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London 10-26 June 2016 Contents

Key contacts & resources 1 Welcome message from FIH President Leandro Negre 2 About the Hockey Champions Trophies 3 About London and the Lee Valley Hockey and Centre 9 Competitions format 11

Men’s Competition Teams 13 Match schedule 21 Tournament Officials 22

Women’s Competition Teams 23 Match schedule 32 Tournament Officials 33

Useful information Event logos for download 34 Event photography 35 Following the competitions 36 Key facts 37 Rules and Tournament regulations 38 FIH World Rankings 40 Rio 2016 preview 42 The Hockey Revolution 45 The Future of International Hockey 46

CNT Key contacts & resources

FIH Media Contacts: For all media queries relating to the event, please contact [email protected] FIH Event Media Manager Richard Stainthorpe Email: [email protected] Tel: +44 (0) 7733 322910 FIH Communications and Digital Manager Daniel Parker Email: [email protected] Tel: +41 (79) 619 7724

Great Britain Hockey Media Contacts: GB Hockey Communications Manager Craig Mortimer-Zhika Email: [email protected] Tel: +44 (0)7988 620992

Resources: Event Websites: Men: http://www.fih.ch/events/champions-trophy/2016-mens-champions-trophy Women: http://www.fih.ch/events/champions-trophy/2016-womens-champions-trophy

Social media: The FIH will provide comprehensive coverage of the event via our social media channels, including Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and Snapchat.

Facebook: facebook.com/fihockey Instagram: instagram.com/fihockey Twitter: twitter.com/fih_hockey Snapchat: fihockey Hashtags: #HCT2016 #BestOfTheBest

In-Event Stats and Historical data: The FIH has created a dedicated website which provides a fascinating overview of the men’s and women’s events. The information available includes head to heads, team stats, individual stats, all time top scorers and much more. The data will be continually updated during the events. This information can be found here.

1 CNT Introduction A word from Leandro Negre, President of the International Hockey Federation (FIH)

Dear Hockey Media Representative, It is with great pleasure that I welcome you to London for the Hockey Champions Trophies 2016. We are delighted to bring these two high-profile events to the Lee Valley Hockey and Tennis Centre, the superb London 2012 Olympic legacy facility situated in Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park. Following the remarkable success of the Unibet EuroHockey Championships last year, we are in no doubt that this truly world class venue will provide a superb platform to showcase our sport during the 2016 Hockey Champions Trophies. The hosting of innovative and exciting entertainment events is a key goal in FIH’s Hockey Revolution strategy, which is designed to raise the global status and popularity of hockey in a bid to reach our ambition of becoming a global game that inspires the next generation. With exceptional action on the field and fan-focussed entertainment all around the venue, we know that a very special time awaits everyone attending the events in London. The prestigious Champions Trophies are considered to be hockey’s entertainment showpiece events. They are always fiercely competitive and the line-up for the events in London – the last elite international competitions before the Rio 2016 Olympic Games – ensures that the 2016 editions will be extra special. In the men’s Hero Hockey Champions Trophy (10-17 June), world champions Australia will face Olympic champions and 2014 Hockey Champions Trophy winners , Asian continental champions , host nation Great Britain, European giants Belgium and the always dangerous Korea. The nations competing in the women’s event (18-26 June) have all booked their tickets to Rio, including the , and Great Britain, the respective gold, silver and bronze medallists from the London 2012 Games. Australia, New Zealand and USA complete the line-up for what promises to be a fascinating and action-packed event. A wonderful two weeks of world class hockey awaits. While thousands of fans are expected at the venue, a global audience of millions will be following all of the action on TV, live streaming and through all of our digital channels. I would like to thank Great Britain Hockey, the city of London and all of their partners for their tireless efforts in preparation for what is certain to be a fantastic festival of hockey. Our thanks must also go to all of the sponsors and the hundreds of volunteers who are crucial to making these competitions a success. I wish all of the athletes and officials the best of luck on the field and hope that everyone has a wonderful experience in one of the greatest cities in the world.

Yours in hockey.

Leandro Negre FIH President

2 CNT About the Hockey Champions Trophies

The men’s and women’s Hockey Champions Trophies are exclusive, glamorous and prestigious competitions that showcase the very best that hockey has to offer, with the finest international teams competing to claim titles of historical significance.

The Champions Trophy events in London will feature the 36th edition of the men’s competition and the 22nd women’s event.

Six teams will take part in each competition, representing the best of the best international hockey teams in the world.

It is fitting that the Lee Valley Hockey and Tennis Centre, the London 2012 legacy facility located in the iconic Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, will host the last major international hockey events ahead of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games in August. The 2016 Hockey Champions Trophies will therefore officially kick off the sport’s Olympic festivities in samba style!

Only one more edition of the Hockey Champions Trophy will take place following this year’s events in London. The 2018 men’s and women’s Hockey Champions Trophies will mark the end of this historic tournament as the sport of hockey moves to an exciting new portfolio of events which will be introduced in 2019.

This will make both the 2016 and 2018 editions even more special. With teams knowing that this is one of the last opportunities to be added to the elite group of previous Hockey Champions Trophy winners, every team will be out there to win and in doing so etch their name on this unique Trophy and in the history books for eternity.

Vital FIH World Ranking points will also be on offer at both events. Such points can give nations a significant advantage in terms of qualification for future competitions, including the Hockey World Cup and Olympic Games. They will also play an important role in determining which nations will be invited to join the new international home and away league system as part of the new portfolio of events.

3 CNT Men’s Hockey Champions Trophy The men’s Hockey Champions Trophy was first developed by Air Marshal (retired) Nur Khan, former President of the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF).

During the Hockey World Cup in 1978 in , Argentina, Nur Khan offered the FIH the chance to stage a ‘Super World Cup tournament’ in Pakistan, where the best nations in the world would participate. At the time, the selection of the teams had to be based on the most recent FIH World Ranking, according to the Olympic Games and the World Cup.

Former FIH President René Frank, from Belgium, took Khan’s idea to the FIH Executive Board and they agreed that the tournament would start later that year, in 1978.

The PHF, taking the initiative of this ‘Super World Cup tournament’ (shortly thereafter the name was changed to Champions Trophy), obtained the right to organise the first edition.

The inaugural tournament took place in the city of Lahore, Pakistan in November 1978 and featured five teams – Pakistan, Australia, Great Britain, New Zealand and , with Pakistan winning the title on home soil.

Following a two-year gap between the first (1978) and second (1980) editions of the Hockey Champions Trophy, the competition was played on an annual basis until 2012. The Champions Trophy has reverted to a biennial event from 2014 onwards due to the introduction of the Hockey World League.

This year’s men’s Hero Hockey Champions Trophy sees the competition revert back to being a six nations event.

Aside from the inaugural five team competition, a seven team tournament in 1980 and the eight nation editions in 1987, 2007, 2011, 2012 and 2014, all other men’s Hockey Champions Trophy editions have featured six teams.

Australia are the most successful nation in men’s Hockey Champions Trophy history, having won the gold medal on 13 separate occasions, five more than nearest rivals Netherlands.

Dutchman is the top goal-scorer in the history of the competition, netting 46 times for the Netherlands between 2000 and 2011.

4 CNT Men’s Hockey Champions Trophy Medal Winners

Edition Venue Gold Silver Bronze

2014 Bhubaneswar (IND) Germany (GER) Pakistan (PAK) Australia (AUS)

2012 (AUS) Australia (AUS) Netherlands (NED) Pakistan (PAK)

2011 (NZL) Australia (AUS) Spain (ESP) Netherlands (NED)

2010 Mönchengladbach (GER) Australia (AUS) (ENG) Netherlands (NED)

2009 Melbourne (AUS) Australia (AUS) Germany (GER) Korea (KOR)

2008 Rotterdam (NED) Australia (AUS) Spain (ESP) Argentina (ARG)

2007 (MAS) Germany (GER) Australia (AUS) Netherlands (NED)

2006 Terrassa (ESP) Netherlands (NED) Germany (GER) Spain (ESP)

2005 Chennai (IND) Australia (AUS) Netherlands (NED) Spain (ESP)

2004 Lahore (PAK) Spain (ESP) Netherlands (NED) Pakistan (PAK)

2003 Amstelveen (NED) Netherlands (NED) Australia (AUS) Pakistan (PAK)

2002 Cologne (GER) Netherlands (NED) Germany (GER) Pakistan (PAK)

2001 Rotterdam (NED) Germany (GER) Australia (AUS) Netherlands (NED)

2000 Amstelveen (NED) Netherlands (NED) Germany (GER) Korea (KOR)

1999 Brisbane (AUS) Australia (AUS) Korea (KOR) Netherlands (NED)

1998 Lahore (PAK) Netherlands (NED) Pakistan (PAK) Australia (AUS)

1997 Adelaide (AUS) Germany (GER) Australia (AUS) Spain (ESP)

1996 Madras (IND) Netherlands (NED) Pakistan (PAK) Germany (GER)

1995 Berlin (GER) Germany (GER) Australia (AUS) Pakistan (PAK)

1994 Lahore (PAK) Pakistan (PAK) Germany (GER) Netherlands (NED)

1993 Kuala Lumpur (MAS) Australia (AUS) Germany (GER) Netherlands (NED)

1992 Karachi (PAK) Germany (GER) Australia (AUS) Pakistan (PAK)

5 CNT 1991 Berlin (GER) Germany (GER) Pakistan (PAK) Netherlands (NED)

1990 Melbourne (AUS) Australia (AUS) Netherlands (NED) Germany (GER)

1989 West Berlin (FRG) Australia (AUS) Netherlands (NED) West Germany (FRG)

1988 Lahore (PAK) West Germany (FRG) Pakistan (PAK) Australia (AUS)

1987 Amstelveen (NED) West Germany (FRG) Netherlands (NED) Australia (AUS)

1986 Karachi (PAK) West Germany (FRG) Australia (AUS) Pakistan (PAK)

1985 Perth (AUS) Australia (AUS) Great Britain (GBR) West Germany (FRG)

1984 Karachi (PAK) Australia (AUS) Pakistan (PAK) Great Britain (GBR)

1983 Karachi (PAK) Australia (AUS) Pakistan (PAK) West Germany (FRG)

1982 Amstelveen (NED) Netherlands (NED) Australia (AUS) India (IND)

1981 Karachi (PAK) Netherlands (NED) Australia (AUS) West Germany (FRG)

1980 Karachi (PAK) Pakistan (PAK) West Germany (FRG) Australia (AUS)

1978 Lahore (PAK) Pakistan (PAK) Australia (AUS) Great Britain (GBR)

Women’s Hockey Champions Trophy In 1987, a new chapter in the history of women’s hockey came into being when the Royal Dutch Hockey Association (KNHB) organised a women’s hockey competition at the Wagener Stadium in Amstelveen, Netherlands in June 1987.

