Moving a little closer to home, The Netherlands men recently got their first taste of the Olympic Park hockey venue when they took part in a specially arranged training session on the iconic blue and pink pitches at the Riverbank Arena. Ahead of Tuesday’s training session, Netherlands midfielder Lawrence Docherty failed to hide his exhilaration, tweeting: “Just arrived in London. 1st training at the Olympic venue. Excited? Just a little ”.

As well as the recent appearance by The Netherlands, the Riverbank Arena is entering the final stages of its preparations for the Visa International Invitational Hockey Tournament, which begins in less than two weeks time. The competition is part of the London Prepares Series, a collection of top class sporting events which take place on the Olympic Park in a bid to test out the a number of the facilities that will be used during the 2012 Games.

The tournament will feature the men’s Australian and German teams who are currently ranked number one and two in the world; the current women’s world champions, Argentina; as well as both the men’s and women’s British teams as they prepare for the London 2012 Games. The men’s tournament will also feature India, winners of eight Olympic gold medals while China, the women’s silver medallists from Beijing, and Korea, also take part in the women’s event.

The Visa International Invitational Hockey Tournament is a complete sell-out, with all tickets being snapped up within minutes of going on sale. Last year, tickets for the Olympic Hockey competition also sold out at break-neck speed, proving that Hockey is one of the most eagerly anticipated events taking place at London 2012. Over 600,000 people will watch the matches that will take place at the Riverbank Arena during the 14 days of tournament competition.

Six men's and six women's teams ready to battle for London
The team entries for the 12 competing teams at the last Olympic Qualification hockey tournaments were announced today. Six women’s teams and six men’s teams will vie for the two last remaining places at the London 2012 Olympic Games with only the winner of each tournament earning a berth.

On the women’s side, host Japan enters as the heavily favored team holding the ninth spot in the FIH World Ranking. The closest competitor is Azerbaijan, coming in at 15th in the ranking. It is the biggest gap between the top-ranked and second-ranked team at any of the Olympic Qualification tournaments. Chile can also be considered a contender in the event with a 17th World Ranking position.

Of course, Japan can’t takes its World Ranking position for granted, at the last qualification event in Belgium, Spain became first highest-ranked seed not to win the tournament and earn a berth to the Olympics.

The men’s side is a much tighter race for the last Olympic spot with only five World Ranking positions separating the top three teams. The 12th-ranked South African men will look to join their women in London, but standing in the way will be #15 Japan and #17 China.

The final FIH Olympic Qualification tournament will be held from April 25-May 6 in Kakamigahara, Japan. The two tournaments will start with a six team round robin with the top two teams meeting in a final game to determine the Olympic berth and the remaining teams playing a final placement game for World Ranking points.

The winners of the event will be the third, and final teams, to qualify to London through the Olympic Qualification tournament. The Indian men won the Hero FIH Road to London tournament at home in Delhi, where the South African women. In Dublin, the top-ranked Korean men earned a berth to the Olympics and in Belgium it was the host nation women to punch their ticket to London.

Is there a quota system in force for hockey then in SA?

99 days to go to the Olympics and any hockey players ultimate dream to participate.

Venue: Riverbank Arena




Dates: Sunday 29 July – Saturday 11 August
Medal events: 2
Athletes: 384 (192 men, 192 women; 12 teams in each event)


http://www.fih.ch/en/news-3689-attentio ... ondon-2012

SA Men team on their last mission to qualify for Olympics.

Sport24
[img]SA hockey men leave for Japan
2012-04-18

Austin Smith (Gallo)
SA marks 100 days to London Mbalula at Olympic assembly Cameron books Olympics spot Johannesburg - The bulk of the South African men’s hockey team leave for Japan on Thursday with one mission in mind, to clinch the last remaining spot available at the London 2012 Olympic Games.
The final Olympic Qualifier Tournament takes place at Kakamigahara in Japan from April 26 to May 6, where head coach Gregg Clark’s side have to win the gold medal for South Africa to qualify for the July 29 to August 14 Olympic Games.


While the contingent leaving from Johannesburg will arrive at their tournament base in Kakamigahara on Friday, the overseas-based players will only arrive later as they have European club commitments to fulfil this weekend.

SA captain Austin Smith and Rhett Halkett are at Den Bosch in Holland, Justin Reid-Ross and Lloyd Madsen play for Pinoke in Amsterdam; Belgium clubs enjoy the services of Clinton Panther, Taine Paton (both Gantoise) and Jonty Robinson (Braxgata), while Ian Haley plays for Exeter in England.

