All the news for Tuesday 26 June 2012
Kookaburras Clean Sweep over New Zealand
Kiel Brown sweeps the ball away. Image by Murray Clemence Anderson
The Australian men's hockey team has secured a clean sweep of a three test series against New Zealand, in their last international hit out before the London Olympics, in Cairns tonight.
The Blacksticks, ranked seven, never troubled the world number one Kookaburras, who will head to the Games as gold medal favourites.
Kookaburra's Coach Ric Charlesworth had mixed feelings about the series and asked for more consistency from his players.
"I thought it might be closer, in the end 15 goals to three, so it's a pity we didn't have more close games because that would have been better for us," he said.
"But you have to deliver consistency and that was what was disappointing about tonight's game, the last 6-7 minutes was appalling and i'm angry about that because it's just sloppy and we can't afford that."
The Kookaburras were flat in the opening half and it took a while for the Australians to warm up, where as the Blacksticks played their best 15 minutes of the series.
"We weren't good in the first half, we didn't create the quality chances we should have and the last six minutes was shocking and that's sloth, that will cost you if you do that.
Charlesworth applauded the effort of those athletes who missed Olympic selection.
"Some of the boys who missed out were terrific, their endeavour was good and they're pressing hard for those two extra spots," he said.
After a scoreless first half Kieran Govers converted first off a penalty corner drag flick and Des Abbott sent home a field goal moments later.
Glenn Turner then scored a sensational goal, nailing a backstick tomahawk, to the crowd's delight, before Russell Ford rounded out the Kookaburras assault on the score board. New Zealand's Nick Wilson scored a consolation goal at the 68 minute mark.
Blacksticks Coach Shane McLeod said it was good experinence and showcased how much New Zealand needed to improve to match the top nations in the world.
"I think the scorelines were disappointing, there's nothing that grounds you more than getting a good old fashioned hiding and losing the series three zip is a hiding in my mind," he said.
"I think it takes a while to get used to the tempo Australia play at and we matched that intensity tonight, which is great but you have to do that for 70 minutes.
In London if you let your guard down for a moment you are going to pay the price."
New Zealand keeper Kyle Ponifex let through four goals but saved just as many and played well in his 150th international match.
"It tough you come over here and face the Kookaburras, who are on fire and are getting 5-6 goals a game but you still make lots of saves and we'll learn from that," Pontifex said.
McLeod said his charge was coming of age and was beginning to understand the game better as he matured.
"Criteria for doing well in the Olympics means you certainly have to have a keeper of note and he's certainly becoming one of the best keepers in the world," he said.
Tasmanian Eddie Ockenden captained the side tonight and said the series showcased that the Kookaburras 28-man squad was exceptional.
"We have amazing depth in Australian hockey, we had some guys who didn't make the Olympic team playing and it showed fantastic players have missed out," he said.
Five time world player of the year Jamie Dwyer, Matthew Butturini, Liam De Young, Simon Orchard and Matthew Swann all sat out the series injured but will be back on the pitch next Thursday training ahead of club and practice matches.
Australia 4 d New Zealand 1
Goals: Kieran Govers(AUS) PC 35m, Des Abbott(AUS) FG 38m,Glenn Turner(AUS) FG 40m, Russell Ford(AUS) FG 44m, Nick Wilson(NZ) FG 68m.
Hockey Australia media release
Black Sticks lose final test against Australia
The Black Sticks Men have gone down 4-1 against Australia in the third and final test in Cairns tonight.
Coach Shane McLeod said his side has improved with each game played in this series, but there is still a lot of work to do over the next month as they build to the London Olympics.
“Australia is a team that test your game and are an extremely challenging side to play against, that’s why we are here. If you go off your game for just a few minutes they will punish you and score goals,” says McLeod.
“I thought both sides were relatively even and competitive in the first spell. But in the second half, we lapsed concentration and ended up on the back foot, there was a lot of turnover from both sides, but we were the worst offenders.”
