Auckland Media Kit 17.11.2017 - 26.11.2017 #HWL2017 Contents Key contacts & resources 1 Welcome message from FIH President Dr Narinder Dhruv Batra 2 About the Hockey World League 3 Overview of Hockey World League 2016-17 5 The Competition About Auckland and the Harbour Hockey Stadium 7 Competition format and match schedule 9 Pool A Teams – Netherlands, USA, New Zealand, Korea 11 Pool B Teams – England, Argentina, Germany, China 19 Officials 27 Useful Information Event logos for download 28 Event photography 29 Rules and competition regulations 30 FIH Hero World Rankings 32 The Hockey Revolution 33 Hockey Pro League - The future of International Hockey 34 Information for media onsite in Auckland 36 CNT Global Leadership Partner Global Media Partner Ocial Partner Ocial Suppliers Event Partner Key contacts & resources FIH Media Contacts: For all media queries relating to the event, please contact: Danny Parker - FIH Communications Manager Email: [email protected] Tel: +41 79 619 77 24 About the event: Event title: Sentinel Homes Women’s Hockey World League Final Auckland 2017 When: 17-26 November 2017 Where: Harbour Hockey Stadium, 60 Paul Matthews Road, Albany, North Harbour, Auckland 0751, New Zealand Teams: Argentina, China, England, Germany, Korea, Netherlands, New Zealand, USA Event website: http://fih.ch/events/hockey-world-league/2017-women-hockey-world-league-final-auckland-nzl Broadcast and live streaming: Broadcast and live streaming information will be published on the event website here: http://www.fih.ch/events/hockey-world-league/2017-women-hockey-world-league-final-auckland-nzl/tv FIH Tournament Management System: Raw competition data (including match starting line-up pdfs and daily appointment sheets) will be available for the media by using the following log-in information (please keep login details confidential). URL: tms.fih.ch Username: [email protected] Password: Africa1004! Social media: The FIH will provide comprehensive coverage of the event via our social media channels, including Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. Facebook: facebook.com/fihockey Instagram: instagram.com/fihockey Twitter: twitter.com/fih_hockey Snapchat: snapchat.com/fihockey Hashtag: #HWL2017 1 CNT Global Leadership Partner Global Media Partner Ocial Partner Ocial Suppliers Event Partner Introduction A message of welcome from Dr Narinder Dhruv Batra, President of the International Hockey Federation (FIH). Dear Media Member, It gives me great pleasure to welcome you to the Sentinel Homes Women’s Hockey World League Final 2017 in Auckland, New Zealand. Firstly, I would like to offer my sincere congratulations to the eight women’s teams that have each earned the right to play in this Final thanks to outstanding performances at the respective Semi- Final events in Belgium and South Africa earlier this year. With Argentina, China, England, Germany, Korea, Netherlands, USA and home favourites New Zealand all in action, the line-up for what is the last global international prize on offer ahead of next year’s Vitality Hockey Women’s World Cup London 2018 is, without question, truly world class. As well as the chance to be crowned Hockey World League champions, the teams arrive at this competition knowing that the winners will be guaranteed a place in next year’s Hockey Champions Trophy. The journey to the Women’s Hockey World League Final began way back in April 2016, when Singapore hosted the first of seven Round 1 events. The qualifiers from Round 1 competed in three Round 2 competitions, with the top performing sides battling it out at sensational Semi-Final events, which also doubled up as 2018 World Cup qualification events. New Zealand is now ready to host the concluding chapter in what has been yet another epic showcase for the sport. The global nature of the Hockey World League serves to highlight the inclusivity of hockey, giving developing nations the opportunity to play against the top ranked hockey teams whilst also allowing fans all around the world to experience elite international hockey in their own back yard. The Harbour Hockey Stadium has seen more than its fair share of exceptional hockey down the years, with the venue having played host to numerous international competitions including the Owen G Glenn FIH Men’s Champions Trophy in 2011. It was an event that was extremely well supported, and with the Black Sticks genuine challengers for the title, the Sentinel Homes Women’s Hockey World League Final is expected to be no different. It is clearly an exciting time for hockey in New Zealand, boosted by the announcement earlier this year that both the men’s and women’s Black Sticks teams had earned the right to compete in the Hockey Pro League, which starts in January 2019. The ground-breaking new league sees nine men’s and