News for 04 June 2020
All the news for Thursday 4 June 2020
African body postpones qualifiers which were set for Nairobi
Past Africa Club action at City Park. [Stafford Ondego, Standard]
African Hockey Federation (AfHF) has postponed the continental qualifiers for the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations, which were to be held in Nairobi, Accra and Harare in May.
Nairobi was to stage the East region hockey qualifiers starting May 12-17 while North-West Africa and Central-South Africa qualifiers in June and August were to be held in Ghana and Zimbabwe.
The tournaments were meant to provide more competitions for Africa teams, which have been struggling to join the big leagues in Europe.
Seif Ahmed, the AfHF President, said they are monitoring the situation. "The three regional qualifiers for the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations will remain on hold until further notice.
"Hosts are being contacted to see what suitable dates would be possible to stage the events now that it is impossible due to the Covid-19 situation. Revised dates might be in late 2020 or early 2021," Ahmed said on Tuesday.
Nairobi was to stage the east region tournament which had hosts Kenya, Burundi, Libya, Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda and Seychelles in the men's tournament while giants Egypt, Burundi, Libya, Seychelles, Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda and Kenya were to square it out on the women's category.
Meanwhile, the International Hockey Federation (FIH) has said that South Africa will host the 2021 women's Junior World Cup in Potchefstroom for the first time in Africa.
FIH president Narinder Batra said India and South Africa have been selected to stage the junior hockey competitions next year. Batra, however, announced that the event dates will be determined later.
"FIH can confirm that the competition will be played towards the end of 2021. It is the first time that the African continent will organize the pinnacle of junior hockey," Batra said in a statement.
The men's edition will be staged in India.
"The Junior World Cup involves the best of young talents globally. This is the perfect platform for under-21 players to unleash their raw skill," Batra said.
There will be 16 teams in each category, which will compete for the title. Africa will have two teams in the men's event with Asia represented by four, including India as hosts.
In the women's tournament, South Africa will be joined by another African team.
The Standard Digital
SOJC misses perfect 10
By Jugjet Singh
Datuk Manjit Majid Abdullah
THE 10th Sultan of Johor Cup (SOJC) has been called off.
Initially scheduled for Oct 3-10 at the Taman Daya Stadium in Johor Baru, the organising committee had to cancel it because of the Covid-19 pandemic.
"I had an audience with the Sultan (of Johor) today and he has agreed to cancel this year's tournament because it is too risky to organise it," said Johor HA acting president Datuk Manjit Majid Abdullah yesterday.
"The Covid-19 situation is still an uncertainty, and players as well as fans, must not be placed under any threat,"
The only under-21 international invitational sanctioned by the International Hockey Federation (FIH), the SOJC made its debut in 2011 with Malaysia emerging as the inaugural champions.
Britain (2015, 2018, 2019), India (2013, 2014), Australia (2016, 2017), Germany (2012) were the other winners.
India, Australia and Britain had confirmed their SOJC participation while Germany and Japan took a wait-and-see attitude.
"I will write to all the confirmed countries to inform them of the decision," said Manjit.
"It was a decision made with heavy heart, but we did not have a choice. September 2021 has been marked as a tentative month to hold the 10th edition."
JHA also had big plans for the Malaysia Games hockey tournament, initially scheduled for July 11-19.
However, it has been postponed to March 6-14 next year because of the Covid-19 as well.
The Taman Daya Stadium, the venue for both the SOJC and Malaysia Games hockey event, was undergoing a facelift but things came to a stop due to the pandemic.
New Straits Times
Rani Rampal: I’m overwhelmed at being nominated for Khel Ratna award
The India captain says women’s hockey is moving in the right direction; congratulates Vandana Katariya and Monika.
Rani Rampal on Wednesday said she was “overwhelmed” at being nominated for the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna award.
The India women’s team captain said in a press release issued by Hockey India: “I am overwhelmed that Hockey India has recommended my name for the top award and their continued support always encourages the team and I to do well.”
“I congratulate both Vandana (Katariya) and Monika, they are very deserving of this recognition. I also feel that two players being nominated goes to show that women’s hockey is moving in the right direction and this will only motivate us to do better on the world stage,” she added.
The period of consideration for the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award is between January 1, 2016 to December 31, 2019. In this period, Rani led India to historic victories in the Women’s Asia Cup in 2017 and a silver medal at the 2018 Asian Games. She also played a critical role in the FIH Olympic Qualifiers in 2019 by scoring the deciding goal that helped in India’s qualification for the Tokyo Olympics.
The Indian team also climbed to a career-best FIH ranking of No. 9.