The Black Sticks looked promising on attack and held tight on defence throughout the first half, keeping Australia scoreless until right on half time when Kieran Govers scored his third goal of the series in the 35th minute.
But the Black Sticks were unable to contain the world champions in the second half. Within ten minutes, Australian’s Des Abbott, Glenn Turner and Russell Ford had all scored field goals making it 4-0.
Nick Wilson scored his second goal of the series in the 68th minute when the ball was stolen high in the field and Hugo Inglis skillfully eliminated the opposition, passing to Wilson who tapped it in.
In the last few minutes of the game the Kiwis created opportunities to score, but it was a case of too little, too late.
Black Sticks goalkeeper Kyle Pontifex played his 150th test match tonight after debuting in 2001 against Malaysia.
The teams have been practicing penalty shoot outs at the end of each test match as part of their build up to the Olympics. Australia won the first one, the second was drawn and the Black Sticks won tonight’s one 4-0.
The Black Sticks arrive in Auckland tomorrow night at 6.20pm.
Hawke’s Bay is the Principal Partner of the Black Sticks Men and Women.
Australia 4 (K Govers, D Abbott, G Turner, R Ford) New Zealand 1 (N Wilson) HT: 1-0
Hockey New Zealand Media release
Black Sticks fall again
The New Zealand men's hockey side will go to the Olympics with plenty on their minds after a third-straight heavy defeat to Australia last night.
The Black Sticks had gone into the three-match series on a high after winning the recent Azlan Shah tournament for the first time but lost all three heavily - 6-1, 5-1 and 4-1.
Australia are the world champions and clear favourites for gold in London but coach Shane McLeod expected more from his side after their recent results.
They played well in the first half in an even contest but conceded right on halftime when Kieran Govers converted the third penalty corner of the night.
The game was effectively over inside eight minutes of the restart as the Kookaburras piled on three more goals. Des Abbott was gifted a goal after an easy turnover, Glenn Turner scored a great individual effort a minute later and Russell Ford capitalised as Australia went for the jugular.
It might have been a lot worse if goalkeeper Kyle Pontifex, playing his 150th international, hadn't made a number of top-class saves as Australia found their rhythm.
Nick Wilson ensured the Black Sticks ended on a good note when he latched onto a great pass from Hugo Inglis to score two minutes from time but the damage had already been done.
The Black Sticks return home before they head to Europe on July 6 for their final Olympic preparations.
Australia 4 (Kieran Govers, Des Abbott, Glenn Turner, Russell Ford) New Zealand 1 (Nick Wilson). HT: 1-0.
The New Zealand Herald
Kookaburras complete clean sweep over NZ
World champion and Olympic gold medal favourites Australia ensured a milestone match for a second Black Sticks veteran was a forgettable experience as they marched to a 4-1 victory in the third and final test in Cairns.
The Kookaburras comfortably completed a clean sweep although New Zealand were competitive in the opening half and at least narrowed their host's winning margins as the series progressed.
Australia won the Friday's opening test 6-1 and inflicted a 5-1 defeat 24 hours later before producing another compelling performance despite having four London-bound personnel watching the entire series from the sidelines as they recuperate from injuries.
Defender Blair Hopping's 250th cap was a sombre occasion in game one and despite his best efforts goalkeeper Kyle Pontifex's 150th appearance was ultimately another exercise in futility.
Outstanding in goal regardless of the score lines in the previous two tests, Pontifex again ensured the Australian's did not approach double figures with a sequence of excellent saves.
His reactions prevented Australia opening the scoring via their first penalty corner and although two other set pieces were also repelled Kieran Govers finally got the Kookaburra's on the board shortly before the break.
The Black Sticks hopes of fighting back, or at least minimising the damage, were dashed soon after the resumption when Des Abbott, Glenn Turner and Russell Ford found the net in quick succession.
Undeterred, Pontifex continued his brave resistance as the Kookaburras continued to pepper his goal and from a rare breakout striker Nick Wilson grabbed a consolation goal shortly before fulltime thanks to a pinpoint pass from Hugo Inglis.
