STOP PRESS: World Cup Qualifying tournament - latest updates
24th October 2009
Captain Matt Ruxton on WCQ
Matt Ruxton writes: "Since our qualification at the recent Euro Hockey Nations Trophy in Wrexham, the squad has been put through a full spectrum of emotions".
21st October 2009
Long term aim for squad
Zak Jones, the Men's Head Coach, is taking a long-term look at the performance progression of the Men's team.
20th October 2009
World Cup Qualifying Tournament: Men Need Support
New Zealand beckons for the Welsh men's squad!
Full stories and match schedules
WHU launches new ‘i-Hoc’ game
For those who wish to try something new Welsh Hockey have launched ‘i-Hoc’ which is designed to be played primarily at Secondary School level. However we also know of a number of adults who have thoroughly enjoyed it! Download the Questions & Answer (Q&A) sheet for answer any queries you may have.
30th October 2009
Latest Secondary Schools circular now available
Download from our 'Circulars' page
Anti-doping changes for 2010
All athletes, coaches, physios and managers should note the changes planned for the 2010 WADA Prohibited List. Two documents are available for download, the first detailing the significant changes and the second, a summary of the key changes (including a change in procedure for asthma inhalers).
Download 2010 Prohibited List - significant changes
Download 2010 Prohibited List - summary of key changes
29th October 2009
Friday Night Battle of the Titans
Amongst all the fixtures this season there is one that everyone’s talking about, some have even dubbed it ‘The Clash of the Titans’’ On Friday 6th November at 19:30pm. The Might of Penarth Ladies 1st XI will take on the High Flying Howards in a fight to the death (well almost) at the National Hockey Centre. This promises to be a high quality game and there is never a dull moment when these two Giants of Women’s hockey cross swords ...I mean sticks.
So far we have seen 4 successful fixtures played on a Friday evening including the likes of Howardians, Penarth, Whitchurch Saints, Cardiff Athletic and even Whitchurch Men joining in the Friday night fun. The slots for Friday night games after Christmas have now been released. If you or your club mates wish to reserve one of these vacancies then please email vicki.sutton@welsh-hockey.co.uk before they are all booked!!
28th October 2009
PDC Competitions in Swansea and Cardiff a huge success
The WHU ran the first ever Performance Development Centre (PDCs) competitions on Tuesday 27 October which proved to be a roaring success.
26th October 2009
Rebecca flies the flag on FIH Youth Panel
Rebecca Daniels has been elected as Secretary of the FIH Youth Panel.
26th October 2009
Anyone for some Hockey in Holland?
2010 International Youth Hockey Experience
More details and flyer download
26th October 2009
Whitchurch now 2nd in the Table
Whitchurch continued their impressive run with a well-deserved 3-0 win against third placed University of Birmingham in their latest EHL Conference West encounter.
Trainee Solicitor hits the headlines
Berrymans Lace Mawer trainee solicitor Peter Swainson hit his company’s headlines for hockey achievement. Peter, who has been a leading light in the Men's organising committee for New Zealand was surprised but delighted to receive this recognition. As he prepares along side the rest of the team going to the WCQs on November 1st, it’s great to know he has the backing of his employers.
Download newsletter containing article here
The International Age Group selection process for U21, U18 and U16 squads in 2010 is now underway
For the first time within Wales this is reaching back 2 levels through the Regional Academies to the Performance Development Centres. Players attending to the PDCs have been selected from original nominations of talented athletes made by clubs and schools. The players attending these, including last year's age group internationals, will have had the benefit of regular coaching and individual development. However, in order not miss any budding athletes, the WHU is also taking a close look at County/UA rounds of the girls school based competition. In addition, eligible players living outside Wales are also to be included in the process.
Download Selection Policy - more information about the selection procedure in Annex A
24th October 2009
Schoolboy Hockey Receives a Boost In North Wales
On Wed, 21 October 2009, seven teams from five schools took part in an U14 schoolboy tournament at the Alun School.
19th October 2009
George Harris retires
George Harris, the long time, outstanding Goalkeeper for Wales has retired from International hockey.
19th October 2009
Whitchurch win again!
Whitchurch climb into 2nd place in the EHL Conference West after a tense 3-2 win at Guildford.
