04 December, 2023 Lausanne, Switzerland: The last day of the league stage matches at the FIH Hockey Women’s Junior World Cup 2023 had a few twists and turns. While the United States couldn’t qualify for the quarterfinals even after winning by a 6-2 margin against New Zealand, England made their way into the top 8 although they lost to Japan 1-4.  The Pool B match between Spain and Korea was a nerve wracker too as it was a do-or-die situation for both the teams as both the teams had the same number of points from the same number of games. In the end, the fate was on Spain’s side as they beat Korea 2-1 to enter the quarters. Let’s take a look at the matches on Day 5 of the FIH Hockey Women’s Junior World Cup 2023 in Chile.  Pool D: England vs Japan (Full-Time Score: 1-4) Even after losing to Japan in their last league match, England made their way into the quarterfinals with six points from three matches. Along with them, it was Japan, who also made it to the top 8, finishing second in Pool D.  England opened the scoring through Lottie Bingham in the 17th minute but it was then Japan’s Risa Sasaki and Natsumi Oshima who scored a brace each to take Japan through to the quarters.  “We are extremely happy to qualify for the quarterfinals. We worked on our mistakes from the previous match and played as a unit,” said Player of the Match Risa Sasaki.  Pool D: New Zealand vs United States (Full-Time Score: 2-6) The United States put in all its efforts but couldn’t get over the line. They finished third in their group as Japan qualified via goal difference, although they had the same points.  Abigail Tamer’s hat-trick also went in vain as the United States fell short by just one goal. New Zealand was out of the contention for quarterfinals and both of them will now play for the 9th-16th place classification matches. Player of the match Abigail Tamer said, “We walked into the game knowing how many goals we had to score, but we didn’t play well in the first half as we could score just one. The story would have been different had we put in more effort in the first 30 minutes.” Pool B: Spain vs Korea (Full-Time Score: 2-1) Goals from Sara Carmona and Teresa Saenz De Santa proved to be crucial as Spain beat Korea by a goal to advance to the next stage of the competition. Korea’s goal came in the 59th minute but it was way too late for them to equalize and then take the lead.  Spain finished second in Pool B and will be taking on the Netherlands for a spot in the semifinals, while Korea will play against South Africa in the 9th–16th place classification match.  Clara Barba was the star for Spain as she controlled the entire game with her impeccable gameplay. “Our first goal was to qualify for the quarterfinals and I am proud of the team effort that everyone put in today. Now, we will rest well and again start planning as we are going to face a strong team like the Netherlands in the quarters”, said Clara, who was awarded the Player of the Match.  Pool B: Argentina vs Zimbabwe (Full-Time Score: 14-0) Argentina cemented their place at the top of Pool B with this big win against Zimbabwe. It was a lop-sided affair as Zimbabwe even failed to enter the opposition’s circle. Argentina earned 16 penalty corners in the match as they dominated the proceedings from the start.  Zimbabwe finished at the bottom of Pool B as they lost all their three matches. They will now face hosts Chile for the 9th-16th place classification match while Argentina will meet Australia in the quarterfinals on Wednesday.  Daiana Pacheco earned the Player of the Match award for her hat-trick. She said, “We have done well in the league matches and would now shift our focus to the big game against Australia. We are here to win the World Cup and we will try our level best to achieve it.” To see the final pool standings of the FIH Hockey Women’s Junior World Cup 2023, click here. To see the match schedule for the quarterfinals and classification matches, click here. FIH Hockey Women’s Junior World Cup Chile 2023 – 03 December 2023 Centro Deportivo de Hockey Césped, Estadio Nacional Result: Match 21 England 1-4 Japan Player of the Match: Risa Sasaki (JPN) Umpires: Kristy Robertson (AUS) and Victoria Pazos (PAR) Result: Match 22  New Zealand 2-6 United States Player of the Match: Abigail Tamer (USA) Umpires: Lizelotte Walter (NED) and Veronica Villafane (ARG) Result: Match 23 Spain 2-1 Korea Player of the Match: Clara Barba (ESP) Umpires: Magali Sergeant (BEL) and Durga Devi (IND) Result: Match 24 Argentina 14-0 Zimbabwe Player of the Match: Daiana Pacheco (ARG) Umpires: Kamile Mockaityte (LTU) and Katrina Turner (NZL) Source: fih.hockey