Australia 4 (Kieran Govers, Des Abbott, Glenn Turner, Russell Ford)
New Zealand 1 (Nick Wilson)
Drubbing a reality check for Black Sticks men
PLENTY TO WORK ON: Three heavy losses to the Kookaburras has left Shane McLeod and the Black Sticks with plenty to focus on. Photosport
The Black Sticks are happy to see the back of Australia and relieved they will not meet the men's hockey world champions in pool play at the Olympics.
New Zealand are currently ranked six places below the Kookaburras and that gulf equated to a 15-3 aggregate score line over three tests just completed in Cairns.
Australia, despite having four Games-bound players sidelined throughout the series with injury, still overpowered the Black Sticks with ease, although coach Shane McLeod thought the 6-1, 5-1 and 4-1 defeats were not quite representative of the effort his squad put in.
But there was no quibble with the Kookaburra's ruthlessness once they preyed on New Zealand's inaccuracy.
"We'd be playing well in the series and were competitive with them, then we'd pay the price is we made mistakes or tried to slow the tempo," McLeod lamented.
The final clash in Cairns last night proved McLeod's point. The Black Sticks held the majority of possession in the first half but could not break down a committed defence so rarely ventured into the goal circle.
Black Sticks goalkeeper Kyle Pontifex, in his 150th international, was predictably stretched at the other end of the field but kept the Kookaburras at bay until the stroke of halftime.
The veteran stopper did well to block the Australians first penalty corner, two other set pieces were also repelled but Kieran Govers swept the ball home to initiate a scoring spree that continued after the break.
Three field goals in six minutes after the resumption had New Zealand facing another heavy defeat but they avoided any further damage and had the final say when Nick Wilson recorded his second consolation goal of the series in the final 60 seconds.
New Zealand arrived in Australia buoyed by lifting the Azlan Shah Cup in Malaysia for the first time but were soon brought back to earth - and McLeod was grateful for the opportunity.
"For our guys at this point in time, there's nothing better to keep you grounded than a series against Australia. They certainly put a lot of pressure on you and punish you if you don't do the right things.
"It was hugely worthwhile. We knew they would test our game and we discovered a couple of new things about how they play as well. Whether you can do much about it is another thing," he admitted.
New Zealand has only beaten the Kookaburras twice since 1999, most recently in the first leg of the Oceania Olympic qualifying tournament in Tasmania last October. They drew the next game and then crashed to a 6-1 defeat.
McLeod was not exactly anticipating another trans-Tasman encounter in London.
"Things are going pretty well if we play Australia at the Olympics, it would be in a semifinal or later," he said.
Although his players might have been might have been mentally scarred by their latest ordeal at least they emerged unscathed physically.
There were no injury concerns and encouragingly Stephen Edwards, who missed the Azlan Shah tournament with a groin strain, and Ryan Archibald - who only played half the matches in Malaysia as he managed an Achilles injury - suffered no fresh concerns.
The Black Sticks next head to Belgium for matches against their hosts and the Netherlands between July 7-17. They are both obstacles to New Zealand progressing to the medal rounds along with South Korea, India and Germany.
Third test result:
Australia 4 (Kieran Govers, Des Abbott, Glenn Turner, Matt Gohdes) New Zealand 1 (Nick Wilson). HT: 1-0
16 Leonas for London
Luciana Aymar to lead experienced squad in the bid for the missing title
Will Argentina celebrate the missing title in London? (Photo: FIH / Frank Uijlenbroek)
Yesterday afternoon, the Argentinean Hockey Confederation announced the list of 16 plus 2 players who will be representing the current World Champions and Champions Trophy holders at the Olympic Games.
The head coach of the Argentine women's team, Carlos Retegui, announced a list which sees veteran hockey superstar Luciana Aymar, who has already been designated as her country's flagbearer in the Olympic Opening Ceremony, lead a solid and experienced group of players, despite notable absences such as pregnant goalkeeper Belen Succi or discarded Soledad Garcia. Mechi Margalot who had been working on a comeback after years of absence and playing in a number of preparatory events over the last few months is notably absent from the final list.
