WCC: USA ready for Rabobank Hockey Champions Challenge  x6
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| United States |
July 3, 2005
US Field Hockey Association
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USFHA: Major international hockey returns to the United States for the first time since the 1996 Olympic Games when USA Field Hockey hosts the Rabobank Hockey Champions Challenge from 8-16 July at the USA Field Hockey National Training Center in Virginia Beach.
One of the International Hockey Federation’s (FIH) premier events, the Rabobank Hockey Champions Challenge features six of the world’s top teams including New Zealand (ranked 6th in the world), England (8th), Spain (9th), Japan (10th), South Africa and the United States (both 11th).
In addition to top tournament honours and international ranking points, the teams will be competing for a spot in the 2006 Champions Trophy competition awarded to the tournament champion. The tournament also provides a major test for the teams in preparations for next year’s World Cup and World Cup Qualifying Tournament.
New Zealand, Japan, South Africa and Spain are all coming off of appearances at the 2004 Olympic Games, and USA coach Lee Bodimeade sees New Zealand as the team to beat.
“After seeing New Zealand first hand recently, I would put them as the favorites,” said Bodimeade whose young USA team went 1-4 against the Kiwis in a May series in New Zealand.
“England is also coming off a tournament win (at the Korea KT Cup), so they are bringing good form to the championships. At these tournaments, all teams are a threat and I think we have enough on our plate that we need to work on, so the only team I am worried about at the moment is the USA. We can control what is relative to our side.”
In addition to showcasing the international game, the tournament will also serve as inspiration for the next generation of national team athletes. USA Field Hockey will conduct its National Futures Championships in conjunction with the Rabobank Champions Challenge and will give young athletes in the U14, U16 and U19 divisions the opportunity to see the game played at its highest level.
“We are extremely excited about hosting the Champions Challenge concurrently with the National Futures Championship,” said USA Field Hockey Executive Director Sheila Walker. “The combination of the two events will create a dynamic environment for international hockey in Virginia Beach while providing an international playing legacy for junior elite players in our Futures Program.”
Now in its third edition, the Champions Challenge has provided a springboard for past tournament winners. After winning the 2003 event, Germany’s women went on to win the 2004 Olympic gold medal while Spain captured the 2003 men’s event and went on to victory at the 2004 Champions Trophy.
The USA women are the only team to appear in both previous Champions Challenge tournaments earning a fifth place finish in Randburg, South Africa in 2002 and another fifth place finish in Catania, Italy in 2003.
The tournament marks the return of a major international field hockey event in the United States for the first timessince the 1996 Atlanta Olympic Games. In addition to the Olympic Tournament, the USA hosted the 1989 men’s World Cup qualifier (Intercontinental Cup) in Madison, New Jersey, and the 1993 women’s World Cup qualifier in Philadelphia.
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