P18-24 Hockey:SGBGolf_NEW_template 29/04/2009 08:52 Page 18
Hockey
Hockey
With a dim memory of playing hockey in secondary school, Zöe Foster
talks to David Faulkner from England Hockey and finds it that things
have really moved on...
N
ot only has the equipment moved on apace, benefiting from Slazenger
the carbon technology we see in tennis rackets, but the The Slazenger Hockey Range provides each player with the key needs of
accessibility has increased too. My recollection of hockey was players – power, precision and performance. The focus range for 2009, the
playing with wooden sticks on sodden pitches from age 13 to 16, NPro Range uses the new Fuse and Nano technology from Slazenger which
then never having the chance to play again; hockey is now accessible provides the range with the ultimate in sport technology and expertise. Fuse
for players from age 5 to 70+. England Hockey's David Faulkner says: technology provides more responsive sticks for all player levels with
"One of our targets is to get 10,000 more adults playing hockey. We premium carbon fibres being used in a unique way with nano resin to give
have men and women who still aspire to put on an England shirt more durability and improved stick performance. Slazenger’s excellence in
even if they didn't make it to International level when they were providing quality sticks that meet all players’ needs makes them the brand
younger – in fact, our over 65's and over 70's hockey teams are of choice for pro players including GB Captain Ben Hawes. The five sticks
world champions." from the NPro range retails from the NPro 1 at £180 through to the NPro
Over the last four years the Federation of International Hockey has been Junior, RRP £80
active putting in place an infrastructure that will produce our new
international players and inspire us oldies to keep active. For the younger Gryphon
player they have created a game called Quick Sticks which was introduced Gryphon focuses on innovation and pushing the boundaries for field
in January to primary schools and has been well received with over 1500
sets for sticks, balls and goals already sold. This five-a-side game is played on Pro Tour £325RRP
a netball court using a ball slightly bigger than hockey ball giving younger
kids a chance to sample the team sport and increase their ball skills.
Also slowly emerging and being promoted by the England Hockey is "the
Single System, which is about delivering appropriate hockey at each level, hockey; new sticks for 2009 include the Pro Tour which is a Real Low Bow
which is a progression to help spot potential future players," says David. model designed for better ball control and easier forehand and backhand
"Clubs often have links to secondary schools, which encourages potential lifts. Incorporating their ultra-premium lay-up design and Silicon Sleeve
school age players to join local hockey clubs to play regularly, even after technology (SS) for maximum power with a silky smooth feel. The Pro Blue
leaving school, to therefore experience county or regional hockey Steel combines the Real Low Bow design with the World-renowned Taboo
tournaments. From this there is then a pathway through to National composition to create a responsive and powerful stick – the choice of many
Performance Centres which are University-based so students can study for
their long-term future as well as become full-time athletes. The sport has Slasher – Available in blue and pink. £35RRP
become far quicker and more demanding than when I played 20 years
ago," says David.
Next on the agenda for the England Hockey is the introduction of Mini
Hockey for secondary schools which is 7-a-side, where you can use a half a of the world’s best players. The Pro Blade is for the aspiring player who
hockey pitch width-ways, plus indoor hockey, which is 6-a-side. David says, demands more, it also incorporates the Real Low Bow design with a
"we are going to develop these more for junior and secondary; which will maximum power to weight ratio to produce a stick that punches well above
hopefully influence the National Cirriculum. We want young boys and girls its weight in terms of performance.
to experience as much sport as thay can at a younger age because all their The entry level senior composite is a quality performer: The Predator is a
sporting experiences will benefit them for playing hockey." fibreglass and epoxy resin composite, utilising Gryphon's Flex Matrix
So what are David's thoughts on the new technology which affects the Technology (FMT) to maximise the sweet spot for the developing player. At
game? "You'll very rarely see a wooden stick used in top level hockey these entry level the Slasher is a junior composite combining technology from their
days, most are carbon as you can get exactly the same spec each time. top-end models with high end materials to produce a well weighted stick
Carbon gives far more power, so you get better pace off the stick. A rule that is ideal for the junior player.
that has changed is that you can use 'drag flicking' at short corners rather Gryphons latest release in Performance Footwear the Venom 09 is ultra-
than hitting at short corners so sticks are made with a slight bow in them as lightweight, water resistant shoe incorporates a PU nubuck upper, phylon
it helps with the flicking; The FIH capped the bow in the stick to 25mm to mid-sole, additional toe protection and a dimpled sole to produce a
limit the slingshot effect and maintain the skill level." lightweight cushioned ride.
18 SGB SPORTS APRIL 2009
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