4 Nations fixtures

Tuesday 2nd June
14h00 Australia vs India
16h00 South Africa vs Argentina

Wednesday 3rd June
14h00 Argentina vs Australia
16h00 South Africa vs India

Thursday 4th June
REST DAY

Friday 5th June
14h00 India vs Argentina
16h00 South Africa vs Australia

Saturday 6th June
12h30 3rd vs 4th
15h00 1st vs 2nd

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?