04 December, 2023 FIH President Tayyab Ikram was in Africa last week with a main topic at heart: the development of hockey in the African continent. His visit kicked off in Blantyre, Malawi, with all African nations gathering there for the 24th Congress of the African Hockey Federation as well as the Africa Cup for Club Champions. On this occasion, President Ikram led a development meeting focused on the FIH Empowerment and Engagement strategy and its four main pillars: more places to play, boost to coaching, more opportunities to compete and more tools to empower Continental Federations (CFs) and National Associations (NAs). “We spoke about the responsibilities of FIH, CFs and NAs to deliver that strategy. I explained the application process to benefit from the strategy and how best FIH can assist them. I can tell that all members really appreciated the initiative of FIH”, President Ikram said. Some resolutions were passed, including the need for a regional cooperation that can help reduce the adverse impact of the geographical distances in Africa, which are very challenging. Even the possibility of developing the sport on a regional basis in Africa, at least in certain areas, where neighboring countries can get a benefit, was discussed. Also, different national associations shared their best practices. “It was a really healthy and fruitful interaction, and I’m very thankful to all participants, and also the athletes, for their inspiring insights!”, the FIH President added. From Malawi, President Ikram flew to Nairobi where he was received, together with the President of the African Hockey Federation, Seif Ahmed, by Kenya’s Sports Cabinet Secretary Ababu Namwamba. It was a particularly fruitful meeting since the government agreed to overhaul the hockey infrastructure in Kenya, first with a new playing surface at the Nairobi Hockey Stadium and then a complete renovation of the same, to make it a state-of-the-art facility. Of course, the Kenyan Hockey Union and its Chairman Nashon Randiek will be fully associated to this project. “This will be a first step to provide the best possible infrastructure for our young athletes in Kenya, a country with a huge potential, especially for women’s hockey. I took this opportunity to present a trophy of appreciation to the women’s national team, who are ranked second in Africa! Together with the African Hockey Association, FIH will commit to provide not only the necessary infrastructure but also the technical support, from grassroot to high performance level, and also set up the coach and the umpires education pathways, with a view to make Kenya a regional hub for East Africa again”, the FIH President stated at the conclusion of his visit. Source: fih.hockey

05 December, 2023 On International Volunteer Day, we celebrate people from across the globe who selflessly give their service in the administration and promotion of hockey. From board members and committee chairs to coaches and umpires; from admin workers to the youngest ball patrol boy or girl – have all gone above and beyond to make our sport the very best experience it can be for all participants. The list of FIH events made possible over the past year, due to the effective contributions of the volunteers include the FIH Hockey Men’s World Cup, The FIH Indoor Hockey World Cups, the FIH Hockey Pro League, inaugural FIH Hockey Nations Cup and the ongoing FIH Junior Hockey World Cups! And while we are celebrating just a few individuals on the United Nations-led International Volunteer Day, it is worth thinking about, and recognising the work of each and every volunteer on every continent that made these, and many other hockey events, possible. To honor these hard-working and committed individuals, FIH is presenting an FIH International Volunteer Day award, recognising the invaluable contribution of each nominee. All the recipients of the award have been nominated by their continental federation. In Asia, Makhmud Kholmatov and Sonia Khan have been nominated by the Asian Hockey Federation. Makhmud Kholmatov, a dedicated volunteer from Uzbekistan, is making a lasting impact on sports development, particularly in hockey. Passionate about nurturing young talent, he actively promotes the sport in schools and travels across Uzbekistan to foster its growth. Makhmud not only raises awareness but also provides tangible support, creating a vibrant hockey community. Moreover, he plays a pivotal role in educating the next generation of coaches, ensuring the sustainability and progress of the sport while embodying a broader vision of empowerment through sports. Sonia Khan, a former hockey player (2002-2010), is honored this International Volunteer Day for her exceptional