Tickets for EuroHockey Nations Trophy in Wrexham in August now available!
Details and booking options from www.glyndwr.ac.uk
30th June 2009
GB Hockey seeks applications for President
Great Britain Hockey Limited is seeking to appoint a President for the next four years. The role (which is a voluntary but includes expenses) includes chairing the GBHL board meetings (3 or 4 per year) plus liaison with the company’s stakeholders including the associations of the home countries, UK Sport, BOA, FIH and LOCOG. There will also be the requirement to represent GB hockey at other meetings and events. The full job description and details of key skills and qualities required is available on the Great Britain Hockey Limited web site: www.greatbritainhockey.co.uk
To apply in confidence please send your Curriculum Vitae and a covering letter to the Company Secretary, Dick Clarke via email at dick.clarke@dsl.pipex.com. The closing date for application is Friday 24 July 2009. Interviews will be during August.
29th June 2009
Want to be coached by the Wales Senior Men?
The Wales Senior Men are running a coaching day at Glyndwr University, Wrexham on July 12th. This is a great opportunity for players of all ages and abilities to be coached by the best male hockey players in Wales! Glyndwr University will be hosting the EuroHockey Nations Trophy on 1st – 8th August so here is your chance to play on the pitch that the Senior Men will play on in August!
24th June 2009
Celtic Cup countdown!
The Wales Senior Men and Women continue their preparation at the Celtic Cup this weekend at Peffermill, Edinburgh. The competition will be especially interesting for the Senior Men, with both Ireland and Scotland featuring in the EuroHockey Nations Trophy at Wrexham in August. The Senior Women will be hoping to continue their positive preparation for Rome and build on the progress made in the matches against Belgium. A notable addition to the squad will be Sarah Thomas, returning to the Wales team for the first time since starring at the Beijing Olympics.
More about Wales Senior Men | More about Wales Senior Women
23rd June 2009
Wheelie good fun
The Welsh Hockey Union and hockey clubs in North Wales are linking up to stage a ‘long way round’ style cycle tour; this epic journey aims to promote Hockey in the Region. Starting at Towyn on Tuesday 30th June at 10am, Matt James the National Development Manager and Mike Leatt the CEO, will receive a send off from current Primary School Activate winners at Penybryn School (and the Cambrian News).
22nd June 2009
New National Development Manager at the WHU
The Welsh Hockey Union is delighted to announce that Helen Bushell will be taking up the role of National Development Manager (Clubs & Young People) on 13th July. Helen arrives with more than 12 years sports development experience in local authority, National Governing Body and private consultancy environments.
22nd June 2009
Final Training weekend before Celtic Cup
Saturday 20th/21st: the senior squad had their final training weekend in Reading. A tough day on Saturday 20th, with a fitness test to start the day, followed by basic skills and pattern play sessions to get the squad into shape. Lunch was followed by the squad watching the Lions play their first test match. During the afternoon session the squad polished their short corner routines and developed further patterns in their play. The session ended in good spirit, and the guys looking forward to playing an England team in Bisham Abbey on Sunday.
18th June 2009
Wales Veterans Men’s & Ladies Hockey – 3 Nations, Edinburgh, June 2009
On June 20th and 21st the four squads of Welsh veterans hockey players head north for the Home internationals. The Men’s Over 45s & Over 55s together with the Over 40s & 45s Ladies travel to Edingburgh to take on Scotland and England in an annual tournament at the University of Edingburgh Sports facilities at Peffermill.
Full story, squad details and photos
18th June 2009
Zone Finals of Activate Hockey
The 17th of June saw the second round of this years Primary Schools Hockey Championship. Six schools from Cardiff (4) and the Vale (2) took part in the Zone Final at Sophia Gardens.
Full story and and final positions
18th June 2009
Coach Jones announces Vice Captains ready for England
Zak Jones has appointed defender Rick Gay and mid fielder Huw Jones as vice captains for the Welsh National side as a very strong supporting double act for team captain Matt Ruckston. Matt is delighted as 'both players have impressed on and off the field and there experience will be invaluable'.
17th June 2009
Indoor Hockey takes off at John Beddoes School
A lunchtime 5 a side Indoor Hockey league has been set up for pupils in years 7 and 8 at John Beddoes High School, Presteigne. The league has been played on Tuesday lunchtimes, with two 15 minute fixtures played each week.
