African Hockey Federation | General News Archives - Page 40 of 71

Women’s World Cup: Pool A provides some fascinating match-ups

27 June 2022 Lausanne, Switzerland: The four teams competing in Pool A at the FIH Hockey Women’s World Cup Spain & Netherlands 2022 bring with them a range of styles and experiences that will provide some fascinating match-ups. Chile (World Ranking 17), Germany (WR:6), Ireland (WR: 12) and Netherlands (WR:1) will be getting their World Cup campaigns underway on 2 July in the Wagener Hockey Stadium in Amstelveen. Germany will face Chile at 16:30 (local time), while Netherlands and Ireland will have a re-match of the 2018 World Cup final when they meet at 19:30 (local time). Chile’s first ever appearance at the World Cup comes courtesy of a second place finish at the Pan American Cup. The team, known as Las Diablas, beat USA in the semi-final of the Pan American Cup in Santiago on shoot-out and the celebrations of the home crowd and the delight of the players demonstrated just what this achievement means. For players such as Claudia Schuler, the goalkeeper who starred in that shoot-out, Camila Caram and Manuela Urroz, this has been a long time coming. All three have more than 200 caps apiece and bring a wealth of experience with them. Add into the mix the fire-power of Denise Losada-Krimerman and the energy of newer squad members such as Francisca Parra and Fernanda Arrieta and you know that the South American side could be a disruptive force at this event. Coach Sergio Vigil has a great coaching pedigree as he steered Argentina to gold in the 2002 Women’s World Cup in Perth, Australia. Click here to listen to Chile’s Camila Caram The final FIH Hockey Pro League match between Germany and China showed just how much style, class and ability the German team has as they finished the season with an impressive 4-0 victory. The team sealed their place at this year’s World Cup with a silver medal at the EuroHockey Championships 2021 and they have been growing in stature ever since. Germany has been crowed World Cup winners twice, in 1976 and 1981, and many observers consider a third title is long overdue for the European powerhouse. Head Coach Valentin Altenburg has a wealth of talent at his disposal. Strikers such as Charlotte Stapenhorst, Cecile Pieper, Leena Micheel and Pia Maertens can rip defences apart and then there are the cool heads of Nike Lorenz and Sonja Zimmermann in the midfield and defence to provide the platform from which Germany can play their flowing hockey. Anything less than a podium finish will be a huge disappointment to this squad. Click here to get the thoughts of Germany’s Nike Lorenz and Sonja Zimmerman All eyes will be on Ireland to see if they can repeat their fairytale result from the FIH Hockey Women’s World Cup London 2018. A silver medal after a momentous journey through the pool and knock-out stages was the defining memory of 2018. The team qualified as winners of the 2021 European Qualifier in Pisa, Italy and this will be their fifth appearance at a World Cup. Many of the 2018 squad remain, including the 2018 Goalkeeper of the Tournament Ayeisha McFerran, the inspirational Katie Mullan and the experienced campaigners Elena Tice and Deirdrie Duke. Young guns Sarah McAuley and Christina Hamill will be adding flair and fearlessness to a squad that lacks neither. Click here to hear captain Katie Mullan’s thoughts on Ireland at the World Cup The fourth team to make up Pool A needs no introduction. The triumphs of the Netherlands over the past two decades makes for glorious reading if you are an Oranje fan. The team qualified through victory at the EuroHockey Championships 2021. They have won the World Cup on eight previous occasions, including the previous two editions. A team full of superstars was buoyed in recent days by the return to the squad of one of the greatest contemporary players, Eva de Goede. The midfielder underwent an ACL operation in November 2021 and has been fighting to get back to the squad for this World Cup. Add to de Goede the names Lidewij Welten, Frederique Matla and the incredible Xan de Waard and you are looking at a group with a huge number of World Cup and Olympic trophies to their names. Those athletes are now joined by the exciting new talents such as Freeke Moes, penalty corner specialist Yibbi Jansen and the fleet-footed Felice Albers. Click here to get Laura Nunnink’s thoughts ahead of the FIH Hockey Women’s World Cup 2022 Pool A gets underway on Saturday 2 July in the Wagener Stadium in Amstelveen. Follow all the action across the FIH website and social media channels (Facebook, Instagram and Twitter), Watch.Hockey and broadcasters. You can check out all the squads here. The media kit is available here. #HWC2022 #HockeyEquals #HockeyInvites For more information about FIH and hockey in general, please consult FIH.hockey, follow the FIH social media channels – Facebook, Instagram and Twitter – and download the Watch.Hockey app.

