Nicola Dignam (nee Lyons) RIP

It was with great sadness that Hockey Ireland learned this week of the death of Nikki Dignam following a long battle with illness. She started her hockey in Crescent Comprehensive School, Limerick and represented Munster before moving to Dublin and joining Loreto HC where she was Captain of the 1’s for a couple of years. She was also involved in latter years with Wicklow HC and with Irish Masters.

We would like to extend our sincere condolences to Nicola’s family and friends. Details of the arrangements can be found here

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Hockey Ireland Signs MOU with Iwate Delegates for Pre-Games Camp

Hockey Ireland met with Japanese delegates from Iwate this morning to sign a Memorandum of Understanding between the two parties for Hockey Ireland’s pre-Games Holding Camp this summer.

Iwate is located two hours North of Tokyo and will provide an ideal base for acclimatisation ahead of the Tokyo 2020 Games as a key Hockey town in Japan and a brand-new pitch for the pre-Games preparation.

Performance Director, Adam Grainger, said “The Hockey Ireland Holding Camp partnership with Iwate Town is a very welcome addition to the Senior Women’s programme as the team prepare for Tokyo 2020. This Holding Camp offers, a superb location for environmental acclimation and final preparation for The Games themselves, while also offering an opportunity to further develop the longstanding hockey relationship between Ireland and Japan.”

The squad will arrive in Iwate in early July, two weeks ahead of the Olympic Opening Ceremony, with the aim of the holding camp to adapt to playing conditions.

“Iwate Town is the perfect pre-games training base for the Irish Olympic Hockey team. While in Tokyo in December myself and Adam were welcomed to the town by Mayor Sasaki on a visit there, and we were very impressed with both the welcome and set up, and the high-class hockey facilities. We are confident that the Team Ireland hockey athletes will be looked after well and be able to prepare appropriately for the Games”, said Team Ireland Chef de Mission for the Tokyo Games, Patricia Heberle, was present at the MOU signing this morning.

Hockey Ireland CEO Jerome Pels said, “This is a very exciting time for us in Hockey Ireland. We are delighted to meet the Iwate delegates and look forward to the team travelling to Japan later this year. Mayor Sasaki and his delegation have already made us feel very welcome and it is only February!”

Image L-R: Hockey Ireland Performance Director, Adam Grainger; Team Ireland Chef de Mission, Patricia Heberle; Hockey Ireland CEO, Jerome Pels; Mayor Koji Sasaki of Iwate Town, Japan; Irish Women’s Hockey Player, Anna O’Flanagan; Tom Matsuoka, Interpreter for delegation, Sport Unity; and Assistant Manager of Social Education for Iwate Town, Naoki Osawa.

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Tumilty Contract Extended to end of Olympic Cycle

A decision has been made by Hockey Ireland to extend Mark Tumilty’s contract as Head Coach for the Irish Men’s Squad. Tumilty will continue as the Men’s Head Coach, in a full-time capacity, until December 2020 the conclusion of the Olympic Cycle.

Speaking on the announcement of his extension, Mark said “I am delighted to be given the opportunity to continue in the role for 2020. I am really look forward to working with a very talented group of players and support staff. We need to grow the depth of our squad and to ensure all players fulfil their potential. I want to play an attacking and exciting brand of hockey, with our goal to get the Irish Men moving up the world rankings again.”

Hockey Ireland will advertise the full time Head Coach position after the conclusion of this Olympic cycle. Hockey Ireland wish to offer an opportunity for all suitable candidates to apply at the end of an Olympic cycle. The Head Coach position will therefore be advertised in late 2020 and at this juncture all suitably experienced Irish and international coaches with the relevant skills and experience are encouraged to apply.

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Upcoming Safeguarding Course

The following Safeguarding courses will take place in each of the provinces through Local Sports Partnership. Please see the links below for Safeguarding course dates and more information on how to attend.

