EUROHOCKEY NATIONS, Wrexham 1-8 Aug
31st July 2009
Ready for the first whistle!
All aspects of this major hockey tournament are in place as Wrexham plays host to the EuroHockey Nations starting tomorrow (Sat, 1 August).
31st July 2009
Wales put down a marker
Wales beat Italy 4-1 in their warm up match at Wrexham yesterday.
30th July 2009
Stadium takes shape!
The 'North Wales' stadium is taking shape and final preparations for the Euros are in full swing at Wrexham.
Visit our special Eurohockey Nations website
www.welsh-hockey.co.uk/eurohockeynations
Buy match and tournament tickets on-line from www.glyndwr.ac.uk
28th July 2009
International Summer of Success
Wales have stepped up in the international playing arena this summer with some great results in competition across Europe so now all eyes turn to the EuroHockey Nations for Men in Wrexham starting Saturday 1 August. Influence the outcome – be there!
27th July 2009
Helen Bushell is now firmly in post as the National Development Officer (Clubs and Young People)
With a strong sports development background in hockey and netball, Helen is very well suited to her new role and was quick to thank everyone for the warm welcome she has received. Specifically, Helen said: "Matt James has been particularly fantastic in providing me with a comprehensive handover and introduction to Hockey in Wales". Helen has already met up with the Development Officers at their annual gathering and you will be able to meet her at the EuroNations on 8th August, and as part of the Road Show team that is touring Wales in September.
Chief Executive Mike Leatt was also able to reveal more good news for both the WHU and Helen as she has recently been selected as one of the few to join UK Sports 2 year Women and Leadership Development Programme.
27th July 2009
EuroHockey Nations in Queens Square!
Wrexham-based volunteers Hannah Hughes, Rhiannon Sharples (front row), Mary Bainbridge (WHU Board Member) and Pat Sharples (President of N Wales Women) set up ‘shop’ next to the Tourist Information Centre in Queens Square, Wrexham on Saturday. Sporting tournament T Shirts and handing out publicity leaflets, they were making sure all the towns folk know about the EuroHockey Nations Trophy that starts on the 1 August and runs until the finals on the 8th.
24th July 2009
Welsh Hockey Union Road Shows
This year WHU will be running 6 road shows across Wales. The main topic for the road shows will be Player pathway and the impact on clubs, schools, players and volunteers. The road shows will each be attended by WHU office staff as well as the local HDO.
23rd July 2009
Coaching Workshops
We regret that the Team Defence Workshop due for 27th July has been cancelled. The Attacking Final 3rd Transition Workshop has been re-organised for 24th August and takes the place of the Attacking Outletting Workshop that was due to have been held on the same date.
Full details of all courses are available on our 'Coaching Events' page
20th July 2009
Annual England v Wales Mixed International
In the annual Mixed International against England at Milton Keynes, a score line of 2-5 certainly flattered England with Wales more than holding their own for large periods of the game.
19th July 2009
Wales test Spain
In a two match test series against Spain (World ranked number 3), Wales came away with two defeats but with heads held high. Although the scoreline in the first match (1-6) might suggest that Wales were outplayed, this was certainly not the case.
19th July 2009
Wales Senior Men coach future stars
On Sunday July 12th, at Glyndwr University, the host venue for this years Euro Hockey Trophy, the Welsh Senior Mens squad held a coaching day for players in the North Wales region. The day was all about developing skills and techniques through skill development exercises and small sided games led by Welsh international players.
16th July 2009
Confused by the new rules – come to the rules workshop on 1st August!
To help coaches and umpires understand and work inside the new rules, the WHU Coaching Unit and the WHUA have organised a workshop to run alongside Day 1 of the European Nations Tournament in Wrexham on the 1st August. The workshop will provide opportunities to watch some video footage of the new rules and to discuss implications for umpiring and coaching as well as to watch live international matches to identify opportunities and further discussion points. There is no additional fee for attending the workshop over and above the usual tournament entry price.
New Rules Workshop - leaflet with application form
14th July 2009
South Wales U14 PDC Festival A Success
Last Sunday's South Wales U14 Performance Development Centre (PDC) festival at Swansea University provided a fitting conclusion for the players, coaches and parents associated with the six U14 PDCs running in South Wales from April to July.
13th July 2009
EuroHockey Youth Nations Trophy - U18 Girls and U18 Boys
Match reports for both tournaments are now available on-line:
Wales under-18 Girls, Madrid, 7-12 July Wales under-18 Boys, Vienna, 6-11 July
9th July 2009
New free hit (self-pass) rules mandatory from 1 September 09!
A lot has been said about the new rule of the self-pass and some players and officials are still a little confused. The new rules will become mandatory in Wales in all levels of hockey from 1st September 2009. There will however be a meeting in your Region where they will be discussed before the start of the league seasons.
8th July 2009
Hockey success at Gwent Performance Development Centre!
For the first time a Performance Development Centre (PDC) ran in South East Wales starting last month. Coaching was lead by Danny Newcombe, hockey coach and lecturer at UWIC. Danny's current involvement with junior international and National League hockey has been a great refresher to the coaches at the PDC.
7th July 2009
Wales Men squad announced for Spain Tests
The Wales Men's squad announced for the final training camp in Spain (Wednesday 15th to Sunday 19th) includes Ollie Cooper who is back from injury. He and others will tested before the final Euro squad is announced later this month.
7th July 2009
WHU AGM at Newtown a success!
The WHU held at Newtown on Sunday 5th July was hailed as a venue success with a much improved attendance from previous years. Anne Ellis arrived back from an FIH Executive Meeting in Lausanne only hours before to take the chair. The tenor of the hockey reports was positive and encouraging in spite of the recession.
7th July 2009
Llanfaes Primary crowned National Primary School champions!
Llanfaes Primary School fought off Rougemont Primary School in a sizzling final to win the National Primary School competition on Friday 3rd July at Newtown. Hockey really was the winner as eleven primary schools from across Wales played some fantastic hockey throughout the day in the glorious sunshine!
2nd July 2009
National Primary School 2009 Finals countdown!
Eleven primary schools from across Wales have booked their places in the Activate National Primary Schools Finals on Friday 3rd July at Newtown. Over 137 primary schools from all across Wales entered the competition designed for boys and girls 7 to 10 years old.
1st July 2009
Mixed International v England
This Saturday (4th July) the Welsh Mixed International squad take on their English counterparts at Milton Keynes HC with the match starting at 14:00. With Wales determined to repeat their victory of two years ago when they won 2-1 it is always a match worth watching!