Field Hockey News: February 2010

Wednesday, 17 February 2010

Garcia takes senior coach role in Scotland

It’s official: Russell Garcia has been appointed Scottish Hockey’s senior men’s coach, tasked with taking the squad through to the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games.

“I’m very excited about my appointment. We’ve grown a tight bond between coaching staff, players and Scottish Hockey’s Performance Manager. We value an open and honest team environment and intend to keep this consistent,” commented Garcia.

“The squad is a real good group of lads. It’s a positive team, and we’re going to continue to encourage self belief in strengths and a willingness to give 100%. We’re going to maximise use of expert resources, such as the sportscotland Institute of Sport Network and tap into what they offer, and overall make the most of what we’ve got to ensure players enjoy hockey at international level.”

Scottish Hockey Performance Manager Callum McLeod commented: “Scottish Hockey is very pleased to announce that Russell has signed on for a long term contract. In the short time he has been acting as interim coach he has had an excellent track record. He brings a real focus to the post, which is required to climb world rankings.”

Team captain, Chris Nelson added: “Russell offers good stability to the squad and he’s instilled a real team spirit. He’s got everyone on board pushing for the same target, we all know what our responsibility is in pushing towards the same goal.”

Garcia, an ex GB great and ’88 gold medallist, has led the senior men since September 2009 with a successful trip to the World Cup Qualifier in Invercargill, New Zealand where the team won bronze against the likes of world elite, such as China.

When explaining why Garcia is the right man for the job, Nelson added: “He’s a real hands-on coach. He always gets on the pitch and shows us things firsthand. He’s always training himself and is in the gym all the time. He’s got a good eye over the whole programme and tries to get the best out of everyone.

“If you’re not training hard he notices, he’ll pull you aside and speak with you about it and offer motivation and help to get you back on track. He tries to solve problems early. We’ve all got a lot of time and respect for him, as he does for us-it’s a good foundation for success.”

Also taking up post as manager is Eugene Connolly, who has previously coached Scotland’s senior women, managed the senior men’s team from 2002-2007 and is an Honorary Life Member of Scottish Hockey. Connolly said: “I have had a few years off and have recovered with enthusiasm. Garcia is a new, young and eager coach, whom I hope I can assist to take Scotland to top level. It’s a good time to be back in the post with the Commonwealth Games in Delhi coming up too.”

New Zealand Delay departure for India

While Hockey New Zealand still plans for the Black Sticks Men’s team to attend the Hockey World Cup in Delhi, it has decided to keep the Black Sticks Men’s team in Perth until further notice.

This decision has been made in light of recent threats made against the Hockey World Cup the Black Sticks Men are scheduled to compete in next week. The team was scheduled to depart from Perth for India on Monday, February 22.

Hockey New Zealand CEO, Hilary Poole, says the safety of the players, coaches and team management is of paramount importance, and at this stage it makes sense to further assess the situation before sending the team to Delhi.

“We have been monitoring this situation all along. But the events over the past 24 hours have lead us to reassess the situation,” says Poole.

Hockey New Zealand has been receiving security advice from the New Zealand Government" which is part of the Combined Government Response team which includes England, Australia, Canada and New Zealand. It has also been working closely with the FIH (International Federation of Hockey) and other national hockey associations in terms of security arrangements for the World Cup event and other sporting bodies such New Zealand Cricket and the New Zealand Cricket Players Association.

The Black Sticks Men are in Perth to play Australia in a two test match series. The first test is tonight and the second test is on Friday.

Courtesy of Hockey New Zealand

England Statement on World Cup in India

Following newspaper articles published in The Daily Telegraph and on the Times Online website today, the England Hockey Board (EHB) wishes to make the following statement regarding security and the England men’s hockey team at the Hero Honda FIH World Cup 2010.

The EHB is aware of the terrorist threats made in the Asia Times On-line and subsequently reported by the British press. As has been the case throughout its planning for the World Cup, the EHB has this morning been in contact with the British High Commission in Delhi and with the British Foreign & Commonwealth Office as well other security advisers regarding the England team’s security. The
credibility of the reported threats is still being assessed and at present plans for the team’s participation in the World Cup remain unchanged. The squad will continue with its preparations and will depart for its warm weather preparation camp in Doha, Qatar, later this week.

The safety of the squad and management team remains the EHB’s primary concern and Performance Director David Faulkner, Chief Executive Sally Munday and Chairman Philip Kimberley will maintain their open dialogue with the authorities regarding the threat and security arrangements.