Turning point
While some of these feats will be cherished by the team for a long time, Rani feels the turning point for her was the team’s first-ever appearance at the Olympic Games. “I personally feel the Rio Olympic Games was a turning point for us. We were dismal in our performance and we knew we had to really work hard if we wanted to do well at the world stage or even at the Asian level. Having that singular focus in mind, we started working towards being known as a tough team, a winning team and not as the underdogs,” she said.
Rani credited coach Sjoerd Marijne for making the team a confident unit. “Having a brilliant support staff led by chief coach Sjoerd Marijne who always encouraged us to speak up and be bold. A lot of credit for our success goes to the support staff who always backed us no matter what.”
Sportstar
Indian hockey teams resume outdoor training
The Indian men and women hockey teams have resumed outdoor training here in a “systematic and phased” manner after a two-month hiatus due to the coronavirus-forced nationwide lockdown.
Hockey India (HI) informed that the national teams began outdoor training on Monday following the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) issued by the Sports Authority of India.
“Sport activities on the field of play for both Senior Men and Senior Women’s Core Probables Group began in Sports Authority of India, Bengaluru Campus on Monday 1 June 2020 in a systematic and phased manner with all norms under the SOP being followed by both teams,” HI said in a statement.
“SAI, Bangalore has ensured that all the safety measures are in place in accordance with the Govt guidelines and SOP to ensure safe environment for sports activity. All players too have been briefed and are well-aware of the SOP norms.”
The lockdown imposed in late March had left the players stuck indoors at the SAI facility. The death of a cook due to a cardiac arrest at the centre last month also unsettled the residents. It was later revealed that the cook was tested positive for COVID-19.
“Since the players are returning to the pitch after a gap of two months, they will begin with limited hours and stick to basic sports activities in the initial phase to avoid any possibility of injury.
“While players of both teams are upbeat on the new situation, the Coaching Staff has meticulously designed the daily schedule with special focus on giving players enough time to adjust to the new norms,” the statement added
Sportstar
Hockey team’s 2021 objective is a spot in World Cup
PETALING JAYA: Malaysia's national hockey team are clear with their objective in 2021 – to qualify for the final of the Asia Cup.And the reward? A spot in the World Cup.
International Hockey Federation (FIH) had announced a new World Cup qualification process on Tuesday.
They have increased quota places available through continental championships from six (five continental champions and the World Cup hosts) to 11 (four Europe, two Asia, two Oceania, one each from Africa, Pan America and India as World Cup hosts).
The continental quotas will be filled based on the final rankings at the relevant 2021 continental championships.
Malaysian Hockey Confederation (MHC) president Datuk Seri Subahan Kamal welcomed the changes for the 2022 and 2023 World Cups for men and women respectively.
“We have to make sure we are in the Asia Cup final or to finish among the top three, ” said Subahan.
If hosts India, considered the highest-ranked team in Asia, emerge as the champions, then the second and third ranked teams get to qualify together with India for the World Cup.
“Once competitions resume (after the Covid-19 pandemic), we would look to garner as much ranking points as possible too. To be safe, we need to be in a comfortable position. I was told that the Champions Trophy could happen this year, so we shall wait and see.”
Rankings points will be crucial if a country cannot qualify through the continental cups. Five spots would be available in the other qualification event in March 2022.
When asked whether Malaysia could seal the World Cup ticket at the Asia Cup, Subahan said he believed in MHC’s succession plan.
“It is a good succession plan, as we have roped in a lot of youngsters for exposure. They have played in top matches, and will only get better.
“Right now, there is no vacuum because we have players to take over from the senior players. Players aged 17 and 18 have been given the opportunity to feature in the squad.
“Former international S. Kumar is a good example. We could have relied on him for another two years but what then? Instead of depending on Kumar, we decided to focus on the younger players. Then, we roped in Kumar to assist the boys.“
Subahan said people wanted instant results and success, but he preferred the Malaysian fans would look at the bigger picture.
“We do not want to just be results-oriented, but also to look at exposure in the next two years. We have a four-year plan, which is to qualify for the Olympics in Paris and also assert our dominance in Asia and the world, ” he said.
The Star of Malaysia
‘Karri on’ is McMahon’s motto
Hockeyroos defender Karri McMahon is one of those people who just grab life in all its glory. Despite some horrendous injuries - a fractured jaw, a stress fracture in the foot and a broken leg amongst them – she has amassed more than 150 caps for Australia and is a key member of the Hockeyroos defence.
Hailing from a sporting family, McMahon could have chosen many sports to specialise in but hockey was the preferred option. Away from the pitch, McMahon is a paramedic and has been active in the global fight against Covid-19.
In this interview, the affable defender talks about her proudest hockey moments, her determination to always ‘drive and strive’, and the baking and running challenges that are keeping the entire Hockeyroo squad connected and on their toes during lock down.
