Thursday, August 12, 2010

First Youth Olympic Games are ready to go in Singapore

Twelve hockey teams from around the world will participate in the first Youth Olympic Games held in Singapore from 14-26 August. Six boy’s and six girl’s teams will play 36 matches in total to find the first two Youth Olympic Champions in Hockey.

To be eligible for the hockey tournament of the YOG 2010, athletes must have been born between 1 January 1993 and 31 December 1994.

The girls will start off on Monday 16 August with the opening match between Netherlands and Ireland. The boys’ tournament begins on Tuesday 17th August, Pakistan and Ghana compete in the first match.

Australia (Oceania), Belgium (Europe), Chile (Pan America), Ghana (Africa), Pakistan (Asia), Singapore (Asia) participate in the boys’ competition while Argentina (Pan America), Ireland (Europe), Korea (Asia), Netherlands (Europe), New Zealand (Oceania) and South Africa (Africa) meet up in the girls’ tournament.

Each of the six teams plays each other once in a round robin format to complete five preliminary round games. The top two teams at the end of the preliminary round matches play off in the Gold Medal Match. The 3rd and 4th placed teams play for the Bronze Medal, while the 5th and 6th placed teams meet in the 5th place playoff. The classification matches are played on Tuesday, 23rd August (girls) and Wednesday, 24th August (boys). The Medal Ceremony takes place at the same day as the matches, starting at 10.30pm.

The two tournaments are held in Seng Kang Hockey Stadium the same place where the Singaporean part of Men’s Junior World Cup took place in 2009.

It’s very hard to name a team as a favourite or a medal candidate because especially in youth tournaments surprises are always likely to happen. The 36 matches will become special ones in any way and it will be interesting to see whether the teams whose adults are top in the world will take the medals or a dark horse will reach the top.

The first Youth Olympic Games will definitely become an unforgettable event and experience for all participants.

The FIH tournament micro site www.worldhockey.org/yog will be bringing you extensive coverage of all the action from the first Youth Olympic Games. The site will provide all official information and news from the tournament, keeping you fully up-to-date with the latest scores and league tables. The site will also include written match previews and reports, action photos, video interviews and much more.

Tuesday, August 10, 2010

"SOME CHANGES IN THE GAME RULES"

The International Hockey Federation's (FIH) Executive Board has made some changes to the rules of the game which will be implemented from next year.

Among the changes, made after recommendations of the Rules Board, is the total deletion of Rule 9.15 - players must not force an opponent into offending unintentionally - said the FIH in its latest news letter.

"Playing the ball clearly and intentionally into any part of an opponent's body may be penalised as an attempt to manufacture an offence. Forcing an opponent to obstruct (often emphasised by running into an opponent or by waving the stick) must also be penalised," was the interpretation of the deleted rule.

The mandatory experimental rule introduced in 2009 about location of a free hit (Rule 13.1 and 13.1d with some alterations) have become Full Rules.

In Rule 13.1d - a free hit awarded inside the circle to the defence is taken anywhere inside the circle or up to 15 metres from the back-line in line with the location of the offence, parallel to the side-line - the option of taking the free hit "anywhere inside the circle" has been deleted.

Former Mandatory Experimental Rule 13.2 - taking a free hit, centre pass and putting the ball back into play after it has been outside the field - also becomes a full Rule from January 1, 2011.

Rule 13.3.h - taking a penalty corner until the ball has been played, no attacker other than the one taking the push or hit from the back-line is permitted to enter the circle - has been modified.

As per the modified rule, when an attacker enters the circle before permitted, the penalty corner is taken again except that when attackers persistently enter the circle before permitted, a free hit is awarded to the defence.

Rule 13.9.a - for an offence during the taking of a penalty stroke - if the stroke is taken before the whistle has been blown and a goal is scored, it is taken again.

The existing rule says: For an offence during the taking of a penalty stroke by the player taking the stroke, a free hit is awarded to the defence.

Rule 13.9.c - for an offence during the taking of a penalty stroke for any other offence by the player defending the stroke which prevents a goal being scored. Instead of a goal being awarded, the penalty stroke is taken again.

Effectively this means that Rules 13.9.c and 13.9.d (for an offence by the player defending the stroke which does not prevent a goal being scored, the penalty stroke is taken again) would both lead to the penalty stroke being taken again, the FIH has stated.

These changes formally take effect for international competition from January 1, 2011 while all international matches played before that date use the existing 2009 Rules.

"However, advance notice of the main changes are provided so that Continental Federations and National Associations may, if they wish, implement the changes sooner for matches within their jurisdiction," the FIH said.

The Asian Hockey Federation has, thus, the choice of implementing the new rules earlier than mandated - at the November 12-27 Asian Games in Guangzhou.

Thursday, August 5, 2010

Rabobank Wooden Shoe: SAVE THE DATE-Saturday 23 Oct 2010

On Saturday 23 October 2010, the Dutch Hockey community - part of the " Hollandse Club' - will organise the 17th edition of the "Wooden Shoe Hockey Tournament". This unique, one day sport event is an outstanding intercultural happening in SIngapore.
It is a 7-a-side tournament for both men and women teams. The tournament will be played at the Sengkang Hockey Stadium.
SAVE THE DATE! More information and subscription forms are coming soon!
Contact: woodenshoe2010@gmail.com