Leinster

http://www.meathsports.ie/events/

https://www.offalysports.ie/events

http://www.krsp.ie/calendar-of-events/ (Kilkenny)

http://sdcsp.ie/events/ (South Dublin)

http://www.dlrsportspartnership.ie/training-booking/safeguarding-child-protection (Dun Laoghaire Rathdown)

http://www.wicklowlsp.ie/training-education/#safeguarding-workshops

http://www.longfordsports.ie/what-we-do/event-training-courses/

https://louthlsp.com/what-we-do/courses/child-safeguarding-courses/safeguarding-1-basic-awareness-workshop/

http://www.kildare.ie/kildaresp/BookCourseOnline/

Dublin City – see website

Fingal – see website

Munster

https://www.waterfordsportspartnership.ie/

https://www.tipperarysports.ie/content/safeguarding-12-and-3-and-pals-workshop-2019

http://www.claresports.ie/education-training/safeguarding/

https://www.limericksports.ie/

https://www.corksports.ie/index.cfm/page/codeofethics2

http://www.kerryrecreationandsports.ie/training-courses/child-welfare-protection-in-sport/

Connacht

http://www.mayosports.ie/CoursesandEventsEventsCalendar/

https://www.sligosportandrecreation.ie/training/

http://www.leitrimsports.ie/Training

Roscommon – see website

Galway – see website

Ulster (Safeguarding Children and Young People in Sport)

Mid Ulster District Council – https://www.midulstercouncil.org/coacheducation

Ards & North Down Council – https://www.leisureardsandnorthdown.com/sites/default/files/2019-08/Sports%20Education%20Courses%202019-20%20Leaflet.pdf

Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council – https://www.lisburncastlereagh.gov.uk/uploads/business/LCCC_SPORT_CLUB_TRAINING19_(2).pdf

Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council – https://getactiveabc.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/coach-education-2019-FINAL.pdf

Fermanagh & Omagh District Council – https://www.fermanaghomagh.com/app/uploads/2019/08/Coach-Education-2019-2020-1.pdf

Under Hockey Ireland regulations, each course is valid for 3 years. However in the case of Safeguarding 1, there is an app refresher on the Sport Ireland website https://www.sportireland.ie/ethics/useful-links, which is valid  for another 3 years until the course must be done face-to-face again.

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Sport Ireland Investment Announcement

Sport Ireland announced a €36 million investment in Tokyo 2020 Preparations, National Governing Bodies and Local Sports Partnerships today.

Of the funding announced today, Hockey Ireland will see an increase in core funding from €325,000 in 2019 to €340,000 in 2020. Hockey Ireland’s High Performance funding will remain at the 2019 level, however, an additional €200,000 of “Special Project Funding” was announced for the Tokyo Olympics.

Hockey Ireland High Performance Director, Adam Grainger, said “This continued Sport Ireland investment is another step in the right direction to enable our High Performance Teams to compete on the world stage. Programme funding, alongside the specific athlete support of Sport Ireland and Sport Northern Ireland, mean that Hockey Ireland are increasingly able to financially support our players to prepare and perform for Ireland.

The added Tokyo 2020 Special Project funding for the Senior Women’s team will help enable the team to optimally prepare for the challenging environmental conditions we will experience in Tokyo this summer.

Finally, while a focus in 2020 is rightly being put upon Tokyo, the increased and consistent support from Sport Ireland alongside the support provided by our sponsors allows Hockey Ireland to lay foundations for Paris 2024 and beyond.”

You can see the full announcement, and find accompanying documents, at https://www.sportireland.ie/news/sport-ireland-announces-eu36-million-investment

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Hockey Ireland seek review of Video Referral System requirement

HOCKEY IRELAND SEEK REVIEW OF VIDEO REFERRAL SYSTEM REQUIREMENT REGULATIONS IN LIGHT OF MEN’S OLYMPIC QUALIFIER EXPERIENCE

Dublin, 14 January 2020

In the second men’s Olympic Qualifier match against Canada in Vancouver in October 2019, Ireland lost on penalties following a Canadian equaliser in the final seconds of the game. The equalising goal came from a penalty stroke which was awarded after the use of a Canadian video referral. In the immediate aftermath, Hockey Ireland sought clarification from the International Hockey Federation (FIH) on the set up of the Video Referral system for the qualification series.

In particular, Hockey Ireland sought clarification from the FIH in relation to minimum standards to ensure adequate broadcast quality as well as the availability of a minimum number of camera angles on the play action at all times to ensure delivery of a robust Video Referral system. To date, the FIH has been unable to provide adequate response to the queries raised. It is Hockey Ireland’s understanding that at present there are no such specific regulations/minimum standards in relation to the setup and delivery of the Video Referral system in hockey.

