Staines resistant in National League!
In their first match of the season at their Ashleigh Road base, Swansea Ladies won the game on all stats bar the important one in going down 0-1.
Whitchurch overcome Old Georgians in the National League
Whitchurch opened their EHL account for the season with a well deserved 4-2 home success against Old Georgians.
Hockey Skills Camp, Cardiff – 28/30 October 09
You are invited to attend a Hockey Skills Camp run by the Welsh Senior Women's Hockey Squad at the Welsh Institute of Sport, Sophia Gardens, Cardiff.
Download details (includes application form)
Hockey Organisers Workshop – Cardiff, October 09
This course aims to provide candidates with the skills and knowledge required to deliver effective, safe, fun hockey to Youth Hockey players (u16s).
New Friday Night Hockey Scheme
This Friday night (25th September) there is a 'must see' event taking place at the Welsh Institute of Sport, Cardiff. It is the official launch of the Welsh Hockey Union's Friday Night Hockey Scheme. Free entry is available from 19:00 and once through the gate you will receive a free 'goody bag' and have the opportunity to peruse Trade Stands, watch youth hockey and witness the epic battle for the very first 'WIS' Cup. The First Premier 1 match of the Season between Cardiff Athletic and Penarth 2nds pushes back at 20:00. Come down and watch the new rules being played in a lively environment.
WHU release Vetting & Barring Statement
Following recent press and media coverage Welsh Hockey have released the attached statement.
Local Transport Act
Changes in the Act will have a major impact on clubs travelling to away fixtures.
Whitchurch fall to opening day defeat (EHL)
Whitchurch fell to a disappointing 5-2 defeat at newly promoted Fareham in their opening EHL Conference West fixture of the new season. Goals by James Seagar and Ben Hibberd left Whitchurch 2-0 down after the first quarter. Jon Collis pulled a goal back before half time with a penalty corner strike but the second period belonged to Fareham who took their chances well to add further goals from Shaun Baker and Alex Bennett and a second from James Seagar before a late consolation goal for Whitchurch from a penalty corner by Joe Naughalty.
21st September 2009
Wales Over 55 ('Vintage Masters') Versailles, France - September 2009
Wales and England crowned unofficial joint 55+ Euro Champions
The 0-0 draw with England during the 2009 British Tri Nations tournament event staged in Edinburgh encouraged Wales to accept an invitation to an inaugural European Over 55s ('Vintage Masters') International event being hosted by Racing Club de France in Versailles, just outside Paris. The English organiser (David Gill, Chelmsford) hoped to promote European international competition for the 'Vintage Masters' and encourage French veterans to participate in European competition.
WHUA (North Region) Umpiring Seminars and Courses
North Wales Hockey Umpires will be providing a seminar on the New Rules for the 2009 season for ALL North Wales Hockey Umpires, North Wales Players and North Wales Coaches, male and female, to build on the Seminar held in August at the EuroNations:
- Mid' North Wales: Colwyn Bay Cricket Club (Wooden Pavilion), 19:00 Tuesday 29th September 2009
- North East Wales: Northop Hall Hockey and Cricket Club, 19:00 Wednesday 30th September 2009
- North West Wales: Caernarfon Sports Centre, 19:00 Thursday 1st October 2009
Roadshows
Following the success of last years WHU 'on the road', Roadshows will be held at the following venues:
7 Sep: WIS, Cardiff
14 Sep: Guildhall, Swansea
21 Sep: Colwyn Bay Cricket Club
28 Sep: County Hall, Haverfordwest
5 Oct: National Velodrome, Newport
The sessions will commence at 19:00 with all members invited to attend. It is important that clubs and schools attend as amongst the topics to be discussed will be the new Player Pathway and the 2009 new rules.
Sky TV features UK School Games
The recent UKSG will feature on a full hour long programme on the following dates, times and channels:
15 September:
Sky Sports 3: 19:00; Sky Sports Xtra: 22:00; Sky Sports HD 3: 22:00
16th September:
Sky Sports HD 2: 01:00
Pre-season Umpires briefing
At the pre-season Umpires briefing held in Bridgend, some 50+ umpires, ranging from Grade 1 to FIH, attended and took the opportunity of clarifying the new rules and the likely impact on the sport. WHUA Chair, Colin Crayford, led the briefing and was extremely pleased with the turn-out saying: "The new rules should help to keep the ball in play longer so it is vitally important that all umpires are aware of the impact upon them. To see so many umpires here tonight shows the commitment that they are all making to ensure they are ready for the new season".
