Behind Every Star
Sport Wales has launched it’s new coaching Campaign ‘Behind every Star’. The campaign is geared towards recruiting volunteers into Clubs across a number of sports in Wales. Welsh Hockey fully supports this campaign and will be working with clubs to determine how we can make the most of this fantastic opportunity. For more information please see the full press release from Sport Wales.
Fresh Legs in the Coaching Department
April 26th saw a new face in the Coaching Unit at Welsh Hockey. Vicki Sutton who has been focused in the Performance Department at Welsh Hockey since September 2007 was successful in her application for the role of Coaching and Workforce Development Officer. A month into leading the coaching activities she has made a good start on ensuring the Welsh Coaching Syllabus is active within the PDC pathway and engaged with England and Scotland through the GB Hockey Coaching Implementation Group. Vicki has a busy few months ahead with the re-launch of the Youth Volunteering 'Activator Programme' and finalising the Welsh Coaching Plan for 2010-2016. Contact Vicki about Coaching in Wales on Vicki.sutton@welsh-hockey.co.uk
21st May 2010
Wales open Commonwealth Games Hockey with New Zealand
Wales have the honour of playing New Zealand in the first hockey match of the Delhi Commonwealth Games. A total of ten men's and ten women's teams will compete in the 11-day hockey tournament, to be played on two pitches of the Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium in the Indian capital, the same venue as the Hero Honda FIH World Cup in March this year.
Full story and match schedules
19th May 2010
Penarth all set for their European adventure
Penarth Ladies are looking forward to representing Wales in Europe at Bratislava later this week. Following a very successful season with the team remaining unbeaten in the South Wales League, we are optimistic that they will carry this success into the European Tournament.
17th May 2010
Howards win Ladies Veterans tournament
Nine ladies vets teams, six from the South and three from the North, travelled to Wrexham at the beginning of May to compete in the Ladies Welsh Veterans Clubs Championships.
15th May 2010
Big training weekend for Wales Squads
The national age group under 18 and under 16 boys squads commenced their new training regime under the watchful eye of Lead Strength and Conditioning Coach Danny Newcombe this week-end.
Great Britain vs Germany (Women) 1st Test result: GB 2 – Germany 1
Alex Danson's late goal helped Great Britain to record a win in the first test match against Germany at Bisham Abbey National Sports Centre. Her reverse stick shot in the 66th minute secured a well-deserved win, following a goal by Rachel Walsh from a penalty corner. It gave the girls their 11th win over the Germans out of 29 matches against them.
Match report (www.greatbritainhockey.co.uk)
Euro Qualifiers Results
As a result of last weekend's Euro Qualifiers Whitchurch will take the top place in the men's competitions in 2011 and Cardiff and UWIC will take the lower one. In the women's competition Swansea beat UWIC on Saturday but then failed to fulfill the fixture against Penarth on Sunday. As a result Penarth will be in the higher position next year with Swansea taking second spot. The Competitions SAG will consider Swansea's position at their next meeting in June and a further announcement will be made following this.
12th May 2010
UKCC Level 4 - next round launched
Applications are now welcome for selection to participate on the Level 4 coaching award and Welsh Hockey are pleased to announce that following a successful first year delivering the UKCC Level 4 for Hockey, coaches are welcome to apply to be part of the next course starting in September.
Hockey Internationals Club
Are you a past or present senior international hockey player? An umpire or official from senior international capped matches? Or a member of coaching staff from a major international hockey tournament? GB Hockey, in conjunction with the Home Nations, is due to launch a Hockey International Club during the Women’s Champions Trophy at Nottingham in July. This exclusive club has been designed to bring together past players, officials and coaches for social events, keeping them active in the hockey family and providing networking opportunities.
If you are interested in this club, please contact us at info@welsh-hockey.co.uk
International Mixed Trials - 2010 Mixed Squad to face England
Trials for the Mixed International, being played at Glyndwr University, Wrexham in July have been announced. The first session will be at the Maritime Astro in Pontypridd at 10:00 Sunday 23 May 2010. Futher session dates have been arranged with the venues to be announced. If you are interested in being considered for the squad or require more information contact Rob Riley (Mixed Manager) on hockey4@robandis.plus.com. Alternatively contact the WHU office directly.
11th May 2010
BAHA comes to National Hockey Centre - International Squads welcome British Asians
On Sunday the 16th May, the WHU welcome the British Asians Hockey Association (BAHA) to Sophia Gardens in Cardiff for two age group matches.
Chris B on the road to recovery
As many of you will be aware Chris Brewer was suddenly taken into hospital last week. Thankfully though good news, Chris is recovering well and is leaving hospital today to continue recovering at home. We expect him to be off for some time yet but look forward to welcoming Chris back to work when he is fit and ready. If anyone wishes to send their best wishes or visit Chris please contact the office and we will ensure everything is passed on. Get well soon Chris.
9th May 2010
Wales Euro Play-off Weekend
This weekend sees the top Welsh teams in action at the National Hockey Centre (Sophia Gardens, Cardiff) to determine qualification for next year's club European tournaments. The standard of hockey promises to be high, with the chance of representing Wales in Europe at stake.
7th May 2010
Activators awarded FIH Youth Leadership Certificates
3 of our current Welsh Youth Hockey Activators have been awarded the Youth Leadership Certificate for 2010 by the International Hockey Federation.
7th May 2010
World Player of the Year dazzles Welsh players in Amsterdam!
This year's trip to Amsterdam was yet another success, enjoying some fantastic weather along with top quality hockey in the Dutch capital over the Easter period. The thirteen players on the trip experienced coaching from World Player of the Year Jamie Dwyer and Dutch international Robert van der Horst, the Dutch hockey culture playing against local sides, and staying in a refurbished castle!
Wembley Reunion Match 11th July – Nottingham
If you played for Wales Ladies in the 1970's – 1990's and would like to be considered for selection for a reunion match playing for a combined Home Nations side against England please contact Anne Ellis at anne@anne75.orangehome.co.uk
The match takes place as part of the warm-up for the Women's Champions Trophy matches later that same day.
4th may 2010
Welsh Boys U-11, U-13, U-15 & U-17 Clubs Championships
Swansea Ladies retain their EHL place
A 0-0 draw between Sheffield Hallam and Southgate in the remaining match meant that Swansea Ladies won the Conference Relegation Play-Offs and retained their place in the EHL Conference West.