The event, which took place around the same time as the ninth edition of the men’s Hockey Champions Trophy, involved five of the top six ranked teams from the 1986 World Cup.

The host nation, Netherlands, competed against Canada, New Zealand, Great Britain and Australia in this event. West Germany were the only team from the top six not to be involved, with 1988 Olympic hosts Korea completing the line-up.

In April 1987, the FIH made the decision to recognise that event as the first Women’s Hockey Champions Trophy.

Reigning World (1986), Olympic (1984) and European (1984) champions Netherlands became the first ever winners of the women’s Hockey Champions Trophy. The Dutch team won all five of their matches to the delight of their home fans, scoring 21 goals in the process. Australia finished second and Korea were ranked third.

6 CNT Between 1987 and 1999 the competition was played every two years before moving to an annual basis until 2012. Like the men’s Hockey Champions Trophy, the women’s competition reverted to a biennial event from 2014 due to the introduction of the Hockey World League.

18 out of the 21 women’s Hockey Champions Trophy tournaments played to date have used the six nation format that will be on show this year in London. The 2011, 2012 and 2014 events each featured eight competing nations.

The Netherlands, Australia and reigning champions Argentina have each won six Hockey Champions Trophy titles, while Germany, China and Korea have all claimed one.

Netherlands star is the all-time top scorer in the women’s Hockey Champions Trophy, having scored 28 goals since making her Hockey Champions Trophy debut at the 2004 event in Rosario, Argentina.

*Athlete data from 1990 Hockey Champions Trophies onwards. Previous athlete data unavailable.

Women’s Hockey Champions Trophy Medal Winners

Edition Venue Gold Silver Bronze

2014 Mendoza (ARG) Argentina (ARG) Australia (AUS) Netherlands (NED)

2012 Rosario (ARG) Argentina (ARG) Great Britain (GBR) Netherlands (NED)

2011 Amstelveen (NED) Netherlands (NED) Argentina (ARG) New Zealand (NZL)

2010 Nottingham (ENG) Argentina (ARG) Netherlands (NED) England (ENG)

2009 Sydney (AUS) Argentina (ARG) Australia (AUS) Netherlands (NED)

2008 Mönchengladbach (GER) Argentina (ARG) Germany (GER) Netherlands (NED)

2007 Quilmes (ARG) Netherlands (NED) Argentina (ARG) Germany (GER)

2006 Amstelveen (NED) Germany (GER) China (CHN) Netherlands (NED)

2005 Canberra (AUS) Netherlands (NED) Australia (AUS) China (CHN)

2004 Rosario (ARG) Netherlands (NED) Germany (GER) Argentina (ARG)

2003 Sydney (AUS) Australia (AUS) China (CHN) Netherlands (NED)

2002 Macau (CHN) China (CHN) Argentina (ARG) Netherlands (NED)

7 CNT 2001 Amstelveen (NED) Argentina (ARG) Netherlands (NED) Australia (AUS)

2000 Amstelveen (NED) Netherlands (NED) Germany (GER) Australia (AUS)

1999 Brisbane (AUS) Australia (AUS) Netherlands (NED) Germany (GER)

1997 Berlin (GER) Australia (AUS) Germany (GER) Netherlands (NED)

1995 Mar del Plata (ARG) Australia (AUS) Korea (KOR) United States (USA)

1993 Amstelveen (NED) Australia (AUS) Netherlands (NED) Germany (GER)

1991 Berlin (GER) Australia (AUS) Germany (GER) Netherlands (NED)

1989 Frankfurt am Main (FRG) Korea (KOR) Australia (AUS) West Germany (FRG)

1987 Amstelveen (NED) Netherlands (NED) Australia (AUS) Korea (KOR)

8 CNT About London

The Lonely Planet website’s overview of the city:

One of the world’s most visited cities, London has something for everyone: from history and culture to fine food and good times.

London is as much about wide-open spaces and leafy escapes as it is high-density, sight-packed exploration. Central London is where you will find the major museums, galleries and most iconic sights, but visit Hampstead Heath or the new Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park to escape the crowds and view the city’s greener hues up close. Or venture even further out to Kew Gardens, Richmond or Hampton Court Palace for excellent panoramas of riverside London.

This city is very multicultural, with a third of all Londoners foreign born, representing 270 different nationalities. What unites them and visitors alike is the English language, for this is both our tongue’s birthplace and its epicentre. These cultures season the culinary aromas on London’s streets, the often exotic clothing people wear and the music they listen to. London’s diverse cultural dynamism makes it among the world’s most international cities. And diversity reaches intrinsically British institutions too; the British and Victoria and Albert Museums have collections as varied as they are magnificent, while flavours at centuries-old Borough Market now run the full gourmet and cosmopolitan spectrum.

To read more click here

London was recently named as the world’s number 1 city destination on TripAdvisor, according to its users. To read the full story on the BBC website, click here

Other useful links London on TripAdvisor: click here VisitLondon website: click here

9 CNT About Lee Valley Hockey and Tennis Centre Lee Valley Hockey and Tennis Centre is the London 2012 Olympic Legacy facility for Hockey, situated in the north of Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in East London. Creating a permanent hockey legacy was one of the pledges in London’s Olympic bid, and this truly world class facility has absolutely delivered on that promise.

The facility has two state-of-the-art, Union Jack fringed water-based synthetic surfaces, with the main arena having 3,000 permanent seats as well as the ability to increase this capacity for major events. For the men’s and women’s Hockey Champions Trophies, the capacity will be close to 5,000. Lee Valley Hockey and Tennis Centre played host to Wheelchair Tennis in the 2012 Paralympic Games. The venue is a short walk from the centre of Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, which was the site of the Riverbank Arena which hosted Hockey at the Olympic Games.

Lee Valley Hockey and Tennis Centre was officially opened in May 2014, two months prior to July’s Investec London Cup. The first major international event to be held at the venue welcomed teams from England, Scotland, Ireland, South Africa and Wales.

In the summer of 2015, Lee Valley Hockey and Tennis Centre played host to the hugely successful Unibet EuroHockey Championships, where England women and Netherlands men took the titles in front of sell-out crowds.

A feature story providing additional information about the Lee Valley Hockey and Tennis Centre can be found by clicking here. For more information about Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, click here.

10 CNT Competitions format

Both the men’s and women’s Hockey Champions Trophy competitions in London will feature one pool comprising of all six participating teams.

Pool phase All of the competing teams will play against each other, with three points being awarded for a win, one point for a draw and zero points for a loss. Teams will be ranked according to the number of points they have accumulated in the competition, providing the basis for the classification matches.

Pool Splitters If at the end of the pool matches two or more teams have the same number of points for any place in a pool, the first splitter will be according to their respective number of matches won, followed by Goal Difference, Goals Scored and the result of the match played between the tied teams. If more than two teams are involved, then a ranking based upon the results of the matches among (only) them shall determine their respective position, based upon the points awarded. Should there still remain equality among two or more teams, then the ranking will be determined by a shoot-out competition between those teams.

Classification phase The teams for the classification matches will be as follows although the matches will not necessarily be played in this order:

● 5th Ranked Team v 6th Ranked Team (to determine 5th and 6th places) ● 3rd Ranked Team v 4th Ranked Team (to determine 3rd and 4th places) ● 1st Ranked Team v 2nd Ranked Team (to determine 1st and 2nd places) The score at the end of the regulation time of any match will be registered by the FIH as the result of the match. If at the end of regulation time the result is a draw, in order to establish an outright winner of a classification match for the purpose of the competition, a shoot-out will be played to establish the winner.

More information about the tournament format can be found here.

11 CNT Men’s & Women’s Champions Trophy 2016 Format

Hockey Champions Trophy - Pool Stage Hockey Champions Trophy Hockey Champions Trophy 6 teams play each other Pool Match Table Final Classifications

15 matches played Positions for classification matches

Team 1 Position 1 WINNERS vs Team Team 6 2 Position 2 Runners Up Position 3 3rd Place Team vs Position 4 4th Place Team Team Team Position 5 5th Place Team 5 3 vs Team Position 6 6th Place Team 4

12 CNT Men’s Hero Hockey Champions Trophy

The Teams: AUSTRALIA, GERMANY, GREAT BRITAIN, BELGIUM, INDIA, KOREA You can find some general information about the men’s teams below. To see complete and up-to-date squad lists for each competing team, click here.

