14 February 2023 Lausanne, Switzerland: The FIH Indoor Hockey World Cup South Africa 2023 came to a conclusion earlier this week as Austria men won a second world cup title in a row, while Netherlands women won their third title, equalling Germany’s record for most indoor hockey world championships in the women’s competition. There were plenty of surprises throughout the world cup as the unpredictable nature of indoor hockey shone through, which have led to shake-up in the indoor hockey world rankings. In the men’s world rankings Austria (2450) retain the top spot in the rankings building on the 2018 world cup victory by winning a second straight title and building a big lead on the second place, which is occupied by Netherlands (1700), who were silver medalists at the recently concluded World Cup. Iran (1650) won their second straight bronze medal at the world cups and sit just 50 points behind Netherlands in third place. Belgium (1550) who narrowly missed out on the semi-finals spot in the World Cup stay 4th in the world rankings overtaking Czech Republic (1388) who finished in the 9th position that drops them from the 4th spot that they held before the start for the World Cup. United States (982) two previous campaigns at the world cup had both ended in 11th place finishes, but they were fantastic in the 2023 edition finishing fourth and climbing up eleven spots to the 8th place in the world rankings. South Africa (1188) who lost to Netherlands in an entertaining quarterfinal contest, climbed four places to 7th in world ranking. Argentina (900) who finished 7th in their debut World Cup are also big gainers moving from their pre-tournament rank of 20th all the way up to 10th. New Zealand (300) who were unranked before the event made their debut at the world cup and make their first appearance on the world rankings in 23rd place. To see the complete men’s FIH Indoor Hockey World Rankings, please click here. In the women’s world rankings Netherlands (2350) who won their third indoor hockey world title leapfrog Germany who pulled out of the World Cup to claim the top spot in the rankings. Austria (1525) registered their best ever finish at the world cups claiming the silver medal and moved up three places to 4th in the world. Czech Republic (1813) claimed their second bronze medal at the world cups and moved up to 2nd in world ranking, ahead of Ukraine (1750) who retained their 3rd position in the world rankings. South Africa (1210) had a stellar tournament narrowly missing out on the podium, but the fourth-place finish in the World Cup was enough to lift them up eight spots from 14th to 6th in the world rankings, ahead of Belgium (1188) in 7th who moved up six spots. The young USA (1075) team made a splash in the World Cup and move up four spots to 8th in the world. Canada (903) qualified for the quarterfinals in the world cups for the first time in their history and move up five spots to 11th in the world rankings. New Zealand (350) who were unranked before the event made their debut at the world cup and make their first appearance on the world rankings in 21st place. To see the complete women’s FIH Indoor Hockey World Rankings, please click here. For more information about FIH and hockey in general, please consult FIH.hockey, follow the FIH social media channels – Facebook, Instagram and Twitter – and download the Watch.Hockey app.

14 February 2023 Lausanne, Switzerland: After a thorough analysis, the South African Hockey Association has decided not to join the FIH Hockey Men’s Pro League for the next season, despite having qualified for it, thanks to winning the inaugural FIH Hockey Nations Cup played on its own soil, in Potchefstroom, last year. However, the South African Hockey Association has confirmed its firm intention to join the League – ‘Hockey at its Best’ – in the future, provided their teams, women or men, qualify for it on the field of play, of course. Consequently, the runners-up of the Nations Cup, Ireland, have been invited by the International Hockey Federation (FIH) to join the FIH Hockey Pro League in 2023-24, and the “Green Machine” – Ireland’s men’s team nickname – have accepted to do so. Commenting on the announcement, Hockey Ireland CEO Ronan Murphy said : “This announcement comes at a very exciting time for Hockey Ireland as we look to grow participation in the game and compete at the highest level on the international stage. The fact that our Senior Men are now competing in World Hockey’s Pro League against eight top Hockey teams from around the world is a testament to all the hard work to date. It’s a very busy year ahead for the team and the EuroHockey Championships in Abbotstown in July will be the perfect opportunity for fans to come along and watch them in full international action.” Mark Tumilty, Ireland Men’s Head Coach can’t wait to get started in the FIH Hockey Pro League: “We are delighted this has come about. It’s a big opportunity for us and for men’s hockey in Ireland. It’s a massive challenge for us but I’ve said many times before that for Ireland to move forward in world hockey we need to be playing competitive games against the top nations. To have to chance now to play sixteen games against the top countries in the world gives us that opportunity to develop. It’s what we need and it’s a big carrot for the players.” “The SA Hockey Association (SAHA) is extremely saddened by the fact that they will not be attending the FIH Hockey Pro League season (2023-2024) despite us qualifying at the inaugural Men’s Nations Cup. The magnificent progress in our team performance is a direct result of our participation in the previous Pro League season. As a federation we will forever be grateful for the opportunity afforded to us to participate at that level. It will be sorely missed especially as it would have assisted our team with their preparation for Paris 2024. We wish Hockey Ireland and all the other teams all the very best for the FIH Hockey Pro League season (2023-2024)”, SAHA interim CEO Shaune Baaitjies commented. “Whilst we will miss South Africa in the next season, we know that the South African Hockey Association firmly intends to join the FIH Hockey Pro League as soon as possible. Therefore, this is just a matter of time. Meanwhile, we’re absolutely delighted to welcome the Irish men’s team and we can’t wait to see them perform in the League next season!”, FIH CEO Thierry Weil said. The upcoming FIH Hockey Pro League season (2023-24) will be the first one applying the “promotion and relegation” principle. In concrete terms, the winners of the inaugural FIH Hockey Nations Cup played in 2022 (India for women, South Africa – now replaced by Ireland – for men) have been promoted. Both teams will take the place of the teams relegated (one women’s team and one men’s team) at the end of the current season. Keep up to date with all the latest news on the FIH Hockey Pro League via the Watch.Hockey app, event website and through FIH social media channels – Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. In territories where broadcast rights agreements are not in place, fans can watch live match action from the FIH Hockey Pro League via the Watch.Hockey app. #FIHProLeague #HockeyInvites #HockeyEquals