Who or what first influenced you to pick up a stick and play hockey?
Karri McMahon: “My mum took me down to a local hockey park in Queensland in Brisbane and I never really looked back. My parents were very ‘outdoors’ people and I loved getting out and doing whatever sport. I loved swimming, baseball and softball and hockey and mum took me to the local park and I haven’t stopped since.
Who has been the biggest influence on your career?
Karri McMahon: “I would have to say Jason Duff. He was my first defensive coach in the Australian national team. I think coming in as a 19-year-old in my first Olympic year in 2012 was a huge learning curve and quite daunting when you are so young and so excited.
If there was one sentence to sum up your playing style or attitude on the pitch, what would it be
Karri McMahon: “I guess I feel that the ball should do more of the work. I am extremely quick, so I do use my speed but it is a team game so I like to use my speed and release the ball when I’ve got it.”
What moment on the pitch are you most proud of and why?
Karri McMahon: “I’ve had a few, I’ve been very lucky with our group. I would have to say the 2014 World Cup in the Hague was an absolute highlight. We bona silver medal there and it was probably one of the proudest moments of my playing career so far. To be surrounded by so many people, in an incredible stadium, after an incredible World Cup, both men’s and women’s, was something I will hold on to for the rest of my life.”
It has been four years since Rio 2016, how have you changed as a player in that time?
Karri McMahon: “I’ve had two major knee surgeries since then, so it has been a lot of learning about my body and how I respond best. I am a more resilient person than I was four years ago. I’ve learnt a lot about how to do work and get the most out of myself and how to be patient during that time. I’ve also finished my degree in para-medicine so that was a huge moment for me. I’ve been working towards that moment for eight years – so that was really exciting. I finished the degree in 2018 and since then I have picked up two jobs with St John’s Ambulance here in Perth so I have been out on the frontline during this pandemic recently. I also work with our major sponsor AusDrill in injury management so that has been a shift, doing a couple of jobs and being a full-time athlete as well.
How will the squad make up for the training time that has been lost during Covid-19?
Karri McMahon: “For me this feels like an altered perspective. The goalpost shifted, we went into a different phase. We were in the top part of the preparations heading towards Tokyo, so we have been able to regroup, have a bit of a rest and we have now gone into a physical phase where we can get some really good games over this time, which we might not have had time for before.
It is also a great way to get our team even closer together. It makes us appreciate the time we have had or the time we will have. It will make our bond even stronger because we really want to stay connected. I don’t feel like we have lost any time. We have a bunch of challenges floating around – a 10 kilometre run or a five kilometres time trial – and I am sure that our physical fitness will only get better as we get back on the pitch. For us, it is refresh, refocus and look at where the end goalposts are, which are not in July 2021. This is a great way to begin our new preparation phase.”
Profile*: Karri McMahon - Australia
Nickname: ‘Karrots”
Position: Defender
Shirt number: 11
Age: 28
International appearances: 153
Place of birth: Townsville, Queensland
Club: Adelaide Peas
Twitter: @karriMcMahon
Instagram: karrileemcmahon
FIH site
Wales’ Rupert Shipperley passes off rugby for GB hockey dream
By Richard Bright
Call up: Rupert Shipperley is now a GB player PICS: WORLD SPORT PICS
Teak-tough geography teacher Rupert Shipperley hopes to rack up the air miles on the return road to Tokyo 2020 next year.
The Hampstead & Westminster midfielder made it a quartet of Welsh players called up for the GB men and women’s squad for the FIH Pro League openers at the start of 2020.
And Shipperley, 27, hopes to make it count after he turned down a job promotion as assistant head of year at KCS Wimbledon in his bid to make the Olympic squad.
He said: “It was flowing well but I had a decision to make and I would regret it if I didn’t give it a go. It’s something I can all go back to but my eggs are all in the hockey basket now.”
Shipperley now wants to crack international hockey with GB, which has already seen him win 70 caps for Wales after making his debut in 2014.
His Pro League trip with GB to New Zealand at the start of the year was a first, although he has been to Australia before; with GB to the Youth Olympics and then with Wales for the 2018 Commonwealth Games.
He had held discussions with Danny Kerry over the last few years before a conversation with the GB men’s coach at the EuroHockey last summer persuaded him to take the plunge after two years teaching at KCS Wimbledon.
Shipperley’s career trajectory is a fascinating one, along with the fact that his sister, Zoe, played for England and GB. He said: “Rugby was my favourite sport and what I was best at up until I was 19.”
That is until he snapped a joint in his shoulder and he was able to concentrate on hockey. Prior to this, he was playing county and England academy rugby as a teen before making his decision. “I’m still a massive rugby fan and the sport I watch the most,” he admitted.