Whitchurch to host EuroHockey Club Trophy
Welsh Hockey are delighted to announce that Whitchurch HC have been selected by the EHF to host the EuroHockey Club Trophy (Men) over 2nd to 5th April 2010. The tournament will be played at WIS, Cardiff and following the two promotions last season, will again feature both Whitchurch and Cardiff & UWIC – although this time, thankfully in different pools!
As the tournament is just one level below the prestigious European Hockey League (EHL) competition will be fierce with Dinamo Elektrosal (RUS), Luzerner SC (SUI) and SC Stroitel Brest (BLR) in Cardiff & UWIC’s pool and Grange HC (SCO), HC Roma (ITA) and HC Olimpia Kolos Sekvoia (UKR) in Whitchurch's pool.
Whitchurch Chairman, Roger Harris, said: "We are delighted to be given the opportunity to host such a high level tournament and look forward to working closely with the WHU to ensure the tournament is a success. I hope that both Cardiff clubs can benefit from having home advantage and can gain sufficient ranking points to ensure entry into the EHL for the following season".
In the Women's competitions, although Penarth Ladies tournament (Challenge III) does not, as yet, have any offers to host, Swansea ladies in the Challenge II tournament will be travelling to Wels (AUT) with both events to take place over 21st to 24th May 2010
Rule Changes
Players, coaches, umpires and officials may wish to read the document (available below) regarding the new rules which has been supported by England and Great Britain Hockey. There is also a video available (on-line only) produced by USA Federation at www.usafieldhockey.us/New_Rules_USAFH/New_Rules.html which may also be of benefit.
Download 'Guidance to Umpires on the 2009 Rules of Hockey'
WHUA (South Region) 'discussion and debate evenings'
Players, club officials and umpires are all invited to attend one for the forthcoming meetings which will be 'an evening of discussion and debate'. It is not a recruitment drive but an opportunity for you to raise all those questions that you thought of but never asked! 7:15 for a 7:30 start at:
-
Monday 21st Sept: Whitchurch Rugby Club, Velindre Road, Cardiff CF14 2TGPOSTPONED -
Tuesday 22nd Sept: The Football Stadium, Newport International Sport Village, Newport NP19 4RBPOSTPONED - Wednesday 23rd Sept: Carew Village Hall, Carew, Pembroke. SA70 8SJ
- Thursday 24th Sept: Llandarcy Academy of Sport, Llandarcy, Neath SA10 6JD
7th September 2009
Gold for Boys at UK School Games
The Welsh Boys claimed Gold at the UKSGs in Cardiff yesterday with a very hard fought 2-1 victory over a talented Ulster side.
SCW Coach of the Year 2009 - Hockey Nominations required!!
Coaches are increasingly recognised as playing a very important role at all levels of sport. Their skill, hard work and dedication however, often goes unnoticed and unrewarded. This is the opportunity to redress this.
The Sports Council for Wales Coach of the Year Awards seek to highlight and promote coaches and coaching. Awards are made in the following categories and we at the WHU are very keen to have hockey coaches nominated in as many categories as possible: Female Coach, Club Coach, Coach to Disabled Sportspeople, High Performance Coach, Young Coach/Leader, Lifetime Achievement.
To download a nomination forms visit www.coachingwales.com
Closing date of Friday 2 October 2009.
Northop Hall Roadshow
Following consultation with the North Wales Men's and Women's Regions, all have agreed to consolidate the two planned Roadshows into just one which will take place at Colwyn Bay Cricket Club on the 21st September at 19:00 and as such the planned Northop Hall meeting will now not take place. The WHU and North Wales Regions look forward to meeting club members and officials alike at this important event which offers every member of the hockey community in Wales to hear from WHU staff, and also to share their own views back.
1st September 2009
WHU (Men's South Region) AGM
All South Wales Men's clubs should be aware that the AGM of the above will be held at 18:00 on Monday 7th September at Sports Council for Wales, Cardiff immediately before the WHU Roadshow.