nine women’s teams from around the world play each other both at home and away every year, across a total of 152 games. The fixtures will take place week in, week out, from January to June, giving sports fans an unprecedented chance to watch their national team regularly compete against the world’s best on home soil. It promises to be a wonderful competition, and we know that hockey fans in New Zealand will quickly take this event to their hearts. I would like to offer my heartfelt thanks to Hockey New Zealand and all their partners for their tremendous efforts ahead of this event. I have no doubt whatsoever that you will deliver a hugely successful tournament that embodies the Big, Bold, Packed and Loud ideals that sit at the heart of the Hockey Revolution. Our thanks must also go to the sponsors and the hundreds of volunteers who are crucial to making this competition a success. May I also wish all the athletes and officials the best of luck and hope that you enjoy your time in a country renowned for both spectacular beauty and a unique, diverse and dynamic culture. Yours in hockey, Dr Narinder Dhruv Batra FIH President 2 CNT Global Leadership Partner Global Media Partner Ocial Partner Ocial Suppliers Event Partner The Hockey World League Fast-paced and action-packed, the Hockey World League gives hockey fans the chance to see their team go all the way to the Hockey World Cup or Olympic Games. Composed of four rounds and played over two years, the Hockey World League shines a spotlight on the sport around the world. Even the smallest hockey-playing nations can make their mark and write their own chapter in hockey’s history books. Fans will experience displays of exceptional skill and outstanding physical fitness, with non-stop action and plenty of goals. Fast and furious, precise and powerful, hockey has it all. Thousands of spectators are expected to witness all the action live, with millions more watching on TV and online around the world. More information about the Hockey World League can be found on www.fih.ch 3 CNT Global Leadership Partner Global Media Partner Ocial Partner Ocial Suppliers Event Partner The Hockey World League Trophies - a brief history The Finals competitions in Auckland (women) and Bhubaneswar (men) will bring the curtain down on the third season of the Hockey World League, with eight nations determined to make their mark and earning the right to raise the trophy aloft. In 2013, the Netherlands achieved a remarkable double in the inaugural edition of the Hockey World League, with both the men’s and women’s international teams storming to glory at the respective competitions. Oranje women claimed the title with a superb display at the Final in San Miguel de Tucaman in Argentina, while the dazzling Dutch men’s team overcame all challengers to triumph in New Delhi. The silverware attained by the Dutch national teams in the first edition of the competition were redesigned ahead of the 2014-15 season. With new look trophies also came new winners, as Argentina women took the title on home soil in Rosario and Australia’s Kookaburras emerging victorious in Raipur, India. The new trophies were designed and constructed in London, England. Both the men’s and women’s trophies feature a single stack column of 12 walnut plectrums surrounded by gold effect wings, placed on a hardwood walnut base. The trophies weigh approximately 1.2 kilograms each, while the top plectrum of each trophy features a map of the world which has been inlaid by 23 carat gold leaf. The now iconic second generation trophies will be up for grabs in the third edition of the competition. Time will reveal just who will earn the right to lift these trophies above their heads. When they do, they will be creating their own magical moment of hockey history. 4 CNT Global Leadership Partner Global Media Partner Ocial Partner Ocial Suppliers Event Partner Overview of Hockey World League 2016-17 A summary of the 2016-17 edition of the Hockey World League can be found below. For extended details on these events, you can find a list of links to each individual competition in the right-hand column. Women Round 1 Name Dates Location Competing Teams Links 2016 Women Hockey Sep 30-Oct 8 2016 Chiclayo (PER) Uruguay, Chile, Brazil, Event page World League Round 1 - Paraguay, Peru Chiclayo (PER) 2016 Women Hockey Sep 27-Oct 2 2016 Salamanca (MEX) Mexico, Trinidad & Event page World League Round 1 - Tobago, Guatemala Salamanca (MEX) 2016 Women Hockey Sep 13-18 2016 Douai (FRA) Russia, Wales, France, Event page World League Round 1 - Austria, Switzerland Douai (FRA) 2016 Women World Sep 9-11 2016 Accra (GHA) Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria Event page League Round 1 - Accra (GHA) 2016 Women Hockey Aug 30-Sep 4 2016 Prague (CZE) Czech Republic, Poland,