17th June 2009
U-18 Girls European squad selected
The final Squad for the European Championships was selected at the training weekend over 13/14 June at the Welsh Institute of Sport in Cardiff. During the weekend and as part of the selection process, Wales entertained the Australian Under 18 squad who were on tour in the UK, following their 5-4 win over England the previous day in Nottingham.
16th June 2009
Senior Women build up to Celtic Cup
Wales Senior women followed up last weekend's internationals against Belgium with another intensive training weekend in the lead up to the busy summer. The squad welcomed back Sarah Thomas and with the Celtic Cup only 11 days away, the players worked hard to fine tune set plays. The weather tried it's best to replicate the heat in Rome and the weekend finished with some training matches against local men's players. The girls worked hard to play at "boys pace" and a respectable score line proved that players can think on their feet, play to a structure and play at high intensity.
16th June 2009
Jane Price wins WSA Administrator of the Year
For the third time in 7 years, a WHU volunteer walked away with the major honour of Administrator of the Year at last nights Welsh Sports Association (WSA) AGM. Jane Price was a well deserving recipient with her involvement in so many aspects of Welsh Hockey, from Regional Secretary through Youth & Schools, Competitions, County Secretary, umpiring and officiating at European tournaments. Jane is shown receiving her award from Bob Turner, retiring Chairman of WSA.
16th June 2009
Team Tyler gear up for Scotland!
The U16s are now only a month away from their voyage northwards to Inverclyde, Scotland for their 4 Nations tournament.
Both squads are in training again this weekend. The girls are in army mode for their weekend at Clyne Farm in Swansea where they will be put through their paces on the pitch by Head Coach Clare Harvie and off the pitch in the form of the giant mud assault course that is the Farm’s main attraction.
13th June 2009
WHU AGM 2009
The reports and papers are now available for the WHU AGM which will take place at Maldwyn Leisure Centre, Newtown on Sunday 5th July 2009 at 14:00.
11th June 2009
Wales Senior Squads continue European preparation
The Wales Women squad continue their preparation at Cardiff this weekend. The squad will be looking to build on the progress made last weekend with matches against Belgium. Although the team lost both tests, valuable match play was gained and the squad is very positive about the forthcoming Celtic Cup and European Nations tournaments.
The Wales Senior Men have a weekend off before getting together again on the weekend of the 20th June at Reading. On Sunday 21st June Wales visit Bisham Abbey to play the England Senior Men’s side. The match starts at 1600 and entry is free. This will be excellent preparation for the EuroHockey Nations Trophy taking place from 1st – 8th August at Wrexham.
More about Wales Senior Men | More about Wales Senior Women
11th June 2009
Wales U18 Girls face Australian U18 Schools Team
The Wales U18 Girls have the opportunity to test their skills against arguably the best sporting nation in the world this coming Sunday. The Australian Schools Team is made up from the best high school players in Australia with the match forming part of a squad weekend at the Welsh Institute of Sport, Cardiff.
The squad are in good spirits after a successful camp in Gibraltar and hope to build on team tactics and match play ready for the EuroHockey Nations Youth Trophy in July in Madrid, Spain. The final 18 players for the Europeans will be selected from the squad of 21 players attending this weekend.
Match information: Welsh Institute of Sport (WIS), Cardiff; Sunday 14th June; 15:30 start. Admission free.
11th June 2009
Mixed International Squad named
Following a number of trials the Mixed International squad has now been announced for the annual International against England on 4th July at Milton Keynes. The squad are again being sponsored by Asset International Ltd andthe squad are extremely grateful for their continued support.
9th June 2009
Sue Noake Hockey Club achieve Level 1 Club Accreditation
The WHU wishes to congratulate Sue Noake Hockey Club on becoming the seventh accredited hockey club in Wales. Sue Noake have achieved the Level 1 or '1 Stick' standard and will therefore be awarded a 15% rebate on the club's WHU affiliation costs. Based at Sue Noake Leisure Centre, they currently field one ladies team in Division 2 of the South Wales League, narrowly missing out on promotion this season.
