100 GAMES x ATTARD

T.

Or more commonly known as Teneal Attard. One of the great girls behind the “Girls Night In” cancer fundraiser, played her 100th International in the Green and Gold during the current World Cup Qualifiers.

The 5 to 0 win over Chile was a great way for T to celebrate such a great milestone in a career, especially one that had been hit with serious set back of injury.

From all of us in Australia and indeed Gryphon, we’d like to congratulate Teneal for the achievement.

CHILD DOMINANT IN ROTTERDAM v LAREN x VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS

This weeks highlights are of Rotterdam against Laren. Both teams are fighting for a place in the top four of the league.

Gryphon’s Simon Child was a stand out in his teams drawn tie with Laren in the Rabo Hoofdklasse. The New Zealand Olympian was the main focal point up front for the team in green.

Enjoy the highlights courtesy of NOS

PENALTY CORNER, BYE BYE?

As Beggers has eluded to in his latest blog, the Australian National Hockey League (AHL) this year will be experimenting with something very new and unique.

There’s been a lot of talk about Penalty Corners and how much impact they are having on the game, for the good or bad. Inevitably the discussion turns from the dangers to defenders to the worth of the specialist flickers and their ability around the ground. If there is a hot topic about an aspect of our game, it’s the Short Corner.

Well, with backing of Australias Coach, Ric Charlesworth, the AHL will be going this year without the PC.

What’s going to happen now for an infringement in the circle?

A 4 on 3 scenario.  That’s what.

This will be the setup. Defence is setup with the Keeper and two defenders on the goal line. The offence still has the same injection point with a player bringing the ball into play. They will have three other attackers lined up at the 25.  The ball is played in and the scenario starts up, 4 on 3 (including the keeper). The rest of the players line up on the back 25 line and come into play the same was a normal PC.

What impact will this have on the game? Well that’s very hard to say right now. The AHL teams are currently training with these new scenarios and new tactics are being formed.  We wont know how this will impact the game until it happens and the world’s first top tier tournament plays it through.  So from May 2010, keep your eyes on the AHL and Gryphon Life to see how it progresses.

Players and positions will indeed need to adjust and none more than the specialist flicker.

What do you think about this change?  Does our game need such dramatic changes?

BACK TO REALITY x BEGGERS

It’s been just over a month since we won the World Cup and since then we’ve had a bit of time to rest and reflect. I returned to work 2 days after the WC final and have been working full-time since. The first week back at work was tough, especially with the rest of the boys still celebrating most days and nights. During that break I didn’t pick up a hockey stick or partake in much physical exercise, which I am now regretting as we get back into full training. The AIS program recommenced on Monday, and my life now consists of hockey… work…hockey…sleep… hockey… work… hockey…sleep. With the club hockey season underway again in Perth, there is some form of hockey on every day of the week. The boys leave for the Azlan Shah tournament in Ipoh, Malaysia in around 3 weeks. I’m not playing in this tournament so I can be around work a bit more, particularly with a busy hockey calendar in the second half of the year. The depth of Australian hockey will be on display with a young team being selected to compete and I’m sure the boys will get the job done.

The Australian Hockey League (AHL) is just around the corner and most states are in preparation for this. Throughout this tournament we will be trying out a new rule which basically does away with short corners. Instead of the conventional short corner set up, the attacking team has one person to push out, and 3 players on their attacking 25. The defensive team has 2 defenders and the goalkeeper. Once the ball is pushed to a player on the attacking 25, it’s basically a 4 on 3 (including GK). I’m sure a lot of short corner post-men are happy about this change…but don’t think I can say the same for the drag flickers.

Now that the AIS has recommenced I’ve had a chance to catch up with all the guys, and also reflect on the WC with them. It was a bit strange after winning the WC, as we were on the plane a few hours after, and once back in Perth everybody went there own way. A lot of guys went over sees to their Dutch clubs, whilst others returned to their home states to see family. I think an official function is in the making which will be good for everyone to get together and celebrate the win, something we haven’t really been able to do yet.

Anyways, I hope everyone is enjoying their hockey wherever they they’re playing. You’ll hear from me again soon.

Beggers

3D GOAL x VIDEO x ORANJE ZWART YOUTH

Hi All,

Its been a little while since I last checked in here. Well, its old news now but I have a Wold Cup to add to my Olympic Gold so I’m flying high at the moment. The WC in India was an amazing experience and one that means a lot to myself, especially having been a part of the Kookaburras team of 2006 that lost the epic final to Germany after being 2 goals ahead.