Hockey Ireland are of the view that the broadcast quality and number of camera angles available in respect of the qualification series were not of a level to facilitate Video Referral. Hockey Ireland however, as a result of the lack of regulations in respect of Video Referral have no grounds on which to challenge the FIH in relation to the incident. Hockey Ireland regrettably must therefore conclude that they have exhausted all avenues in respect of a potential appeal regarding the outcome of the series and the non-qualification of the men’s team for the Tokyo Olympic Games.

Hockey Ireland feels that minimum standards for the use of Video Referral need to be introduced as a matter of urgency and will look to work with other national and continental federations and indeed, the FIH, to explore the issue. We believe the FIH should commission an independent review conducted by an external body with cross sport expertise in the delivery of Video Referral technology and procedures to ensure the development of minimum standards to guarantee the necessary quality and consistency for the effective use of Video Referral in hockey and mitigating against another federation experiencing a similar situation.

From the outset, Hockey Ireland has made it clear that it respects the decision of the Umpires and has never sought to challenge this. The organisation, its players and management have all times conducted themselves in a measured way in response to this issue. Hockey Ireland does not condone any negative reaction directed at the Umpires, nor can it be held in any way responsible for the reaction of the global public on social media platforms.

Hockey Ireland has conveyed to the FIH their disappointment at the way in which Video Referral was implemented for the Olympic Qualification Series, and specifically the way it was deployed at the Ireland v Canada men’s matches in Vancouver, Canada. We are particularly disappointed for the Irish men’s team who sacrificed so much in their efforts to achieve qualification for the Tokyo Olympic Games. Hockey Ireland would like to thank the players for all of their efforts and, on behalf of all involved in Irish hockey, take the opportunity to wish the Canadian men’s team and all teams participating in next year’s Olympic Games all the best with their preparations and participation in Tokyo next summer.

Notes to editor

Video Referral is covered as part of the broadcast arrangements and is a contract between the FIH as the Rights owner and a broadcast partner.

The FIH introduced the system to the sport as a further aid to on field umpires to help limit or ideally eliminate incorrect on-field decisions. A very important aspect of this approach is the need to have the required number of appropriate cameras set up in a manner that affords the camera operators the best possible opportunity to provide meaningful additional lines of sight that may not have been available to the on-field umpires at the time of an incident.

It is also vitally important that any umpire assigned to Video Referral has appropriate skills and experience of working with the system and has had the specialist training and appropriate supports (e.g. Hawkeye and/or a TV producer) required to enable them to confidently and competently use the system correctly.

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Hockey Ireland Announce Umpire Programmes

Hockey Ireland is delighted to announce the launch of two new programmes aimed at growing the base of umpires within hockey; the Elite Umpiring Programme and the Club Umpire Programme.

Working with the IHUA and provincial associations, the programme will run in 2019/2020 Hockey Ireland aim to see influential changes right from grassroots hockey through to European level. While the programmes are aimed at growing umpiring at all levels, the programme is funded by the Sport Ireland Women in Sport programme and the focus for the first year will be on female umpiring.

Elite Umpiring Programme

The main aim of the Elite Umpiring Programme is to create a fast-track pathway for females, for those wanting to achieve high standards of umpiring in a short period of time.

Across the whole of Ireland, we need to engage 24 female umpires. Within the duration of our funding we are aiming to have one female working with the EHF on the Umpire Development Programme. This programme will be done through an application process, so if you are between 18-30 years old and are actively umpiring within club or have a strong desire to umpire at the highest level what are you waiting for? All we need is a brief background on your umpiring career along with a 2/3 minute of you umpiring emailed to ruth.montgomery@hockey.ie before January 10th!

Club Umpire Programme

The Club Umpire Programme is aimed at tackling grassroots umpiring, it involves the creation of a Club Umpire Officer in clubs. The main aims of this programme are as follows;

To support clubs by training up Club Umpire Officers

To deliver courses and workshops to support clubs (National courses, indoor course, Young Umpire)

To encourage engagement and movement up pathway – e.g. membership to provincial organisation and personal umpire development from qualified coaches

If your club is interested in the programme, please enter your details at the following link: https://clubumpires.questionpro.com

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Chris Cargo retires from International Hockey

Cargo made his debut in the 2009 Celtic Cup scoring on debut as Ireland defeated France 3-1 in Edinburgh. 11 years, 195 matches and 28 international goals later he has decided to call time on his international career.