It was only at university where Shipperley’s hockey career began to take off. He had never played for a club, but playing for his school St Edward’s in Oxford, his coach was Welshman Zak Jones, who was pivotal in him trying for Wales, courtesy of a Welsh father.
He had previously gone through England’s development stages of the programme, admitting to not progressing too far due to his lack of playing the sport. Shipperley did play a small part in the GB under-23 squad and England’s loss has been Wales’ gain in the last seven years at international level.
He said: “Zak has been a big influence for me. He got me involved when I got to university and I saw a very different side to him when he was coaching me at school to Wales.”
What I’ve learnt as attacking midfielder
I suppose one of the biggest areas for me is being close around the circle and keeping the stick on the ball inside the D. If you have the ball in the circle then it’s hard for the defender to take it off you. We do lots of 2 v 2’s in small spaces in the circle where there lots of deflections. It’s all about securing the ball and where I’ve been working on my game the most. It’s been really beneficial and in the number of goals I’ve scored where defenders can’t take the ball off you and you have it secured.
If you’ve got the opportunity to smoke it, then do so! But most of the time you aren’t able to do that. What’s been beneficial is that I have been able to work on it at Hampstead and with Wales and it’s really helped me to progress.
We call it the ‘Chaos Game’ where you turn off from the injection spot either side, with one goal on the top of the D and one on the traditional spot. We would have two teams of five and you continue to rotate, so you get both defending and attacking in the circle. If you score you keep the ball. If there is a free hit or a 16, you receive the ball from the corner and so it helps with your transition play as well and reacting to turnovers.
It’s a good game as you’ve got to enjoy it, otherwise you are defending the whole time and as an attacking midfielder or forward, it’s not really what you want to be doing in the circle.
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The Hockey Paper
"Our expertise is on the hockey pitch... It does not lie within gardening"
Anna Toman and Emily Defroand
There is no douting that Anna Toman and Emily Defroand are exceptional hockey players.
Since making their international debuts, they have both won Commonwealth and European bronze medals and represented England and Great Britain more than 50 times each. Toman has only missed one international game since her first appearance in March 2017 while Defroand also won a 2017 Hockey World League Semi-Final bronze in her first major tournament.
However, as they reveal in the latest episode of Inside The Circle: The Podcast, when it comes to some domestic affairs (the two having lived together for several years) their skill levels in certain areas don’t quite match those that they exhibit on the hockey pitch.
“Our expertise is on the hockey pitch, in the kitchen making lots of nice food and eating it, socialising and everything like that. Our expertise does not lie within gardening,” stated Defroand.
“If you could have seen our garden at the end of our tenancy in the flat we lived in… I don’t even know how to describe it. We had overgrown everything. Trees overgrown, bushes everywhere, the grass looked ridiculous.
“It wasn’t until the end of our tenancy that we realised the front bit was actually our responsibility as well. So we really hadn’t worried about that. I’m not exaggerating when I’m saying all the leaves were coming out over the house it was so overgrown.
“We had weeds coming in from everywhere and bless them, upstairs were not happy with how we’d let the gardening get out of hand.
“It was bad from us but we’ve learned from our mistakes – we’ve got a gardener at our house to take the responsibility away from us because we are not very good at gardening.
“I’m a bit out of my depth when it comes to gardening unfortunately. Toman tried to use the lawnmower and managed to mow over the cable so she’s not much better!”
When they moved out of the flat and into a house together, the duo also found that putting together flatpack furniture is also much more difficult than it seems. So much so that they had to rely on their team-mates to put everything together for them.
Recalling one incident, Toman said: “We got a few side tables, a TV stand and a big stand for the living room and dining room. We got it all out and we were very determined to do it just us two.
“This tiny side table took us 45 minutes and we still didn’t do it right. It had a stand that was supposed to be straight but it was at an angle and not holding anything up at all. We were getting so frustrated and this was the smallest, easiest bit.
“I’d documented it on my Instagram and Ellie Rayer messaged saying ‘do you want me to come and help? I really enjoy putting flatpacks together’. To begin with I just thought it was Ellie being nice but the next day we realised we really ahd to get some help.
“In comes Ellie Rayer with her electric screwdriver and she saved the day. Ellie basically did all of it and she did it in the time we made the little table and she corrected that too.”
Subscribe to the podcast below to hear the episode in full and catch up on any you may have missed:
Great Britain Hockey media release
Masked and keeping their distance but Poland's players are back in the groove
The return to hockey activity is being carefully trialled and monitored across the globe as the tight grip of Covid-19 on sporting activities is gradually relaxing. To find out how national association are returning to hockey-playing activities, FIH spoke to members of the international hockey community. In this interview we speak to the Poland national women’s team captain Marlena Rybacha and Mateusz Grochal, former coach to the U16 national boys team and now Poland Hockey Federation Development Manager.