So I’ll speak more of the World Cup in my next post, but the reason for dropping by today is that I want to share something with you. I’ve just touched down in The Netherlands to reunite with my club, Oranje Zwart, for the remainder of the season. OZ has an amazing developement program and everyday that I am at the club it amazes me just how frothing and keen the kids in their youth program are. They practice super hard but all have the biggest smiles on their faces as they run around the fields and clubhouse. One of the youth teams recently played and a young kid scored the most amazing goal. This kid, Lennart Smits, is like 12 or 13 years old, and what he did I would challenge most seniors to do! Watch this clip and decide for yourself!

Till next time crew,

Cheers, Rob

PLAYER OF THE YEAR VOTES x HOOFDKLASSE x HAMMOND

The Rabo Hoofdklasse is back underway with the completion of Round 14 last weekend. The resumption of competition welcomes the return of the Worlds elite to The Netherlands following a long lay period due to the 2010 Mens World Cup.

Gryphon’s own Rob Hammond has hit the ground running receiving maximum votes in hockey.nl’s annual Speler van het Jaar awards(Player of the Year Awards) for round 14. His team, Oranje Zwart of Eindhoven, demolished SCHC 6-1 on Sunday. SCHC has only amassed 7 draws and no victories thus far in the competition and are fighting relegation. Here is the excerpt from their site:

Speler van het Jaar:

Rob Hammond heerste en verdeelde bij Oranje Zwart. De kersverse wereldkampioen speelde een hoofdrol in de 6-1 zege van de Brabanders op SCHC en is daardoor speler van de week.

Speler van de week:
10- Rob Hammond- Oranje Zwart
Het Australische blok graniet maakt van OZ een kanshebber op de play-offs.

7- Jaap Stockmann- Bloemendaal
Was de enige die echt scherp was bij Bloemendaal.

5- Jong-Ho Seo- Laren
Ook buiten de cirkel was de Larense wonderkoreaan een plaag voor de Amsterdamse defensie.

4- Timme Hoyng- Pinoké
Was weer helemaal heel en scoorde twee keer. En dat overkomt de ex-international maar zelden.

3- Jamie Dwyer- Bloemendaal
Zijn steekpass die de derde treffer inleidde, was er een voor fijnproevers.

Talent van de week:
Derk van Essen- Hurley
Rots in de branding bij de promovendus. Was zelfs ‘fantastisch’ volgens ploeggenoot Steven Ebbers.

Coach van de week:
Roelant Oltmans- Laren
Eindelijk is Laren waar het al tijden wil zijn. Op de vierde plaats.

“Player of the Year”

Australian granite block returns, Rob Hammond ruled and divided by Oranje Zwart. The fresh world cup champion played a leading role in the 6-1 victory of the Brabant at SCHC and therefore player of the week.

Player of the Week: Votes: 10 – Rob Hammond – Orange Black. The Australian block of granite makes OZ a likely candidate to play offs. 7 – Jaap Stockmann – Bloemendaal Was the only one who was really fierce in Bloemendaal. 5 – Young-Ho Seo – Laren. Outside the circle was Laren wonder and Korean a nightmare for the Amsterdam defense. 4 – Timme Hoyng – Pinoke. Was again a complete performance throughout and scored twice. And that happens rarely for the former international. 3 – Jamie Dwyer – Bloemendaal. His cross pass that initiated the third goal, that was a delight. Talent of the week: Derk van Essen-Hurley Stood out. Was also fantastic, teammate Steven Ebbers. Coach of the Week: Roelant Oltmans-Laren, Laren is finally where it wants to be. In fourth place.

Keep an eye out here for more shout outs to Gryphon’s top players in Holland as the season continues, the players keep doing what they do best and voting heats up.

HERE WE GO AGAIN x SHUBY

Well, how time flies!  It’s been just over a month since that memorable night in New Delhi.  World Champions!  I’m sure I’ll never get tired hearing people say it and nobody can take it away.

It brought back so many memories of past victories and none more so than that of the Olympics back in 2004.  Total elation and just reward for the amount of effort put in on the training track and time spent away from friends and family.  I was young and early in my career back in Athens and those first few seconds/minutes after winning were such a blur.  So much so that I had to wait to watch the reply to see what happened.

This time around I was lucky enough to be involved in the play during the last few minutes and especially in the last 30 seconds.  It seemed to take forever but as each of those seconds passed my excitement grew stronger and stronger.  I clearly remember seeing 5 seconds left on the clock when Simon Orchard passed me the ball. Four, three, two, one, I counted down in my head.  I then picked up the ball, knowing that we were then World Champions.  It was something that I had dreamt of doing.  Holding the ball up at the final whistle.   It’s a moment at that time that I’ll never forget.

In my last post I shared a moment from Beijing saying that I had made a promise.  A promise to win the World Cup.  And let me tell you, I’m glad I got to keep it.   It was by no means an easy feat.  The Kookaburras had finished runners-up at the previous two World Cups and had only won it once, way back in 1986.   Therefore I know when looking back at my career when it comes to an end, that this was one very special night.