contributions to sports and education. As the founder of the Pakistan Sports Academy, she provides free hockey training, equipment, and education from matric to Master’s degree, emphasizing holistic development. Sonia’s dedication to service, focusing on nurturing athletic talent and empowering young minds, exemplifies the essence of International Volunteer Day. Her inspiring story highlights the transformative power of sports and education in shaping lives. EuroHockey has nominated Chloe Jordan and Philip Schellekens for their utmost dedication to the development of hockey in Europe. Chloe Jordan, a dynamic 23-year-old, is a leading figure in EuroHockey’s Youth Leadership activities. Serving as co-chair of the Youth Panel since last December, she has been dedicated to hockey since her youth, starting as a Hockey Wales Young Ambassador at age 12. Chloe has been a prominent advocate for youth in various sporting organizations, playing key roles in organizing EuroHockey Youth Festivals and ID Championships. This summer, she led the EuroHockey Youth Festival in Germany, bringing together 50 individuals to showcase youth impact in the sport. Chloe, a Sport Wales Young Ambassador, Hockey Ireland Youth Panel member, and Youth Sports Trust board member, is undertaking sport studies at the University of Ulster. Passionate about disability sport, she actively promotes hockey for those with intellectual disabilities in Wales. Chloe’s ultimate goal is to inspire more young people to engage in volunteering, utilizing her voice and platform for the next generation of youth leaders. Philip Schellekens, a key figure in EuroHockey, has significantly contributed to the development of umpires. His tireless work spans the Netherlands, the European Hockey Federation, and international events. A former top-level umpire, he officiated the first indoor World Cup Final in 2003. Upon retiring, Philip became a crucial Umpire Manager (UM), shaping tournaments and providing essential support, preparation, and assessments for umpires. His mentorship extends to his role as NOC*NSF Referee Coach. As a leader in EuroHockey’s Umpiring Development Programme (UDP), he has inspired and trained referees, showcasing his vast experience with enthusiasm. Philip’s dedication to hockey umpiring and development is a valuable asset, marked by his leadership and enjoyment in the role of UM. The Pan American Hockey Federation has nominated technical officials who go above and beyond their roles to develop hockey, in Adrian Della Mattia and Rene Zelkin Adrian Della Mattia‘s impact as a Technical Official goes beyond his duties, extending to commendable dedication in developing fellow officials. In addition to his exemplary officiating, Adrian actively engages in training and mentoring Technical Officials across the continent. His hands-on approach in the field, offering invaluable insights and support, exemplifies a collaborative and supportive ethos that enhances the entire officiating community. Rene Zelkin excels not only as a commendable Technical Official but also as a dedicated educator, playing a significant role in training officials across the continent. Actively engaged in online courses and mentorship programs, Rene extends her passion for the sport beyond officiating. Her dual role underscores a commitment to elevate officiating standards and ensure a legacy of knowledgeable and skilled Technical Officials in the Pan American community. In Africa Carla Jones of Zimbabwe has been nominated by the African Hockey Federation. In the short span of two years, Carla Jones has emerged as a valuable contributor to hockey in Zimbabwe. Her involvement in the restructuring, coordination, and organization of all Zimbabwean schools hockey tournaments showcases her commitment to the development and organization of the sport at the grassroots level. Additionally, Carla has taken on the crucial role of tours coordinator for various national teams, including U13, U16, U18, U21, and the National team. Her versatility and efficiency are further highlighted by her current position as the Team Manager for the Zimbabwe junior women’s team in Chile for the FIH Hockey Women’s Junior World Cup 2023. In this role, Carla is entrusted with the responsibility of overseeing the team’s logistics and operations, reflecting her rapid and impactful ascent within the hockey community. Among the thousands of volunteers involved in delivering hockey events around the world every year, these are just the stories of a few. On this International Volunteers Day, we give our thanks to every single volunteer whose efforts help grow

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