30 June 2022 Lausanne, Switzerland: Pool D contains three teams that have not had the benefit of FIH Hockey Pro League action as Australia, Belgium, Japan and South Africa get ready to take to the field in Terrassa. Australia’s international action since the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 has been limited to Trans-Tasman competition against New Zealand. Despite this, Australia will arrive in Spain as a team to be wary. They have won this competition twice (1994 and 1998) and won silver three times (1990, 2006 and 2014). In 2018 they finished fourth. Current Head Coach Katrina Powell was a member of the gold medal team of 1998 and, with several months of hard work on the training field under her belt, she will be looking to lead this team to a podium finish. The team is talking up the fact that other nations haven’t seen them in action, combined with a real fire to get back onto the world stage among the players. While there is a new look to the squad that played in 2018, with five players arriving with fewer than five caps, there is also a backbone of experience. Captain Jane Claxton is approaching 200 caps and co-captain Kaitlin Nobbs is nearing 100. Another co-captain, Brooke Peris also has more than 180 caps. Combine this knowledge with the desire to show Australian hockey to the world again and the Hockeyroos could be there at the business end of the event. Australia’s Jane Claxton talks here about Australia’s return to international action Belgium are a side that has benefited from FIH Pro League action and, oddly, from not being at the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020. This latter point was made by former Red Panther Jill Boon, who said the team had been able to quietly develop and grow for the past four years without the intense pressure of an Olympic Games. Despite a high number of caps among their ranks, Belgium is the team with the youngest average age at the competition (24.11) The team is packed with talented players that combine the exciting use of 3D skills and long aerials with a disciplined possession game when needed. Barbara Nelen, Stephanie Vanden Borre and Michelle Struck offer stability. Ambre Ballenghien, Abi Raye and Charlotte Englebert are exciting flair players and Alix Gerniers and Louise Versavel are showing the form of their lives currently. In 2018, Belgium finished a disappointing 10th, expect much better for Raoul Ehren’s team this time. Here Michelle Struijk explains what the World Cup means to her squad Japan won the Women’s Hockey Asia Cup 2022 beating India, Korea and China along the way. Under the charge of former India goalkeeper Jude Menezes, the team has grown and – in keeping with their nickname – blossomed in the past few months. It is a team packed with talent and experience. Captain Yuri Nagai, Hazuki Nagai and Shihori Oikawa are multi capped stalwarts in the team. Yu Asai is unflappable in defence. New squad member Kaho Tanaka may only have a handful of caps so far but she has already proved herself a dynamo in front of goal. Japan’s best finish at a World Cup was fifth in 2006 and in London in 2018 they finished 13th, despite playing some very stylish hockey. This year the Cherry Blossoms are aiming for the high branches. Listen here to Yuri Nagai ahead of the competition South Africa are once more the African continents sole representative and, as always, they will arrive in Terrassa ready to battle for their country and their continent’s honour. The team’s best ever World Cup finish was 7th in 1998 but in 2014 they achieved a commendable ninth, finishing above their ranking. South Africa has competed in every FIH Women’s World Cup since 1998 and they have been solid performers at every edition. The team arrives in Terrassa with a number of inexperienced players but a backbone of athletes who know exactly what competition of this level looks like. Lisa-Marie Deetlefs, Lilian du Plessis, Bernadette Coston and Quanita Bobbs are hardened campaigners who will always leave everything on the pitch. Temper this resolve with the energy and hard running of Hanrie Louw, Bianca Wood and the goal scoring potential of Jean-Leigh du Toit and it is a compelling team to watch. Giles Bonnet is back in charge as Head Coach and he too knows just how to get the most from his players. South Africa’s Phumelela Mbande and Bernadette Coston on South Africa’s hopes and dreams here Pool D action gets underway on 2 July when Australia play Japan at 21:30 local time, then on 3 July as Belgium open their campaign against South Africa at 15:00 local time. 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.

28 June 2022 Lausanne, Switzerland: Pool B has all the makings of a highly competitive set of matches. All four teams – China, England, India and New Zealand – have undergone major rebuilding in the past few months and all four are teams that will have serious podium aspirations. Under the coaching team led by two-time FIH Coach of the Year Alyson Annan, China has shown in recent FIH Hockey Pro League matches that the team is making giant steps forward in combining Asian structure and high technical ability with the creativity and hard work ethic espoused by their coach. China qualified with a fourth place finish at the Women’s Hockey Asia Cup 2022. The China team’s appearances at previous Women’s World Cups has not been auspicious. The best finish was third in 2002 and in 2018 they finished in 16th place. However, this team has some serious talent within its ranks and will be hoping to enjoy a far greater performance than four years ago. Drag flick specialist Gu Bingfeng presents danger at every penalty corner; the speedy and skilful Zheng Jiali can twist and turn through any defence; Li Hong is tall, quick and a fantastically brave first runner at penalty corners and goalkeeper Liu Ping has astonished spectators with her shot-stopping ability. Click here to hear from China’s captain Jiaqi Li England is also a team that has not achieved the heights at previous World Cups it would have hoped for. A third place finish in 2010 is the best result for David Ralph’s team and he will be hoping the team, led by stalwart Hollie Pearne-Webb, will be peaking at just the right time. Pearne-Webb has some worthy lieutenants within the squad. Maddie Hinch is still one of the best goalkeepers in the world; barring injury Laura Unsworth will reach 300 caps at this event; Giselle Ansley, Lily Owsley and Shona McAllin all bring huge experience. Newer members of the squad include the attack-minded Tessa Howard, the super-skilful Hannah Martin and speedy Elena Rayer. The question is whether the team is still too immersed in its development stage. Clich here to hear the thoughts of England captain Hollie Pearne-Webb India women, under the leadership of Dutch superstar Janneke Schopman, have grown and matured in recent years. In the FIH Hockey Pro League the Eves beat the Netherlands in a 2-1 shock result and they finished the Pro League in third place, despite being late entrants to the event. India qualified via a third place finish at the Asia Cup 2022. The team is packed full of talent and their signature style of play is fast, flowing hockey that involves swift passing through the lines of play. Gurjit Kaur is always a danger from the top of the circle and Savita is a steady rock at the other end of the field as she guards the India goal. Devi Sharmila and Kaur Navneet are just two of a host of other creative players who will relish this chance on the big stage. Savita shares here her thoughts ahead of the FIH Hockey Women’s World Cup New Zealand are the unknown quantity in Pool B. They have not been seen outside Oceania since the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 but there has been a huge amount of change in the squad since then. Olivia Merry continues to lead the attack and will be hopeful of adding to her incredible international scoring record. She is joint captain along with midfield stalwart Megan Hull and Head Coach Darren Smith and his coaching staff will be looking to these two players to lead a team that includes six players with less than 10 caps. While New Zealand might have missed out on international experience in recent months, they have spent a huge amount of time preparing for this event and will be fit and ready to step back into the limelight. Megan Hull outlines here New Zealand’s hopes for the forthcoming World Cup Pool B is being played in Amstelveen at the Wagener Stadium. New Zealand and China take to the pitch on 2 July, while England play India the following day. 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.

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.

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.

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.

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