The South African Investec Ladies recorded their first win of the 2010 BDO Womens World Cup in Rosario, Argentina beating Spain 2-1. Piettie Coetzee once again highlighted her class (& value to the team), scoring her second goal in as many games since announcing her return to international hockey. The controversial winner was a touch of brilliance from Sulette Damons who deflected a lifted ball past the helpless Spanish goalkeeper. After a fair amount of indecision and discussion between the umpires and the team captains, the decision was finally referred to the Video Umpire, highlighting just how important technology is in the modern game.
This scenario brought back memories of the Athens 2004 Olympics when we lost 3-2 to Holland with two goals being awarded to the eventual silver medalists when video replays after the game clearly showed that they should have been disallowed...i wonder what impact a video referral might have had on that competition?
For those of you that have not been able to see the South African games from the BDO Womens World Cup in Rosario, Argentina, live on Supersport...here is another resource for you:
Also for detailed match reports click here, or on the links tab on our website...
Go girls!!
Incredible dreams come true through hockey
Written by John McInroy www.redsockfriday.com
Wednesday, 25 August 2010
In 2003, I was lucky enough to represent my country in the Afro-Asia Games in Hyderabad – this experience really opened my heart and mind to the wonderful world that is India and instilled a deep passion and desire inside me to want to experience it again. The moment I was accepted in the Indian Institute of Management to complete my post graduate studies, I wanted to fulfil my dream of playing in a major Indian hockey tournament for an Indian team. My dates were set, I arrived in India on (redsock) Friday 11th June wearing my Bafana shirt (of course) and I would be India for the duration of the term until 31st August. Not only did there have to be a tournament on during this time but it also had to not clash with any major school commitments which I soon discovered in India were very rigid!
Here is a photo of me about to board my connecting flight to Bangalore from Dubai on the opening day of the World Cup in our country.
Many people thought I was going in the wrong direction. Surely a passionate South African like myself would want to be in his own country for this once in a lifetime opportunity. Of course I would have LOVED to be there but at the same time I was following my heart in India and knew that something truly special would emerge from being in India. And it did!
SASCOC has just released the names of the South African
Hockey Teams that will participate in the 19th Commonwealth Games in New Delhi,
India between 3-14 October:
SA HOCKEY TEAMS
Hockey (women): Tarryn Bright, Dirkie Chamberlain, Lisa-Marie
Deetliefs, Farah Fredericks, Lesle-Ann George, Kim Hubach, Marcelle Keet, Kelly
Madsen, Sanani Mangisa, Marsha Marescia (capt), Mariette Rix, Lenise Marais,
Kathleen Taylor, Nicolene Terblanche, Roxanne Turner, Jen Wilson. Manager:
Luntu Ntloko. Coach: Giles Bonnett. Assistant coach: Fabian Gregory.
Hockey (men): Brendan Botes, Gareth Carr, Tim Drummond,
Ian Haley, Rhett Halkett, Tommy Hammond, Marvin Harper, Julian Hykes, Lance
Louw, Lloyd Madsen, Lloyd Norris-Jones, Wade Paton, Taine Paton, Erasmus
Pieterse, Justin Reid-Ross, Austin Smith (capt). Manager: Anton van Rooyen.
Coach: Gregg Clark. Assistant coach: David Viney.
New batch of V3s now in
Written by Steve Evans
Monday, 28 June 2010
Back by popular demand...new batch of V3s while stocks last. Order them here now before they disappear!
Commonwealth Games Schedule released
Written by Steve Evans
Sunday, 30 May 2010
The International Hockey Federation (FIH) and the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) recently released the hockey schedule for the 2010 Delhi Commonwealth Games, with the tournament starting on 4 October.
The 10 team competition sees good draws for both the South African Mens & Womens Teams, and gives them a good chance of getting through to the medal rounds.
The pools are drawn as follows:
Men
Pool A: Australia, Pakistan, India, Malaysia, Scotland.
Pool B: England, New Zealand, Canada, South Africa, Trinidad & Tobago.
Women
Pool A: Australia, South Africa, India, Scotland, Trinidad & Tobago.
Pool B: England, New Zealand, Canada, Malaysia, Wales.
A few more V3's about to land
Written by Steve Evans
Thursday, 27 May 2010
Hi everyone...
When we first looked at the 2010 catalog and saw that Voodoo had launched a new stick shape (the V3) we were a little hesitant on what the uptake might be, and so only put in a smallish order for the season. Well the response was amazing and they literally flew off the shelves.
As the enquiries started to mount up, we considered getting another batch in from Australia, and i'm happy to announce that they will be available again for order as soon as they clear customs (hoping 10 days)...
...watch this space!
Updated Stock List - May 2010
Written by Steve Evans
Monday, 10 May 2010
Hi everyone...we've just done a revised stock list so you can check out what's still available and on offer.
Click here to download the Stock List...and be sure to let your mates know about the crazy clearance prices!
Please note that our e-com platform is due for an upgrade (during the off season) so please bear with us.
Currently when placing an order for Clearance Items, the order form confirmation is showing the original RRP and not the discounted price. Please ignore this. We will always check stock and email you an invoice for payment.
Thanks
The Voodoo Sales Team
Indoor Africa Qualifier withdrawal - missed opportunity or blind political gamesmanship?
Written by Steve Evans
Tuesday, 20 April 2010
It's difficult being an administrator having to balance the mandates of the Clubs and Provinces that voted you in, and doing whats best for the game.
When it comes to indoor hockey, and the recent decision to pull out of the Indoor Africa Qualifier there is no doubt in my mind that "luke warm" politics has once again won over common sense, logic and a need for SAHA to be taking an active leadership role in South Africa & Africa...