Launch of first ever FIH Official Fan Store!

24 June 2022 Lausanne, Switzerland: Dreaming of offering the FIH Hockey Women’s World Cup mascot – Lyla – to your children? Looking for an event T-shirt to watch the matches? Finding your outfit to follow the next FIH Hockey Pro League season? The International Hockey Federation (FIH) brings you the solution: the FIH Official Fan Store! Indeed, as part of its continued journey to connect and engage with hockey players and fans and also enrich its digital offer for them, FIH, together with its partner Kayford, has officially launched today its first ever Online Fan Store, available on the platform www.store.hockey. Thanks to this new platform, hockey players and fans around the world are now able to order official branded FIH, FIH Hockey Pro League and FIH Hockey Women’s World Cup Spain and Netherlands 2022 merchandising items, in a very easy and user-friendly way. Items on offer include polos, T-shirts, jackets, caps, scarves, mugs, bottles, keychains, umbrellas and much more! The initial product range will be expanded within the coming months. (note: see athletes competing at the FIH Hockey Women’s World Cup Spain and Netherlands 2022 wearing some of the items on offer: https://www.instagram.com/p/CfLis8QqzEP/) Kayford Holdings Ltd. CEO Markus Kerschensteiner said: “We are very happy to be an integral part of launching FIH’s first ever online store. This would be a much-awaited launch for the hockey fans to be able to buy their favourite merchandise from all over the world. We look forward to welcoming and engaging with the hockey fans through the online store.” FIH CEO Thierry Weil said: “The launch of the FIH Official Store is another important milestone for the continued enhancement of the fan experience. We invite the global hockey community, including fans and players, to get hold of their favourite items from the store. On behalf of FIH, I’d like to extend our sincerest thanks to Kayford for their invaluable expertise and guidance in this achievement.” #HockeyEquals #HockeyInvites For more information about FIH and hockey in general, please consult FIH.hockey, follow the FIH social media channels – Facebook, Instagram and Twitter – and download the Watch.Hockey app.

ASOIF governance review confirms FIH steady progress

22 June 2022 Lausanne, Switzerland: ASOIF’s (Association of Summer Olympic International Federations) fourth governance review of its member federations – published yesterday – has confirmed the steady progress made by the International Hockey Federation (FIH) in terms of good governance. Indeed, FIH has scored higher marks than ever before in every section (Transparency, Integrity, Democracy, Development and Control Mechanisms), leading to an overall increase of 16 points compared to the last review (2019-20). With a total of 149 points, FIH tops Group B and is only 1 point away from Group A2. We’re particularly pleased with the following comments from ASOIF: FIH has done a significant work in important areas including gender equality, safeguarding and also outsourcing anti-doping to the ITA (International Testing Agency) FIH has successfully delivered an online Genery Assembly (Congress) FIH performed well on the new indicators for 2021-22: action is being taken to increase the diversity of the Executive Board, support is being provided to enhance the governance of members and there is an established risk management programme FIH achieved the “Top 10” in 9 out of 33 indicators assessed in this way Further, it’s worth noting that ASOIF cites FIH as an example of good governance practice in numerous areas such as gender balance, diversity at Board and Committee level, electoral process and rules, election campaigning rules, the implementation of a Code of Ethics or an Ethics Committee with independent representation. FIH CEO Thierry Weil said: “This review confirms that the determination, work and efforts of FIH to become a leader in terms of good governance are being recognized. Of course, there is room for improvement. Therefore, we will keep on working on the areas where we can do better and will engage with ASOIF in this regard as well.” The aim of the ASOIF governance review is to promote and ensure a culture of good governance within the international federations and help drive continuous progress. #HockeyEquals #HockeyInvites For more information about FIH and hockey in general, please consult FIH.hockey, follow the FIH social media channels – Facebook, Instagram and Twitter – and download the Watch.Hockey app.

