National Hockey Museum

Folkestone Easter Hockey Festival 1923. R C Bateman (playing for Oxford Occaionals) is 2nd from left, 2nd line, fair hair

http://www.hockeyarchives.co.uk

Welcome to Hockey Archives, the website of the National Hockey Museum.
This site will be a growing archive of hockey material dating back to the foundation of our sport 125 years ago, here in Britain.
It also gives a view of what is held at the National Hockey Museum at its new home in Woking. The collection already covers playing equipment & clothing, books, magazines, photographs, paintings, illustrations, national playing records, many presentations & the start of the National Club History archive.
Much of our collection will become increasingly available via this website but as time & manpower become available we intend to offer physical access at the Museum in Woking. If you would like to get involved with this new hockey project then look at the Contact Us page.

Malaysian women to the fore..

THE Malaysian Women’s hockey team have set their sights on a final appearance in the Olympic Qualifiers in Kakami gahara, Japan on April 25-May 5.
And the target is not too far fetched, as only Japan is the main threat while Malaysia’s record is close against Austria, Chile, Azerbaijan and Belarus.
Only the champions will advance to the London Olympics.
“Our target is to play in the final, and it is not far fetched as we have a good record against four of the teams while Japan is also not unbeatable,” said Malaysian Hockey Confed eration (MHC) senior vice president S. Shamala.
In the Asian Games, Malaysia lost 4-2 to Japan: “But the score does not reflect the true story, as we were down 0-2 but fought back to equalise at 2-2, before losing out on ex perience in the last nine minutes of the match.”
Malaysia will open accounts against Azerbaijan on April 25, a team which they last beat 1-0 in a Four-Nation in 2008.
Then is is against Japan on April 27, followed by Belarus on the 29th, Chile on May 1 and Austria on May 3.
“We last played Chile in the 2010 World Cup Qualifier and only lost 1-0, while in the Champions Challenge II, we whipped Austria 7-0.
“The only other team which we should be wary of is Belarus, who have many naturalised Korean players and we have never played them,” said Shamala.
The team will leave on April 16 to South Korea for four friendlies: “Two will be against the Korean national side while two more matches will be against a premier club.
“That will be the final preparation before we head for Japan on April 21,” said Shamala.
For the record, the Malaysian women’s team has never played in the Olympics.

Pakistan include four CT players for Malacca

PIC: Muhammad Rizwan Junior from Pakistan (L) is seen in action during a third round match between Australia and Pakistan at the men's hockey Champions Trophy in Auckland on December 6, 2011. PHOTO: AFP

PROJECT 2013 coach K. Dharmaraj is looking forward to test his side against Pakistan ahead of the Junior Asia Cup in Malacca on May 3-13.
The tournament also doubles up as a World Cup Qualifier, and India as hosts in New Delhi have taken one Asian spot.
And Project 2013 coach K, Dharmaraj believes that since the Word Cup is a 16-team tournament, three more seats will be made available during the Junior Asia Cup.
“The Asian Hockey Federation (AHF) have yet to inform the team management officially on the number of World Cup berths that will be on offer in Malacca, but going by past records, the top-three teams will make the cut,” said Dharmaraj.
In the Junior Asia Cup, Malaysia are in Group A with South Korea, Japan, Sri Lanka and Iran while in Group B are India, Pakistan, China and Bangladesh.
“We will be playing a series of matches against Pakistan and South Korea from April 5 (in Kuala Lumpur) and I have been told that Pakistan have included four players from their Champions Trophy squad to strengthen their side.
“That is why I am looking forward to spar with them and see how much they have improved since the Sultan of Johor Cup,” said Dharmaraj.
Malaysia became champions in the inaugural Sultan of Johor Cup, and they had beaten Pakistan 2-1 in the pool stages.
However, Pakistan have since included Syed Kashif Shah (19), Muhammad Tousiq (17), Ali Shan (19) and Muhammad Rizwan (18) -- and they have the experience of playing in the 2011 Champions Trophy in Auckland, New Zealand on Dec 3-11.
“It will be good to know their strength before the tournament as it is highly likely that we will either meet India or Pakistan in the crossover semi-finals.
“And I will also have brothers Faizal and Fitri Saari in training tomorrow (today) as they took a short break after coming home from the Dublin Olympics Qualifiers. The friendlies will also give them a chance to foster a better understanding with their team-mates,” said Dharmaraj.

Another cruel blow

MALAYSIA Hockey Confederation (MHC) president Tengku Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah was shattered in Dublin when Malaysia failed to qualify for the London Olympics, but he never expected another blow from his trusted lieutenant back home.
Just when he was getting over the Dublin disaster by picking up the pieces and start planning for the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics, MHC secretary Maninderjit Singh quit his post in a huff, throwing the MHC administration into turmoil.
"I never expected this (resignation) and it came as a shock to me as he (Maninderjit) never even approached me before sending me the quit e-mail.
"And after the e-mail, he did not come and see me to explain matters, so I will leave it at that and look for a suitable candidate," said a visibly upset Tengku Abdullah.
Maninderjit's sudden departure from the MHC has left hockey in the lurch as the Junior Asia Cup in Malacca on May 3-13 and the Azlan Shah Cup on May 24-June 3 in Ipoh are just around the corner.
The former international was appointed as General Manager of the Malaysian Hockey Federation in July 2009 and assumed the position of secretary of MHF in October 2010, simultaneously taking over the MHC secretary's post as well.
"Last year he did say that he wanted to quit and concentrate on furthering his studies, but was persuaded to stay on.
"I expected him to complete his term (end of the year) but he left by e-mail stating the same reason.
"I will leave the matter at this, and instead of dwelling on it, the search for a replacement has started," said Tengku Abdullah.
Malaysia will sit out the Olympics and World Cup for 16 years, as Sydney 2000 and Kuala Lumpur 2002 were their last appearances respectively.
"We have to start gathering the pieces from today, and work towards the Rio Olympics, and the Netherlands World Cup (2014). There is no use looking back, as I have many plans which need to be put into action immediately."

Raja Ashman dies

IPOH: Raja Kecil Sulong of Perak Datuk Seri Raja Ashman Shah Sultan Azlan Shah passed away at 1.30am Friday at his home in Bukit Damansara, Kuala Lumpur. He was 54.
His body has been brought to Istana Iskandariah in Kuala Kangsar for burial at the Royal Mausoleum later Friday.
Raja Ashman leaves behind wife Datin Seri Noraini Jane Kamarul Ariffin, a son and two daughters. -- TheStar


Raja Ashman was a keen supporter for Malaysian hockey and knew the players by name.
And it was during halftime in the match between Ireland and Malaysia at the Dublin Olympic Qualifiers (17th March) that he left the VIP seats and sat amongst the Malaysian media so that he could shout encouragement to the Malaysian players.
He was a down to earth royalty and will be deeply missed by all.