It has also been brought to my attention that I’m only 1 of 5 Australian players to have won each of the four major hockey titles at least once. That being the Olympics, World Cup, Commonwealth Games and Champions Trophy.  The others are Rob Hammond, Liam DeYoung, Jamie Dwyer and Mark Knowles.

Training started back up again with the usual testing week to kick things off.  Always very interesting after a bit of time off the track, but it’s good to get back running around again.  It’s going to be a very busy six months until the completion of the Commonwealth Games and I look forward to sharing the ride with you.

Later, Shuby

PHOTO DC IMAGES | DANIEL CARSON

RABO HOOFDKLASSE x B’DAAL v KAMPONG x VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS

It has been a 5 month lay-off in the Rabo Hoofdklasse of 2009/10. With the long break due to the World Cup and the return of top internationalists from all over the world bolstering the local sides, we will see in the next 5 weeks 9 games in this compressed format.

Highlights of round 14 of the Hoofdklasse are of Kampong home to Bloemendaal, with Gryphon’s own Wouter Jolie and Thomas Boerma in action.

4 NATIONS (SECOND PART) X LUCAS SEVESTRE

Back from the 4 Nations tournament in Berlin, I have now the time to tell you what happened the last few days after my first post about it.
Actually, the weather has been very kind with me, no rain, but a good sun, which haven’t avoided me to catch a cold up in the video tower.

After a good start in the tournament, we lost clearly against an impressive German Team (who won the 4 Nations, scoring at least 5 five goals per games).
Despite the defeat, we were very motivated to play them once more in the final, but we had to win against Scotland. We dominated the game during 60min, leaded the score 2-1, but missed too many opportunities to raise our number of goals. Frustrated, we started to loose our concentration, and forget our most important objective, “Focus on what we can control” . Everyone started talking and it seemed like a hen house on the pitch. We finally lost 4-2!

From where I was with my camera, it was unbelievable, and I couldn’t keep my anger! I was disappointed to be at Berlin, without the possibility to help my team-mate or tell them to calm down. Very hard situation to live as a player…

After the game we managed to talk with some leader players, then all the team, in order to not forget the errors we’ve made to never do it again.
On Thursday, we had the pleasure to see several girl teams arrived in our hotel, because the Euro Cup would start on Friday! Amsterdam, Barcelona… Some nice teams, with nice players! I think it was a gift for my birthday which was the 1rd April, the day they all arrived. And my team-mates sung me the famous birthday song at 8.am just before around morning-run under a beautiful sun. What a perfect day’s start… I can’t hide the finish wasn’t so good with our defeat against the Scottish!

So after this disappointed tournament, I’m back to my studies, even if I had the time to enjoy my birthday with all my best friends… I’ll start this week, a series of final exams, before begin a intern-ship in a Web company for 2,5 months. One more time I’ll need to dispose my time-table between competitions and work!

Let’s chat later.

Hope reader you’re going well!!

Cheers.

Lucas

GRYPHON STICKS x FAKE v REAL

Recently there has been talk in magazines and online forums about fake/counterfeit sticks hitting the market. Gryphon sticks are not left out of this vicious area for concern.

Currently there are not many fake sticks that we have encountered on the market BUT the ones we have found are easily noticed and avoided. ALL of the fake sticks are sold over the internet directly from website coming mainly from Pakistan. Add the ease of selling through Ebay and these sticks can be bought anywhere in the world.

The problem with fake sticks are many. You are not getting what you pay for and that principle is very sound. You are being cheated. The sticks under the fake skins are usually a very very cheap stick (in many cases a bottom end stick from a different brand and factory which has been painted over the top with Gryphon like artwork) and will not perform at all like a genuine Gryphon.  The moulds are different and if you are after a Pro Mould you will be missing out. If the stick has a fault, there is no place for you to get this checked or fixed, so no warranty.

How can you tell if you get a real stick before you buy?

1/ Buy from a reputable store. Check they have a real phone number, address and email and sell more than just a handful of products. A store in the same country as yours is a good indicator of an Authorised Gryphon reseller.

2/ If the price is cheap, it’s too good to be true.  While yes sellers can discount but brand new sticks selling well under any main retailer’s price is a good indicator the stick may not be real.

3/ The Gryphons on the market that have been copied are mainly the PRO Tour and PRO Blue Steel, our flag-ship models. Be weary of buying these online especially unless you know the seller or has been recommended to you.

If you have purchased a stick and feel it may not be real we have created  a guide to help you try and identify what you have purchased.

STICK IDENTIFIER PDF Gryphon Fake Stick Guide (313)

We hope that this will help in getting you the right product that you pay for and want.

UPDATE:

We now have a list of known retailers of fake Sticks which will be updated here.

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