TABOO DEKODA x CT10 SIGNATURE EDITION x ON SALE NOW

To commemorate the amazing success of the Australian Mens Hockey team, winning three straight Champions Trophies, Gryphon and Premium retail partner F-H-E have joined for a special stick offer indeed. We’ve got the Gryphon Guns that were a part of that third Gold Medal team to come to Gryphon HQ and sign a limited stock of 25 Taboo Dekoda sticks. And now thanks to F-H-E, they are available for sale right now.

This deal is great value in three amazing ways:

1/ You get a stick signed in gold pen by Fergus Kavanagh (Australian Captain during this last campaign), Mark Paterson, Joel Carroll and Graeme Begbie.

2/ A massive $175 discount on the price!

FHE are taking $175 off the price of the normal Dekoda making this Taboo only $250 which includes the signatures!

3/ Limited to 25 sticks only

To buy simply go to www.f-h-e.com.au  or  click here for the direct product link.

Go through the usual process of the online shopping system, to get the special price at STEP 2 of 3 during the CHECKOUT process enter the COUPON CODE: 3xChampions

This offer is only valid for a limited time so hurry to secure your piece of history!

From all of us at Gryphon we would like to congratulate the guys for their amazing achievement and we hope that now you can be a part of that with this limited edition stick.

CT10 x PHOTO MONTAGE VIDEO

The Gryphon guns that played during the Champions Trophy in Mönchengladbach this year have been compiled into a short video montage. These are photos taken during the event from angles that you the TV tends not to get of the player, their emotions, actions frozen in time. That mid-air leap to the ball or the strain shown on their face to make the perfect pass.

Enjoy.

Photos: Daniel Carson | www.dcimages.org

CT10 x FINAL x ENG v AUS TRIPLE CHAMPIONS

The result may not be a surprise. The way it happened may not shock you. The players that stood up when it counted may not be news.  Story is in what.

What did Australia do?

They won the Champions Trophy in 2010. They won the World Cup in 2010. They won the Champions Trophy in 2009. They won the Champions Trophy is 2008. Today they beat England, the European Champions and a team that defeated Australia in the World Cup rounds. In today’s win, the what is the achievement with a young group. A new crop of players against the best in the World.

Having won all 6 games in this tournament including the final they go into the record books for a clean sweep.

Fergus Kavanagh adds his third straight Champions Trophy Gold Medal to the pool room. Also in the squad include Greame Bebgie (world champion) with debutants in this tournament including Joel Carroll, Mark Paterson and Trent Mitton.

Australia controlled the game from start to finish. England never looked like breaching the incredibly strong defense bolstered by Begbie’s return. Up front Pato was in sparkling form creating space where there was none at all.

England had no answers. Injuries crept in due to the extra effort exerted, but it just couldn’t stop the controlling hand guiding them in this match.

A three to nill half time score was what needed to be pondered for some time as the heaven opened up and Monchengladbach flooded. The pitch couldn’t handle the deluge and the break was much longer than usual. Funny enough when the game resumed the sun was shining. And so were the Aussies. Another goal to the tally and the game was won.

Four goals to zero and Australia take home the gold tonight and that very very heavy trophy back to Australia.

Photos: Daniel Carson | www.dcimages.org

BEGGERs + MITTS x STREET TALK x CT10

It’s amazing who you see when walking down the street in Germany.

Beggers and Mitts having lunch. Niether are lining up for Australia later in the day so a quick street-talk was called for, well by me maybe not so much the guys.

DC

CT10 x DAY2 x AUS v HOL

Both Australia and Holland have new look teams here in Monchengladbach, although arguably the Dutch retain more of the “old firm”.  Both are coming off strong wins yesterday with Holland beating a strong Spain while the Australian’s made light work of the Black Sticks – trans tasman bragging rights secured for a a while to come. At least the Aussie have it with hockey yesterday, this can’t be said for another test sport played between these two countries which had a result fly the other way.