Matt James, WHU National Development Manager (Clubs and Young People), said of the club’s award, "The WHU are delighted to award Sue Noake the '1 Stick' Club Accreditation. They embraced the Accreditation Scheme from the outset and have been working closely with Bev Rogers our Hockey Development Officer for Caerphilly County Borough. As a result, they have qualified several more coaches in the last year and are starting to attract lost of girls and boys to the coaching sessions that they run. Congratulations to everyone involved and to Laura Hempstead in particular for her hard work on the Accreditation Scheme.”
9th June 2009
Senior Celtic Cup preview
For the two Welsh squads this years Celtic Cup provides a perfect opportunity to test themselves ahead of vitally important EuroHockey Nations tournaments in July and August as these provide the last chance to secure Commonwealth Games qualification.
8th June 2009
Mens' over 45 and over 55 squads named for Home Nations Internationals in Scotland
8th June 2009
Senior Men v Ireland
Wales took on Ireland in a 2 match test series at Wrexham as a curtain raiser to the EuroNations Trophy in August. It was an excellent test for the squad on home turf in front of an enthusiastic crowd undaunted by the extremely wet conditions.
7th June 2009
Wales suffer double defeat
Wales Women went down 1-6 to visitors Belgium in Cardiff after Dawn Mitchell had given Wales a 12' lead. Meanwhile Wales Men lost 0-1 to Ireland in Wrexham. Both teams however have the chance to gain revenge in Sunday's (7th June) fixtures with the Women playing at 13:30 (Cardiff) and the Men at 13:00 (Wrexham).
7th June 2009
EuroHockey Nations Trophy "launched" in style!
The biggest hockey event ever to be held in Wales was officially "launched" at Glyndwr University, Wrexham. The EuroHockey Nations Trophy will take place from 1st – 8th August and will involve eight European Men’s teams including Celtic neighbours Scotland and Ireland. Wales will be pushing for promotion and also a place at the 2010 Commonwealth Games.
6th June 2009
Cardiff and area Summer Mixed Hockey
If you are at a loss as to what to do over the Summer, try playing mixed hockey.
4th June 2009
Coach education high on the agenda at South Wales Hockey Forum
The recent South Wales Valleys Hockey Forum meeting at Sue Noakes Leisure Centre saw a good turnout from the area’s clubs. Coach education was high on the agenda and every club has coaches working towards either their UKCC Level 1 or 2 qualifications. The local PDC at Treforest, the Mandatory Experimental Rules, and the poor state of several Valleys ATPs were also particular talking points. The South Wales Valleys Forum is jointly coordinated by WHU Hockey Development Officers Jude Powell (Rhondda Cynon Taff) and Bev Rogers (Caerphilly County Borough).
Contact Bev Rogers at rogerb2@cerphilly.gov.uk for a copy of the minutes
3rd June 2009
Ruxton named Wales Senior Men Captain
The Welsh Hockey Union and Wales Men's management team, are delighted to announce Matt Ruxton as the new Wales Senior Men’s Captain. Ruxton, 27, has captained the side on a number of one off occasions in the past and has the added experience of captaining his club team, Team Bath Buccaneers.
1st June 2009
Positive outcome to Girls’ Under 18 Training Camp in Gibraltar
Monarch Airlines flight no. ZB790 left Birmingham at 7.00am and arrived on schedule at Malaga airport at 11.00am. Clearing Customs and the 120 km coach journey to Gibraltar then took a further 3 hours; a rather tired group finally arriving at the hotel at 2.00pm; a number of them having been on the go for 12 hours. After a rest, an early evening fitness session was undertaken on the sandy beach by the hotel before dinner.
1st June 2009
National Academy train at Cardiff
The National Academy athletes met at WIS over the late May bank holiday. Young athletes, Katie Howson, Robert Furlong, Rhys Gowman, Alex Humphries and Robert Trem joined the group for the first time linking up with senior squad and U21 members of the Academy.
1st June 2009
Youngsters with passions for hockey at Cardigan Bay PDC
This Summer's high turn out at the Cardigan Bay PDC clearly demonstrates a thirst for hockey among girls and boys from the Cardigan Bay area. Schools and clubs from Tywyn to Cardigan, and from Llandysul to Tregaron, have responded to this opportunity by nominating approximately 100 players aged U14 with the potential to play hockey for their region.