AUSTRALIA

Nickname: The Kookaburras Current FIH World Ranking: 1 Notable honours: Olympic Champions (2004) 3x Olympic silver medallists (1968, 1976, 1992), 5x Olympic bronze medallists (1964, 1996, 2000, 2008, 2012), 3x World champions (1986, 2010, 2014), Hockey World League champions (2015), 13x Champions Trophy winners (1983, 1984, 1985, 1989, 1990, 1993, 1999, 2005, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012), 5x gold medallists (1998, 2002, 2006, 2010, 2014), 9x Oceania Cup champions (1999, 2001, 2003, 2005, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2013, 2015).

Rank in previous CT editions: 2014 – 3rd, 2012 – 1st, 2011 – 1st, 2010 – 1st, 2009 – 1st, 2008 – 1st, 2007 – 2nd, 2006 – 4th, 2005 – 1st, 2003 – 2nd, 2002 – 5th, 2001 – 2nd, 2000 – 5th, 1999 – 1st, 1998 – 3rd, 1997 – 2nd, 1996 – 6th, 1995 – 2nd, 1994 – 4th, 1993 – 1st, 1992 – 2nd, 1991 – 4th, 1990 – 1st, 1989 – 1st, 1988 – 3rd, 1987 – 3rd, 1986 – 2nd, 1985 – 1st, 1984 – 1st, 1983 – 1st, 1982 – 2nd, 1981 – 2nd, 1980 – 3rd, 1978 – 2nd

About the team: The Kookaburras (FIH World Ranking: 1) are regarded as the most consistently successful Australian sports team over the past two decades and for more than 30 years have been ranked amongst the top four nations in the world. Their free-flowing, exciting brand of attacking hockey is a hallmark of the team and will certainly thrill the fans in London. Australia have won a medal at every Olympic hockey tournament since 1992 and in total, since first competing in the Melbourne Olympic Games of 1956, have amassed nine Olympic medals – a tally they will be determined to add to this summer at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games. They have won all five of the Commonwealth Games hockey competitions played to date and in 2014 became only the third country to ever successfully defend a World Cup title when they defeated hosts the Netherlands 6-1 in the competition final in The Hague, Netherlands. 2015 was another stellar year for the side, with a title success in the Hockey World League Final in Raipur, India being their crowning achievement.

The Kookaburras come into this Hockey Champions Trophy as the top ranked team and, with 13 Hockey Champions Trophy titles to their name, the most successful team in the competition’s history. Despite resting veteran stars and Mark Knowles – with the latter remaining in Australia in anticipation of the birth of his third child – Head Coach and former Kookaburra Graham Reid has selected a side containing plenty of world class experience.

13 CNT Key defenders , and are all included, as is ace midfielder , a player who has made over 270 senior international appearances for Australia. Teenage goal-scoring sensation – younger brother of Kookaburras stalwart – has also been named and will be looking to make his mark and seal his place on the plane to Rio. 29-year-old midfielder , another hugely influential player for Australia, starts the competition on 197 international appearances and looks likely to reach the 200 mark in London. A recent series victory against Great Britain on home soil suggests that the side are very much ready for the challenges that lie ahead this summer.

Coach comment – Graham Reid: “The Champions Trophy is being used to manage the load of a number of our players, and to provide the last opportunity for other players vying for Olympic selection. The objective of 2016 has been to get as many players as possible up to the level where they are in the mix for the team going to Rio.”

Player perspective – Tim Deavin (defender): “What better preparation for Rio is there than winning the last major, just before the Olympics take place. We go to every tournament to win and anything less is a failure.”

One to watch: Chris Ciriello. In a team blessed with numerous world class penalty corner experts, Ciriello has developed a reputation as the man for the big occasion. In 2014, the powerful defender – nicknamed ‘Big Dog’- scored a hat-tricks in the finals of both the Rabobank Hockey World Cup (versus the Netherlands) and the Commonwealth Games (versus India) to help the Kookaburras to double glory.

Hockey Australia website: www.hockey.org.au Twitter: @kookaburras Facebook: TheKookaburras Instagram: @hockeyaustraliaofficial

GERMANY

Nickname: Die Honamas Current FIH World Ranking: 3 Notable honours: 4x Olympic gold medallists (1972, 1992, 2008, 2012), 2x World champions (2002, 2006), 9x Champions Trophy winners (1986, 1987, 1988, 1991, 1992, 1995, 1997, 2001, 2007, 2014), 8x European champions (1970, 1978, 1991, 1995, 1999, 2003, 2011, 2013).

Rank in previous CT editions: 2014 – 1st, 2012 – 6th, 2011 – 5th, 2010 – 4th, 2009 – 2nd, 2008 – 5th, 2007 – 1st, 2006 – 2nd, 2005 – 4th, 2004 – 5th, 2003 – 6th, 2002 – 2nd, 2001 – 1st, 2000 – 2nd, 1998 – 6th, 1997 – 1st, 1996 – 3rd, 1995 – 1st,

14 CNT

1994 – 2nd, 1993 – 2nd, 1992 – 1st, 1991 – 1st, 1990 – 3rd, 1989* – 3rd, 1988* – 1st, 1987* – 1st, 1986* – 1st, 1985* – 3rd, 1983* – 3rd, 1982* – 5th, 1981* – 3rd, 1980* – 2nd

About the team: One of the undisputed giants of global hockey, Germany have been a powerhouse of the game for decades and the current group is certainly no different. They are the current holders of the Olympic and Hockey Champions Trophy titles and are always capable of winning every tournament that they enter. 2014 was far less successful than the team would have hoped, with a seventh place finish at the Hero Hockey World League Final being followed by an even more surprising sixth place at the Rabobank Hockey World Cup in The Hague. However, any conversations about the demise Germany’s “golden generation” were halted at the end of that year when they returned to form by winning the Hero Hockey Champions Trophy in Bhubaneswar, India. The team continued their good form in 2015 by winning the Argentina Hockey World League Semi-Final in Buenos Aires, although a 6-1 hammering at the hands of the Netherlands in the final of last August’s Unibet EuroHockey Championships followed by a seventh place finish at the Hero Hockey World League Final in Raipur, India, showed that they are certainly not infallible. That said, Germany have developed a habit of getting it right in Olympic year, so write them off at your peril. The squad chosen by Head Coach – who replaced Marcus Weise, one of the most successful coaches in the history of German sport, late in 2015 – will be captained by brilliant midfielder (FIH Player of the Year 2013), who alongside is one of two players in the group to have surpassed the 200 international appearances marker. A further six players have played over 100 times for their country, including defensive rock Martin Häner, extraordinary striker (FIH Young Player of the Year 2012) and Jan-Philipp Rabente, the man who scored twice in the London 2012 Olympic final to help Germany defeat the Netherlands. Even without the talents of rested duo Moritz Fürste (FIH Player of the Year 2012) and Christopher Rühr (FIH Young Player of the Year 2013 and 2015), Germany will be considered amongst the favourites in London and will have high hopes of becoming Olympic champions for a third time in succession at Rio 2016.

One to watch: Tobias Hauke. A classy midfielder blessed with skill, vision and intelligence. 2013 FIH Player of the Year Hauke is a double Olympic Gold medallist, having been a central figure in the Germany teams that emerged triumphant at the 2008 and London 2012 Games. At 28 years of age, his best years may still be ahead of him. He is the elder brother of Franzisca Hauke, who is a key player for Die Danas, the German women’s international team.

Team website: www.hockey.de Twitter: @hockey_de Facebook: Honamas Instagram: @honamas

* As West Germany

15 CNT GREAT BRITAIN

Nickname: Team GB Current FIH World Ranking: 4 Notable honours: 2x Olympic gold medallists (1920, 1988), Olympic silver medallists (1948), 2x Olympic bronze medallists (1952, 1984), FIH Champions Trophy silver medallists (1985), 2x FIH Champions Trophy bonze medallists (1978, 1984).

Rank in previous CT editions: 2011 - 6th, 2007 – 6th, 2000 – 6th, 1994 – 6th, 1992 – 5th, 1991 – 5th, 1990 – 6th, 1989 – 5th, 1988 – 6th, 1987 – 4th, 1986 – 4th, 1985 – 2nd, 1984 – 3rd, 1980 – 7th, 1978 – 3rd

About the team: Following their fourth place finish at the London 2012 Olympics, Great Britain have set their sights firmly on winning a medal at Rio 2016. Looking at their recent history, you certainly would not bet against them. There has been a steady improvement since their disappointing ninth place finish at the 2004 Games, with the team taking fifth at Beijing 2008 before losing the bronze medal match at London 2012 against Australia. The team coached by ex-England and GB striker Bobby Crutchley sealed tickets to both Rio and the Hero Hockey World League Final in Raipur, India, with their third place finish at the FINTRO Hockey World League Semi-Final in Antwerp, Belgium, thanks to a 5-1 win over India. A largely experimental side was sent Raipur, where Great Britain finished in sixth place. The most experienced player in the provisional squad named for the Hockey Champions Trophy is talismanic attacker and team captain , a veteran of 360 international appearances. Brilliant midfielder and penalty corner expert Ashley Jackson is also included, as are attack-minded trio Harry Martin, and Nick Catlin, world class central defender and charismatic goalkeeper , who could make his 100th senior international appearance in front of the home fans at London’s Lee Valley Hockey and Tennis Centre. 32-year-old forward Simon Mantell – a star performer at the Hero Hockey World League Final in Raipur with four goals – is another player who could potentially reach a caps milestone if selected for the Hockey Champions Trophy. Mantell currently sits on 199 international appearances, and will be hoping to reach the 200 mark at the Olympic legacy facility. Great Britain recently travelled to Australia to face the Kookaburras, claiming a 2-2 draw in the first test before losing 4-3 and 5-1 in the second and third tests respectively.