South Africa to host inaugural Men’s Nations Cup

22 June 2022 Lausanne, Switzerland: The International Hockey Federation (FIH) has appointed South Africa as the host country for the inaugural FIH Hockey Men’s Nations Cup. The event will take place at the North-West University of Potchefstroom – which successfully hosted the FIH Hockey Women’s Junior World Cup in April this year – from 28 November to 4 December 2022. The aim of this new yearly event is to offer a top-level competition to the best-ranked teams not participating in the FIH Hockey Pro League and give the winning team the option to be promoted to the FIH Hockey Pro League the next season, precisely. Therefore, the FIH Hockey Nations Cup marks the start of the promotion-relegation principle for the FIH Hockey Pro League, with the winning team of the first FIH Hockey Nations Cup having the chance to be promoted to the 2023-24 FIH Hockey Pro League (provided they meet the necessary requirements for it). The following eight teams – which include some of the powerhouses of world hockey! – will participate in the very first edition, having qualified based on their position in the FIH World Rankings of May 2021: South Africa, France, Canada, Japan, Korea, Ireland, Pakistan and Malaysia. FIH CEO Thierry Weil said: “On behalf of FIH, I’d like to thank wholeheartedly the South African Hockey Association for hosting this inaugural edition of the FIH Hockey Men’s Nations Cup. Everyone could see how successful the FIH Hockey Women’s Junior World Cup – the first FIH World Cup to be staged on African soil – was, and we’re delighted to go back to Potchefstroom soon! With the Nations Cup, not only a true hockey festival awaits all hockey fans, but there’s a lot a stake for the teams, including a place within the FIH Hockey Pro League!” Shaune Baaitjies, Acting CEO of SA Hockey: “South Africa showed our capacity as a world class host with the hosting of the FIH Hockey Women’s Junior World Cup in Potchefstroom earlier this year. The North West University facilities were outstanding and received wonderful reviews from all involved. We are delighted that the FIH has chosen to host the FIH Hockey Nations Cup in Potchefstroom. The South African Men enjoyed playing the home series of games in the FIH Hockey Pro League at the venue and look forward to adding more remarkable memories for the international hockey family. It promises to be a wonderful tournament at a wonderful venue!” The inaugural FIH Hockey Women’s Nations Cup will be held in Valencia, Spain, from 11 to 17 December this year. For more information about FIH and hockey in general, please visit FIH.hockey, follow the FIH social media channels – Facebook, Instagram and Twitter – and download the Watch.Hockey app. #FIHNationsCup #HockeyEquals #HockeyInvites For more information about FIH and hockey in general, please consult FIH.hockey, follow the FIH social media channels – Facebook, Instagram and Twitter – and download the Watch.Hockey app.

Nations from four continents bidding for 2026 FIH Hockey World Cups!

16 June 2022 Lausanne, Switzerland: After completion of the bidding process for hosting the 2026 FIH Hockey Men’s and Women’s World Cups, the International Hockey Federation (FIH) is glad to announce that bids from four continents (Africa, the Americas, Europe and Oceania), to host either one or both World Cups, have been received. The bids are as follows: 2026 FIH Hockey Women’s World Cup: Australia (host city: Melbourne/Geelong, Perth, Sydney, Brisbane/Gold Coast – to be confirmed) South Africa (host city: Potchefstroom) Uruguay (host city: to be confirmed) 2026 FIH Hockey Men’s World Cup: England, in partnership with Wales (host cities: to be confirmed) Germany (host city: to be confirmed) South Africa (host city: Potchefstroom) 2026 FIH Hockey Women’s World Cup and 2026 FIH Hockey Men’s World Cup combined (= being played at the same time): Belgium/Netherlands (host cities: Wavre and Amstelveen) South Africa (host city: Potchefstroom) The hosts will be decided at the Executive Board meeting on 3 November and announced at the FIH Congress which will be held virtually on 4-5 November this year. FIH CEO Thierry Weil said: “On behalf of FIH, I’d like to thank all National Associations who are bidding for our flagship events. We’re looking at really strong, and also diverse, bids here. We will now conduct a thorough analysis of each dossier so that the Event Bidding Task Force is fully informed of all aspects when making their recommendation to the Executive Board.” The FIH Hockey World Cup, for Women like for Men, is the pinnacle of FIH events. Being played every 4 years, both the Men’s and the Women’s World Cup involve sixteen teams amongst the best ones in the world. It will be the sixteenth edition of the World Cups in 2026. The next FIH Hockey Women’s World Cup will be played next month (from 1 to 17 July) in Terrassa, Spain and Amsterdam, Netherlands, whilst the next FIH Hockey Men’s World Cup will take place in January 2023 in Bhubaneswar and Rourkela, India. #HWC2026 #HockeyEquals #HockeyInvites For more information about FIH and hockey in general, please consult FIH.hockey, follow the FIH social media channels – Facebook, Instagram and Twitter – and download the Watch.Hockey app.

