SA hockey

Leading South African hockey writer John Cook recently did a post about financial support for two players who are supposed to represent the U21 team in Singapore at the U21 World Cup.

In a nutshell - each player needs R28000 to represent their country on this tour. The South African Hockey Association (SAHA) kicks in about R10000 per player.

So get this logic - you reach the top of your game, are selected for national representation and then you're told that if you don't have R18000 you will be replaced by somebody who can afford to pay the money to go on tour...

... errr ja that sounds fair... especially when you have guys like Buthana Khompela complaining that not enough players of colour are selected.

I appreciate that there is no bottomless pit of money to support all the international teams that we roll out every year, but then government must also accept that they cannot force their political agendas onto people who can't afford to be selected.

SAHA has also known for four years that this this event was coming up - in four years you couldn't raise R250k?

I've been involved with hockey for the last six years in various administerial positions and I know for a fact we have great hockey players. One has only to remember that Marsha Marescia was selected as one of the best in the world despite our very amateurish local setup.

National Under 21 Women’s team

The South African Hockey Asspociation today announced the National Under 21 Women’s team to participate in the BDO Junior Women’s World Cup Tournament.

The tournament takes place in Boston , Massachusetts, USA from the 3rd to 16th August 2009.

TEAM:
Julia Cass (SG), Louise Coertzen (SG), Sulette Damons (NW), Celia Evans (NW), Sarah Harley (SG), Hanli Hattingh (WP), Loreen Irvine (NW), Camille Jasson (SG), Nicole Kemp (EP), Kelly Madsen (Kzn Coastals), Candice Manuel (WP), Ncedisa Magwentshu (SG), Jade Mayne (WP), Catherine McNulty (SG), Mapule Mokoena (SG), Kerry Pearton (Kzn Coastals), Philippa Rabey (WP), Nicolene Terblanche (Nor.).


NON TRAVELLING RESERVES:
Shelly Freyer (Kzn Coastals), Faye Irvine (NW), Michaela Paterson (WP), Sammy Prost (Nor), Cherie Smith (FS), Chanelle van Niekerk (EP).

MANAGEMENT:

Manager : Mrs. Bernie Thomas
Coach : Mr. Fabian Gregory
Asst. Coach : Mr. Greg Hesom
Video / Stats : Mr. Patrick Tshutshani
Physiotherapist : Miss: Fazlien Jacobs

Sports - changing world order

I believe quite strongly that a combination of the IPL and the economic (financial) crisis will fundamentally change sport across the globe. I'm probably going to say a few things that are going to be considered a little controversial but it's something I've been intrigued by for quite a while now.

Broadly speaking up until a few years ago the financial power of world sport remained in two major power centres - the US and Europe (Specifically the UK).

Even now the big money in rugby, soccer, motorsport and golf still emanates from these parts... but I don't expect that to last.

Some predictions:

• I expect in five years time that Bangladeshi cricket will have overtaken English cricket in the test and One Day International rankings
• Argentina rugby will be stronger than the European nations within seven years
• In less than a decade I don't believe that the English premiership will be regarded as the leading football league in the world
• Clubs like Manchester United, Barcelona and Chelsea will be competing with clubs from places like South America, the US and Asia in a global league in the not too distant future as opposed to the UEFA tournaments.
• Bit of a wild one but I believe that South Africa will have one competitive football team in this tournament in ten years
• I believe that the premier rugby competition - which will usurp the Super 14 - will be played out of either South Africa or Japan inside the next seven years and will work along the same lines as the IPL cricket system with either a bid or draft offering to pick sides.
• Motorsport will be dominated by Chinese and Indian manufacturers and representatives and the Middle East and mainstream Asia will host most of the glamour races
• Support for international brands such as the Springboks, All Blacks, Proteas, Wallabies etc will decline over the next ten years with cross-border franchises attracting greater support.

Obviously there are a lot of people who don't want to hear about the changing global world order but at the end of the day it is a numbers game - China, India, the rest of Asia and Brazil to some extent are growing rapidly at all levels...

1. Look at what China achieved at the last world Olympics
2. Look at the support the IPL has attracted - it's HUGE money and prestige that far outweighs what the international cricket boards can afford to pay their players.
3. F1 used to be the domain of the European manufacturers... suddenly the likes of Toyota are coming in and the Middle East is pouring money into development of tracks and teams - things are going to look very different in a few years time...

Does it sound like lunatic fringe stuff or do you think there is some merit to it all? Would love your input?

DURBAN TO HOST FOUR NATIONS

The SPAR South African Women’s hockey team has received a welcome boost with the news that a four-nations tournament against strong opposition is to be held in Durban in June.