Although the SA team last played in late February, when they beat Austria - one of their opponents in Japan - the home-based and overseas players have been working hard to ensure they will be in peak condition.

"We won the bronze medal at the Champions Challenge in Randburg in early December, beating higher-ranked Argentina in that play-off match," Clarke said.

"We have drawn a series against world number four Great Britain in Cape Town and Stellenbosch, beaten Austria, and beat India in India for the first time ever in the series in New Delhi earlier this year.

"The majority of our matches have been against higher-ranked opponents and this ambitious team, which I have described as the golden generation, is ready for the challenge in Japan."

Top-ranked South Africa (world number 12), hosts Japan (15th), China (17th), Austria (21st), Czech Republic (23rd) and Brazil (42nd) will be competing for the last remaining ticket to London.

SA Team: Austin Smith (capt), Andrew Cronje, Lloyd Norris-Jones, Ian Haley (all Western Province); Wade Paton, Lloyd Madsen, Tim Drummond, Marvin Harper, Taine Paton (all KZN Coastal Raiders); Rassie Pieterse, Michael Smith, Lance Louw, Thornton McDade, Clint Panther (all Southern Gauteng); Jonty Robinson, Rhett Halkett, Justin Reid-Ross (all Northern Blues); Julian Hykes (Amatole-Border).
[/img]

Blue astro look strange. First time I see them in this colour.

The blue was chosen (along with a yellow ball) as it will apparently show up better on television. I've had a run around on the pitches and they are no different to play on than any other waterbase astro.

The pink surround was chosen as it goes with the London 2012 colours.....

Well I've got tickets

Me too, albeit for the women's tournament I wonder when the playing schedules will be released, I wouldn't mind knowing who I'll actually see playing!

A soggy start to the men's qualifier in Japan
Host Japan and South Africa win, one game postponed due to rain
Tweet
April 26th, 2012

The Japanese men earned a 6-0 win against the Czech RepublicEDITOR'S NOTE: THE SECOND HALF OF THE CHINA v. AUSTRIA GAME WILL BE PLAYED TOMORROW AT 12:00

South Africa 11, Brazil 1

Brazil made its debut at an FIH World Level event today at the Olympic Qualification Tournament against South Africa and it was less than a warm welcome as the top-seeded South Africans dominated the game with a 11-1 victory.

It took South Africa nearly 20 minutes to find a way past Brazilian goaltender Daniel Tatara, who had an excellent showing considering the sheer amount of time South Africa spent camped in front of his net. Lloyd Norris Jones scored the opening goal and the lead was quickly doubled when South Africa’s Andrew Cronje easily converted a penalty stroke.

Tatara kept the score respectable thanks to a few key saves on South African short corners, but there was little he could do late in the period to stop South Africa from building a 4-0 lead as Timothy Drummond and Justin Reid-Ross each scored unstoppable, picture perfect goals.

The second half started with a historic moment when Matheus Borges put in Brazil’s first-ever goal at an FIH World Level event with a well-executed penalty corner. The Brazilians were so excited about the goal that they left a major gap in their defense on the ensuing play, allowing Drummond to quickly restore the four goal lead with a simple goal.

The Drummond goal opened the flood gates for South Africa as Reid Ross followed up with two field goals coming less than a minute apart to complete the hat trick and make it 7-1. South Africa put in another three goals in the second half to complete the 11-1 win. REid-Ross paced all players with four goals in the win.

While the score may not be considered the best result for most teams, it was a respectable showing for 42nd-ranked Brazil against 13th-ranked South Africa in their first major FIH appearance. Brazil will look to close the gap a little further when it takes on Japan on Saturday. South Africa’s next match is against the Czech Republic.



Japan 6, Czech Republic 0

Host Japan followed in its women’s national team’s footsteps and earned a win on the first day of the Olympic Qualification Men’s Tournament with a 6-0 victory against the Czech Republic. Japan is the second seeded team at the event, coming in at #15 in the FIH World Ranking. The Czechs hold the #23 spot.

Hiroko Sakamoto had a hat trick in the win, and Katsuyoshi Nagasawa struck twice in the decisive victory.

Nagasawa opened the scoring four minutes into action with the first of his two penalty corner goals. His second came nearly 20 minutes later to give Japan a 2-0 lead. Sakamoto promptly followed up at the 26-minute mark with the first field goal of the game to make it a 3-0 lead before the half.