FIH Pro League | Olympic Champions given a scare by South Africa

South Africa concluded their FIH Pro League tournament against Olympic Champions Belgium. The SA Men knew they would have a massive challenge ahead of them as the Belgians had won the previous four encounters with a combined 28-6 score line including the 5-0 victory yesterday. The game started off sensationally with South Africa winning an early penalty corner following some good work by the returning Dayaan Cassiem. The penalty corner itself was nothing short of perfection as Connor Beauchamp rifled the ball into the roof of the net. It was a rocket of a penalty corner and gave the African Champions a massive lift. Belgium would level but it would take a remarkable team goal of quick incisive play to create the goal finished off coolly by Nelson Onana. South Africa though continued to trouble the Belgians and were a good value opposition with Mustapha Cassiem enjoying making a nuisance of himself. The second quarter continued to follow the pattern of the first with both sides having opportunities and the South Africans looking very dangerous on the counter as the likes of Bili Ntuli, Dayaan Cassiem and Keenan Horne combined fluidly throughout. But the half reached its conclusion with a probably fair score line of 1-1. Early in the third quarter South Africa had a big chance through skipper Keenan Horne. The Striker was afforded space, but his tomahawk shot flew narrowly over the bar. The Belgians would take that lifeline and in 5 intense minutes push the pressure home. Florent van Aubel took advantage of a lapse in concentration in the South African defence to leap onto the ball and finish into the back of the net. Tom Boon then followed suite by robbing the ball from Tyson Dlungwana and finishing with incredible pace and added his second from a penalty corner. 4-1 at the end of the third quarter. South Africa continued to trouble the Belgians and ask questions which led to a reward for the team. Another penalty corner was awarded and the South Africans once again turned to Connor Beauchamp who took the opportunity like a season professional. It was a consolation, but it was a massively deserving one for a superb performance. For the South Africans all eyes now turn to the Commonwealth Games in 50 days where they will be looking to emulate or improve on their performances from previous tournaments, while applying the lessons taught throughout an incredible FIH Pro League experience.

SA Women’s Hockey Squad announced for the Commonwealth Games

In 50 Days’ time Team South Africa begin their Commonwealth Games challenge in Birmingham. The games initially awarded to Durban will be the 22nd hosting of the multi-sport event and the 7th staging of field hockey at the event. South Africa have competed in every event along with Australia, Canada, England, India, New Zealand and Scotland, with a best finish of 4th in 2010 and 2014. New Zealand are the defending champions having stunned Australia in the event in 2018 on the Gold Coast. The South African Women are in Pool B alongside five times champions Australia, defending champions New Zealand, African neighbours Kenya and Scotland. The top 2 teams in each pool progress to the semi-finals and by virtue of that will have a shot at one of the medals. Today SASCOC announced the SA Womens Hockey Team that will head to Birmingham just after completion of the FIH Hockey World Cup in Spain and Netherlands and will hopefully be buoyed by a massive performance in the Hockey showpiece. All 18 players selected for the Commonwealth Games are from the FIH World Cup Squad and the likes of Jean-Leigh du Toit and Maboloke (Nepo) Serage will look to add to their first caps earned at that tournament. Kristen Paton, Lisa Deetlefs, Erin Christie, Phumelela Mbande and Quanita Bobbs were all part of the 2018 Commonwealth Games Squad, while Lilian du Plessis, Bobbs, Costin and Deetlefs featured in 2014. Deetlefs will be attending her fourth Commonwealth Games having attended her first in 2010. South Africa Squad for Commonwealth Games (Caps as of 08 June 2022) Player Caps Player Caps Bernadette Coston 155 Lilian du Plessis 145 Bianca Wood 12 Maboloke Serage 0 Edith Molikoe 5 Marizen Marais 36 Erin Christie 63 Onthatile Zulu 14 Hannah Pearce 16 Phumelela Mbande 57 Hanrie Louw 5 Quanita Bobbs 142 Jean-Leigh du Toit 0 Robyn Johnson 28 Kristen Paton 43 Shirndré-Lee Simmons 5 Lisa-Marie Deetlefs 271 Tarryn Lombard 52 Reserves Kayla de Waal, Charne Maddocks, Kirsty Adams, Sylvia van Jaarsveldt & Mathaphelo Ramasimong South Africa fixtures for Commonwealth Games 29 July 2022 – SA vs. Scotland 31 July 2022 – SA vs. Australia 2 August 2022 – South Africa vs. Kenya 4 August 2022 – South Africa vs. New Zealand Source: SAHockey.co.za