This is the first real test for Australia here. They have played very well in the warm up matches leading into this event and the new structure with a lot of unknown factors in their line-up are sure to make for some interesting hockey one way or another.

Holland have now not beaten Australia in some time, considering the hot rivalry these two teams have had. The Dutch are under a new coach and new system. Australia will again be a huge test. Actually Holland haven’t beaten Australia in a CT game since 2003.

The game started simply. Goal to Australia. The new Aussie system was under huge pressure from the Dutch who were looking to press and do what Australia has been known for doing best. Wouter Jolie was making more than his usual share of runs from the back to keep the the Aussie defence on guard.

Holland also had many chances as did the Aussies in the first but no more were put in the net and half time score was 1 – 0 (aus).

The second half was… different.  The Aussies changed tactics to the Dutch press but weren’t able to make good of it as the Dutch found space up front and scored to tie the game early in the half. In typical fashion the Aussies replied quickly before the Dutch piled two more goals to take the lead 3 goals to 2.

The Aussies looked upbeat, talk was good. They still made their runs and backed themselves for goal and found space. The Dutch looked ready to just rest now. Not a great idea. The Australian’s defence toughened up with some great tackles from Joel Carroll and Graeme Begbie.

Down the other end between the 63rd and the 69th minute the guys in White and green and gold (today) scored 4 straight goals.

The game was over and emphatically the young Aussies showed that they will not lie down and their depth is strong with a capital S.

Final score Aus 6, Hol 3

Holland now retreat back to work out how they let the lead slip so fast while the Aussie also have to work out how they let three goals in but will find themselves still unbeaten with a great goal difference.

Photos: Daniel Carson | dcimages.org

CT10 x BEGGERS x WALLPAPER x DOWNLOAD

We are midweek now and it’s time to start ti profile some of the World Champion and current Champions Trophy Holders Kookaburras, which is well represented by Gryphon guns.

Firstly in the group that is over in Germany, Graeme Begbie is an old hat. As in, well, he’s been there and done that in barely a year. Coming from Western Australia and being selected for Champion’s Trophy 2009 in Melbourne hasn’t missed a beat in the senior list being a part of that amazing World Cup win in India.

Download the Graeme Begbie 2010 Wallpaper: CT10_GRYPHON_BEGBIE_POSTER (7)

Photos: Daniel Carson | DCimages

CT10 x AHL PENALTY CORNERS x BEGGERS

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

CONGRATS x GRYPHON WORLD CHAMPS

Well they’ve had a few days to let it sink.  Those of us that were watching on the TV, reading news reports and talking about the games here at Gryphon HQ would like to formally congratulate the latest and World Champion Ambassadors for Australia and Gryphon.

Kiel Brown (WA)

Graeme Begbie (WA)

Rob Hammond (QLD)

Fergus Kavanagh (WA)

Grant Schubert (SA)

Photos: Daniel Carson | DCIMAGES.ORG

WORLD CUP FINAL YEW! x BEGGERS

What a game!

Our semi final victory over the Netherlands last night was the most nail biting game I’ve been a part of. With just 8 seconds to go the game was still in the balance. Thankfully we managed to hold on to earn our place in the World Cup final. If you’d told me this time last year that I’d be playing in a World Cup final in a years time – I would of told you to get off the drugs. But its happened, and now I, and my teammates, have a chance to fulfil a dream.

Just before heading out onto the pitch last night, our coach Ric said “Anything worth having in life is not easy”. An opportunity to win a World Cup is definitely worth having, and I now know its definitely not easy. One of the best things about playing a team sport is the comradery and the lift you get from your teammates around you when the pressure and need to win increase. This was definitely evident last night in the semi final. Everybody lifted and gave that extra 10% when it was required, and I know this will be magnified in the final come Saturday.

Our opponents in the final are Germany – a great team, world number one, and we have seen what they are capable of. However, we’re confident that if we stick to our game plan and play to our potential we can win the game. Let’s see what happens…

Beggers…

Photos: Daniel Carson | DCIMAGES.ORG

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