The SPAR Cup, which will feature South Africa, Argentina, Australia and India, will form part of South Africa’s preparations for the important eight-nations Champions Challenge to be played in Cape Town in October. The Champions Challenge involves the countries ranked from seventh to 12th in the world, as well as the team that finished sixth in the previous Champions Trophy. The winner of the Challenge competes in the next Champions Trophy.

Argentina are ranked second in the world, and Australia fifth, while India are ranked 14th – two places below South Africa. The opportunity to play strong opposition in a tournament situation will provide South Africa with much-needed international experience in a tournament situation.

The Australian coach, Frank Murray , was enthusiastic about the tournament.

“Durban will be the first time our players have been together since the Olympic Games in Beijing last year,” he said. “With more than half of the Beijing Squad now retired, it will be a great opportunity for the younger ones to step on the international stage and show us that they should be part of our plans through to the Olympic Games in London in 2012. “The four teams competing cover a broad range of playing styles and it will be good for our younger players to experience this. “We are looking forward to visiting and playing in Durban - none of our players nor staff have been to Durban before,” he said.

SPAR Marketing Director Roelf Venter said the supermarket chain were delighted to be able to sponsor the tournament.

“Having supported Hockey for over 13 years, The SPAR GROUP LTD sees the importance of assisting in areas that have traditionally been overlooked by sponsors. By Inviting International teams to tour our country it provides our players with the opportunity to play with the best in the world so they can gain valuable experience. In addition to this it also gives SPAR the opportunity to create the awareness and raise the profile of not only the sport of Hockey but the players as well .We are extremely proud of our association with our national women's team and are committed to supporting women's sport in South Africa”

The tournament will be played on a round robin bases with teams finishing in position one and two on the log, toughing it out in a final played on the 6th of June. Two matches takes place on each scheduled playing day. All matches are played at the Queensmead Hockey Stadium.

Tickets available at the Queensmead Hockey Stadium on all match days.
Ticket Prices:
Adults: R20
Children (u/18): R10
Adults (for all days): R50
Children (u/18 for all days): R30

SA Men's Squad Announced

The South African Hockey Association Senior Men’s Selectors have announced the following training squad of 24 players who will be attending a National training camp in Pretoria from the 25th to 31st May 2009.

From this camp the National team will be selected to represent South Africa at the Africa Cup for Nations in Accra, Ghana in July 2009.

The Africa Cup for Nations tournament is a World Cup Qualifying tournament whereby the winner of the tournament will represent the Africa Continent at the 2010 World Cup Hockey Tournament.

TRAINING SQUAD:

GOALKEEPERS:

RASSIE PIETERSE
BRENDEN BOTES

DEFENDERS:

RHETT HALKETT
KEVIN DEMARTINIS
GARETH CARR
JUSTIN REID-ROSS
LLOYED MADSEN
ANDREW CRONJE
SHANYL BALWANTH
LANCE LOUW

MIDFIELD:

AUSTIN SMITH
TAINE PATON
WADE PATON
JONTY ROBINSON
TOMMY HAMMOND
SHAUN DAVENHILL

ATTACKERS:

LUNGILE TSOLIKELE
JULIAN HYKES
MARVIN HARPER
MIGUEL DA GRACA
CRAIG HALEY
IAN HALEY
LLOYD NORRIS JONES
THORTON MCDADE

Southern Gauteng U21 side

The following players have been selected to represent Southern Gauteng at the 2009 U21 Interprovincial to be held in Cape Town from the 26th April – 3rd May 2009.

Mark De Jager
Christiaan Schutte
Byrone Tenant
Grant Wildsmith
Charles Lesia
Brett Staverly
Chris Gilbert
Jarmaine Johnson
Lyle York
Owen Mvimbi
Sean Lansdale
Paledi Makgloane
Joshua Walter
Brandon Panther
Ryan Fensham
Mark Raines
Latabo Leoto
Matthew Povel
Craig Wiid
Tyrone Hammond
Bryn Cleak

Coach: Allistar Fredericks
Manager: Reza Rosenberg

New rules

Having looked at rugby in the Super 14 and the 6 Nations, the implementation of the new ELV's (experimental laws) - the nature of rugby has changed into far more of a kicking game again... some argue for the better of the game, while some other big name coaches have said it has moved the game backward.

It might be a bit of fun to look at hockey from both a South African and international context and try and throw out some ideas of what would be positive steps for the game.

Got any ideas? Doesn't matter how weird or wacky - let's just kick a few of them around