Speaking as she was waiting to get on the pitch for a training session with her club team, the Dutch side HC Oranje Rood, Marlena Rybacha said: “It’s really nice to be back in training. I really enjoy every second we are back on the field, especially to be back with the girls and to hit some balls.
“There are a lot of restrictions during training, like we are not allowed to get closer than one and half metres so we are doing a lot of technical skills and a lot of passing and goal scoring. That is amazing,” she adds with a smile, “because normally I have to do a lot of defending. I am really enjoying being back on the field.”
Marlena became renowned during the lockdown for her inspirational home workout videos. Looking back she says: “I learnt that 50 days of workouts in a row without a rest is not the smartest move in the world. It is really important to take rest and recovery is a big part of the process. That means we can then perform 100 per cent, so ‘more is better’ is not necessarily true. That is something I will keep in mind during the coming months. I will not train too much without a rest.”
The training sessions themselves are carefully monitored. As Development Manager, Mateusz is heavily involved in the processes of returning to the pitch in a safe manner. He says: “We restarted our training sessions three weeks ago, all in accordance with our Ministry regulations. Firstly, in reduced groups of six players, plus one coach on a whole pitch.
“Now we are allowed 22 players, plus four coaches on a whole pitch. The next steps will be announced soon. We are expecting decision regarding competitions around 9 June.”
Marlena’s experiences with HC Oranje-Rood follow similar lines: “There are a lot of restrictions. We are not allowed to play games, we are not allowed to touch the equipment, so any cones or balls have to be moved by the coaching staff. Every training session finishes at least 15 minutes before another group takes to the pitch so we don’t meet each other.
“Fans are now around the club so there is a different entrance for exiting the field. There are a lot of rules, but really it is important to make sure we are safe and stay healthy.”
Just as Marlena has been interacting with her large social media fan base, so the Poland Hockey Federation has been maintaining contact with the hockey community. “From March through to May, we had an online skills challenge with videos featuring different national team players nominating others,” says Mateusz. “It was like a chain reaction, where many people got involved. One of our female national team players came up with a different challenge that basically involved doing five burpees, then nominating five more people who each donated five zloty to the fight against COVID19.
“We also created a poll to discover our best national team players of the past 20 years. A group of experts voted on their choices and this gave us the final eleven.” (Marlena Rybacha was among the selected star 11).
With people returning to the pitch, some clubs in Poland have made face masks and buffs featuring their club logo for players to wear. And at Mateusz’s own club, he says, every junior player is given a personalised water bottle to help emphasise the message about keeping safe.
Like the entire hockey community, Mateusz is delighted that things are slowly returning to normal. He says that social integration is a core value among club players in Poland and everyone, from coaches to players to parents, have all been missing the interaction. And while he says the technical skills are a bit “off” after such a long break, he adds, “the excitement and energy that we have noticed during the first training sessions have made those sessions really special.”
#PlayHockeyStayHealthy
FIH site
New rule changes in New Zealand ahead of hockey restarting
Community hockey is being reintroduced in a cautious and methodical manner, based on the best available evidence to optimise participant and community safety. In order to be aligned to Hockey’s overarching “return to play” considerations; the following rule changes have been put into effect immediately:
Spitting & Bushman Nose Blowing
Spitting and bushman nose blowing (blowing your nose without a handkerchief or tissue etc.) is a practice that unfortunately occurs in our sport and must stop as it poses a significant risk to other participants
New Rule:
A 2 min suspension (green card) to be issued to any player or participant caught spitting or bushman nose blowing.
Repeat offenders (i.e. player(s) offending more than once) to be shown a yellow card (10 mins).
Consistent repeat offenders will be subject to a Judicial process under Hockey NZ Code of Conduct Policy
Standard suspension rules to apply
Umpiring Guidance/tips:
Apply this rule consistently to all participants (i.e. no exceptions). Safety is always a key consideration. Ensure players and team management are aware of new rule changes before starting a match. Proactive and preventative education of health and safety requirements is a key action/step.
Suspended Players
New Rule:
It is probable that in some cases technical benches, suspension seating (or similar) may not be in use. Accordingly, in these situations suspended players will be allowed to serve their suspension in their respective team dug outs where required at certain turf venues. All other existing suspension rules are to apply.
Other Important considerations/protocol’s:
Application of Rules
When umpiring hockey, our 2 key pillars are to keep the game fair and keep the game safe. As well as the technical appreciation of a rule, it is just as important to understand the intent/spirit of the rule to ensure the best practical implementation. Apply common sense, context, and a consistent application of the rules at all times.