However, only one of the player on the squad of 16 was not part of the team that won the Champions Trophy earlier this year, and nine of the players were on the squad that won the title at the 2010 World Cup in Rosario, confirming that this Argentine team is definitely good for a podium finish - and even a candidate for the very top, the only title that eludes seven time FIH Player of the Year Luciana Aymar, and possibly a logical next step for the team that took silver in Sydney and bronze in Athens and Beijing.
A fact drawing attention is that Retegui has chosen to include two goalkeepers in the core group of 16 players, allocating the P accreditations to outfield players Carla Dupuy and Julieta Franco - a move that is in stark contract to the vast majority of teams participating in the Games, and more noteworthy remembering the fact that long time first goalkeeper Belen Succi only became unavailable a few months ago, consigning Argentina to taking two goalkeepers who have no more than a few handful of caps between them.
Olympic team: Luciana Aymar, Laura Del Colle (GK), Florencia Mutio (GK), Mariela Scarone, Silvina D´Elía, Noel Barrionuevo, Florencia Habif, Daniela Sruoga, Josefina Sruoga, Rosario Luchetti, Sofía Maccari, Carla Rebecchi, Delfina Merino, Macarena Rodríguez, Rocío Sánchez Moccia, Martina Cavallero
P accreditations: Carla Dupuy, Julieta Franco
Source: Argentinean Hockey Confederation
Germany announce men's Olympic squad
Final 16 include 10 2008 Olympic Champions
Germany men are 2008 Olympic Champions (Photo: © FIH / Gordon Morrison)
After winning the ERGO Masters in Düsseldorf ahead of the Netherlands, Belgium and Spain, the German men's head coach Markus Weise announced his team for London yesterday.
The list contains many big names, as well as ten Olympic Champions from Beijing 2008, who will be challenging the dominating Australian men to retain their titles: both Zeller brothers, both Wess brothers, Max Müller, Matthias Witthaus, Moritz Fürste, Tobias Hauke, Oliver Korn and goalkeeper Max Weinhold.
Weise said: "The fact that we can fill several positions doubly, with almost equivalent players, says a lot about the high quality, which we have in this squad. It is bitter to have to tell athletes who have done everything right that their big dream of the Olympic Games will not be fulfilled. We as the staff have not taken it lightly, and have gone back and forth a lot. At the end, when a decision between two players who are equally strong has to be taken, it is a decision by gut feeling. I am certain that we will have a very strong team in London that can challenge any of the world's top teams."
The team has a one week camp scheduled for early July, including two test matches with neighbours the Netherlands, before travelling to London after ten days of regeneration. Germany open their Olympic campaign on 30 July with their match against Belgium.
Olympic Squad: Max Weinhold (GK), Oskar Deecke, Florian Fuchs, Moritz Fürste, Martin Häner, Tobias Hauke, Oliver Korn, Maximilian Müller, Jan-Philipp Rabente, Thilo Stralkowski, Christopher Wesley, Benjamin Wess, Timo Wess, Matthias Witthaus, Christopher Zeller, Philipp Zeller
P Accreditations: Nicolas Jacobi (GK), Linus Butt
Source: German Hockey Association
Spain publish list for London
Dani Martin announces Olympic team for Spain
Santi Freixa will lead Spain in their Olympic campaign. (Photo: FIH / Frank Uijlenbroek)
Like his colleague Markus Weise from Germany, Spanish head coach Dani Martin also took advantage of the insights provided by the weekend's 4 Nations event in Düsseldorf - in which Spain finished in a disappointing last place - to finalize his Olympic squad.
The team for the current Olympic Vice-champions includes a number of players who won silver in Beijing - just like for Germany, ten players from four years ago still form part of the team: goalkeeper Quico Cortés, Juan Fernández, Ramón Alegre, Sergi Enrique, David Alegre, Roc Oliva, Edi Tubau, Pol Amat, Alex Fábregas and now team captain Santi Freixa.
