Editorial 

The decision by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to award the 2012 Olympic Games to London certainly grabbed headlines around the world. Great Britain, and London, boast a proud tradition of staging major hockey events, with London hosting the Games in 1908 (and Great Britain winning the gold medal) and again in 1948 when they finished with the silver medal behind India. 

Work is scheduled to start in the near future on the brand new hockey stadium with two artificial pitches and permanent seating for 5000. The Mayor of London Ken Livingstone even went on record as saying that the facility would go ahead whether London won the Games or not. And with the IOC confirming hockey’s participation in 2012, the sport is set to go from strength to strength.

 While the British teams and coaches build for the future, other nations are also given excellent opportunities to promote levels of excellence in both the playing and coaching arenas. 

In this issue, Scotland’s Keith Joss shares his experience following the FIH coaching course at the men’s Rabo Hockey Junior World Cup in Rotterdam and we also have a piece on England Hockey’s initiative for young umpires. For those who might not make it playing at the highest level, these articles reveal other opportunities available in the game and which are just as important. 

Two major tournaments have just taken place with Argentina triumphing for the first time in the men’s Junior World Cup, and New Zealand making a quick return to the top flight with their victory over South Africa in the women’s Rabobank Hockey Champions Challenge in Virginia Beach. 

Kayla Sharland, the exciting young New Zealand striker is featured along with Richmond Attipoe, a former Ghana midfielder now revelling in his role as an international umpire. 

Bulgaria is also taking big strides as a developing nation and we take a look at how this east European country is enjoying a new sport. 

There is plenty of international action to follow this year with the women’s BDO Hockey Junior World Cup and two Champions Trophy touraments. Don’t miss out on it all! 

Cathy Harris
Editor - cjharris@btinternet.com