Player perspective – Dan Fox (Defender): “We’re excited. It’s the first Champions Trophy any of us have played on home soil and it is a tournament that we want to win for the first time. Everything we do this year is part of our Rio preparation. That said, the Champions Trophy is a major trophy and we will be trying full out to win it. The tight turn around between games is also great preparation for the tough schedule in Rio, so it will be good practice.”

16 CNT One to watch: Ashley Jackson. Alongside team captain Barry Middleton, the 28-year-old midfielder is one of Great Britain’s most gifted individuals. He possesses fantastic stick skills, a terrific eye for a pass and is one of the finest penalty corner drag-flickers in the world. As always, Jackson is expected to be one of the stars of the show in London.

GB Hockey website: www.greatbritainhockey.co.uk Twitter: @_GBHockey Facebook: EnglandHockey Instagram: @england_hockey

BELGIUM

Nickname: The Red Lions Current FIH World Ranking: 5 Notable honours: Olympic bronze medallists (1920), Hockey World League silver medallists (2015), European silver medallists (2013), European bronze medallists (2007), 5th place - Olympic Games (2012), 5th place - Rabobank Hockey World Cup (2014), 5th place - Hero Hockey Champions Trophy (2014).

Rank in previous CT editions: 2014 – 8th, 2012 – 5th

About the team: Belgium have made huge strides forward over the past ten years and are now rated as one of the most feared attacking sides on the planet. The Red Lions produced some excellent performances at the 2014 Rabobank Hockey World Cup in The Hague but just missed out on a place in the competition Semi-Finals when they fell to a narrow defeat at the hands of England before finishing fifth, an all-time high for the men’s national team. 2015 certainly had ups and downs, with a second place finish at FINTRO Hockey World League Semi-Final in Antwerp being followed by a surprisingly low fifth place finish at the Unibet EuroHockey Championships at London’s Lee Valley Hockey and Tennis Centre, the same venue that will host the men’s Hero Hockey Champions Trophy. However, the team ended 2015 on a high with a silver medal at the Hero Hockey World League Final, falling to a narrow 2-1 defeat against world number 1 Australia in the title match in Raipur, India. The provisional squad named for the Hockey Champions Trophy contains a staggering amount of international experience, with 16 players having surpassed the 100 international appearances mark including treble centurions John-John Dohmen and Jerome Truyens as well as double centurions Cedric Charlier, , Felix Denayer and ace striker . Remarkably, the squad does not contain a single player over the age of 28, suggesting that this current group could remain together for many more years to come.

17 CNT Extra info: Late in 2015, the Royal Belgian Hockey Federation (KBHB-ARBH) named New Zealander Shane McLeod as the Head Coach of the men’s national team. McLeod replaced Dutchman , the former Netherlands international defender and double Olympic gold medallist (Atlanta 1996 and Sydney 2000) who stepped away from the position at the end of September. McLeod – who has enjoyed spells coaching the New Zealand men’s and women’s teams as well as guiding Antwerp’s Waterloo Ducks to consecutive Belgian league titles in 2013 and 2014 – has been given the task of guiding the Red Lions to a podium finish at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games. A silver medal at the Hero Hockey World League Final last December would suggest that they are more than capable of achieving this target under McLeod’s guidance.

One to watch: John-John Dohmen. A creative midfielder who rarely puts a foot wrong, the 28-year-old Belgian captain is currently at the peak of his powers. Named Player of the Tournament at last year’s FINTRO Hockey World League Semi-Final, Dohmen is likely to be a massively influential figure for his team in London.

Royal Belgian Hockey Federation website: www.hockey.be Twitter: @BELRedLions Facebook: RedLions Instagram: @BELRedLions

INDIA

Current FIH World Ranking: 7 Notable honours: 8x Olympic gold medallists (1928, 1932, 1936, 1948, 1952, 1956, 1964, 1980), Olympic silver medallists (1960), 2x Olympic bronze medallists (1968, 1972), World champions (1975), 3x Asian Games champions (1966, 1998, 2014), 2x Asia Cup champions (2003, 2007). Hockey World League bronze medallists (2015).

Rank in previous CT editions: 2014 – 4th, 2012 – 4th, 2005 – 6th, 2004 – 4th, 2003 – 4th, 2002 – 4th, 1996 – 4th, 1995 – 5th, 1989 – 6th, 1986 – 5th, 1985 – 6th, 1983 – 4th, 1982 – 3rd, 1980 – 5th

About the team: Eight times Olympic champions India have in recent years been showing signs that a return to the glory days of old might be just around the corner. Following a ninth place finish at the 2014 Rabobank Hockey World Cup, the team produced a string of high quality performances to claim the silver medal behind World Champions Australia at the in Glasgow, Scotland. That success was a sign of even greater things to come, with India storming to glory at the 2014 Asian Games to seal their place at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games by defeating eternal rivals Pakistan in the competition final before landing a fourth place finish at the end-of-year Hero Hockey Champions Trophy

18 CNT on home soil in Bhubaneswar. 2015 saw even greater improvement, securing a fourth place finish at the FINTRO Hockey World League Semi-Final in Antwerp, Belgium, early in July before securing the bronze medal at the end-of-year Hero Hockey World League Final event in Raipur, India. The team coached by legendary Dutch tactician – who guided the Netherlands men to Olympic and World Cup glory in 1996 and 1998 respectively – has made a promising start to 2016, with the side claiming the silver medal at the in Malaysia. Defender , one of the outstanding performers at the Sultan Azlan Shah event, finds himself retained in the squad, as are youngsters Harjeet Singh and 21-year-old goalkeeper Vikas Dahiya. Gifted goalkeeper P.R. Sreejesh and drag-flicking defender VR Raghunath, both rested for the event in Malaysia, have returned to the squad and will provide a strong backbone to an impressive looking Indian squad. Sreejesh has been named captain of the team in the absence of brilliant midfielder Sardar Singh, who has been rested for this event. S.V. Sunil and are two star performers in the forward line who are both capable of making a big impact in any game.

Coach comment – Roelant Oltmans: “It is important that we approach the tournament not just with a view to winning it, but also to execute our tactics well, and learn from past mistakes and keep evolving. This will ensure that as a team we are prime placed when we reach Rio, physically, mentally and tactically.”

Player perspective – Manpreet Singh (midfielder): “We don’t feel scared to take on big teams anymore. We don’t think ourselves as underdogs anymore. In fact, we will go with the confidence that we are as good as any other team if not better.”

One to watch: P.R. Sreejesh. One of the most athletic goalkeepers in the game, 28-year-old Sreejesh is a sensational shot-stopper and a hugely respected figure within the Indian team. Sreejesh looks set to make his 150th international appearance in London.

Hockey India website: www.hockeyindia.org Twitter: @thehockeyindia Facebook: TheHockeyIndia Instagram: @hockeyindia

KOREA

Current FIH World Ranking: 9 Notable honours: Olympic silver medallists (2000), Hockey Champions Trophy silver medallists (1999), 2x Hockey Champions Trophy bronze medallists (2000, 2009), Champions Challenge winners (2014), 4x Asian Games gold medallists (1986, 1994, 2002, 2006), 4x Asia Cup winners (1993, 1999, 2009, 2013), 2x Sultan Azlan Shah Cup winners (1999, 2010 – jointly with India).

19 CNT Rank in previous CT editions: 2011 – 8th, 2009 – 3rd, 2008 – 6th, 2007 – 4th, 2002 – 6th, 2001 – 6th, 2000 – 3rd, 1999 – 2nd, 1998 – 4th, 1997 – 6th

About the team: Over many years, Korea earned a big reputation thanks to a long period of excellence at both Asian and world level events. The world number nine ranked team have competed in every Hockey World Cup since 1994 and every Olympic Games since 1996. However, the team’s failure to qualify for the Rio 2016 Games means that their Olympic record will end this summer. Korea booked their place at this year’s Champions Trophy by winning the 2014 Hockey Champions Challenge 1 in Kuantan, Malaysia, defeating Canada 4-1 in the competition final. The squad selected for the Hockey Champions Trophy in London contains three men who have played over 200 times for Korea. Team captain You Hyo-sik, Lee Nam-yong and legendary 36-year-old striker Seo Jong-ho – who competed in the Sydney 2000, Athens 2004, Beijing 2008 and London 2012 Olympic Games – ensure that there are some experienced heads in a group that features 12 players yet to reach the 50 international appearances marker. Head Coach Song Seung-tae has selected two uncapped players for this event, with 20-year-old Seo Woo-hyeong and 18-year-old goalkeeper Kim Jae-han both being tipped as possible stars of the future. Earlier this year, Korea travelled to New Zealand to face a series of matches against the Black Sticks (WR: 8) and Malaysia (WR: 13). However, they struggled to find form, losing three and drawing three of the six matches played. Despite the win-less run, it proved to be something of a breakthrough series for 25-year-old penalty corner expert Yang Ji-hun, who scored five times. He will be hoping to continue his excellent form at the event at the Hockey Champions Trophy in London.