The London bound group of players is also near identical with the team that finished runners-up in the Champions Trophy held in New Zealand in December last year.
The P accreditations for substitute players will go to Andrés Mir and goalkeeper Xavi Trenchs, with the latter having already had the P athlete role in Beijing.
Olympic Squad Spain Men:
Quico Cortés (GK), Juan Fernández, Manel Terraza, Ramón Alegre, Sergi Enrique, David Alegre, Roc Oliva, Marc Sallés, Edi Tubau, Pol Amat, Pau Quemada, Litus Ballbé, Alex Fábregas, Miki Delàs, Xavi Lleonart, Santi Freixa
P Accreditations: Andrés Mir, Xavi Trenchs (GK)
Source: Royal Spanish Hockey Federation
MHA yet to be paid full amount for hosting WSH ties
MUMBAI: The Mumbai Hockey Association is yet to be paid half the amount due for hosting matches during the conduct of the World Series Hockey that was held from March 1.
"We were scheduled to be paid the full amount of Rs 28 lakh by Nimbus within seven days of the conclusion of the tournament. We are yet to get around Rs 14 lakh of that amount till now," MHA president, Manga Singh Bakshi said on Monday.
The WSH ended on April 2 with the final held at the MHA's stadium, which also hosted one of the two semifinals as well as seven league games of the tournament.
Bakshi said that despite several reminders to Nimbus Sport via emails and registered post, asking for the balance amount due to MHA, there has been no response from Nimbus.
"There had been a call to our office manager by Karl D'Costa of Nimbus promising that the dues will be cleared in a couple of days. We will wait and see," said Bakshi.
He said that he had also come to know that three technical officials/umpires -- Puran Singh, Sukhwinder Singh and Nadeem Ahmed -- associated with MHA have not been paid for their services during the tournament.
"Three technical officials associated with MHA have also not been paid, we have come to know," said Bakshi.
D'Costa, deputy manager of Nimbus Sport, could not be contacted for his response.
WSH is a joint venture of Nimbus and the Indian Hockey Federation, but not a sanctioned event of the international body controlling the game of hockey -- FIH.
The first edition of the tournament, involving eight city-based franchise outfits, carried a total prize money of USD 2 million and was won by Sher-E-Punjab.
The Times of India
India hungry for success
After qualifying for the Olympics, the Indian hockey team is hungry for more. It intends to make a mark in London, and not end up as an also-ran.
One could not miss the team’s self-belief, as it embarked on a tour of France and Spain prior to the London Games. The side will play a few Test matches and a three-nation invitational tournament before reaching the London Games Village on July 19.
Ignace Tirkey, one of the two players (Sandeep Singh being the other) who represented the country in its last Olympics appearance in the 2004 Athens Games, was keen on finishing on the Olympics podium.
“I am fortunate that I am playing in two Olympics. But we should not go to the Olympics just for the sake of participation.
“We should come back with a medal. It is better to play in one Olympics and win a medal, than play in four or five and return empty-handed.
“I hope the young players in the side will return as medal-winning Olympians,” said Ignace with 246 international caps.
Ignace underlined the importance of bagging a medal at a big event. “We won the last major medal in the 1980 Olympics. After that, we do not have a medal either in the Olympics or the World Cup. It is a huge gap. Indian hockey badly needs a major medal. It will do a world of good to the sport in the country.”
The seasoned midfielder, who has moved back to bolster the defence, said the team had to start afresh in London.
“We should forget our wins against Korea or any other side in the Azlan Shah Cup. No doubt, this will boost our confidence.
“But we have to realise that every team will come fully prepared. No game is easy in the Olympics.”
Second goal-keeper P.R. Sreejesh said, after the Olympics qualifier, the players had improved a lot in terms of fitness and confidence. “The confidence and fitness of the players has increased manifold in the last six months. It is going to make a difference. Now, everybody thinks we can give a fight to the top sides in the world.”
