Falcon Umpires

After months of travelling across the country in search of the most promising up-and-coming field hockey athletes under the age of 17, Men’s Junior National Head Coach Mathias Ahrens has selected a group of 21 athletes to represent Canada on the Men’s Junior National Target 2017 Team (see roster below).  18 of these athletes will compete in their first international matches later this month in a series of games against the USA running November 27th – December 2nd at Moorpark College. 
“This US tour is just the beginning,” says Ahrens.  “I’m really looking forward to it.  We have an excited young group that will get to represent their country for the first time.  The Target 2017 Men are a solid, competitive team.”

This will also be the first international series for Sandeep Chopra.  Field Hockey Canada is pleased to announce Chopra as the Team Manager for the Men’s Target 2017 Program.  With over 40 years of experience in the field hockey community, Chopra is excited for his new role. 
“This is a huge honour for me,” says Chopra of Ottawa. “It gives me so much energy to see young people getting an opportunity to compete at this level.  They are so excited to represent their country – it’s invigorating.  A lot of these athletes have a long road ahead of them.  It’s very rewarding to help them reach their goals.” 
“The impact of the Target 2017 Program is huge,” says Chopra.  “It gets the kids involved, gives them a more tangible goal.  They know it will be a long road to the Junior or Senior National, but the Target 2017 Program gives athletes something to push for at a young age.  This program has already sparked interest across Canada.  It also helps raise the profile of junior hockey, and will hopefully encourage more kids to participate.” 

So what is the goal of the Target 2017 Program?

The  Women’s National Team took to the field today against Venezuela for their first match of the 2012 FIH World League Round 1 in Port of Spain, Trinidad & Tobago where the top three teams advance to the next round.  Today marked many firsts for the Women’s National Team as they work towards qualification for the 2014 World Cup. 
“We came in with an offensive game plan and can look back at good stretches of play,” says Head Coach Kimo Linders.  “Execution in the circle worked well.”
The team has been adjusting to the varied weather conditions of Trinidad & Tobago including high temperatures, torrential rains and humidity. 
Team Canada’s goals were scored by 7 different players including:  Thea Culley (19’), Brienne Stairs (11’, 47’,61’), Abigail Raye (32’), Katherine Gillis (38’,70’), Poonam Sandhu (28’), Marian Dickinson(53’, 55’) and Caashia Karringten (5’, 64’).  Dickinson, Karringten and Sandhu scored their first international goals for Canada.  In addition, first international caps were earned by Angela Lancaster, Rachel Donohoe and Lauren Logush.  After reading the player’s oath during the opening ceremony, Logush’s honour was highlighted by stopping a penalty stroke.
After the game at the National Hockey Centre Eastern Regional Complex in Tacaruiga, the WNT were honoured by a visit at the field from Cyril Joseph, Acting High Commissioner of Canada to Trinidad & Tobago, and his wife Lisa. They came to watch and cheer on the team in their victory over Venezuela.
The WNT plays Guyana followed by Barbados,Trinidad &Tobago and Uruguay during the tournament from November 11 to 17. 

