The 1st. Women’s Americas Cup took place in Kingston, Jamaica, from 5-18th March and was well organized by the Jamaican Hockey Federation on their new artificial pitch at the Mona Field. The event attracted good attendances, with close to full houses most evenings and good local media coverage.

Of the original 11 teams entered, only seven were able to attend - a disappointment to the PAHF and the organizers.

Final placings were: 1 Argentina, 2 USA, 3 Canada, 4 Uruguay, 5 Jamaica, 6 Mexico and 7 Venezuela. Argentina had already qualified for the World Cup but USA, Canada and Uruguay move on to the World Cup Qualifier.

Eleven of 19 countries were represented for the first PAHF Congress in the new two year cycle, held in Kingston in March. The PAHF was pleased to have present Mrs Els van Breda Vriesman, the then FIH Secretary General, and Robert Lycke, the FIH Treasurer.

Tony von Ondarza (Venezuela) was re-elected as president, and Sue Neill was confirmed as General Secretary, Rosa de Massa as Vice President and Janet Ellis as Treasurer. Ordinary members re-elected were José Gonzalez Cortina (Cuba), Carlos Hernandez (Mexico), Pedro O’Ryan (Chile), Grace Robertson (USA), Eduardo Guelfand (Argentina), René Granat (Venezuela), Myrtle Weir (Jamaica) and Allan Woods (USA).

The Committee Chairs (Competitions - Chris Waters, Development - Bev Johnson, Medical - Kathleen Watson, and Umpiring - Horacio Servetto) and all committee members were asked to remain in place until the next PAHF Board meeting.

A new committee - Media and Public Relations - was put in place, with Aaron Sher (USA) as the lead.

Following the Congress, there was an Open Forum, featuring the Year of the Youth. Bev Johnson, assisted by her committee, made a lively presentation on all of the opportunities available. A moving moment was a speech by a young Jamaican player who explained what hockey meant to him.

Also featured at the Open Forum was a discussion of the new PAHF Website, Panamhockey.com, soon to be up and running.

Following-up to the Planning meeting, held in Paris last year, the PAHF endorsed the new Four year plan of the PAHF. This document will continue to evolve as it is brought to life by the committees and the Board.

Two events due to take place later this year are a Technical Seminar, with a focus on youth, in October, and the 3rd (?) mens(?) PAHF Club Championship in Barbados in November.