“The failure to qualify for the Beijing Games has united us. Everybody thinks that if we fail, we will fail as a team. So, each one of us is highly motivated.”
Vice-captain Sardar Singh said the side was determined to give its best in the Olympics. “We have been working very hard. You can see the difference in the fitness of the players.”
“Personally, I am working on different strategies, as I know that I would be heavily marked by the rival players,” said the skilful linkman.
According to experienced striker Tushar Khandker, the team needed to improve its scoring rate. “We are working on different variations in circle penetration. But we have to better our conversion rate,” he said.
Olympics memories: Knew all about 'total hockey', says Rekha Bhide
By Ashish Phadnis
Women’s hockey was introduced in the Olympics in 1980, and I feel proud that I was part of the first team that represented India in the Games, at Moscow. The Olympics village was altogether a great experience for me. I observed how leading players were truly disciplined. They neither lost focus nor were tempted by other things.
I have very fond memories of these Games as I was the captain in the pre-Olympics tournament and was adjudged the ‘most elegant player’ of the tournament. In the Olympics, I was vice-captain of the team and enjoyed the game to the fullest. Selva D’Silva and I were the only players who played each and every match. We never got substituted and were told to play in every position, right from defence to forward. It was a funny thing that time but I think that changed my perspective. I learnt what the ‘total hockey’ was all about.
The icing on the cake was the encouraging words from Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw. He was government observer for the Games. After the last league match, he came forward and told me that he liked my game.
However, I still have some bitter memories of the games. As a team, we couldn’t do well. The medals were decided on league points and the message was not conveyed to us properly. When we came to know about it, by that time it was all over. The Zimbabwe team, which we had beaten several times in practice matches and held for draw in tournament, won the gold medal. Had we prepared better, we could have returned with a medal.
—Rekha Bhide is the vice president of Hockey India. She spoke to Ashish Phadnis
Dames hit Paradise for a dozen
Ventures’ Nataki Akii Bua, left and Brittney Hingh of Harvard Maritime Checkers battle for the ball in their T&T Hockey Board Women’s Championship Division match at the National Hockey Centre, Tacarigua on Sunday June 17. Checkers won 1-0. Photo: Anthony Harris
National women’s team player, Blair Wynne scored five goals as Notre Dame trampled Paradise 12-0 to open a three point lead at the top of the T&T Hockey Board Women’s Championship Division table at the National Hockey Centre, Tacarigua on Saturday night. Wynne got her goals in the 17th, 32nd, 33rd, 38th and 44th minute while Tamara De Nobriga (19th & 58th) and Nakira Downes (31st & 52nd) added two each for the Dames who led 5-0 at the half. Kayla Brathwaite (43rd), Arielle Du Quesnay (56th) and Naila Saleem (66th) chipped in with a second-half item each for the Dames to move to 22 points from nine matches, three more Paragon and defending champion Malvern, while Harvard Maritime Checkers are third a further point behind, and Shandy Carib Magnolias, fifth with 12 points.
On Friday, the Dames got a 33rd equaliser from Brathwaite to earn a 1-1 draw with Shandy Carib Magnolias which got a 12th minute opener from Stacey Siu Butt while Malvern won by default from Paradise on Sunday. In the Men’s Championship Division, Shawn Lee Quay netted a late double as Queen’s Park held off a late charge by Corona Fatima for a come-from behind 5-4 win. Lee Quay found the net in the 63rd and 65th minutes while Dominic Young (fifth), Kadeem Fortune (21st) and Guyanas Jerry Bell (68th) added one each now with 21 points from ten matches, the same as Defence Force to trail joint-leaders, reigning champion Petrorin and Paragon which both have 24 points from nine and ten matches.
Malvern 5 (Peter Edwards 42nd, 48th, 65th, Joy Alexander 15th, 25th) vs Fatima 3 (Derek Lee 36th, 60th, Colin Young 50th).
QPCC 3 (Gary Chin 14th, Raphael Govia 46th, Gary Griffith 66th) vs Carib 1 (Adrian Dell)
Notre Dame 1 (Patrina Braithwaite 33rd) vs Magnolias 1 (Stacey Siu Butt 12th).