A class act from Belgium men and women against South Africa men and China women

07 June 2022 Lausanne, Switzerland: Belgium men continued their winning run as the FIH Hockey Pro league moves into the latter stages. It was business as usual for Tom Boon as he scored another three goals as Belgium put on a masterclass in game management against South Africa. Against China, the Belgium women put on a passing masterclass with two of their three goals splitting the normally solid China defence. Belgium vs South Africa (men) – Sportcentrum Wilrijkse Plein-Antwerp (BEL) Belgium men put paid to South Africa’s hopes of a first win in the FIH Pro League when they put on a clinical display of goalscoring and possession play to dominate proceedings in this mid-week fixture. Nicolas de Kerpel opened the scoring for Belgium when he ran onto a cross from Arthur de Sloover in the fifth minute of the game. It was another 21 minutes before the Red Lions found the net again and that was largely thanks to the heroic goalkeeping efforts of Gowan Jones and Siyavuya Nolutshungu who shared responsibilities during the match. The next goal was the first of three from Tom Boon. Clever running in the circle by the striker meant he received the ball from Tanguy Cosyns behind the line of defence and was able to tap the ball home for Belgium’s second. South Africa were unlucky when Conor Beauchamp’s penalty corner strike bounced off the post and Beauchamp came close a few minutes later when his shot just flew wide of the Belgium goal. Tom Boon’s second goal was a ripper of a penalty corner that flew into the goal after taking a touch from Nicholas Spooner. Alexander Hendrickx was next to find his way onto the scoresheet, again from a penalty corner. The fifth and final goal came from the stick of Tom Boon as he latched onto a penalty corner rebound. His shot from a slightly raised ball went into the ground and bounced past the ‘keeper, who was wrong-footed. If there were to be a criticism of the Belgium team it would be that during the match the team had 43 circle entries and 29 shots, with just five goals to show for that amount of attacking incursions. Head Coach Michael van der Heuvel may well see that as an area for improvement. Unsurprisingly Boon was Player of the Match. He said: ‘I think we didn’t start too well but we built during the game. Their goalies played very well. Our press was good and five goals was a good reward. It was good to have Alex Hendrickx and Arthur van Doren back. We are now building towards the World Cup, so it is good to have all the players back.’ Boon’s goals put him in equal second place in the FIH Pro league goal scorers table, level with Nick Bandurak of England and six behind Harmanpreet Singh of India. South Africa Head Coach Gareth Ewing said: ‘We showed a lot of intent but the third quarter put the game to bed. the guys played really well defensively. Tomorrow we have to make more of the situations when we have the ball. We need to put them under more pressure. We need to make the goalkeepers make some saves.’ The result moves Belgium to fifth with five games still to play. South Africa remain at the bottom of the table with just one game to play. Belgium vs China (women) – Sportcentrum Wilrijkse Plein-Antwerp (BEL) Ahead of the first of two matches between Belgium and China, the new Head Coach to China Alyson Annan spoke admiringly of her team’s ‘extraordinary skills levels’ and willingness to work hard. That said, the first quarter was all about the vision and passing ability of the home side. A beautiful cross-field pass from Pauline Leclef split the China defence and Charlotte Engelbert was on hand to receive the ball, twist and turn past the defence and then place her shot neatly into the corner of Liu Ping’s goal. The second goal came from a cross-field aerial. Captain Michelle Struijk played the next ball swiftly and Alexia T’Serstevens was on hand to tap the ball into the goal. With only a couple of seconds left in the quarter, it seemed as if the China defence had momentarily switched off. The second quarter saw China with a chance to come back into the game when Gu Bingfeng stepped up to take a penalty stroke after Stephanie vanden Borre stopped the ball on the line with her body. The stroke itself was weak and Elena Sotgui in the Belgium goal had no problem saving it. There were no further goals in the first half but just 90 seconds into the third quarter and Belgium’s captain Michelle Struijk got onto the scoresheet. An initial shot was well saved by Liu Ping but the rebound fell kindly to Struijk, who made no mistake as she fired the ball home to bring the score to 3-0. A late surge by China in the fourth quarter saw the visiting side win a series of penalty corners. Eventually Zhang Ying made a penalty corner count with a well-placed shot into the corner of the goal. This was Zhang’s first senior goal. China won more penalty corners in the final minutes and it will be a concern to the China coaching team that the conversion rate – one from seven – wasn’t better. Player of the Match, Michelle Struijk (BEL) said: ‘It was an important game to win. These games are perfect preparation for the World Cup. Every game we play some good hockey but also we play some bad hockey, so it is good to look back and learn from each match. We were winning 3-0 and now we need to keep the zero and score more goals. That is a big thing for us. We need to find the way to dare to play when we are ahead.’ Alyson Annan, Head Coach to China, said: ‘After the third goal we