Under the current Covid-19 environment, wherever practical the safety aspect now needs to be extended to include new procedures to reduce contact by players and participants to an absolute minimum. All participants have a personal responsibility to identify and adhere to best health and safety protocol’s pre, during, and post a hockey match. Accordingly, the following measures are mandatory until further notice:
Protective Equipment & use of face masks at Penalty Corners
All protective equipment, including face masks, gloves, (and any other defensive PC equipment to be used) are not to be shared under any circumstances. Accordingly, defenders at penalty corners will need to have their own identified equipment (e.g. coloured marking) to be allocated and worn solely by themselves.
All Penalty Corner equipment shall be cleaned and sanitised at home/away from the turf venue prior to each match .
Umpiring Guidance/tips:
Defensive players are now going to need sufficient time to identify and put on their own protective equipment. Umpires need to allow players acceptable time to do this. Umpires must still proactively manage the PC set up process.
All participants (players, coaches, managers, umpires, supporters etc.) have a personal responsibility to identify and adhere to best health and safety protocol’s pre, during, and post a hockey match. If umpires, or anyone else, has concerns about individual players or teams not following health and safety protocol’s then they should report this to their respective Association management/executive.
Goalkeeping Gear
No goalkeeping gear is to be shared during a match under any circumstances. In the event of a goalkeeper (injury or otherwise) needing to be replaced during a match, if no additional goalkeeper or cleaned alternative goalkeeping gear is available, teams will need to revert to playing with a full complement of field players (e.g. 6 aside, 11 aside, etc.) for the remainder of the match. All goalkeeping gear shall be cleaned and sanitized at home/away from the turf venue prior to every match.
Players Equipment
No individual players gear (sticks, shin pads, gloves) is to be shared under any circumstances. Mouthguards obviously cannot be shared, and players are strongly recommended to keep mouthguards in their mouth during the entirety of the match. Removal of mouthguards on the turf needs to be reduced to an absolute bare minimum. Mouthguards should be cleaned at home/away from the turf venue prior to every match.
Cleaning of Players Equipment
Individual players are strongly recommended to clean all their equipment (water bottles, mouthguards, face masks, gloves, etc.) at home/away from their respective hockey venue wherever practical (both prior to and after each match). Where required, Associations should have designated areas for cleaning of players equipment during a match.
High 5’s/Handshakes
We all know that these are no longer socially acceptable. However, the acknowledgement of teammates and opponents is an important part of our sport. As such all participants should be strongly encouraged to promote the “hockey handshake” as per the following link. We know many do this already but let’s get it out there.
https://twitter.com/Xenioshockey/status/1235819830562832384
The following measures are strongly recommended until further notice:
Injuries & Blood Protocols
No rule changes proposed; however, to minimize contact the following protocols are strongly recommended:
Where practical any injured players should be treated by their own team members/management or medical professional
Team Managers (or equivalent) should prepare and preplan what actions they need to undertake for injury situations
We also recommend that umpires and team management review and understand rules that apply to injuries and blood protocols, and also to check in with your Associations and turf venue to ensure that local procedures are in place and to have an awareness of what these protocols and guidelines are.
Match Balls
To minimize the number of touches/contacts to hockey balls, we recommend:
Match ball to be cleaned prior to and at the end of every match
Players are recommended to use sticks rather than handling hockey balls wherever practical
Coin Toss
Where a coin toss is required (e.g. starting a game, starting shootouts etc.), then the coin should be tossed by one umpire with a team captain/representative to call accordingly.
Match Card
The use, format, and completion of match cards will differ within Associations. Consider arrangements that will again limit touches/contacts by individuals such as:
Team names and numbers are pre-printed
Umpires fill out cards only from details provided by team managers
Use of electronic match recording where practical
General
The above rules and recommendations have been put in place under the current requirements of Covid-19. This has been a rapidly changing landscape and a further review or update may occur.
Best of success to all our hockey communities, enjoy the return to play and keep safe.
For any further questions please reach out to
Colin French – Hockey New Zealand Technical Manager
E: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Hockey New Zealand Media release
Field Hockey Canada – Return to play concept (COVID-19)
As our communities begin to emerge from the challenges of isolation and lockdown that COVID-19 presented to us over the past 3 months, a return to sport is thankfully being considered. Sport is a vehicle for physical, mental and social wellbeing. We all want to return to the sport we love at the earliest opportunity to enjoy the benefits it provides. As we begin a controlled and phased approach to our return to play, Field Hockey Canada wishes to remind everyone in our community that at this time, all organized field hockey activities remain suspended whilst we work towards the resolution of critical insurance issues.
Field Hockey Canada continues to work with our partners towards the goal of a safe return at the earliest opportunity. Together with our provincial partners and under the guidelines of government agencies, we are readying guidelines for a coordinated, safe return to hockey fields across the country. Provinces are likely to return at different speeds. We must respect the individual provincial health guidelines first and foremost. FHC’s senior and junior national squads will return to training in line with the provinces where their training centres are based.