One to watch: Seo Jong-ho. One of the all-time greats of Korean hockey, Seo was recognised as one of the world’s most feared forwards for well over a decade. He has been out of the limelight for a number of years, but a recall suggests that he is still more than capable of having an impact in London. It will be Seo’s eighth Hockey Champions Trophy campaign, his first coming back at the 1999 event in Brisbane, Australia.

Website: www.hockeykorea.co.kr* Twitter: @hockey_korea* Facebook: hockeycorea* Instagram: @hockeykorea*

*Korean language sites

20 CNT Match schedule

To see the official match schedule of the men’s competition, please click here.

21 CNT Tournament Officials

Appointment Name Country Appointed By FIH Representative ALBERS Jan FIH FIH Tournament Director ISBERG Bjorn SWE FIH Technical Officer CATTON Steve GBR FIH Medical Officer HURRY Rob (Dr.) GBR FIH Umpires Manager SCHELLEKENS Philip NED FIH Umpires Manager TEN CATE Rob NED FIH Judge BREWER Chris GBR FIH Judge CHAN Alfred HKG FIH Judge GULDBRANDSEN Casper DEN FIH Umpire BARBAS Diego ARG FIH Umpire CHEN Dekang CHN FIH Umpire LIM Hong Zhen SIN FIH Umpire MEJZLIK Jakub CZE FIH Umpire PRASAD Raghu IND FIH Umpire RASOOL Haider PAK FIH Umpire STAGNO Nathan GBR FIH Umpire TOMLINSON David NZL FIH Umpire VAN BUNGE Coen NED FIH Video Umpire NEL Deon RSA FIH

Note: All officials correct at time of publication. Any updates will be posted here.

22 CNT Women’s Hockey Champions Trophy

The Teams: NETHERLANDS, AUSTRALIA, ARGENTINA, NEW ZEALAND, GREAT BRITAIN, USA You can find some general information about the men’s teams below. To see complete and up-to-date squad lists for each competing team, click here.

NETHERLANDS

Nickname: Oranje Current FIH World Ranking: 1 Notable honours: 3x Olympic gold medallists (1984, 2008, 2012), Olympic silver medallists (2004), 3x Olympic bronze medallists (1988, 1996, 2000), 7x World champions (1974, 1978, 1981, 1983, 1986, 1990, 2006, 2014), Hockey World League champions (2012-14 Edition), 6x Champions Trophy winners (1987, 2000, 2004, 2005, 2007, 2011), 8x European Champions (1984, 1987, 1995, 1999, 2003, 2005, 2009, 2011).

Rank in previous CT editions: 2014 – 3rd, 2012 - 3rd, 2011 - 1st, 2010 - 2nd, 2009 - 3rd, 2008 - 3rd, 2007 - 1st, 2006 - 3rd, 2005 - 1st, 2004 - 1st, 2003 - 3rd, 2002 - 3rd, 2001 - 2nd, 2000 - 1st, 1999 - 2nd, 1997 - 3rd, 1993 - 2nd, 1991 - 3rd, 1989 - 5th, 1987 - 1st

About the team: The Netherlands (FIH World Ranking: 1) have long been one of the dominant forces in world hockey, and in recent years have claimed the vast majority of the sport’s biggest prizes. They are the Olympic gold medallists from both the Beijing 2008 and London 2012 Games, and two years ago once again proved themselves as the finest team on the planet by winning the Rabobank Hockey World Cup in front of their home fans in The Hague. Since that success, Oranje have claimed a bronze medal at the Argentina Hockey Champions Trophy (December 2014), a first place finish at the FINTRO Hockey World League Semi-Final in Antwerp (July 2015) as well as a silver medal at the Unibet EuroHockey Championships in London (August 2015). Despite ending 2015 with a disappointing fifth place finish at the Argentina Hockey World League Final in Rosario, they remain the world’s top ranked side and will be the team to beat at both the Hockey Champions Trophy and the Rio 2016 Olympic Games, where a third successive gold medal is a very realistic possibility.

The Netherlands have a glittering array of world-class talent at their disposal. The provisional squad named for the Hockey Champions Trophy contains four FIH Players of the Year – (2009), Maartje Paumen (2011 and 2012), (2014) and (2015), while brilliant shot-stopper Joyce Soembroek, the FIH Goalkeeper of the Year for both 2014 and 2015, is an ever-reliable presence.

23 CNT Extra info: In October 2015, the Royal Dutch Hockey Association (KNHB) named legendary Australia international as Head Coach of the Netherlands women. Annan – widely regarded as one of the greatest players of all time and a central figure in the Hockeyroos team that won two Olympic gold medals and two World Cups between 1994 and 2000 – moved into the position vacated by Sjoerd Marijne, who stepped away from the role following the Netherlands’ shoot-out defeat to England in the final of the Unibet EuroHockey Championships in August. Double FIH Player of the Year Annan has been a long-time resident in the Netherlands and, since ending her playing career in 2003, has held numerous coaching roles. In 2004 she was Assistant Coach to , who guided the Netherlands women to a silver medal at the Olympic Games in Athens. More recently, Annan has been coaching the Dutch junior women’s team and H&BC men, the latter making her the first female Head Coach in the history of the top Dutch men’s division.

One to watch: Lidewij Welten. The 2015 FIH Player of the Year is an exceptional attacker blessed with speed, skill and an eye for goal. Welten has been a dazzling performer for the Netherlands over the past 18 months and is likely to be a central figure for the side both in London and Rio.

KNHB website: www.knhb.nl Twitter: @OranjeHockey Facebook: OranjeHockey Instagram: @OranjeHockey

ARGENTINA

Nickname: Las Leonas Current FIH World Ranking: 2 Notable honours: 2x World champions (2002, 2010), 2x Olympic silver medallists (2000, 2012), 2x Olympic bronze medallists (2004, 2008), Hockey World League champions (2015), 7x Champions Trophy winners (2001, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2012, 2014), 6x Pan-American Games gold medallists (1987, 1991, 1995, 1999, 2003, 2007), 4x Pan-American Cup winners (2001, 2004, 2009, 2013).

Rank in previous CT editions: 2014 – 1st, 2012 - 1st, 2011 - 2nd, 2010 - 1st, 2009 - 1st, 2008 - 1st, 2007 - 2nd, 2006 - 4th, 2005 - 4th, 2004 - 3rd, 2003 - 4th, 2002 - 2nd, 2001 - 1st, 2000 - 4th, 1999 - 4th, 1995 - 6th

24 CNT About the team: Alongside the Netherlands, Argentina have been the dominant force in women’s hockey for well over a decade. “Las Leonas” (The Lionesses) have won five of the last six Hockey Champions Trophy competitions and also claimed the bronze medal at the Rabobank Hockey World Cup in 2014 and silver at the London 2012 Olympic Games. Despite the retirement of iconic attacking midfielder and eight times FIH Player of the Year after the 2014 Hockey Champions Trophy on home soil in Rosario, there is no question that Argentina remain a true powerhouse of world hockey, a fact proven by their title success in the Argentina Hockey World League Final at the end of last year. , and drag-flicking defender are all potential match winners amongst the current group, while 2014 FIH Young Player of the Year is rated as one of the most exciting emerging talents in the game. The team is coached by former Argentina men’s international , who stepped into the role late in 2015 following the resignation of and enjoyed near instant success by winning the Hockey World League. It is Minadeo’s second spell as Head Coach of Argentina women, having guided the team to bronze medals at the 2006 Hockey World Cup and 2008 Olympic Games respectively.

Extra info: Although the first women’s teams were officially formed in 1909, it was the appointment of former men’s international as Head Coach in 1997 that triggered a rapid rise to greatness. Under Vigil’s leadership, Las Leonas achieved their first Hockey World Cup title, their first Olympic medals and their first Hockey Champions Trophy medals. The staggering success of the team has seen them achieve a level of fame normally reserved for their national football team, with some of the players hosting television shows and appearing in advertising campaigns for major brands. The achievements of Las Leonas has ensured that hockey is one of the most popular sports in the country, with the player and fan base continuing to grow at great speed. The team’s reputation for being tenacious even in the face of defeat was the central factor for their now legendary nickname, with the lioness being chosen as their symbol shortly after the team achieved qualification for the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games.

Player perspective – Carla Rebecchi (Forward): “Things are going really well with training and test matches. I would like to win the title again at the Champions Trophy and, of course, to win an Olympic medal, gold if possible. It would be a dream come true.”

One to watch: Carla Rebecchi. A sensational attacker who can change the game in a blink of an eye, Rebecchi is one of the most experienced players in the Argentina line-up and is always influential.

Confederación Argentina de Hockey website: www.cahockey.org.ar Twitter: @ArgFieldHockey Facebook: argfieldhockey Instagram: @arg_fieldhockey

25 CNT AUSTRALIA

Nickname: The Hockeyroos Current FIH World Ranking: 3 Notable honours: 3x Olympic gold medallists (1988, 1996, 2000), 2x World champions (1994, 1998), 3x World Cup silver medallists (1990, 2006, 2014), Hockey World League silver medallists (2012-13 Edition), 6x FIH Champions Trophy gold medallists (1991, 1993, 1995, 1997, 1999, 2003), 4x Oceania champions (1999, 2001, 2005, 2013, 2015), 4x Commonwealth Games gold medallists (1998, 2006, 2010, 2014), 4x Commonwealth Games gold medallists (1998, 2006, 2010, 2014).

