23rd December 2009
Snow doesn't stop play at Senior Women's Coaching Day
It was a fine winter's morning, the trees were draped in a fresh layer of snow, and the pitch at the National Hockey Centre, Cardiff was as frozen as a winter wonderland (minus the big wheel)...
23rd December 2009
Lilleshall Indoor training weekend 19/20 December
An excellent weekend was had at Lilleshall, where the final selection took place for the Wales Women’s Indoor squad to take part in the European Challenge in Rouen France 14 17 January 2010
22nd January 2009
Men's Indoor Squad for Europe
Zak Jones, the Welsh Head Coach, has selected his Indoor Squad bound for the European Trophy Competition in Rouen on 14-17 January (weather permitting!).
18th December 2009
WHU and RCT - Community Coach wanted
The Welsh Hockey Union (WHU) and Rhondda Cynon Taff's (RCT) Sports Development Unit are looking for a hockey coach to work as part of the new Hockey Community Coach Scheme.
Indoor Squads head out to Lilleshall
This weekend (19th – 20th Dec) sees both International Indoor squads head across the border to Lilleshall for an intense weekend of preparation ahead of their departure to Rouen for the Eurohockey Indoor Nations in January. As part of their weekend schedule the women will face Birmingham University in a training match that promises to be a valuable learning experience for both sides. The men gather together for some vital preparation ahead of the tests against Scotland in Perth on the 2nd & 3rd January.
The Nations squads will be selected this weekend so keep an eye on the website to see who makes the cut!
17th December 2009
Youth Squads hit the Ground Running
Last weekend Swansea and Cardiff played host to the U16 and U18 Boys and Girls Assessments for the National Age Group Squads. Over 120 hopefuls were assessed according to WHU Criteria. Squad lists for the next round will be released on the website shortly before Christmas.
Change in UK Anti-Doping Control
In conjunction with most other National Governing Bodies the WHU has adopted the UK Anti-Doping rules with the new 2010 version now being available. UK Sport has also vested control of all anti-doping matters to the newly formed body UK Anti-Doping (UKAD) with effect from 14th December 2009.
Full details of the new organisation (www.ukad.org.uk)
14th December 2009
South Wales County Schoolgirls claim glory in Swansea
The last two weekends have provided fast, exciting hockey at the County Schoolgirls Finals in Swansea where teams from across South Wales competed in six competitions.
Full story, photos and results
14th December 2009
New Squad Managers take up appointments and training
The four newly appointed squad managers for the Under 16 and Under 18 squads took up their respective tasks in earnest last week-end during the international age group player assessments held in Cardiff and Swansea.
11th December 2009
Wales Under 21s start the road to Europe
Last weekend, Wales U21 hopefuls gathered at the Welsh Institute of Sport in Cardiff for an assessment at the start of their road to Europe in July.
Welsh Hockey on the radio!
During the latter part of the BBC Wales Sports broadcast tonight (19:04 – 22:00) Welsh international Beth Fisher will be interviewed regarding the Senior Women's forthcoming appearance at the Commonwealth Games in New Delhi in 2010.
Welsh Hockey loses two stalwarts
It is with deep sadness that I report that our friend and colleague Viv Hill passed away earlier this week after suffering a brain haemorrhage. Viv was a retired FIH umpire and a very quiet man and a very wonderful gentleman who was well known for his fairness at all times. He was also a lynch pin in the annual Llanishen Hockey Festival which alas has now gone into the history book. Viv's funeral will be held on Thursday 17th December 2009 at 10.45am in Peterston Super Ely Church.
I also regret to inform members that Chris Fookes, well known hockey supporter and Cardiff HC stalwart also passed away in October after a long battle against leukaemia. Like Viv, Chris was a great supporter of hockey in general and both will be sadly missed.
Our condolences go to both families.
8th December 2009
South Wales Men – Indoor Competition Round 1
Sunday 6th December saw the new South Wales Men's Indoor competition kick off. Seven teams took part in nine matches scoring 109 goals in the process.
South Wales County Schoolgirls culminate with U18 competitions this weekend
This Sunday (6th December) sees the culmination of the South Wales County Schoolgirl Finals with 7 teams meeting in Swansea competing for the U18 Cup and U18 plate. Teams have already played in a regional tournament that has determined if they enter the Cup or Plate competition this coming weekend.
Teams are as follows:
U18 Cup - Afan Nedd Tawe, Cardiff and Vale, Glamorgan Valleys and Carmarthenshire
U18 Plate - Pembrokeshire, South East Wales and Ceredigion
Players will have the opportunity to play on top class water based pitches and the event promises to be an exciting and closely contested one – watch out for the results!
All these events are run in partnership between the WHU and the South Wales Women's Hockey Association. Results from all the U14, U16 and U18 South Wales County Schoolgirls finals will be published following Sundays finals.
FIH Rule interpretation effective from 1st January 2010
Rules of Hockey 2009: Interpretation of Rule 13.2.h
At its meeting in November 2009, the Hockey Rules Board reviewed the interpretation of part of Rule 13.2.h.
The Rule states: "Procedures for taking a free hit, centre pass and putting the ball back into play after it has been outside the field: from a free hit awarded to the attack within the 23 metres area, the ball must not be played into the circle until it has travelled at least 5 metres or has been touched by a player of either team other than the player taking the free hit."
The Rule itself is unchanged but the following interpretation of a particular action is added and should be attached as a note beneath the Rule in printed copies:
It is permitted to play the ball high above the attacking circle so that it lands outside the circle subject to Rules related to dangerous play and that the ball is not legitimately playable inside or above the circle by another player during its flight.
This interpretation will be applied with effect from 1 January 2010 (i.e. it will not be applied at any FIH tournaments conducted before 1 January 2010).
3rd December 2009
sports coach UK announce new Chair for the New Year
Sports coach UK (scUK) has announced the appointment of Chris Baillieu MBE as the new Chair of the organisation, following an open recruitment process.
1st December 2009
Continued success for Tywi Tigers
The new club from West Wales has been making their mark on the youth scene.
Team photos, results and contact details
1st December 2009
Colwyn Bay, Dysynni & Colwyn Bay U11s & U13s qualify for Nationals
Northop Hall hosted the latest round of Welsh under 11s and under 13s club qualifiers.