Hong Kong sign world-class coach  x22
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January 5, 2005 
Simon Bach
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Hong Kong sign world-class coach
In a bold move, Hong Kong hockey has splashed out on a top "National" coach, which is a clear attempt to move up the rankings to the next level, for international hockey. Hong Kong last qualified for the Olympic Games in 1964.
HKHA had previously interviewed for the position the new England coach, Daniel Kerry and former South African coach, Gavin Featherstone.
Kevin Knapp, who started with HKHA this week, has an impressive record. Knapp was born in Holland and has coached at the top League level there. Knapp also boasted several caps for Scotland and now holds a British passport. In recent years he has been based at the AIS (Australian Institute of Sport) in Perth Western Australia, where he was employed as a high performance coach by the WAIS.
Knapp has recently been working with some of the best coaches in the World, such as Australian Olympian, Brian Glencross and with Australia the current Olympic Gold Medallists, HKHA will hope to benefit from his experience.
Hong Kong, achieved a 7th place ranking in Asia last year, has a busy calendar this year with the Asia Cup, All China Games and the East Asian Games in Macau.
Knapp held trials last night at King's Park (Hong Kong) and will be watching closely this weekends round of the South China Premier League. Knapp said "I are very ambitious for Hong Kong, or else I would not have bothered coming here".
Hong Kong star player, Arif Ali was impressed with the first session and said "all looks great so far".
SCPL 2005
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C'mon HK
01-06-2005 4:48 am
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We can make it
At least try to beat Japan and China for one time
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Paul
01-06-2005 8:10 am
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Coach
Mark is back but in Victoria Park watching Watsons Tennis. Remember guys...we want a hockey coach not a 'Tennis Coach', only knows how to say 'pass to ball to Sanachi'.....
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Niall Sturrock
01-06-2005 10:46 am
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Guys,
I played with Kevin when he played in Scotland and have watched his coaching career progress through the Dutch club system and on to Australia to work in Perth. I am sure that if you guys give him the support that he deserves he will be an asset to your Association and assist the development of your national team to the next level.
Good luck Kevin.
Niall
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Mike
01-06-2005 11:50 am
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Can anybody tell me more about his background in the Dutch club system? I'm interested to see his coaching involvement there.
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U21
01-06-2005 5:29 pm
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U21 hockey
go east go west - always 125 is the best !
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Ringo
01-06-2005 9:13 pm
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Oz
Kevin is a great coach and wasted in HK
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Sweeper
01-07-2005 6:26 am
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Mike
Kevin was our school coach in Edinburgh for a year while playing for MIM and Scotland (for whom he got a fair bit more than "several" caps), but moved to become coach at Klein Switzerland in the Hague in 1989. He'd previously been a player with Klein Switzerland (in the top Dutch league).
Anyway, good decision by the HAHK, and good luck to him - certainly taught me a few things !
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Paul & Johnny
01-07-2005 12:53 pm
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HK coach
I heard the new coach is really good and tough. Maybe its time for HK to really get back on the road. But one thing will never change, players will never turn up on trainings. Not only because of their job duties but mostly because they know they're already in the team. I hope the new coach can really count the number of trainings players will attend or else, the coach can, like Mark, go to KCC and enjoy his coffee knowing the players who are already in the squad.
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rjt
01-09-2005 1:28 am
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Knapp
Is Kevin related to Doug Knapp, another born in Holland, played for Scotland but who then moved to Canada. Anyone know?
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Rasta...
01-10-2005 12:36 am
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Off the topic but...with Guangdong dropping out of the regualr league competition does anyone else feel that there are too few games to last an entire season? There seems to be such a wide duration for only 12 games of league hockey and one wonders is there really any need? We really need to bring an 8th team back into the competition whether it be another HK team or another team from abroad (Taiwan, perhaps). Otherwise we should look at compacting the season so that the national team can prepare for big events for the rest of the year. There should be no reason why clubs have up to a three week wait in between fixtures. Between September and December alone many clubs abroad will already have played 12 games.
Anyway...wish the new coach every success with the Hong Kong team. It is as much about changing the culture of the sport in HK as well as actually coaching the game itself, and hopefully he will be able to instill some professionalism throughout.
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Can1
01-10-2005 11:21 am
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Kevin & Doug
Yes - Kevin and Doug are brothers. Doug played in the 90's for Canada where I think he still lives. They are both products of the KZ system.
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rjt
01-11-2005 1:33 am
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KZ ??
Really? How old is Kevin Knapp? I thought Doug only had one brother, David. All part of the KZ system?
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Nappy
01-12-2005 1:44 am
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Kevin
Kev is already doing a great jon on HK and has two coaching courses coming up over the next 2 weekends
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Thierry Henry14
01-12-2005 3:09 pm
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Ravi?
anyone know Ravi Dillons email?
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YOOOO
01-13-2005 10:22 pm
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HENRY
YEA RAVI'S EMAIL IS ..... RAVI_GURVIN@BILLY.COM
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Jason
02-26-2005 8:01 pm
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I am a canadian who has traveled to HK, Mainland China, Singapore, etc. I know a little cantonese. I am interested in playing hockey in Southeast Asia and attending university there in order to learn about different cultures. How might I find out about contacting some teams?
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bimal bhandari
07-05-2005 1:32 am
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jason
how can i join in that coures
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