The past three months have been trying for all of our sporting community. As we begin a phased return, we urge you all to remember what the last 3 months have been about: the health and safety of your personal network of friends and family as well as our larger shared communities. Please continue to follow local provincial guidelines and regulations. Hard as it may be at this time, we ask that you remain patient.
Field Hockey Canada is committed to the safety and well-being of everyone in the Field Hockey Community. Return to play will be allowed once it is safe for all participants. Municipal, provincial and national authorities will be providing guidance for safe return to play. Field Hockey Canada is also relying on Sport Canada and the Canadian Olympic Committee for guidance. Below is a graphic for consideration of return to play. Field Hockey Canada advocates following these three steps before any return to play is contemplated. We continue to work with our national and provincial partners on how the return to play will be shaped in each province. We thank you for your continued support as one community. Apart Today – Together Tomorrow.
GENERAL INFORMATION
COVID-19 is a virus in the coronavirus family. Coronaviruses in this family are responsible for illnesses that range from the common cold to more serious illnesses such as Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS-CoV) and Middle Eastern Respiratory Syndrome (MERS-CoV). COVID-19 is a new virus and so health officials are still learning about its impact and severity. At this time, it appears to cause an illness similar to the flu with the most common signs of infection being fever, cough and shortness of breath. In severe cases patients can develop pneumonia, severe respiratory distress, kidney failure and death.
Prevention
Recommendations for protecting yourself and preventing spread of this illness include frequent hand washing and covering both your nose and mouth when coughing. Try to cough or sneeze into your arm, away from others, or into tissue paper (to be disposed in toilet). Wash your hands immediately afterwards. You should avoid close contact with anyone showing symptoms of respiratory illness.
What to do if you think you have COVID-19
Because the early symptoms of COVID-19 are similar to other respiratory illnesses, if you have any of the common symptoms (fever, cough and shortness of breath) you should contact your doctor’s office and arrange to have a consultation.
For more information please visit the Government of Canada’s website covering COVID-19 and other diseases and conditions.
If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to us via our Staff & Contact page.
RESOURCES
Please consult the following link from the Public Health Agency of Canada, which provides the current situation for the Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak including risk to Canadians. https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/diseases/2019-novel-coronavirus-infection.html
Should you wish to seek further advice specific to hosting an international sport event where international teams are coming to Canada, or for Canadian teams travelling to compete internationally you may contact:
COVID-19 Information, PHAC
Tel: 1-833-784-4397
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Field Hockey Canada media release
PSI Hockey aims to grow in UK for 2020
Pro Series Indoor (PSI) organisers have hailed its first UK event as a “massive success” as the growing indoor event broadened its reach in 2019.
PSI held its first indoor series in Southampton in October before holding its annual tournament back in South Africa at Christmas.
The Southampton event saw its franchises from across the UK account for 17 teams with plans to grow in 2020. The London Lancers, Canterbury Cavaliers, Edinburgh Castles, Somerset Spartans, Southampton Spitfires, Surrey Crusaders and Dublin North Knights competed in the first PSi InterCity.
“The inaugural Southampton Intercity was a massive success,” Ross Willis, PSI’s National Tournament Coordinator, told THP before the pandemic broke out. “Considering the franchises were only established in February 2019 we were extremely happy with achieving a total of 17 teams.
“This amounted to 190 participants, 12 Umpires, 10 Staff and over 100 Spectators which really made the experience an explosive one.”
PSI now wants to start more franchises in Manchester, Birmingham and Derbyshire as well as ensuring that Somerset Spartans are in a position to bring teams to the 2020 version of the Intercity. Organisers believe it can double participation numbers for its second tournament in Southampton on October 17. That’s if the sport can return indoors by then.
“As all the regions grow we will be in a position to bring more PSI flare such as more foreign exciting players, more electric atmosphere and ultimately entertain the players even more,” added Willis.
For its national indoor tournament finals in South Africa, PSI saw over 270 teams from across the nation and Namibia and was billed as the biggest in its history. There was also a five-match Test series between South Africa and Ireland, coached by Mike Hughes, franchise owner of the Surrey Crusaders and managed by Gareth Myburgh, North Dublin Knights’ franchise owner.
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The Hockey Paper
Calls for anti-racism support after hockey pitch abuse aimed at black player
By Rod Gilmour
Tendo Kimuli, right, pictured with Rhys Smith
A promising black hockey player has recalled his experiences of racial abuse on the pitch and questioned England Hockey’s lack of anti-racism messaging in support of athletes.
Many athletes and several UK sports governing bodies backed the Black Lives Matter movement on Tuesday, calling for change following the death of George Floyd in the US.
