The general feeling is that of uncertainty. It is, of course, 14 months away and a lot can happen in that time with regards to the Covid-19 pandemic."
Harte also believes that not being able to follow regular routines, dealing with confinement and being unable to compete could be detrimental to the mental health of some athletes.
Mind matters
"I believe one of the major concerns to come out of this global lockdown (not just for athletes) is mental well-being and managing one's mental health. So for athletes to provide feedback and voice their hopes and concerns, they are already on the right path by talking about it.
"One athletes concern may well be the same of 50 more and it is imperative as an Athletes' Commission that we can provide support, advice and answers where possible.
"The OFI have been truly incredible in the manner in which they have dealt with the athletes' concerns. They have created numerous athlete surveys to gather the information during the difficult weeks and months.
"We as an athletes commission spoke via video conference call with the Irish Minister of State for Tourism and Sport, Brendan Griffin, to inform the government of the challenges facing individual and team-based Irish athletes and how they can help."
Harte was due to stand this summer for the International Olympic Committee's Athletes' Commission, but those elections have been put off for a year but he intends on putting his name forward again.
"I am looking forward to the challenge of gaining election to the IOC Athlete's Commission and representing the Olympic Federation of Ireland in a different capacity than on the field of play."
BBC Sport
Futures Cup 2020 cancelled and guidance on 2020/21 NAGS selection
England Hockey's Futures Cup
In line with the current government guidelines on mass gatherings, the likelihood of that not changing in the near future, as well as the lead-in time required to run an effective and safe event, England Hockey has taken the decision to cancel Futures Cup 2020.
The event brings together U15 and U17 male and female athletes from across England, Scotland and Wales, and was due to take place at Oaklands College from 26-29 August.
Whilst we share your disappointment at this important event not taking place, our decision centres on the health and wellbeing of all 600 athletes and staff that would have attended.
In normal circumstances, this year’s Futures Cup would form part of the selection process for 2020/21 England National Age Groups. As the remainder of the year unfolds and the implications of Covid-19 become clearer, the performance team at England Hockey will ensure that we implement a robust selection process for 2020/21. At present we are exploring and planning for a number of scenarios.
With the cancellation of Futures Cup, the assessment and selection process will need to evolve and we will remain agile to the opportunities that come throughout the summer and autumn. As soon as we have more clarity / firm plans, we will ensure that they are publicly available.
For all those players no longer age-eligible to continue in the Player Pathway following the cancellation of Futures Cup, we would like to thank you for your commitment to the sport and wish you all the very best as you move forward in hockey.
England Hockey Board Media release
Schools U18 Tier 1 Championship trophies to be shared by finalists
England Hockey can confirm that the Investec Girls and Notts Sport Boys Schools U18 Tier 1 Championships finals, originally scheduled for 19 March of this year, will not be played and the titles will be shared by the finalists.
With only the finals left to be played, up until now these competitions had not been cancelled in the hope that circumstances may have changed to the point where they could go ahead. However, with the ongoing impact of Covid-19 and with pupils leaving school at the end of their sixth form this summer, it is not possible to reschedule the finals for a future date.
The titles will be shared between the finalists, and we therefore congratulate the girls’ finalists Framlingham and Repton, as well as boys’ finalists Dean Close and Reed’s.
This is of course not the way teams would have wished the Championships to be concluded, but they should still be very proud of their achievements. All four teams overcame very strong opposition and remained unbeaten in their area leagues, quarter- and semi-finals.
Framlingham School 2019-2020 Girls Tier 1
Repton School 2019-2020 Girls U18 Tier 1
Dean Close School 2019-2020 U18 Boys Tier 1
Reed's School 2019-2020 U18 Boys Tier 1
England Hockey Board Media release
Hockey New Zealand to hold regionally-based Secondary Schools Tournaments in 2020
Hockey New Zealand is pleased to announce in partnership with the School Sport New Zealand and the New Zealand Sports Collective, that instead of holding National Tournaments in 2020 they will be hosting regional-based tournaments.
Hockey New Zealand has been monitoring the COVID 19 situation carefully and has been working with the School Sports New Zealand, our Associations and many school Principals around what Winter Tournament Week will look like for hockey 2020.
Due to several factors such as domestic travel, tournament administration and the financial impact that the COVID 19 crisis has had on our community. Hockey New Zealand has made the following changes to the Secondary Schools Tournament Week Structure.
National Tournaments such as Federation and Rankin Cup as well as all tier 3 and 4 tournaments will not be run in 2020. The venues will be rolled over to the 2021 season to ensure that schools deposits can be held in credit.
Schools that were eligible to attend Rankin Cup, Federation Cup, India Shield and Marie Fry Trophy will now attend three regional Premiership tournaments. The venues for these tournaments will be Christchurch, Palmerston North and North Harbour.
This will also allow for the Boys and Girls tournaments to be held at the same venue for the first time, meaning, for example, the Premiership Boys and Girls regional tournaments for the South Island will both be held in Christchurch.