For most hockey nations, the Indoor Hockey World Cup represents another valuable opportunity of competing on the world stage, blooding youngsters, and improving & refining the technical & tactical aspects of their team play.
The circular below refers, however what is not mentioned is that at the same council meeting in November the decision was only made to allow a South African team to compete at the qualifier on the condition of there being no financial implications for SAHA i.e. the team would have to pay their own way. Despite this, Indoor IPT experienced its biggest turn out in the past few years, and there was eager anticipation of the opportunity ahead, and the possibility to represent SA and Africa in Poland in 2011.
As the leading hockey nation in Africa, I feel very strongly that it is the role, responsibility and mandate of SAHA to actively take a leadership role in the development of the game both here at home and through this continent. Instead of setting nominal conditions for being able to attend the qualifier, they should have entered the SA teams and actively encouraged other African Hockey Federations to compete.
What a missed opportunity!
CIRCULAR MAIL: To Members of Council, re Indoor Africa Qualifier Namibia
You will recall at the November 2009 Council meeting in Durban, the council ruled that in order for the South African teams to participate there had to be 3 countries entered. As of last night 14 April 2010 there were only 1 side officially entered and that was Namibia.
The SAHA Executive had a meeting on 14 April to discuss amongst other matters the Indoor situation and taking into account the Council ruling and wish to advise all parties that due to insufficient entries South Africa will not be entering.
We request you to advise all concerned.
Hero Honda World Cup Round-up
Written by Steve Evans
Monday, 15 March 2010
So the Hero Honda World Cup finished with an amazing final clash between Australia and Germany, undoubtedly the heavyweights of the mens hockey world over the past 6 years.
It was a nail biting display of fast, exciting and aggressive hockey, with the Aussies finally pipping the Germans 2-1 to avenge their 2006 defeat in Monchengladbag, and to add to their Gold Medal from Beijing.
From a South African point of view, our (relatively) young team played some amazing hockey in patches, only to let themselves down at critical periods with lapses in concentration, giving away soft penalty corners and goals. Their 10th place was a story of so close but so far which is a pattern that seems to have repeated itself time and again since readmission.
Seemingly having the game in bag versus India at 3-2, the team gave away a penalty corner in the final minute, allowing the Indians to draw the game and steal two points off the South Africans that would have put them into the 7-8 playoff, which would have been the best finish by a South African mens team in major competitions. The same fate played out against New Zealand eventually losing on Penalties after they equalised from a penalty corer in the dying seconds...
Looking ahead, it was an invaluable experience for all of our players, particularly tasting the fanaticism of the sub-continent supporters, and the thrills and pressures of competing at the highest level. No doubt it will serve the team well in preparation for the Commonwealth Games later in the year.
A few thoughts from the peanut gallery:
we suffer time and time again from not having played enough tournament hockey - it takes incredible mental strength and preparation to ensure consistent performance
We have a tendency to start well (game 1& 2) while the minds and legs are still fresh...then we tend to have a lapse in concentration, only to pull it all back together for game 5 & 6 - probably a function of our league system where top players only have to bring their A games once every three games?
the team would certainly benefit from the "collective decision making" of three "experienced" (plus 200 caps) players...unfortunately our sport makes longevity unsustainable
Finally well done boys on a great effort, and we hope that you all make it through to London 2012 as a unit - looking forward to great things!
Hero Honda World Cup
Written by Steve Evans
Monday, 08 March 2010
The Hero Honda FIH World Cup, which is taking place in Delhi, India from the 28th February - 13 March 2010, is in full swing with only one round of pool games left to play.
Our South African team has put in some brave performances, with mixed results...
Game 1: Spain 2:4 (2:2)
Game 2: England 4:6 (2:2)
Game 3: Australia 0:12 (0:5)
Game 4: Pakistan 4:3 (0:1)
This leaves us with the final game vs India that if won, would likely place us in 5-8 play-off spot which would be the highest placed finish by a South African (Men's) team at a major international event.
The pool standing's are as follows:
For detailed match reports lick on the click here, or on the links tab on our website...
2010 Stock available for order
Written by Steve Evans
Monday, 08 February 2010
Hi everyone...thanks for your patience while we have been getting the stock processed and ready for distribution.
The new 2010 range is now good to go, although you will notice that there is a technical glitch with the online shop :( In the interim, whilst we try and fix the problem, please drop me a mail if you wish to make an order.
There are also a whole lot of great bargains as we clear all the old stock. I will be posting an excel spreadsheet with stock, prices & availability soon - watch this space...
Cheers
The VoodooAfrika Team
MEET FEZ!
Written by Shanyl Balwanth
Thursday, 04 February 2010
Yo yo everyone!
This is Fez! For those of you that do not know who I am, my real name is Shanyl Balwanth and I am proud team member of the SA Mens Hockey Team known as 'The Lads' that will be travelling to the Hockey World Cup in Delhi later this month! I am also fortunate enough to be sponsored by the greatest stick brand in the entire Globe, VOODOO!
Voodoo is not only about the equipment. There are also voodoo hockey clinics run by provincial and international players where you can get hands on coaching from these calebor of players. Voodoo works hard behind the scenes to ensure that the hockey grows in South Africa.
I want you to join me on this website on a regular basis to get all the latest updates on News, Fashion, Pictures of clinic, competitions and most exciting of all, to check out my uploads and articles live from the World Cup!
If there are any questions email me on:
Download the new 2010 catalogue
Written by Steve Evans
Monday, 04 January 2010
The new VA 2010 catalogue is available for download. The sticks should be landing in the next 10 days and we are hoping to have them available for distribution by the end of the month...