Sakamoto scored the first goal of the second half five minutes into action to set the tone and thwart any hopes of the Czechs had for a comeback. With the game well in hand, the Japanese had a bit of lull on offense and were silent until Kei Kawakami put in his first marker of the game in the 55th minute. Sakamoto brought the final score to 6-0 with a penalty corner late in regulation.

Japan will take on Austria on Saturday, while the Czechs will look to rebound against top-seeded South Africa.

China – Austria

The opening day of the men’s FIH Olympic Qualification Tournament was a far cry from the women’s opening day, which has sunny skies and goals galore. Instead, the men played under a steady drizzle. The early game of the day, China vs. Austria, had to be suspended at halftime due to the rain. China held the 1-0 lead at the half when the game was halted. The teams will play the second half tomorrow at 12:00.

SA, Japan in thrilling draw

SA men continue winning SA men bludgeon Brazil SA hockey men crush Czechs Johannesburg - The South African men's hockey team played to a thrilling 3-3 draw against tournament hosts Japan in their penultimate Olympic qualifying group fixture in Kakamigahara on Wednesday.

The teams went into the match as the only two unbeaten sides in the competition, level on points at the top of the table.

Japan took the lead with 10 minutes left in the first half after a penalty corner was awarded for an infringement in the South African penalty area.

After a frantic goalmouth tussle, the hosts knocked the ball in after the third rebound, with goalkeeper Rassie Pieterse making two saves before he was beaten.

Striker Lloyd Norris-Jones hit back for South Africa two minutes later to level the scores, sending the teams into the break level at 1-1.

Japan went ahead again seven minutes into the second half after they were awarded another penalty corner, but the South Africans immediately equalised once more through Justin Reid-Ross, who scored from a penalty corner.

With the scores level at 2-2, Japan took the lead for a third time with 17 minutes left to play after another scramble in the South African area resulted in a simple tap-in for the hosts.

With time running out, SA left it late to grab another equaliser.

In the last second of the match, the South Africans were awarded another penalty corner which specialist Reid-Ross put away into the top corner.

The draw left the sides level on 10 points at the top of the standings, four points ahead of China who held a game in hand.

South Africa play Austria in their last group match on Friday, while Japan have a tricky last fixture against China.

The top two sides will meet in the final on Sunday for the last available place at the London Olympic Games.

South Africa is the last team to join the London party
South Africa topped Japan in the Olympic Qualifier final and is headed to London(Photo: Stanislas Brochier)First-Place Game: South Africa 2, Japan 1

South Africa became the last team to join the 2012 London Olympic Hockey Tournament after winning the Men’s Olympic Qualifier in Kakamigahara, Japan with a 2-1 win over Japan. It will be South Africa’s third consecutive appearance at the Olympics.

South Africa entered the tournament as the top-seed, holding the #12 spot in the World Ranking. But the margin between the teams in Kakamigahara was thin, with Japan as the #15 team and bronze medalist China holding the #17 spot.

The balance of the teams was clear in a scoreless first half. South Africa may have held the advantage in terms of possession, but Japan’s chances were more dangerous as they used their trademark speed to keep South African goaltender Erasmus Pieterse on his toes. Things were visibly tense on the field and teams had to settle for a 0-0 draw at the break. It was shades of the round robin game between the teams earlier this week, which ended in a 3-3 draw with no team ever holding a clear advantage.

Thornton McDade ended the scoring silence when he slipped behind Japan goalkeeper Shunsuke Nagaoka with some fancy footwork and tapped in the 1-0 marker after nearly 45 minutes of scoring silence. With 16 minutes left, a great defensive play on a Japanese penalty corner chance led to a breakaway for South Africa and Lloyd Norris Jones doubled the South African lead.

But the game was far from over as the home stretch was a flurry of activity that kept everyone on the edge of their seats. Japan pulled to within one when Kenji Kitazato ripped one into the net, making it a one goal game with six minutes left. Japan applied amazing pressure on South African in the waning minutes, but the South Africa defense withstood the attack and held on for the 2-1 win and the berth to the London Games.

It was a particularly long and bumpy Road to London for the South Africans, who thought they had their spot in the Games sealed after winning the Africa Cup last year, but had to go through the qualification tournament process to meet its National Olympic Committee’s guidelines. But both the men’s and women’s team took the challenge to heart and both persevered and will be in London.

Johannesburg - South Africa will be represented in the men's and women's hockey tournaments at the London Olympic Games after the men's team defeated hosts Japan 2-1 in the final of the last qualifying tournament in Kakamigahara on Sunday.
The SA men went unbeaten in their six matches and held off a fighting Japanese outfit to book their ticket to London.