Schools that were due to attend tier 3 or 4 tournaments will be eligible to enter into the Championship tournaments held in their region. These tournaments will be held in Dunedin, Nelson (South Island), Wellington, Hawkes Bay (Lower North Island), Whangarei and Pukekohe (Upper North Island).
We understand that this time has been very difficult on people throughout the community and believe that a regionally based tournament approach is the best solution to allowing our Secondary Schools to still receive a tournament experience.
The results of this year’s tournament will have no impact on the teams place at next year’s tournaments and will not contribute towards promotion or relegation in the 2021 seasons. All schools will retain their eligibility in these tournaments based on the 2019 hockey season.
Ken Maplesden the General Manager of Community and Events for Hockey New Zealand said “Hockey New Zealand is excited that the great work done by the entire New Zealand community in combatting COVID 19 has allowed the possibility of providing a tournament experience for our Secondary School students. These tournaments are a highlight for many and we believe the revised format will provide the opportunity for many to attend and gain that experience”.
Hockey New Zealand are also excited to confirm the play-off matches and finals of the three Premiership tournaments will be covered for free on Sky Sport Next. As part of Sky’s commitment to community hockey through the New Zealand Sports Collective, this will allow more family and friends to watch without needing to travel and attend therefore reducing costs for all.
Click here for the Tournament Eligibility
Click here for Tournament Registrations
Key Questions and Information
Q – Why has Hockey New Zealand gone ahead with tournaments in winter tournament week?
A – In developing the model we have landed on we believe taking into consideration geographical locations that minimised travel and therefore costs were important to take into consideration. We wanted to ensure that a meaningful tournament experience for our young people that sees a variety of competition occur as well as their personal development that occurs within a tournament experience.
Q – What if my school does not attend one of the tournaments this year? Will we lose our ‘spot’ for our 2021 tournament?
A – No you will not. Promotion/Relegation will not occur at any of our tournaments for 2020. The current secondary school eligibility will remain the same for 2021
Q – Where will tournaments be held for 2021?
A – All secondary school hosts will be rolled over and held in the same venues for 2021. This will allow schools to carry flight/accommodation deposits forward until 2021.
Q – Will my school have to supply an umpire for the tournament?
A – Hockey New Zealand will look to supply umpires for the ‘division 1’ tournaments held in Christchurch, Palmerston North and North Harbour. Schools at these tournaments will be charged an umpire fee as apart of registration costs. Division 2 tournaments umpires will need to be supplied. The final structure of how this will look at division 2 will be finalised and circulated to all schools next week.
Q – When will registrations open and close?
A – Registrations will open 2nd June and close Friday 12th June at 5pm. This will allow Hockey New Zealand to confirm entries smartly to ensure appropriate bookings and arrangements can be made by schools
Q – Can my school choose to travel to a tournament outside of my ‘region’
A – Unfortunately no. Schools must travel to their local tournament. This will reduce the costs around travel and provide an opportunity for all schools to attend their local tournament.
Q – Can 2XI teams still enter tournaments for 2020?
A – Yes, 2XI teams can enter the ‘division 2’ tournament within their local area should entries allow. Priority will be giving to 1st XI teams should spaces become full at these tournaments.
Q – Are there any mixed tournaments for 2020?
A – Hockey New Zealand will contact the mixed tournament schools around an opportunity for a mixed tournament to occur. This will most likely be in a central North Island location and a central South Island location to minimise costs.
Q – What will tournament entry costs be for 2020?
A – Hockey New Zealand will work through these costs and will distribute entry costs to schools early next week
Hockey New Zealand Media release
Craig-Rousseau, Harris, St Rose, Marcano among PAHF panels
Nigel Simon
T&T quartet, Maureen Craig-Rousseau, Willard Harris, Roger St Rose, and Anthony Marcano, all members of local hockey club Malvern, are among a strong line-up of experts who have been employed by the Pan American Hockey Federation (PAHF) to host and run webinars and online workshops to keep the hockey community connected.
This as the sport adapts to the 'new normal' in the wake of the COVID-19 situation, which has forced it into reinventing many of how things get done.
The various online activities are all designed to inform, entertain and enhance learning among the hockey workforce – in the modern lexicon, this is to ‘edutain’.
Of course, online courses are nothing new, as before COVID-19 struck, PAHF was delivering online courses.
And in the past two years more than 500 people have taken part in an online educational course organized or supported by the continental federation.
However, it is just that now, with restrictions in place, such courses are a necessity, not a nice-to-have extra and driven by a number of passionate hockey experts, the PAHF online program has accelerated.
Since March 31, there have been 29 webinars delivering education and information to umpires, coaches, technical officials and goalkeepers and these have been delivered in both Spanish and English and have attracted more than 1,600 participants.
And among those delivering the webinars are some of the most exceptional practitioners in their respective fields inclusive of former T&T Hockey Board President Craig-Rousseau, a member of the PAHF Board of Directors; Harris, the chairperson of the Competitions Committee and a member of the Education Panel; St Rose, the chairperson of the Umpiring Committee as well as a member of the Education Panel, and Marcano, an FIH Academy Educator and lone FIH Level III coach in T&T.