Performance Director Adam Grainger congratulated Chris on his career on behalf of Hockey Ireland, saying “Congratulations on your Hockey Ireland playing career, you have a lot to be proud of. We have no doubt you’ll be successful in everything you undertake off the pitch.

Please do keep in touch with Hockey Ireland, the experiences retired internationals can put back into our system is invaluable.”

Chris came through the ranks of Bangor Grammar and played for the seaside club whilst also having played in England and Europe during his illustrious career.

He was part of the Irish side who made history winning the first senior European medal when they defeated England 4-2 in London in 2015 to win bronze at the Europeans and then made history again to qualify for the Rio Olympics in 2016. Chris played all 5 matches and unfortunately the side were not able to repeat the feat when the lost on penalties to Canada in their bid to qualify for Tokyo.

In all he played in 3 European A division championships alongside the Olympic games winning 77 of the 195 matches he played for Ireland. He finishes his Irish career 8th on the all-time caps list, with 28 goals and captaining the team twice against Pakistan in Lisburn in 2017.

“I have loved wearing the green shirt for 10 years in countries all over the world and making history with this group,” said Cargo.

“I would particularly like to thank Paul Revington for giving me my first opportunity to wear a green shirt. I had given up on that dream so I will always be truly grateful to him for giving me that chance and changing my life. He made me, and the whole group, believe that we could make history and instilled in us a huge drive and determination. To Ned, for galvanising the team after the disappointment of 2012, you pushed us on again through our “No excuses” mantra. Finally, to Tum for coming in and making this group enjoy their hockey again.

I have been very lucky to have been playing in an Irish shirt during a period when, in my opinion, some of the best players in Irish history were playing alongside me. To all the lads I have shared a pitch with over the years; Thanks! It was an amazing journey and I was lucky enough to forge some enduring friendships, whilst making history with this team and having a great laugh along the way. There have been many low points on the journey, but they make the successes so much sweeter.

To my parents, thank you for all your support along the way and for trusting and backing me in all the decisions I have made. To Sarah, my fiancée, thank you for being so understanding and allowing me to chase my dreams with unconditional support. Furthermore, thank you to all the families in Dublin, especially the Loughreys, who have welcomed me into their homes.

I look forward to wearing my green shirt as a supporter of Irish Hockey in future years. Irish hockey is in rude health with the ladies representing us in Tokyo next summer and I believe that the correct support for both teams will mean that we will see both in Paris and for many more Olympics to come.”

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Ireland Women’s Squad announced for South Africa Tour Jan 2020

Head Coach Sean Dancer has selected the squad which will be travelling to South Africa in January. The squad leaves on the 16th of January with matches against Germany and South Africa arranged during the trip, although exact match dates are yet to be confirmed. The trip will provide the squad with good experience of competing in warmer climates as they prepare for Tokyo later in the year.

1 Ayeisha McFerran GK

2 Emma Buckley GK

3 Roisin Upton Def

4 Nikki Evans Str

5 Kathryn Mullan (Captain) MF / Str

6 Shirley McCay Def

7 Elena Tice Def

8 Emily Beatty Str

9 Beth Barr Def / MF

10 Serena Barr Def

11 Chloe Watkins MF

12 Lizzie Colvin MF

13 Hannah Matthews Def

14 Sarah Hawkshaw MF / Str

15 Anna O’Flanagan (Vice Captain) Str

16 Deirdre Duke Str

17 Ellen Curran MF

18 Elizabeth Murphy GK

19 Hannah McLoughlin Def

20 Sarah Torrans Str

Members of the wider squad who are not travelling will continue training as usual in Ireland.

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Irish Women’s Indoor play South Africa as European Prep.

The Irish Women’s Indoor team competed in 6 test matches over in South Africa, for the first time since 1990, in preparation for their return to competing on the EuroHockey Championships in January 2020. The opening game saw Orla Fox with the first goal for Ireland in Durban finalizing in a 2-1 defeat. The second game in Durban saw Orla Patton scoring the goal for Ireland but unfortunately South Africa came back in the last quarter to take the win.

The second part of the tour took place in Cape Town with a fantastic atmosphere where the event joined with the Pro Series Indoor nationals. The next four games saw South Africa besting Ireland in each meeting, however Ireland still managed to put away a couple of goals from Amy Benson and Sophie Barnwell.

These matches were vital preparation for the Indoor Europeans which take place in early 2020.

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