The women's side had won an earlier qualifying tournament in Delhi, India, in February.

After going into half-time locked at 0-0 against Japan, the SA men came out firing after the break, soaking up the pressure in a thrilling second period.

The South Africans opened the scoring through a moment of individual brilliance from Thornton McDade 11 minutes into the second stanza.

McDade dribbled through the Japanese defence before rounding the goalkeeper and tapping home into an empty goal to give his side the lead.

Lloyd Norris-Jones stretched the gap with 16 minutes left to play through a counter attack after Japan failed to convert a penalty corner. Norris-Jones fired his back-handed shot at the Japanese 'keeper who deflected the ball before it went in.

Japan hit back and scored through Kenji Kitazato and piled the pressure on SA, who had struggled defensively throughout the tournament.

Goalkeeper Rassie Pieterse made several crucial saves to keep South Africa in the lead, thwarting the Japanese attack as he helped his side secure the last available place for the London Games in July.

ONE of WA's top young hockey players has died after accidentally being hit in the head during a State League match at Curtin University.

The Australian hockey community is in shock following the tragic death of 24-year-old Lizzie Watkins in a freak accident during the match late yesterday.

The elite 24-year-old died from fatal head injuries after a ball deflected off her own stick and hit her in the back of the head during a game at Curtin University yesterday.

The young woman was a defender for North Coast Raiders and was part of the team playing the Victoria Park Panthers yesterday.

She fell to the ground unconscious when she was hit midway through the first half of the game.

Ms Watkins' sister Catherine Carrol was playing alongside her and rushed to her side.

People at the scene attempted to revive Ms Watkins, who was breathing when an amulance arrived.


She died on the way to hospital.

Sad day for our sport - Hockey Australia

Hockey Australia Chief Executive Mark Anderson said Sunday was a very sad day for the sport.

“On behalf of the entire hockey community I would like to express our support and sympathies to the Watkins family at this very sad time. Our thoughts extend to all involved at the North Coast Raiders Hockey Club," he said.

“Hockey is a sport that is known for its strong sense of community. I know that members of our two national teams and players involved at all levels of our sport are saddened by this tragic event.

"The Kookaburras wore black arm bands in the final of the London VISA International Invitational Hockey Tournament overnight at Olympic Park out of respect for Lizzie and her family.

”I know that our community both nationally and particularly in Western Australia will pull together to provide as much support as possible to all involved."

Hockey WA are working closely with their community and the North Coast Raiders Hockey Club to ensure all possible support is provided to those involved in the accident.

Heartfelt tributes flow

Her team, The North Coast Raiders posted on their Facebook page: "Raiders has today lost a true Stalwart of the club. Lizzie Watkins was playing the game she loved and wore the Raiders colours with pride. She will be greatly missed. R.I.P. Lizzie"

Another friend posted this message: "You had one of the most amazing infectious smiles ever; your witty sense of humour, your presence would fill the room with joy. I have to keep pinching myself hoping this is a horrible nightmare that is just going to go away.

"The skills you taught me as a starting out at hockey player I will forever be grateful for. The memories I have of you Lizzie I will forever hold close to my heart. Your family is one of the most amazing families I have ever met and my heart is breaking for them all.

"You were taken so tragically from us all so soon. May you rest peacefully babe. Forever young!''
- by Heartbroken Friend

Hockey WA has launched an investigation.

Raiders president Craig Vallipuram said last night Ms Watkins was a great girl, and everyone was in deep shock.

"It was a terrible and tragic incident and one which has devastated everyone who knew her."

Ms Watkins was a student at Murdoch University and completed her upper schooling at St Mary's Anglican Girls School in Karrinyup.

In 2010 she opened Meg and Wally, a West Leederville fashion boutique with her sister.

Elite Aussie teams mourn shock death

News of Ms Watkins' shock death swept through the Australian hockey scene, the Kookaburras squad hearing the news as they were preparing for the final of a test event against Germany in London.

They wore black armbands in the 2-5 loss.

The world's number one player WA's Jamie Dwyer, rested from the game but with the squad in London, tweeted: "All the Kookaburras thoughts are with the Watkins family after the devastating news today. Such a sad day in the hockey world."

The Hockeyroos, who are in the middle of a training block in Perth, were saddened by the incident, many sharing their condolences.

"Thoughts and prayers are with the Watkins family and friends and with all the raiders girls, very sad day in the hockey community," tweeted Hockeyroos star Casey Eastham.

Fellow Hockeyroo Anna Flanagan tweeted: "Lizzie Watkins, you are in our thoughts and prayers. Our heart goes out to your family at this terrible time."

