Field hockey fans in B.C. are in for an awesome treat come October.
One of the world’s best teams with an unmatched number of Olympic and World Cup medals will be playing a series of seven games against Team Canada between October 9 and 24 in Victoria and Surrey.
The Seven Test Super Series against the Men’s National Team of India is a warm-up to the next World Cup organized in Delhi in March 2010, which will be a spectacular competition played in front of large crowds.
Canada are the current Pan American Champions and holder of the Pan American Cup, beating on both occasions their arch-rival Argentina, and are automatically qualified for the 2010 World Cup.
This series against the prestigious Indian opponent is part of the innovative training approach designed by Canadian coach Alan Brahmst.
“A 7-test series is certainly unique,” says Alan Brahmst, “and it offers us a framework in which to test some innovative approaches to competition. There are many benefits to leverage from such a series. In particular, we feel that we can trial and advance different tactical concepts over such a duration and also focus on shaping our team’s mentality,” he said.
Veteran player Paul Wettlaufer is enthusiastic about the preparation for the World Cup. “In the past, our training was always restricted by limited budgets”, says Wettlaufer.
“The current coaching staff has reversed the equation by working hard to secure the necessary funding, in parallel to their coaching duties. I have been on the National Team for 12 years now, and this is probably the most methodical and complete approach to prepare for a major competition.”
“Hockey is the National Sport in India, like soccer is in Brazil,” says Jose Brasa, Head Coach of the Indian Hockey Team.
“It is amazing the huge quantity of people who follow the Hockey National team. This long series versus Canada, seven matches within three weeks making a simulation of the seven matches to be played in the World Cup, are an important part of our approach to the World Cup,” he said.
“This tour to Canada gives us the opportunity to face one the most promising teams that will be one of our opponents at the World Cup. Canada will be a difficult team to beat. They were the first team getting its qualification to the World Cup and that gave them the possibility to have a longer preparation for the Delhi World Cup.”
Team Canada Captain Ken Pereira is excited by the prospect of playing the Indian team in B.C.
“A number of the Canadian players have their family roots back in India. We grew up in Canada watching tapes of the Indian games and of some of their top players. It’s very exciting to have a chance to play a series against them at home, in front of our families and friends.”
The games will be played on October 9 and 11 in Victoria and on October 14, 16, 18, 21 and 24 in Surrey. More details on the location and time will be made available on the Field Hockey Canada web site @ http://www.