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FIH CEO Thierry Weil: “Hockey5s is a great lever to grow hockey”

7 June 2022 Lausanne, Switzerland: In an exclusive interview with FIH.hockey, FIH CEO Thierry Weil reflects on the Hero FIH Hockey5s Lausanne 2022 which took place in the Olympic Capital on 4 and 5 June. Thierry, what do you keep in mind from this first Hero FIH Hockey5s Lausanne 2022? What I particularly enjoyed was the fact that people having a walk at the Place de la Navigation around the lake in Lausanne, stopped, looked at what was going on and eventually decided to move into the stadium and watch the games! This was exactly the purpose of this event: bringing hockey to people. Then of course the huge enthusiasm of the players to play this format – for some of them for the first time – as well as the intensity of the matches were a blessing. India men – considered as pre-tournament favourites – won. But for the women, the winners were Uruguay, therefore confirming that Hockey5s enables nations who are not necessarily regarded as powerhouses of world hockey to excel. How do you look at this? Here again, this is fantastic since one of the main reasons why FIH has decided to boost the promotion of Hockey5s is precisely because this format enables some smaller nations to play at the same level as the traditionally bigger ones and even beat them! Extrapolating from this, it means that numerous nations in the world could start hockey with Hockey5s, which it’s simpler and cheaper to put in place. Speaking of India, what do you think of the current situation with Hockey India? It’s 100% clear that every National Association has to make sure that its Statutes are compliant with the sports code of the local authorities. Therefore, if this is not the case for Hockey India at the moment, then this has to happen. However, this situation does not affect FIH’s full trust in Hockey India. Indeed, Hockey India has been and continues to be a key actor of the development of our sport, not only in the country, but also for the world, as an outstanding organiser of numerous FIH events. How can Hockey5s support the overall growth of hockey? Hockey5s is a great lever to boost the growth of hockey at the global level. Thanks to its less restrictive infrastructure – smaller field – but also to the required number of players, the practice of Hockey5s can be a real development asset for many nations in the world. Developing the sport is the number 1 mission of any international federation. The same goes for FIH. This is why, among other things, the FIH has decided to create a Hockey5s World Cup (first edition in 2024). In addition, the size of the field also makes it possible to anchor the Hockey5s in the heart of cities, giving it an urban dimension that is very fashionable and attractive, especially among young people. Finally, Hockey5s is an excellent springboard, a “gateway”, to 11-a-side hockey. #Hockey5s #HockeyEquals #HockeyInvites For more information about FIH and hockey in general, please consult FIH.hockey, follow the FIH social media channels – Facebook, Instagram and Twitter – and download the Watch.Hockey app.