Kookaburras hockey player Glenn Turner tweeted his condolences to the family: 'Thoughts and prayers go out to the Watkins family. RIP Lizzie'





Read more: http://www.news.com.au/national/top-hoc ... z1uAPfxhib

OomPB

How big is the sport within the Afrikaner community? Is it played in the big traditional Afrikaner schools like Grey Bloem and Affies?

Affies and Paarl Gym is pretty much the same. Both have 20+ rugby teams in total and 6 to 10 hockey teams. In all age groups. We played this weekend against Bishops who is one of the strongest schools in hockey and have 20 hockey teams. Paul Roos is also one of the strongest and have the same amount hockey as rugby players. The hockey structure in SA at schoolboy level is like cricket and rugby actually very strong. Our schools try to cater all sports (rugby & hockey) on match days. Bishops thumped our first team 6-1 on saturday. They have 3 SA schoolboy players. My laaitie played U14A and they lost 1-0 and the U14B team were the only team from Gim that won against them. They played on grass and a big differense. In Boland we only have at Paarl Gim an astro at the school and Paul Roos uses Maties astro turfs.

Interesting.

So is there some sort of official schools ranking?

PB Wynberg Boys had strong hockey sides a few years ago and 4 of the players that for the SA team this week-end went to Wynberg Boys(Lloyd Norris-Jones, Ian Haley,Jonty Robinson, Rhett Halkett-if I remeber correctly) . I am not sure how strong they are at the moment as it is not a sport I follow.

Sad news. Can be a dangerous sport.

Hockey Community mourns loss of Lizzie Watkins
Australian Hockey Player passed away after being hit by a ball during a match
Tweet
May 7th, 2012
FIH is deeply saddened to learn of an on-field incident in the Australian State League which claimed the life of Lizzie Watkins.

The 24-year-old North Coast Raiders defender was hit on the head by the ball deflected off her own stick and passed away on the way to the hospital.

The International Hockey Federation wishes to extend its condolences to the Watkins family and the Australian hockey community for their tragic loss

Sad news. Can be a dangerous sport.

Astro turf cost R4 Million + these days. DF Malan in Bellville is the latest school to have one. Stellenberg in process to start building one. To hire one will cost you R500 per hour. Paul Roos pays R100,000 per year to Maties to play on their astro.

Fuck! We were quoted R6 mill. Some cunt padding the fuckin quote, methinks.

There are different types Rinkie. The cheaper dry/wet one for schools. You probably wants the water base astro.

My old club in adelaide had a new pitch put in, it ended up costing over $A1mil or 8 mil rand once you include the lights and everything. Took a hell of a lot of fund raising and a few deep pockets.

PB Wynberg Boys had strong hockey sides a few years ago and 4 of the players that for the SA team this week-end went to Wynberg Boys(Lloyd Norris-Jones, Ian Haley,Jonty Robinson, Rhett Halkett-if I remeber correctly) . I am not sure how strong they are at the moment as it is not a sport I follow.

Support from SA 'outstanding'
2012-05-08 10:SA hockey team back home SA men book Olympics spot SASCOC praise SA men Johannesburg - Support for the South African men's hockey team in Japan was phenomenal and the team appreciated it, coach Gregg Clark said in Johannesburg on Tuesday.

"We were very grateful for the support we received from South Africa," he said at the team's arrival from Japan, where South Africa won the Olympic qualifier tournament, booking a place at the London Games.

"We received constant messages of support and well-wishes which lifted our spirits in tricky times. We always felt the team had the backing of the fans back home and to have that when you are so far from home is great."

A small crowd earlier greeted the South Africans at OR Tambo International Airport, including a Johannesburg high school hockey team which sang and held banners.

The team won its Olympic qualifier tournament on Sunday, beating hosts Japan 2-1 in the final in Kakamigahara. South Africa finished the tournament as the only unbeaten team in six matches.

According to strict SA Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee requirements, the team had to win the tournament to qualify for the Olympics.

"There were tough times in Japan, but we pushed through and held our nerve," Clarke said.

"Support played a big role in that and we can't thank our supporters enough."

Yep the figure I gave is only the astro. Lights are pretty expensive. We want to put them up at phase 2, its important because it generates income to pay the astro. You cant play club hockey without lights but at schools our lot only plays and practise during daylight.

Interesting.

So is there some sort of official schools ranking?

Oz coach and dead set legend Ric Charlesworth had blasted the pitch as sub standard after the test event Oz won.