16th October 2009
Whitchurch Men join the Friday Night Fun
Tonight marks the first Men's Friday night fixture of the season.
15th October 2009
Wales Men off to New Zealand next month
Captain Matt Ruxton will lead the Welsh Squad into the World Cup Qualifiers in Invercargill, New Zealand next month.
Strong list for Welsh International Head Coach Appointments
Welsh Hockey Union are pleased to announce the following Head Coach Appointments. Zak Jones remains in charge of the Senior Men who will soon embark on their journey to New Zealand to compete in the World Cup Qualifiers, whilst Jo Nightingale will bring a wealth of hockey knowledge to take forward the Senior Women’s squad. The Under 21 Men will be headed up by Phil Gooderham, from Cannock and Birmingham University, and Mike Yeoman takes charge of the Under 18 Boys after the well publicised victory with them in UK School Games last month. Gareth Terrett takes his experience of National League and European success with U18 Boys across to head up the U18 girls whilst Clare Harvie will continue her sterling work of last year with the U16 Girls. Chris Roberts works with Welsh Hockey for the first time and has taken over the U16 Boys, last year’s Home Nations silver medallists.
15th October 2009
Hockey recruits helping sport survive in Carmarthenshire
Hockey is making best use of young activators in Carmarthenshire following a recruitment workshop recently run at Parc y Scarlets, Llanelli.
14th October 2009
Hockey 'barn' storming to stem decline
Junior Girls Under 13's hockey is getting a boost at the home of the Scarlets.
13th October 2009
Colwyn Bay HC make the final 3
Colwyn Bay Hockey Club has made the shortlist of the final 3 for the 'Conwy Sports Awards - Junior Sports Club 2009'.
12th October 2009
Whitchurch win again!
Whitchurch made it three wins in a row in the EHL with a convincing 4-1 home success against Havant.
12th October 2009
Cardiff Hockey Forum Secure Grant Funding
The Cardiff Hockey Forum has been successful in securing the Sports Council for Wales new Development Grant to launch a club- school link project across Cardiff.
12th October 2009
FIH Hockey Day magic with Olympian Helen
Magically it was third time lucky for World Hockey Day in Carmarthenshire as the first day designated by the International Hockey Federation in May was a washout as was the second one in July.
9th October 2009
Search for Wales' Unsung Hero
The search for the BBC's Sports Unsung Hero is taking place across the United Kingdom which will see winners named in all the BBC's 15 Nations and Regions, including here in Wales.
9th October 2009
WHUA South Level 1 Courses
The WHUA(S) have arranged a number of courses for umpires to achieve their Level 1 qualification:
WHU South Men launch website
After a number of months hard work the South Region Men's Secretary, John Taylor, has now launched the Region's first website - visit: www.hockeysw.co.uk
Hockey Skills Camp, Cardiff – 28/30 October 09
You are invited to attend a Hockey Skills Camp run by the Welsh Senior Women's Hockey Squad at the Welsh Institute of Sport, Sophia Gardens, Cardiff.
Download details (includes application form)
7th October 2009
UK Sport launches Global Drug Reference Online (Global DRO)
A new on-line database enabling all athletes and personnel to check the status of their medication has been launched.
WHU Road Shows Complete
Cardiff, Colwyn Bay, Haverfordwest, Newport and Swansea were the venues for this year's WHU Road Shows. All included a presentation that covered WHU Strategic performance, the Hockey Pathway and further developments.
5th October 2009
Plymouth Marjon v Whitchurch
Naughalty double helps Whitchurch to a deserved 4-1 win
WHUA Executive
Nominations are currently sought for three positions on the WHUA Executive. Following the recent AGM the positions of WHUA Chair, Development & Coaching Secretary and Appointments Secretary are currently vacant. Nominations are sought by the WHUA which should be forwarded to the Secretary, Carolyn Llewellyn at carolyn.llew@btopenworld.com to whom any queries should also be raised.
WHUA AGM
Minutes of the recent AGM are now available.
5th October 2009
WHUA wish Colin Crayford well for the future
Colin Crayford has been WHUA Chair for about 12 years and has made an invaluable contribution to Welsh Hockey. We will miss his leadership, and as sorry as we are to see him go, we wish him well for the future.