Here’s a few highlights from around the hockey world wide web compiled by ourselves and The Hook to help you kill a few minutes! If you see anything that should appear here, email alan@southernfriedhockey.com or fire us on the link to Southern Fried Hockey’s Facebook or Twitter pages.
Parents react angrily to costs of Irish U-18 trials
Johnny Watterson’s Friday piece in the Irish Times created quite a stir as he detailed the costs of potentially representing Ireland at Under-18 level. All told, the article says parents of players, before travel costs, could be asked to fork out at much as €540 if they are to take part in each trial and training session as well as their Four Nations tournament in July.
Paying to play has been part of the national programme for a number of years and is regularly a bone of contention with the senior panel. For their part, the IHA replied that player contributions are “not a new occurrence” and are “essential part of the international programmes sustainability”.
Whether it will cause a potential international player to miss out as they are not able to afford to play remains to be seen. What do you think of how this is being handled?
Ruhr power
Germany’s Christopher Ruhr is one of the most exciting young players in world hockey, and has proven why at the JWC with a goal in every game. This one in Friday’s semi-final in Holland proves why he’s regarded so highly, some awesome quick hands here
That came in an incredible 5-3 win over the Netherlands, sure why not watch the full highlights
How bout them Chiefs?
USA Hockey Guy pays tribute to the Rathgar Chiefs run to the semi-finals of the Mills Cup
How bout them Chiefs?
USA Hockey Guy pays tribute to the Rathgar Chiefs run to the semi-finals of the Mills Cup
How ’bout them Chiefs! That is one hot field hockey franchise right now sports fans.
— USA Hockey Guy (@USAHockeyGuy) December 13, 2013
The Secret Umpire
Speaking of national newspapers, the Daily Telegraph in England has shown a huge commitment to the promotion of hockey. Their dedicated hockey pages allow for paid journalists a forum to provide high quality articles to a niche market. One of the most popular columns has been “The Secret Umpire”. Here’s their take on the always contentious overhead balls.
Road trip
An Exeter University hockey club fresher – home club of former Three Rock man Tom Samuel – Jack Bannister went on a sudden 900-mile round trip to Scotland on Wednesday morning, after losing his hockey team’s infamous “Edinburgh Fives” tournament on Tuesday night. The Independent picks up the story here
From there, though, things got a little hairy for the student who was subsequently ‘kidnapped’ by Bristol hockey club members during a transfer as Bannister’s journey quickly reached odysseyic proportions.