Hockey fans are in for a treat this month as the Argentinean Senior Men’s hockey team have confirmed a trip to Ireland to compete in a double header on the 29 and 30 October.

This clash will provide fans with the opportunity to witness top class, fast paced hockey, as the visitors will be out to settle the score after Ireland notched up a one nil victory against them last February at the Olympic Qualifiers. The world number 8’s will provide stiff competition for the boys in green, something that High Performance Director Dave Passmore is looking forward to

“This is a fantastic opportunity to play a top ranked team who finished third in the Champions Trophy in July.  Having beaten them in the Qualifier earlier this year they will be keen to avenge this result and the matches can be expected to be competitive exciting games.  It will provide an opportunity for some of the younger players who impressed over the summer to perform against higher ranked teams.”

Dave Passmore who until recently held the dual role of High Performance Director and Senior Men’s Coach will remain in charge until the new Senior Coach appointment is made, and all going well these games could possibly provide the new coach with the first opportunity to see the squad in action.

Women’s Squad set for first Super Camp

The weekend of 11 and 12 October sees the dawning of a new type of camp for Senior Hockey athletes a three day ‘Super Camp’. As the national squad is comprised of athletes from the four corners of Ireland the players meet twice weekly on a regional basis which is then supported by occasional weekend (two day) national camps. The introduction of this new Super Camp provides the squad with the opportunity to work together over a three day period, affording the coaching and management team the opportunity to build in other aspects to the programme.

The Senior Women’s squad will be the first to attend the Super Camp at Jordanstown in Belfast which will feature a changed format aimed at addressing some crucial elite performance components. The Super Camp will be different from the regular national camp formats where the primary aim is addressing technical and tactical aspects over a two day period. Athletes will have access to nutritionists, sports psychologists, and time management consultants in addition to the regular technical and tactical emphasis. The Super Camp starts on Friday morning and concludes on Sunday afternoon with the players having to fulfil a busy schedule, the intention is to build this camp into the national programme every four months.

Commenting on the new format High Performance Director Dave Passmore said “The Super camp is an excellent idea ensuring the essential elements of the broader development of an athlete are prioritised and given specific attention. This idea generated from the women's evaluation process and will also developed within the men's program”

Senior Women’s Coach Gene Muller also seemed keen to get his ‘09 preparations underway. “This camp is the start of our international preparation for 2022.  We are currently working with a group that has good potential. They are talented and ambitious, but we need to address areas in which we can make improvements.”

Camp Attendees: Lauren Barr, Ulster; Emma Clarke, Ulster; Lizzie Colvin, Leinster; Aine Connery, Munster; Eimear Cregan, Munster; Megan Frazer, Ulster; Mary Goode, Leinster; Emma Gray, Leinster; Michelle Harvey; Ulster; Louisa Healy, Leinster; Lisa Jacob, Leinster; Shirley McCay, Ulster; Kate McConnell, Ulster; Jenny McDonough; Ulster; Cathy McKean, Leinster; Bridget McKeever, Ulster; Holly Moffett; Munster; Rachel Mulligan, Ulster; Ciara O’Brien, London; Audrey O’Flynn, Munster; Stephanie Quinn, Ulster; Cliodhna Sargent, Munster; Niamh Small, Leinster; Emma Stewart, Ulster; Alex Speers, Ulster, Nikki Symmons, Leinster

Source: Irish Hockey Association