Field hockey in the winter has long been an option for adults but never a game played at the junior level. This year marks the first year in falcon history that juniors have the option to play year round. In partnership with South Delta Parks, Falcons created an indoor league starting November 5th for seven weeks for the age groups 9 – 14 for boys and girls. While the older age groups were not as responsive to the offer the girls 9 -12 have come in flocks! The original time slot, originally only available for 12, has doubled to 26 kids. Lelia Sacre and Mike Gunning were there day one to give an orientation of the indoor game which differs somewhat from the outdoor game. There is no hitting, lifting the ball or scooping. Players still must score inside a marked D but can raise the ball on net once inside the D. The biggest difference is the speed of the game and the focus on offense. With a smaller floor, both teams can transition to offense immediately making for high scoring games and a focus on individual skills. Players improve their decision making skills and how to utilize the two on one and one on one skills in high speed situations. “We’ve noticed the rate of skill improvement double in the same amount of time” says Mike Gunning, president of Falcons and member of the Men’s Premier team. The indoor game is also a focus that FHBC has been trying to get clubs to buy into for many of the same reasons Falcons have experienced since Jurgen Lankau introduced it to the club back in the 1970’s. While this initial program has garnered optimistic feedback from the players and parents, the focus now is to grow the experience to other age groups across the girls and boys programs evenly. If all goes well there will be indoor running from October to December and January to March annually for 8-14 year old boys and girls. Once players have reached 14 they will likely be transitioned into adult leagues at the recreational level. Then they will have the ability to practice with the adult indoor program through the Fall and Winter League. For those who are interested in seeing there 9 – 12 year old boy try indoor, Falcons will be offering a chance to try it for free starting November 19 from 6:30 -7:30pm at the Baptist Church Gym. Please contact Guy Manwaring (Club Captain) by email at gremlinchaser1965@gmail.com for more information.

Just another name or a Falcons get together. This is our third annual Falcons Winter Stratgy meeting as coined by Mike Gunning Falcon President! Hope you all can come. Please contact Corrie Guraliuk for tickets and don’t forget to put these dates on your calendar.

Two events coming up:
Boots and Sombrero turf fundraiser dinner Thursday December 6th 6pm $10/person gets you a burger or Enchilada
2nd Annual Winter curling championship: Friday January 4th Dinner @ 7pm and curling 9-11pm. 

For tickets email Corrie: cguraliuk@vsb.bc.ca

Canada and Argentina secure 2013 Junior World Cup births and advance to the Final of the 2012 Junior Pan American Championship (Women)

In the first Women’s semi-final match on Day 10 of the 2012 Junior Pan American Championship (Women), Chile and Canada battled. Both teams traded possession and had attacking opportunities in the first half. Canada’s Holly Stewart scored first to give Canada a 1-0 lead in the 16th minute. Just two minutes later, Chile’s Josefina Khamis tied the match off a penalty corner. With both teams playing good defense, the score remained tied 1-1 at halftime. Canada came out fired up, and Canada regained the lead off a Jessica Buttinger field goal in the 37th minute. Canada continued to pressure on attack and one of Caashia Karrington’s penalty corner shots finally found the back of the net. After Canada had a 3-1 lead over Chile, Chile really pressured on attack for the rest of the second half. Chile, however, kept going down their left side of the pitch and Canada defended well. Despite sound chances by Chile, including a couple shots from Manuela Urroz that went wide, the score remained 3-1 in favor of Canada. And Canada not only secures a spot in the Final, but a place at the 2013 Junior World Cup.

The other Women’s semi-final match was also between a South American and North American team, respectively: between Argentina and the United States. Argentina came out dominant on the attack and took a quick two-goal lead within the first eight minutes of the match; off a field goal by Sofia Denise Villarroya and a penalty corner goal by Julia Mailen Gomes Fantasia. The United States’ keeper Lauren Blazing saved a number of shots to prevent Argentina from building a bigger lead. Argentina could not be stopped, however, as Roberta Werthein made it 3-0 in the 20th minute. The United States had few opportunities on attack; and the Argentine defense made a tremendous save to block the United States’ lone penalty corner play of the first half. Argentina’s Gisele Estefania Juarez blasted a reverse shot to the opposite corner of the cage off a penalty corner to give Argentina a 4-0 lead in the 31st minute. The second half again started with Argentina dominating on attack. Maria Del Pilar RomanG gave her team a five goal lead just three minutes into the half. The United States blocked a series of Argentina penalty corners, but could not generate their own attack long enough to get a shot off. Argentina’s Albertarrio made the score 6-0 in the 59th minute. Thus, the United States and Chile will battle for third place and a 2013 Junior World Cup spot.

