Written by Nikki Gill
Here we are within two weeks of the pinnacle of the Hockey World, the Robank Men and Women’s World Cup based at the Kyocera Stadium in The Hague, Netherlands. From the 31st of May to 14th June 2014 only the worlds best 24 men’s and women’s team’s will all be competing for that ultimate goal of getting their hands on the World Cup.
Hockey fans from around the world will be flocking to support their home teams. This two week event hosted by the Dutch promises to be the best Hockey World Cup the world has ever seen. There will be a whole variety of activities and events available to keep all eager hockey’s fans happy. Ranging from street tournaments, musical performances and plenty of culinary delights to satisfy every taste bud possible.
The 2014 Robank Hockey World Cup motto is “Let’s Celebrate Hockey” No doubt it will be an fun and action packed event. Full to the brim of word class, nail biting hockey from both the men’s and women’s teams. Judging by the range of complimentary events and activities available the Dutch have certainly pushed the boat out to promote the World Cup with plenty of flare and enthusiasm for the sport. With all the local schools and even the Dutch politicians getting involved by allowing access to their parliamentary grounds to host hockey matches between the politicians and school children. They have certainly come up with a clever way to promote hockey from the grassroots up.
On the 7th June 2014 there will even be an event held for all those Hockey Ex-pats at the Rijwijk Hockey Club where you can meet up with your old teams mates and rivals to help promote the sport and have good old catch up. I am sure the world teams will not pass on an opportunity to try out the new Dutch pitches before the World Cup starts either.
Well what can I say is there anything the Dutch haven’t thought about? No doubt the England Euro Hockey organising committee will surely be taking notes and keeping a very keen eye on events. For when England get their own opportunity to host the 2015 Euro Hockey Championships in London at the new Lee Valley Hockey and Tennis Centre in the Queen Elizabeth Park. Which will hopefully bring back some of those fantastic London 2012 Olympic memories and spirit to the sport. The feeling of watching your national team play live on home turf, is something I am sure all sporting fans will agree upon is a truly magical experience.
Hopefully I have given you enough information about the venue and the Dutch hosts love for the sport to entice you to put your hand in your wallet and buy a ticket to support our England men and women’s squads. Luckily there are still tickets and tournament passes available to purchase but they are selling out fast! The flights are relatively cheap and there’s a good chance of still booking into some pretty decent accommodation too. Just click on the links below to book your tickets and flights. For those fans who are unable to get time off and travel to the Netherlands fear not. There will be live England men’s and women’s matches broadcast on Sky T.V starting from the start of the tournament on the 31st May 2014 at 17.30 where our Group A, England Men will be playing against Spain in the Greenfield Stadium, Netherlands. (Please see full schedule of all live broadcast England mens and women’s matches below) Lastly for all those tech savvy hockey enthusiasts out there, Robank World Cup have their own App which you can download for free and follow every minute of the championships even whilst at work. It has a recording of each nations national anthems, if listening to “God Save The Queen” doesn’t bring a tear to your eye and have you bursting with national pride, then nothing will. Oh boy these Dutch think of everything! Just don’t let the boss catch you. (See link below)
With new names added to the women’s squad could this be England’s first ever World Cup triumph?
England head coach Jason Lee named his women’s squad on the 8th May 2014 consisting of 18 top class players who have more than proven their worth winning both a silver and bronze medal at the 2013 European Championships and the World League Games. With the addition two new names added to the mix, this England women’s squad is set to be one of the best yet. There’s nothing like adding new blood and fresh enthusiasm to the squad to rattle the rival teams. The new editions are Ellie Watton from Beeston and Zoe Shipperley from Buckingham. Both of the ladies have a real thirst for the game and have risen up the ranks very fast impressing Jason Lee with their excellent game skills and drive to succeed. (More individual profile information about the ladies can be found on the England Hockey link below)
The name I am sure all hockey fans would have noticed missing is Helen-Richardson Walsh, from speaking to Helen during her interview with me in March. She was determined to be match ready after yet another bout of major back surgery. Although it was a long shot Helen defied the doctors predications and was up and walking within days of her surgery. Her progress and sheer determination to get back on the pitch meant she was fit enough to play two matches against Canada at the beginning of the month. Sadly as with all major surgery patients need time to fully heal. Time was against Helen, the clock was ticking and with the World Cup looming a squad needed to be selected without any further delay. I wish Helen a speedy recovery and hope to see her back on the pitch at the 2014 Glasgow Commonwealth Games.