Rank in previous CT editions: 2014 – 2nd, 2011 - 6th, 2009 - 2nd, 2008 - 5th, 2007 - 4th, 2006 - 5th, 2005 - 2nd, 2004 - 4th, 2003 - 1st, 2002 - 4th, 2001 - 3rd, 2000 - 3rd, 1999 - 1st, 1997 - 1st, 1995 - 1st, 1993 - 1st, 1991 - 1st, 1989 - 2nd, 1987 - 2nd

About the team: Between 1994 and 2000, Australia (FIH World Ranking: 3) were by far and away the best team on the planet, claiming two Olympic gold medals and two World Cups as the team coached by (and inspired by the on-field brilliance of current Netherlands women’s Head Coach Alyson Annan) ruled the hockey world. Many years have passed since that time, but under the expert guidance of Head Coach and former Australia men’s international , the side are once again capable of challenging for the game’s top honours. Following their fifth place finish at the London 2012 Olympic Games, Australia’s young guns hit some seriously impressive form. Signs of progress were seen as early as September 2012 when the team claimed the FIH Champions Challenge 1, a success which was quickly followed in 2013 by first place finishes at the Hockey World League Semi-Final (London) and Oceania Cup Continental Championship before claiming a silver medal at the Argentina Hockey World League Final in San Miguel de Tucumán. They took their sensational form into the Rabobank Hockey World Cup 2014, where they finished as silver medallists behind host nation and world number one Netherlands. Since then, the team has won a gold medal at the Commonwealth Games (Glasgow, Scotland), silver at the 2014 Argentina Hockey Champions Trophy, confirmed their place at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games by taking third at the FINTRO Hockey World League Semi-Final in Antwerp, Belgium, and became Oceania champions once again in 2015. A sixth place finish at the end-of-year Hockey World League Final in Argentina was disappointing, but there is little doubt that this current Australia team is a serious contender for the big titles on offer in 2016.

The team will be led by inspirational captain and all time record cap holder , although there are plenty of others who could make a big impact in London. Defender, penalty corner expert and ’s women’s Player of the Year for 2015 is a prolific goal-scorer, while , Emily Smith and brilliant goalkeeper Rachel Lynch are also key players in this very talented, supremely athletic squad.

26 CNT Extra info: In February of this year, Adam Commens announced that he would be standing down as Hockeyroos Head Coach after the Rio 2016 Olympic Games due to family reasons. The former Australian international will relinquish his position in November after more than five years in the role.

Player perspective – Georgie Parker (forward): “Every event we go to we are aiming to be the best we can be. With the Champions Trophy being so close to Rio we are hoping to be performing close to our best hockey, however we still need to keep our cards close to our chest for the big event. You don’t win an Olympic games in June.”

One to watch: Madonna Blyth. Australia’s team captain and star midfielder is the most capped Hockeyroo of all time, having overtaken ’s 303-game record at the FINTRO Hockey World League Semi-Final in Antwerp last summer. Since making her senior international debut in 2004, Blyth has represented her country at two Olympics, earning a reputation as a fearless player who thrives on the big occasion.

Hockey Australia website: www.hockey.org.au Twitter: @hockeyroos Facebook: thehockeyroos Instagram: @hockeyaustraliaoffcial

NEW ZEALAND

Nickname: The Black Sticks Current FIH World Ranking: 4 Notable honours: 3x Oceania Cup gold medallists (2007, 2009, 2011), Hockey World League silver medallists (2015), 6x Oceania Cup silver medallists (1999, 2001, 2003, 2005, 2013, 2015), FIH Champions Trophy bronze medallists (2011), 2x FIH Champions Challenge gold medallists (2005, 2009), Commonwealth Games silver medallists (2010), 2x Commonwealth Games bronze medallists (1998, 2014), 4th place at London 2012 Olympic Games.

Rank in previous CT editions: 2014 – 4th, 2012 - 6th, 2011 - 3rd, 2010 - 5th, 2006 - 6th, 2004 - 6th, 2002 - 5th, 2001 - 5th, 2000 - 6th, 1999 - 5th, 1987 - 6th

About the team: Under the guidance of Head Coach and former Australian international , New Zealand’s Black Sticks have enjoyed arguably the most successful period in their history. In 2011, the team claimed their first ever Hockey Champions Trophy medal when they took third place at the competition in Amsterdam, and a year later narrowly

27 CNT missed out on an Olympic medal when they were beaten by Great Britain in the fight for bronze. Following a difficult 2013, the team achieved a hugely creditable fifth place finish at the Rabobank Hockey World Cup 2014 before claiming fourth place at the end-of-year Argentina Hockey Champions Trophy. In 2015, a fourth place finish at the FINTRO Hockey World League Semi-Final and a silver medal at the Oceania Cup were slightly below expectations, but the side ended the year with a magnificent, confidence boosting silver medal at the Argentina Hockey World League Final, losing the final against the host nation in Rosario.

The provisional New Zealand squad named for the Hockey Champions Trophy contained masses of world level experience. Six players in the group have represented the Black Sticks over 200 times, with (formerly Naylor, 270+), (230+), (200+), (200+), (formerly Sharland, 240+) and Anita McLaren (formerly Punt, 220+) all having achieved the milestone. McLaren and Flynn provide speed and goals, while New Zealand’s most capped player Gaddum brings a hard-nosed approach to the defensive line. Following the birth of her daughter Addison last year, former captain Kayla Whitelock has made a sparkling return to international hockey in 2016 and remains one of the team’s most influential players. Whitelock has set her sights on claiming a medal at the Rio 2016 Olympics, spurred on by the pain of missing out on bronze at London 2012. One player who will miss out this summer is midfielder Shiloh Gloyn, who badly injured the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in her right knee, sidelining her for six months and cruelly ending her Olympic dream.

Player perspective – Kayla Whitelock (midfield) On why she decided to return to international hockey: “Just being so close in London, not quite getting that medal. That would be a dream, getting a medal in Rio. I was watching the girls and seeing how they were going, and I think they were taking a good step in the right direction and I wanted to be part of it.”

One to watch: Anita McLaren (formerly Punt). With well over 200 international appearances to her name, this lightning fast attacker is one of the most experienced members of the Black Sticks line-up. Her frightening turn of pace has been terrorizing defenders for years, and is also a regular scorer from penalty corner situations thanks to her impressive drag-flicking skills. She recently married New Zealand decathlete Scott McLaren.

Hockey New Zealand website: www.hockeynz.co.nz Twitter: @BlackSticks Facebook: nzblacksticks Instagram: @nzblacksticks

28 CNT GREAT BRITAIN

Nickname: Team GB Current FIH World Ranking: 6 Notable honours: 2x Olympic bronze medallists (1992, 2012), FIH Champions Trophy silver medallists (2012).

Rank in previous CT editions: 2012 – 2nd, 1997 – 5th, 1993 – 6th, 1989 – 4th, 1987 – 5th

About the team: Following their bronze medal at the London 2012 Olympic Games, Hockey Champions Trophy hosts Great Britain will be aiming even higher at Rio 2016 and certainly have players capable of mixing it with the very best in the world. They were in excellent form at the Valencia Hockey World League Semi-Final 2015, defeating China in the competition final to book their ticket to Rio. The vast majority of that squad went on to represent England at August’s Unibet EuroHockey Championships at London’s Lee Valley Hockey and Tennis Centre, where they took the title thanks to the goalkeeping heroics of , whose brilliance in the shoot-out helped her team overcome world number one ranked Netherlands.

The recent return to winning ways followed a rough period for the England and GB camp. They suffered a significant drop down the FIH World Rankings as a result of England’s dismal 11th place finish at the Rabobank Hockey World Cup 2014, despite entering the competition ranked third. Shortly after the end of that event, England Head Coach made the decision to step away from the squad and was replaced on an interim basis by Danny Kerry, the team’s former Head Coach who also held the role of Performance Director for England and Great Britain Hockey. Kerry’s impact was immediate, guiding the England team to a silver medal at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland before achieving a fifth place finish at the Argentina Hockey Champions Trophy at the end of the year. Soon after, Kerry was named Head Coach for the England and GB Women’s Hockey programme through to the Rio 2016 Olympic Games and, following England’s European title success, was named High Performance Coach of the Year at the UK Coaching Awards at the end of 2015. recently announced that Kerry had been appointed Head Coach of the England and GB women’s teams on a permanent basis through to the Tokyo Olympic Games in 2020.

As well as the respective talents of ace shot-stopper Hinch and ever-dangerous goal-scorer , a vast array of top class internationals have been named in GB’s provisional squad for the Hockey Champions Trophy. 2015 FIH Young Player of the Year is one of the hottest young properties in the game thanks to her speed and incredible skills, while veteran stars Kate and Helen Richardson-Walsh bring masses of world level experience to the fold. Another hugely experienced player named in the provisional squad is powerhouse defender and penalty corner expert , who stepped away from hockey after winning bronze at the 2012 Olympics but returned to the GB training squad late last year. If selected for the Champions Trophy, Cullen will be hoping to produce her best performances in a bid to secure her place in the squad for Rio 2016.

29 CNT Player perspective – (midfield): “The Champions Trophy will be a tournament where each team will set out to start to build some momentum going into the Olympics. For us, we are at home, with our home crowd and playing at a stadium where we have had a lot of success. Personally I love playing at home in London, having the home support in one of the best cities in the world makes it a pleasure to play in.”

One to watch: Alex Danson. One of the most feared strikers in the game, Danson is a defender’s nightmare: quick, skillful and absolutely lethal in front of goal. Named on the shortlist for the FIH Player of the Year for 2013.