But Tendo Kimuli, a former Whitgift student who has played for East Grinstead and represented England at under-18 and 21 level, said England Hockey had been “silent” on the #BlackLivesMatter movement.
Taking to social media, the 22-year-old said: “I know I’m not the only black person in the UK that plays hockey, despite there being a VERY small number of us, would be good to know that we have this support from the people up top in the sport that we love.”
Recalling the unsavoury abuse on the pitch while playing for his university in 2018, he wrote: “I remember playing hockey at uni and on two separate occasions receiving jeers from the sidelines (from people that knew me) saying “Tendo, do something you black p****!” on another occasion after missing a sitter, someone shouted “You only need one negro!”
Kimuli, pictured below representing England, said that the issue shouldn’t be ignored given that he and other black men have represented England and Great Britain, including Rhys Smith, thought to be the first Afro-Caribbean player to be capped by Great Britain early last year.
Kimuli is in the process of joining Bromley and Beckenham HC after taking a year out from playing to coach alongside former school team-mate Smith at Hockey Inner City, the brilliant initiative THP has highlighted since its inception last year which creates pathways and provides opportunities for BAME and inner city children. He is currently studying social work at the University of East London.
Kimuli added: “One of the hardest things I’ve found about being the only black person in an environment is feeling like I couldn’t share these experiences at the time out of fear, that no one would believe me or that people would deny that was what was said.”
THP requested a comment from England Hockey on the matter. In response, a spokeperson said: “England Hockey does not tolerate racism in any form, and we ask that any incidents are reported to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. We have reached out to Tendo on social media to ask for further information so we can take any appropriate action. We did not post on social media but we support those that did, including our athletes.”
Kimuli was supported on social media by Marcia Gurney-Champion, who was nominated for the national unsung hero award at the last BBC Sports Personality of the Year.
Marcia, who has championed junior hockey at Spencer HC through its successful community outreach programme, Lynx, said that she was in full admiration of Kimuli’s story.
Thank you for sharing this Paul. We’re so sorry to read your thread @TendoSK1 but thank you for speaking out. No doubt that took a lot of courage #BlackLivesMattter #hockeyfamily https://t.co/ZlOdRLY369
— Spencer Lynx Hockey (@spencer_lynx) June 3, 2020
She said: “Hockey must change to be more accessible (to minorities, low income families and state school children).
“But it must also recognise how difficult it is and what barriers exist for players, coaches, managers etc, from these groups, once hockey is chosen as their sport.”
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The Hockey Paper
How tongue-lashing woke the Badgers up
By AGNES MAKHANDIA
Alex Nyawira of Technical University of Kenya (left) tackles Ian Lang'at of Parkroad Badgers during their Kenya Hockey Union men's Premier League match at City Park Stadium on September 10, 2017. PHOTO | MARTIN MUKANGU |
A thorough dressing-down by management at the end of 2018 Kenyan Premier League action inspired relegated Park Road Badgers’ elevation back to the top-tier this season, club captain Jerry Kanah has revealed.
The Badgers - along with Nakuru Hockey Club and Kenya College of Accountancy University - were relegated to the Super League from the Premier League in 2018, owing to their bottom three finish.
The Badgers, on the other hand, made amends last season to emerge top in the Super League, earning promotion back to the top league alongside Mombasa Sports Club.
Kanah said they had no choice but wake up.
"After reality dawned on us that we had actually been demoted to the Super League, we didn't speak to each other for a week.
“The management held a meeting with the team and we were given one option: either we shape up or ship out," observed Kanah.
"We don't know what you will do but you have to go back to the Premier League. You don't belong to the Super League,” Kanah quotes team manager Gilbert Momanyi as having said.
“We didn't break for Christmas holidays and I'm glad the effort and sacrifices finally paid off last season and we are back to the top tier," the skipper added.
Kanah said the club’s end goal will be to feature in the Africa Club Championship.
“We worked hard to return to the Premier League and we want to stay at the top and dare challenge for the title.
“The league is competitive and we are happy and glad that we will be part of it," said Kanah.
Reached for comment team manager Momanyi said they will be out to ensure their Super League side – Park Road Tigers - join their compatriots in the top tier.
Momanyi also said having two sides in the league has helped them gauge the players’ capabilities.
“If we can have two of our clubs in the Premeir League in future, it will be fulfilling.
“However, players in both teams are aware of what awaits them if they don’t perform where they are," observed Momanyi.
Daily Nation
Away From The Numbers
Ashley Morrison
News from Lausanne last week that the International Hockey Federation had signed a ten-year deal with a company that is going to deliver digital media solutions and a “ground-breaking fan engagement service,” was no doubt music to many hockey fans ears. 