Day 9 of the 2012 Junior Pan American Championship (Women) featured two matches of exciting cross-over play that both went into extra time. In the match to decide the 9th-11th place matches, Brazil and Paraguay played. Brazil was still looking for its first tournament win. Throughout the match, however, Paraguay had the attacking advantage, but Brazil played tremendous defense to prevent Paraguay from scoring, especially off penalty corners during regulation. Thus, the match went into extra time. Again, Paraguay dominated on the attack and even earned a penalty corner, but again Brazil held off their attack to keep the match scoreless. As a result, the match went into a second period of extra time. Brazil continued to hold off the Paraguay attack and blocked a Paraguay penalty corner. It looked like the scoreless match was going to go into a shoot-out, but Paraguay’s María Servian Giosa scored with one minute remaining in the second extra time to advance Paraguay to the 9th/10th place match. Brazil will play Jamaica in a cross-over match to decide who will play against Paraguay for 9th/10th place.

In the Jamaica versus Brazil cross-over match, both teams battled for possession throughout the match. Jamaica scored first in the 13th minute when Trudy-Ann Knight converted a penalty corner. Brazil also had a number of attacking opportunities, but could not capitalize. Jamaica’s Chakira Airey tipped in a penalty corner shot in the 34th minute to give Jamaica the 2-0 lead over Brazil at halftime. Again, both teams came out fighting for possession in the second half. Brazil finally got on the scoreboard in the 40th minute when Camila De Aguiar Lemos converted a penalty corner; De Aguiar Lemos’ goal was also the first goal of the tournament for the Brazilian women. Both teams played strong defense to prevent another score, especially off a penalty corner. Thus, Jamaica came away the winner and will play Paraguay for 9th/10th place; while Brazil will finish in 11th in the 2012 Junior Pan American Championship (Women).

In the cross-over match to decide placement in the 5th through 8th place matches, host Mexico and Venezuela played. From the whistle, both teams battled for possession. Mexico’s Jazel Arlet Salazar Miranda scored off their first penalty corner of the match just three minutes into the match to give Mexico the early lead. Just two minutes later, however, Venezuela’s Stephanie Gonzalez tied the match off Venezuela’s first penalty corner of the match. Afterwards, both teams continued to trade possession and kept play mostly in the midfield. A penalty corner goal by Lady Beltran Mendoza in the final minutes of the first half gave Venezuela a 2-1 lead over Mexico at the halftime break. In the second half, Venezuela had more possession, but Mexico had more penalty corner opportunities. Both teams played strong defense throughout the second half. Mexico’s Karen Gutierrez Orozco tied the match in the 64th minute. With both teams unable to score another, this match also went into two extra time periods. During the second extra time, it was Venezuela’s Johandri Sanchez with the golden goal to securing Venezuela a spot in the 5th/6th place match.

In the cross-over match to decide who will play in the other 5th through 8th place matches, Uruguay and Trinidad & Tobago battled. Uruguay took an early 1-0 lead off a penalty corner by Agustina Taborda. Trinidad & Tobago continued to play really strong defense, but another Taborda penalty corner goal gave Chile a 2-0 lead. Two minutes later a field goal by Paula Carvahlo put Chile ahead by three goals. Trinidad & Tobago had a few attacking opportunities in the first half, but could not capitalize. And right before halftime, Florencia Norbis made it a 4-0 score that remained at the break. Trinidad & Tobago started the second half on attack and earned a penalty corner, but could not get the shot off. Trinidad & Tobago continued to attack, and finally Brianna Govia scored to make it a 4-1 score in favor of Uruguay. Three minutes later, Uruguay’s Kaisuami Da’Lorso made it 5-1. Both teams could not capitalize off their final attacking plays and the score remained 5-1 Uruguay vs. Trinidad & Tobago. With the win, Uruguay will play Venezuela for fifth place; and Trinidad & Tobago will play Mexico to decide 7th/8th place.

Please continue to follow www.panamhockey.org for live updates, post-match interviews, photos, and more!