GB Hockey website: www.greatbritainhockey.co.uk Twitter: @EnglandHockey Facebook: EnglandHockey Instagram: @gbwomenshockey

USA

Nickname: Team USA Current FIH World Ranking: 7 Notable honours: Olympic Bronze medallists (1984), Hockey World Cup bronze medallists (1994), Hockey Champions Trophy Bronze medallists (1995), Hockey Champions Challenge gold medallists (2014), 2x gold medallists (2011, 2015), 5x Pan American Games silver medallists (1987, 1995, 1999, 2003, 2007), Pan American Games bronze medallists (1991), 4x Pan American Cup silver medallists (2001, 2004, 2009, 2013).

Rank in previous CT editions: 1995 – 3rd, 1997 – 6th

About the team: Over the past two years, Team USA have earned a reputation as a team that needs to be feared and respected in equal measure. The team – coached by former England and Great Britain international defender Craig Parnham – powered to victory at the 2014 Champions Challenge in Glasgow, Scotland to seal a ticket to this year’s Hockey Champions Trophy before taking their brilliant form into the Rabobank Hockey World Cup, where they claimed a remarkable fourth place finish despite entering the event placed 10th in the FIH World Rankings. Despite a sub-standard fifth place finish at the Valencia Hockey World League Semi-Final, 2015 will be remembered as a very good year thanks to the successful defence of their Pan American Games gold medal. For the second successive Games, Team USA saw off the challenge of higher-ranked Argentina, with goals from midfielder Katie Reinprecht and striker earning a victory over Las Leonas to seal a place at the Rio 2016 Olympics.

30 CNT The USA team that will compete in London is captained by 31-year-old defender , who with over 270 international appearances is one of the longest serving members of the group. Crandall is one of five players to have surpassed the 200 caps marker, with key midfielder (280+), Michelle Kasold (210+), Katelyn Falgowski (210+) and Katie Bam (200+) also members of the 200 club. Melissa Gonzalez, Michelle Vittese, sisters Julia and Katie Reinprecht and goalkeeper Jaclyn Briggs have all played over 100 times for a very experienced and talented USA team that will be looking to secure a podium finish at this event.

Coach comment – Craig Parnham: “This is an important phase for us as we prepare for the Olympics in August. The warm-up games in Holland followed by the Champions Trophy provide us with a great opportunity to play against the world’s top teams. This competitive match phase allows us to continue to refine and grow the technical and tactical components of our game.”

Player perspective – Katelyn Falgowski (midfield): “We have trained hard and are ready to draw on our training for strength, encouragement and determination. We view every opportunity as a chance to get better and take practice, one day, one game at a time. We are preparing ourselves to the best of our abilities and are excited to see what this summer holds in store for us, both in London and Rio.”

One to watch: Katie Bam (formerly O’Donnell). A quick, skillful and creative forward who sets up as many goals as she scores. The influential 27-year-old has played a significant role in the USA revival in recent years and will be keen to make her mark in London.

USA website: http://www.teamusa.org/usa-field-hockey Twitter: @USAFieldHockey Facebook: USAFieldHockey Instagram: @usafieldhockey

31 CNT Match schedule

To see the official match schedule of the women’s competition, please click here.

32 CNT Tournament Officials

Appointment Name Country Appointed By Tournament Director PETITJEAN Sylvie FIH FIH Technical Officer PENNYCOOK Jo GBR FIH Judge SCHWEDE Sonja NED FIH Judge VILCHEZ Emilia GBR FIH Judge ZELKIN Rene DEN FIH Medical Officer HURRY Rob (Dr.) CHN FIH Umpires Manager KNIPE Louise CZE FIH Umpires Manager EVANS Karen PAK FIH Umpire ADENOT Claire NZL FIH Umpire BLOCK Frances RSA FIH Umpire HUDSON Kelly NZL FIH Umpire JUDEFIND Stephanie USA FIH Umpire de la FUENTE Carolina ARG FIH Umpire JOUBERT Michelle RSA FIH Umpire SEYMOUR Kylie AUS FIH Umpire ESKINA Elena RUS FIH Umpire YAMADA Emi JPN FIH Video Umpire WILLOX Annabelle AUS FIH

Note: All officials correct at time of publication. Any updates will be posted here.

33 CNT Event logos

To download the Men’s Hockey Champions Trophy logo please click here.

To download the Women’s Hockey Champions Trophy logo please click here.

34 CNT Event Photography

In event photograph Getty Images will be capturing imagery from all of the matches being played at the Hockey Champions Trophies in London. Media Subscribers to Getty’s services will be able to download their images as part of their service. To subscribe to Getty Images, visit www.gettyimages.com and follow the registration process.

National Associations and Continental Federations: Getty will be providing National Associations and Continental Federations with a selection of images after each game.

To access these photos free of charge, please email: [email protected] and in the email subject, state: FIH Images USAGE

FIH National Associations and Continental Federations can use images for their own below the line marketing and promotional purposes to include marketing collateral and digital channels (for example website and social media). Under no circumstances should they be used for commercial purposes. Detailed information about image usage will be provided upon receipt of registration email as detailed above.

35 CNT Following the competitions

Official information We will be providing full coverage of the event via FIH.CH, with live streaming of the matches available in most territories. Raw tournament data including starting line-ups, live scores, pool standings and top scorers can be found at the links below:

Men: https://tms.fih.ch/competitions/430 Women: https://tms.fih.ch/competitions/431

Television / Live Streaming Numerous broadcasters will be showing the action from London. To find out which broadcasters will be showing which games, visit the below links:

Men: http://www.fih.ch/events/champions-trophy/2016-mens-champions-trophy/tv Women: http://www.fih.ch/events/champions-trophy/2016-womens-champions-trophy/tv

You Tube The FIH You Tube channel will be extremely active during the event, with match highlights and much more being posted as soon as they become available. In some territories, live matches may also be shown. To visit our You Tube channel, click the link below. www.youtube.com/fihockey

Social media The FIH will provide comprehensive coverage of the event via our social media channels, including Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and Snapchat.

Twitter: www.twitter.com/fih_hockey Facebook: www.facebook.com/fihockey Instagram: www.instagram.com/fihockey Snapchat: fihockey Hashtags: #HCT2016 #BestOfTheBest

36 CNT Key facts

Key facts Men’s Hockey Champions Trophy Women’s Hockey Champions Trophy No of previous editions: 35 21

No of teams participated: 16 15 (Netherlands; Australia; Germany; (Argentina; Australia; Netherlands; China; West Germany; Pakistan; Argentina; Germany; Korea; Spain; India; Korea; Great Britain; West Germany; England; Great Britain; England; Belgium; Soviet Union; Japan; Canada; USA; New Zealand; New Zealand; Malaysia; France. South Africa; Spain)

Total no of matches played: 652 402

Total no of goals scored: 2,923 1,292

Average no of goals per match: 4.5 3.2

Most matches played: 200 - Australia 122 - Netherlands

Most matches won: 112 - Netherlands 70 - Netherlands

Highest % of games won: 56.77% - Netherlands 57.38 - Netherlands

Most goals scored: 532 - Australia 239 - Netherlands

Previous winners: Australia: 13 Argentina: 6 Netherlands: 8 Australia: 6 Germany: 7 Netherlands: 6 Pakistan: 3 China: 1 West Germany: 3 Germany: 1 Spain: 1 Korea: 1

Top goal-scorer: 46* - Taeke Taekema, Netherlands 28* – Maartje Paumen, Netherlands

Most matches played: 103* - , Netherlands 89* - Luciana Aymar, Argentina

For more information on the historical facts and figures of the Hockey Champions Trophies, please click here.

37 CNT Rules & Tournament Regulations

Players A team is made up of a maximum 18 players, composed of 11 players on the field and up to seven substitutes. If a team has only one goalkeeper, they play a match with a maximum of 16 players.

Substitutions There are no limits on the number of substitutions, apart from during a penalty corner or video referral when substitutions are not allowed.

Match periods For the 2014 and 2016 Champions Trophies, Hockey World League Round 2 2015, Hockey World League Semi-Final 2015, Hockey World League Final 2015 all Continental Qualifying Events for the Rio de Janeiro 2016 Olympic Games, matches consist of four periods of 15 minutes.

Green and yellow cards If a player is shown a green card by the umpire, he or she has a temporary suspension lasting two minutes. This means the team plays with one fewer player during this period. The time penalty kicks in when the suspended player sits on a chair next to the technical table. After the two minutes are up, the player can return to the pitch. If a player is shown a yellow card, the suspension shall be a minimum of five minutes. The Technical Officer on duty is responsible for timing the temporary suspension. Once the suspension is over, the player (or a substitute) can return to the pitch unless this occurs during the taking of a penalty corner, in which case the player cannot return until the penalty corner has been completed or another penalty corner is awarded.

Penalty corner countdown clock When a penalty corner is awarded, time is stopped for 40 seconds, except in the case of re-awards or penalty corners awarded after a Video Umpire referral. In the case of a re-awarded penalty corner time will be immediately stopped but the teams will not be allowed an additional 40 seconds. The umpire will re-start play at the earliest possible opportunity, ensuring that any delay is kept to a minimum. Matches are also stopped for 40 seconds after a goal is scored, except in the case of goals awarded after a Video Umpire Referral and a Penalty Stroke.

