South Africa looking to top pool in Champions Challenge

 

Set up in 2001 and organised every two years, the Hockey Champions Challenge 1 will set the stage for one qualification spot at the illustrious Champions Trophy in 2016.
We preview the teams playing in Pool B of the competition starting tomorrow at the Glasgow National Hockey Centre.
South Africa (World Ranking: 11)
South Africa will be among the favourites in Glasgow and Head coach Giles Bonnet has made his title intentions clear by naming a squad that contains no fewer than 13 players who have made over 100 senior appearances for their country, ensuring that the African champions are more than capable of mixing it with the best teams at this tournament.
That being said, the team will have to do it without two key players, with world record goal-scorer Piete Coetzee and midfielder Jade Mayne both absent through injury. The Champions Challenge 1 in Glasgow is the first of three major international tournaments on European soil for South Africa, with the Rabobank Hockey World Cup and the Commonwealth Games also on the horizon.
One to watch: Marsha Cox. A true icon of South African hockey and one of the most popular players in the game. This 31 year old midfielder is a triple Olympian, having represented her country at the Athens 2004, Beijing 2008 and London 2012 Games.
Spain (World Ranking 14)
Spain have been going through something of a transitional phase recently, with head coach Adrian Lock very much looking to the future following their failure to qualify for the London 2012 Olympic Games.
The fresh faced team managed to grab a fifth place finish at the TriFinance
EuroHockey Championships, suggesting that this inexperienced but gifted group is making big strides in the right direction. Lock will be looking for further improvement at the Champions Challenge 1, a tournament where they have achieved fourth place finishes on two occasions (2009 in Cape Town, South Africa & 2011 in Dublin, Ireland).
One to watch: Berta Bonastre. A young player with a massive future ahead of her. Bonastre was captain of the Spain team that claimed a fifth place finish at last year’s Ergo Junior World Cup. She is the younger sister of Silvia Bonastre, who represented Spain at the Athens 2004 Olympic Games.
Ireland (World Ranking 15)
Despite being the second lowest ranked team in the tournament, Ireland are certainly not a side to be taken lightly. They have competed in the last two editions of the Champions Challenge 1, finishing 6th at the 2011 event in Dublin before claiming the bronze medal in 2012, which also took place in the Irish capital.
They have improved massively in recent years and will be determined to continue that progression in Glasgow. Earlier this year, head coach Darren Smith took a largely experimental side to Terrassa for a training camp and four matches against Spain. It proved to a very successful exercise, with Ireland winning the series against their marginally higher ranked opponents by two games to one.
Many of the players involved in that series victory have been given their chance to shine in the Champions Challenge 1 tournament, including 18 year old goalkeeper Ayeisha O’Flynn and Emily Beatty, 20.
These young guns have plenty of experienced players to look up to, with Michelle Harvey (120+ caps), Cliodhna Sargent (130+), Shirley McCay (150+) and Audrey O’Flynn (100+) all having reached the 100 cap landmark.
Looking forward to the competition, Ireland Head Coach Darren Smith said, “Several of the group that won the series against Spain in January are being rewarded with the opportunity to play against India and then Champions Challenge in Glasgow. The tournament is going to be extremely tough with initially pool games against South Africa, Spain and USA before a knock out match to decide placings. The challenge facing us as a young group will be difficult but the team is determined.”
One to watch: Megan Frazer. A player described by team coach Darren Smith as someone “who loves the challenges that hockey brings”, Frazer’s recent high quality performances have resulted in her being given the huge honour of captaining her country. The 23 year old midfielder is likely to make her 50th senior international appearance at the Champions Challenge 1.
USA (World Ranking 10)
USA have a strong reputation in the Champions Challenge 1, having claimed the silver medal at the two most recent editions of the competition and they will be hoping to make it third time lucky at the 2014 tournament in Glasgow.
They have produced some fine form in coming into this competition, having recently recorded a 4-0 series win against North American neighbours Canada.
Their squad is packed full of experience. Eight players have represented the USA senior side over 100 times, with ace midfielder Rachel Dawson and team captain Lauren Crandall having also surpassed the 200 cap mark. Dawson, defender Katie Reinprecht and attacking midfielder Kathleen Sharkey are all world class talents, a fact proven by the trio’s inclusion in the 2013 Pan American Elite Team, which recognises the finest players in the Pan Am region.
The team is coached by Englishman Craig Parnham, with former Dutch international Janneke Schopman joining the staff in the role of assistant coach. Schopman, a double Olympic medallist, brings masses of world level experience to the table, being able to pass on her knowledge to a group that is aiming to achieve big things both here in Glasgow and at this summer’s Rabobank Hockey World Cup in The Hague, Netherlands.
One to watch: Rachel Dawson. This 28 year old midfield powerhouse has been a fixture in the USA team for the best part of a decade, having represented her country at both the Beijing 2008 and London 2012 Olympic Games.

Set up in 2001 and organised every two years, the Hockey Champions Challenge 1 will set the stage for one qualification spot at the illustrious Champions Trophy in 2016.