QPCC 5 (Shawn Lee Quay 63rd, 65th, Dominic Young 11th, Kadeem Fortune 21st, Jerry Bell 68th) vs Fatima 4 (Andrew Vieira 27th, 45th, 70th, Jordan Vieira 8th)
Saturday June 23
Notre Dame 6 (Dana-Lee De Gannes 1st, 7th, Stephanie Whiteman 14th, Afeisha Lucas 32nd, Grace Peru 53rd, Nicole Whiteman 67th) vs Paradise 1 (Shonika Anthony 42nd)
QPCC 7 (Graig Cockburn 3rd, 5th, 10th, Justin Innis 13th, 16th, Keegan Dos Santos 21st, 27th) vs Shape 0
Notre Dame 8 (Dillon Campbell 3rd, 54th, Danil Trancoso 2nd, Shaquille Daniel 16th, Randy Howell 27th, Joshua Olton 53rd, Justin Beharry 54th, Richie Alexander 69th) vs Paradise 1 (Simba George 70th)
Paradise 12 (Nave Roach 26th, 33rd, 54th, Jarel Thompson 34th, 55th, 57th, Thriston Harrypersad 17th, 23rd, Jevaughn Carter 42nd, Omari Brathwaite 44th, .....9th, Handel Thom 48th) vs Shape 1 (Jaydon Singh 61st)
Notre Dame 12 (Blair Wynne 17th, 32nd, 33rd, 38th, 44th, Tamara De Nobriga 19th, 58th, Nakira Downes 31st, 52nd, Kayla Braithwaite 43rd, Arielle Du Quesnay 56th, Naila Saleem 66th) vs Paradise 0
Notre Dame 3 (Aidan De Gannes 48th, 55th, Akil Nancoo 67th) vs Paradise 1 (Vernell Rivers 21st)
Sunday June 24
Malvern 3 (Mia Mitchell 14th, Chantell Williams 41st, Zara Blake 67th) vs Paradise 2 (Phoebe Warner 37th, Gamali Waldron 45th).
Malvern 11 (Tariq Marcano 8th, 33rd, 39th, 55th, Jemuel Romeo 31st, 52nd, 59th, Christopher 45th, Teague Marcano 45th, Jacques Poon-Lewis 53rd, Brandon Malcolm 61st) vs Paradise 0
Malvern 5 (Daryl Hume-Duncan 30th, 41st, Jason Charles 36th, Jamal Job 44th, Jadel Poon-Lewis 69th) vs Paradise 1 (Theron Stoute 45th)
The Trinidad Guardian
Nepean Nighthawks and Ken Pereira celebrate Olympic Day at Rideau Hall
Gov. General & Minister Gosal show-off hockey skills
Minister Gosal, His Excellency and Ken Pereira face off
On Saturday, the Nepean Nighthawks had the opportunity to demonstrate what field hockey is all about at the 2012 Olympic Day Fair. They set up a field hockey demonstration station on the grounds of the Governor General's residence, Rideau Hall. The Nighthawks were joined by their honourary team captain - two-time Olympian Ken Pereira of the Men's National Team.
His Excellency David Johnston stopped by the field hockey station and showed off his stick handling skills - and Pereira was on site to provide a few tips. The Honourable Bal Gosal, Minister of State (Sport), also got in on the action. A great afternoon had by all.
”Olympic Day is a time where Canadians can gather under the banner of the Rings and celebrate the code of excellence — the Olympic Values — by which we all have the capacity to live,” said Marcel Aubut, President of the Canadian Olympic Committee “On the heels of the Governor General agreeing to be the Canadian Olympic Committee’s new patron, and with London 2012 so close at hand, celebrating Olympic Day at Rideau Hall has never been more timely or appropriate.”
Olympic Day at Rideau Hall was part of the annual CHEO Teddy Bear Picnic.
Field Hockey Canada media release