Video umpire Each team is allowed one video umpire team referral per match. Team referrals are restricted to decisions within the 23 metre areas relating to the award (or non-award) of goals, penalty strokes and penalty corners. The on pitch umpires will ask the video umpire to study the relevant images and for his or her advice and recommendation. If the referral is successful, the team retains the right to make another team referral. If the referral is unsuccessful, the team loses the right to use the video umpire for the rest of the game. The umpires may also consult the video umpire, using their own umpire referral, if they have doubts about whether or not to award a goal.

If a classification match ends in a draw a shoot-out competition will take place to determine the winner. In the shoot-out competition each team has the right to a team referral for the award (or non-award) of goals, penalty strokes

38 CNT and whether a shoot-out should be re-taken or not. Referrals remaining at the end of normal time are not carried over into the shoot-out competition.

Shoot-outs During the classification phase, a shoot-out competition will be used if the scores are equal at full time. Each team picks five players who will each take one shoot-out. If the teams are drawn after a series of shoot-outs, the winner will be decided by sudden death, ie when one team has scored one more goal than the opposing team after an equal number of shoot-outs. The process will be repeated in series of five shoot-outs for each team until a winner has been decided.

More information on the current rules of hockey and tournament regulations can be found at the below links:

Rules of Hockey 2015: Click here

Amendment to Rule 13.2: Click here

Tournament Regulations (May 2016): Click here

39 CNT FIH World Rankings Top 20 - Men

Rank Country CF Current Points

1 Australia OCE 2253

2 Netherlands EUR 2095

3 Germany EUR 1783

4 England EUR 1658

5 Belgium EUR 1630

6 Argentina PAN 1629

7 India ASI 1609

8 New Zealand OCE 1496

9 Korea ASI 1313

10 Pakistan ASI 1235

11 Spain EUR 1123

12 Ireland EUR 1115

13 Malaysia ASI 1096

14 Canada PAN 983

15 South Africa AFR 934

16 Japan ASI 860

17 France EUR 840

18 EUR 668

19 China ASI 665

20 Russia EUR 611

40 CNT FIH World Rankings Top 20 - Women

Rank Country CF Current Points

1 Netherlands OCE 2253

2 Argentina EUR 2095

3 Australia EUR 1783

4 New Zealand EUR 1658

5 China EUR 1630

6 England PAN 1629

7 USA ASI 1609

8 Germany OCE 1496

9 Korea ASI 1313

10 Japan ASI 1235

11 South Africa EUR 1123

12 Belgium EUR 1115

13 India ASI 1096

14 Spain PAN 983

15 Ireland AFR 934

16 ASI 860

17 Scotland EUR 840

18 Belarus EUR 668

19 Canada ASI 665

20 Malaysia EUR 611

Note: The complete men’s and women’s FIH World Rankings can be found here.

41 CNT Rio 2016 Olympic Games preview

Could Hockey Champions Trophy success be a springboard for glory at this summer’s Olympic Games in Rio? The men’s and women’s Hockey Champions Trophy competitions are the last major tournaments before the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio, Brazil. Of the 12 teams competing here at Lee Valley’s 2012 Olympic legacy facility, 11 will be in action in Rio. They all know that success in the Champions Trophy could be the perfect platform on which to build a challenge for the most coveted prize of all – an Olympic medal.

The Olympic hockey events take place from 6-19 August at Rio’s purpose-built Deodoro Olympic Park, and will feature the 12 men’s and 12 women’s international teams who qualified through the Hockey World League and Continental Championships.

These mouth-watering events have been given extra spice by a significant format change, with Quarter-Finals being introduced for the very first time. With no classification games, only the top four teams from the two pools in each gender will qualify for the knock-out stages, ensuring that every match has a meaning and there is absolutely no room for error.

Men

In the men’s competition, reigning World Cup and Hockey World League champions Australia (FIH World Ranking: 1) will be aiming to top Pool A, which also features Great Britain (WR: 4, based on England’s ranking); Belgium (WR: 5); New Zealand (WR: 8); Spain (WR: 11) and host nation Brazil (WR: 32). Led by star defender Mark Knowles – a member of Australia’s ‘Kookaburras’ team that won gold at the Athens 2004 Olympic Games – Australia are very much the team to beat but are certain to face some tough tests.

Great Britain are a match for anyone on their day, and in Ashley Jackson and Barry Middleton they have two world class attacking talents that are proven match-winners.

42 CNT Belgium’s ‘Red Lions’ are a fearsome attacking unit, while New Zealand’s ‘Black Sticks’ and Spain’s ‘Red Sticks’ should not be underestimated.

Brazil are the lowest ranked team in the competition but are sure to be inspired by the home fans, who will be cheering them in samba style along every step of the way.

With the reigning Olympic, European, Asian and Pan-American champions all on show, Pool B could be utterly unpredictable.

Following their gold medal success at Beijing 2008 and London 2012, Germany (WR: 3) have set their sights on winning a third successive gold medal in Rio. However, there are some who feel that Moritz Fürste’s men could still be suffering the effects of their Unibet EuroHockey Championship 2015 final defeat against Pool B rivalsNetherlands (WR: 2), who stormed to a 6-1 win over Germany’s ‘Die Honamas’ to lift the title in London last summer.

The Netherlands are certainly full of confidence, and in 2015 FIH Player of the Year , they have one of the sport’s most exceptional talents.

Pan American champions Argentina (WR: 6) and eight times Olympic gold medallists India (WR: 7) are more than capable of challenging for a place on the podium in Rio and will not be underestimated.

The Pool B line-up is completed by Pan-America Championship silver medalists Canada (WR: 14) and European bronze medal winners Ireland (WR: 12), two sides that were outstanding performers in the 2014-15 edition of the Hockey World League.

Notably, Ireland’s ‘Green Machine’ will become the first Irish team, in any sport, to play in the Olympics since 1908.

Women

Netherlands women (WR: 1) are targeting a third successive Olympic gold medal. The reigning world champions compete in Pool A where they face New Zealand (WR: 4), China (WR: 5), Germany (WR: 8), Korea (WR: 9) and Spain (WR: 14). The Netherlands have a glittering array of world-class talent at their disposal, including four FIH Players of the Year – Naomi van As (2009), Maartje Paumen (2011 and 2012), Ellen Hoog (2014) and Lidewij Welten (2015). That said, a final defeat at the hands of England in the Unibet EuroHockey Championship 2015 shows that the Dutch are certainly beatable. New Zealand’s ‘Black Sticks’ could pose the biggest threat to the Dutch, although 2008 Olympic silver medallists China, and Germany, the Olympic champions of 2004, will also be determined to upset the form book.

Argentina (WR: 2), Australia (WR: 3), Great Britain (WR: 6), USA (WR: 7), Japan (WR: 10) and India (WR 13) make up the six Pool B teams that will do battle for the four Quarter-Final qualification spots on offer.

43 CNT London 2012 silver medallists Argentina and Rabobank Hockey World Cup 2014 silver medallists Australia are expected to be frontrunners in this pool.

Even without retired legend Luciana Aymar, Argentina’s ‘Las Leonas’ are always serious contenders in every competition that they enter. Meanwhile, Australia’s ‘Hockeyroos’ – captained by all-time Australian caps record holder Madonna Blyth – have in recent years re-established themselves as one of the most feared teams on the planet.

With a large number of players being part of England’s EuroHockey Championship title success last summer, London 2012 Olympic bronze medallists Great Britain have the potential to make a serious challenge in Rio.

USA – coached by Englishman Craig Parnham - are another side that could make a big impression in Brazil. Can the Pan American champions aim to add to the bronze medal that they claimed at the Los Angeles Olympics in 1984?

It is certainly shaping up to be a sizzling Olympics in Rio and hockey is asking fans to get right behind their team and celebrate Samba Sticks – the campaign that will showcase the sport of hockey in the run up to and during the Games in Brazil this summer.

Make sure that you use #SambaSticks and #Rio2016 on social media when showing your support for your nation over the coming weeks, and follow FIH for all the latest updates as teams and fans get ready for the biggest show on earth – the Olympic Games.

44 CNT Hockey Revolution

The Hockey Revolution is the ten-year strategy for hockey that was launched by the FIH in 2014 and will set the direction of the sport leading to 2024, when the FIH will celebrate its centenary.

The Hockey Revolution has sparked a new era in hockey. With the ambition of making hockey a global game that inspires the next generation, it has been designed to unite the hockey community worldwide.

The strategy has 1 clear Ambition, 4 Big Goals and 5 Major Initiatives aimed at increasing attractiveness of hockey for fans. It has been designed to unite the hockey family at every level as it is only if we work together that this revolution will bring results.

For more information about the Hockey Revolution and the 5 Major Initiatives click here.

45 CNT The Future of International Hockey

In April 2015, FIH announced that a new portfolio of events will be launched in 2019 which will completely change the landscape of international hockey.

Designed to provide a regular calendar of must see events played in packed stadia across the world throughout the year, a new annual global home and away league involving the world’s leading hockey nations will complement the Hockey World Cup and Olympic Games tournaments.

This system will see international teams play against opponents once at home and once away each year in this league. Following several months of competition, the top ranked teams will then qualify for a stand-alone grand finale tournament which will determine the winners of the competition. This will form part of a three tier system, identical for both the men’s and women’s game.

These have been developed around the three main objectives of the new event portfolio - to generate a massive change in TV and media coverage for hockey; create big, bold, packed and loud events and make a step change to increase future revenues.

For those nations not in the home and away league, the next tier of competition will remain similar to the current Hockey World League Round 1 and 2 events, played over two year cycles.

For more information about the new event portfolio click here.

46 CNT