The amount of experience offered by this team is phenomenal and includes multiple Olympic Games, World Cups, Champions Trophies and Pan Am Games.
The fact that up to 27 different nationalities are joining the webinars at any one time is testimony to the success and appeal of the series of online events.
Of course, the very essence of the sport will always involve physical competition between two teams but, when it comes to education, development and learning, some aspects are likely to be carried out in a very different way as we move towards into the next stages of this Covid-19 era.
When the virus first struck, there was a sensation of reeling from a blow. How could we continue to interact and engage with people when social contact was potentially life-threatening? Very quickly, however, technology stepped in to provide the answer and hockey was quick to jump on-board.
That the hockey community has been able to respond so quickly to the necessary restrictions imposed by governments around the world has been testimony to the innovation and creativity within our sport. But increased employment of technology has also been something that was perhaps waiting to happen and just needed a cataclysmic event to move things forward. COVID-19 seems to have pushed the digital world further forwards in three months than we would normally have moved in three years.
In addition to the webinars, PAHF has also hosted its first Open Space Session.
Attracting 14 participants from six national associations, Open Spaces is an open environment where the PAHF Education Panel gathers together a group of coaches, officials and umpires to discuss, openly, a whole range of issues around hockey.
While the webinars are free for anyone to tap into, the online courses have fees attached. These courses all lead to further qualifications and run throughout the year – irregardless of the Covid-19 situation.
Among the online courses – which take place in Spanish and English – are Development Coach Levels I, II and III; Video Analysis; Fitness for Hockey Players; and Neuroscience applied to motor learning and training.
Pan American Hockey Federation media release
PHF Secretary goes in self-isolation after having COVID19 symptoms
LAHORE - Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) Secretary Muhammad Asif Bajwa has undergone self-isolation at home after having COVID19 symptoms.
“I got flu and fever for a couple of days after which I had my coronavirus test done following which I decided to go in self-isolation at my home,” he said here on Monday.
The former hockey Olympian said he is in constant touch with the doctors on phone and following medical experts’ advice and direction for his and family members’ safety.
“As per doctors opinion, having quarantine at home is the safest measure and it is also imperative to have constant check and monitoring of the health and I am doing so, rest is in Allah’s hand,” he added.
He said the result of his test will come in a day or so.
The PHF official appealed to the entire hockey family, his friends and well wishers to pray for his health.
The Nation
Vale Patsy Martinson (nee Palmer)
Written by John Sanders
Hockey Australia is saddened to hear of the passing of Patsy Martinson at the age of 103. Patsy was selected in the Australian Blue Ribbon teams in 1936 and 1938.
Patsy Palmer grew up in Kojonup and attended Albany Senior High School where she excelled academically and in her chosen sport, hockey.
At secondary school Patsy was a teammate of May Pearce (Campbell), WA’s best known player of that era. As the local paper reported in 1936: It speaks well for the standard of hockey attained by the Albany Women’s Hockey Association that the team which will represent the State in the All-Australian Carnival in Sydney next month should contain three girls who were prominent last year in the local Association. They are May Pearce, who has also been chosen to go to America with the Australian Women’s team, Peggy Keeble and Patsy Palmer. Of these, Misses Pearce and Palmer were students at the Albany High School up to last year and learned most of their hockey here.
Patsy won a Hackett Scholarship to study at the University of WA in Perth, something the locals were justifiably proud of as it received a headline in a 1935 paper.
Patsy was selected in two Blue Ribbon teams for Australia in 1936 and 1938. The Blue Ribbon team in 1936 included five superstars of Australian women’s hockey in that era – May Campbell, Ena McRae, Connie Charlesworth, Merle Taylor and Mabel Cashmore all of whom are in the Hockey Australia Hall of Fame.
The Blue Ribbon team was prestigious and was made up of the best players from the national championships. It would now be described as a ‘virtual’ team. It was created because the opportunity for international representation was rare as it was funded by the player themselves and leave from work was difficult.
Patsy went on to the University of WA where she studied science and graduated as a science teacher. She played hockey for the University club and was awarded a ‘blue’ for international hockey. She was selected to play for her state and played for many years at right full back in the strong WA Women’s Hockey Team.
According to ‘Atalanta’ writing the Western Mail, although small in build, Patsy is one of the sturdiest players in the State and her stick work is pretty to watch. She has also a very effective clearing shot which is very handy in circle play.
At the conclusion of her first All Australian Tournament Patsy was named in the 1936 All Australian Team.
Reports from Sydney about the match after the tournament finished seemed to indicate that the touring side to visit America has rather more than its share of veteran players and some of them suffered in comparison with the players in the “Rest.”
The performances of WA’s three representatives for the Rest were applauded, and Pat Palmer was described as being again in fine form and one of the stars of the match. Patsy played for the WA team at Subiaco Oval against the touring English/Scots team in 1938.
Hockey Australia media release