We preview the teams playing in Pool B of the competition starting tomorrow at the Glasgow National Hockey Centre.

South Africa (World Ranking: 11)

South Africa will be among the favourites in Glasgow and Head coach Giles Bonnet has made his title intentions clear by naming a squad that contains no fewer than 13 players who have made over 100 senior appearances for their country, ensuring that the African champions are more than capable of mixing it with the best teams at this tournament.

scot535

That being said, the team will have to do it without two key players, with world record goal-scorer Piete Coetzee and midfielder Jade Mayne both absent through injury. The Champions Challenge 1 in Glasgow is the first of three major international tournaments on European soil for South Africa, with the Rabobank Hockey World Cup and the Commonwealth Games also on the horizon.

One to watch: Marsha Cox. A true icon of South African hockey and one of the most popular players in the game. This 31 year old midfielder is a triple Olympian, having represented her country at the Athens 2004, Beijing 2008 and London 2012 Games.

Spain (World Ranking 14)

Spain have been going through something of a transitional phase recently, with head coach Adrian Lock very much looking to the future following their failure to qualify for the London 2012 Olympic Games.

Maria Gomez Spain

The fresh faced team managed to grab a fifth place finish at the TriFinance EuroHockey Championships, suggesting that this inexperienced but gifted group is making big strides in the right direction. Lock will be looking for further improvement at the Champions Challenge 1, a tournament where they have achieved fourth place finishes on two occasions (2009 in Cape Town, South Africa & 2011 in Dublin, Ireland).

One to watch: Berta Bonastre. A young player with a massive future ahead of her. Bonastre was captain of the Spain team that claimed a fifth place finish at last year’s Ergo Junior World Cup. She is the younger sister of Silvia Bonastre, who represented Spain at the Athens 2004 Olympic Games.

Ireland (World Ranking 15)

Despite being the second lowest ranked team in the tournament, Ireland are certainly not a side to be taken lightly. They have competed in the last two editions of the Champions Challenge 1, finishing 6th at the 2011 event in Dublin before claiming the bronze medal in 2012, which also took place in the Irish capital.

Mo McLellan v Ire

They have improved massively in recent years and will be determined to continue that progression in Glasgow. Earlier this year, head coach Darren Smith took a largely experimental side to Terrassa for a training camp and four matches against Spain. It proved to a very successful exercise, with Ireland winning the series against their marginally higher ranked opponents by two games to one.

Many of the players involved in that series victory have been given their chance to shine in the Champions Challenge 1 tournament, including 18 year old goalkeeper Ayeisha O’Flynn and Emily Beatty, 20.

These young guns have plenty of experienced players to look up to, with Michelle Harvey (120+ caps), Cliodhna Sargent (130+), Shirley McCay (150+) and Audrey O’Flynn (100+) all having reached the 100 cap landmark.

Looking forward to the competition, Ireland Head Coach Darren Smith said, “Several of the group that won the series against Spain in January are being rewarded with the opportunity to play against India and then Champions Challenge in Glasgow. The tournament is going to be extremely tough with initially pool games against South Africa, Spain and USA before a knock out match to decide placings. The challenge facing us as a young group will be difficult but the team is determined.”

One to watch: Megan Frazer. A player described by team coach Darren Smith as someone “who loves the challenges that hockey brings”, Frazer’s recent high quality performances have resulted in her being given the huge honour of captaining her country. The 23 year old midfielder is likely to make her 50th senior international appearance at the Champions Challenge 1.

USA (World Ranking 10)

USA have a strong reputation in the Champions Challenge 1, having claimed the silver medal at the two most recent editions of the competition and they will be hoping to make it third time lucky at the 2014 tournament in Glasgow.

Vikki Bunce vs. USA FIHCC1

They have produced some fine form in coming into this competition, having recently recorded a 4-0 series win against North American neighbours Canada.

Their squad is packed full of experience. Eight players have represented the USA senior side over 100 times, with ace midfielder Rachel Dawson and team captain Lauren Crandall having also surpassed the 200 cap mark. Dawson, defender Katie Reinprecht and attacking midfielder Kathleen Sharkey are all world class talents, a fact proven by the trio’s inclusion in the 2013 Pan American Elite Team, which recognises the finest players in the Pan Am region.

The team is coached by Englishman Craig Parnham, with former Dutch international Janneke Schopman joining the staff in the role of assistant coach. Schopman, a double Olympic medallist, brings masses of world level experience to the table, being able to pass on her knowledge to a group that is aiming to achieve big things both here in Glasgow and at this summer’s Rabobank Hockey World Cup in The Hague, Netherlands.

One to watch: Rachel Dawson. This 28 year old midfield powerhouse has been a fixture in the USA team for the best part of a decade, having represented her country at both the Beijing 2008 and London 2012 Olympic Games.

Please visit the FIH Champions Challenge website for all the tournament info including highlights, match previews, reports, fixtures, results and pool standings.

Tickets are also available to pre-order via EvenBrite right up until midnight before each competition day. Cash Gates will also be available. £10 Adults, £5 Concessions.

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