England Women’s Pool B – Opponents are as follows:
World ranking No2 Argentina, USA, China, South Africa and Germany.
Their preparation to the World Cup will start in Bremen, Germany between the 15th – 18th May 2014. Taking part in the 4 Nations Tournament. (A full list of match fixtures can be found below on the England International Fixtures page)
Moving on to the rest of the ladies selected for the squad, they consist of the following:
Maddie Hinch – Goalkeeper
Kirsty Mackay – Goalkeeeper
Ashleigh Ball – Midfielder
Alex Danson – Forward
Ellie Watton – Defender (New)
Georgie Twigg – Midfielder
Hannah Macleod – Forward
Hollie Webb – Defender
Kate Richardson-Walsh – Defender
Lilly Owsley – Forward
Laura Unsworth – Defender
Nicola White – Forward
Sophie Bray – Forward
Susie Gilbert – Midfielder
Susannah Townsend – Midfielder
Sally Walton – Defender
Sam Quek – Defender
Zoe Shipperley – Defender (New)
England Men’s Head Coach, Crutchley “is under no illusions about how tough it will be to finish in the top two”
England men’s hockey head coach Bobby Crutchley was first appointed as the men’s coach replacing the current women’s head coach Jason Lee in February 2013. When the men’s squad came 4th after the London 2012 Olympics. Born in Wirral the 43yr old holds an impressive 80 England Caps and a Bronze Medal for the 1998 Commonwealth Games. Undeniably he had big shoes to fill from his predecessor Jason Lee, who no one can dispute has worked very hard to bring the men’s team from a flagging 11th position to 4th in the world rankings.
Yesterday Bobby Crutchley announced the much anticipated news of the England Men’s squad. The 18 player strong squad see a return of both David Weir and Dan Shingles who after spending several months in recovery due to ankle and knee injuries. Have proven they are now fighting fit and ready take on the challenge of wining the World Cup for England.
England Men’s Pool A – Opponents are as follows:
World ranking No1 Australia, Belgium, India, Malaysia and Spain.
Their preparation to the World Cup will start in Dusseldorf, Germany between the 15th – 18th May 2014. Taking part in the 4 Nations Tournament. (A full list of match fixtures can be found on the following link on the England International Fixtures page)
England Men’s Squad for the 2014 World Cup is as follows:
George Pinner – Goalkeeper
James Bailey – Goalkeeper
Alastair Brogdon – Forward
Adam Dixon – Defender/Midfield
Ashley Jackson -Midfield/Forward
Barry Middleton – Midfield/Forward
David Condon – Midfield
Dan Fox – Defender
Dan Shingles – Midfield
Harry Martin – Midfield
Henry Weir – Midfield
Iain Lewers – Midfield
Mark Gleghome – Forward
Micheal Hoare – Forward
Nick Caitlin – Midfield/Forward
Simon Mantell – Forward
Tom Carson – Forward
Tim Whiteman – Midfield/Defender
Lastly as promised here is the forth coming live Hockey World Cup Sky TV match schedule for both the England men’s and women’s squads:
England Men
31st May – Group A – England vs Spain at 17.30 – Greenfield Stadium
2nd June – Group A – England vs India at 16.00 – Kyocera Stadium
5th June – Group A – England vs Malaysia at 13.00 – Kyocera Stadium
7th June Group A – England vs Australia at 16.00 Kyocera Stadium
9th June Group A – England vs Belgium at 19.45 Kyocera Stadium
England Women
1st June – Group B – England vs USA at 13.00 – Kyocera Stadium
3rd June – Group B – England vs China at 13.00 – Kyocera Stadium
6th June Group B – England vs South Africa at 14.30 Greenfield Stadium
8th June Group B – England vs Argentina at 16.00 Kyocera Stadium
10th June Group B – England vs Germany at 16.00 Kyocera Stadium
http://www.rabobankhockeyworldcup2014.com/tickets
https://itunes.apple.com/gb/app/rabobank-hockey-world-cup/id803125460?mt=8
http://www.englandhockey.co.uk/news.asp?itemid=28637&itemTitle=Lee+names+Hockey+World+Cup+squad§ion=22
Nikki Gill - Freelance Sports Writer 