GRAYS HOCKEY NEWS

GRAYS ATHLETES PRETTY IN PINK

Fri 19 June 2009

 GRAYS is delighted to announce that seven of their sponsored athletes have been named in the 2009 Hockeyroos Champions Trophy Squad.

As the first major international tournament since the Beijing Olympics, the Champions Trophy will be the first opportunity for the Hockeyroos to unveil their new era, as they begin their climb back to Olympic glory at the London 2012 Olympics.

Not only will their be a major difference in the Hockeyroos line-up from the team that competed at the Beijing Olympics but their will also be a change in their uniform. With the Champions Trophy running from 11-19 July, the Hockeyroos will celebrate ‘Pink Ladies Day' on Sunday 12th July during their match against Argentina by wearing full pink bodysuits to mark their charity partnership with the National Breast Cancer Foundation. This will be the first time any Australian national team has completely altered their official team uniform for charity.

GRAYS will provide pink grips to the Hockeyroos squad to complete their pink uniform. These grips are available at all GRAYS retail partners. By purchasing a pink grip you are helping GRAYS reach a target of donating $150,000 for breast cancer research in Australia and New Zealand. $1 will be donated from the sale of each grip.

2009 Hockeyroos Champions Trophy Squad

(Grays sponsored athletes are highlighted)

Squad: Nicole Arrold (ACT), Madonna Blyth (QLD), Alison Bruce (NSW), Casey Eastham (NSW), Toni Cronk (NSW), Kate Hollywood (NSW), Emily Hurtz (NSW), Fiona Johnson (NSW), Stacia Joseph (VIC), Heather Langham (NT), Rachael Lynch (VIC), Kobie McGurk (WA), Hope Munro (WA), Georgia Nanscawen (VIC), Ashleigh Nelson (WA), Sarah O'Connor (VIC), Megan Rivers (NSW), Kim Walker (WA).


Ric Charlesworth Announces 2009 Kookaburras Squad

Fri 17 April 2009

The 2009 National Kookaburras line-up has been confirmed, with Kookaburras coach Ric Charlesworth announcing his 24 man squad, which includes seven Grays sponsored athletes.

 

Signalling the beginning of a new and exciting ear Charlsworth has selected seven players all who have played less than ten international games each in the last twelve months. Three of these new talents include Grays sponsored athlete Chris Ciriello, Mark Paterson, and Glen Simpson.

 

While the inclusion of the new players brings a fresh look to the Kookaburras, who won Bronze at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, Charlsworth has indicated the squad will continue to evolve in the short term and their main focus will be on exposing as many players as possible to the national team.

 

In addition to the new talents mentioned above, Grays is also delighted to announce the inclusion of previous squad members Mark Knowles, Eddie Ockenden, Grant Schurbert and Russell Ford.

 

As the first major international tournament since the Beijing Olympics, the Champions Trophy in Melbourne from November 28-December 6 will be the first opportunity from the Kookaburras to demonstrate the strength and depth of Australia's hockey talents.


Hockeyroos to play first match since Beijing Olympics

Fri 24 April 2009

 

The Hockeyroos have announced that they will participate in the Spar Cup, a 4 Nations invitational tournament to be played in Durban, South Africa from 2 to 6 June. In their first tournament since the 2008 Beijing Olympics the Hockeyroos will take this opportunity to unveil a new era.

 

GRAYS athletes Alison Bruce, Stacia Joseph and Georgia Nanscawen will all make their international debuts when the Hockeyroos go head-to-head against Argentina, South Africa, and India.

 

Of particular interest is the inclusion of Nanscawen, who at the age of 16 will become one of the youngest-ever Hockeyroos. Nanscawen who was first noticed and singled out by Grays when she was just 12 years old is said to be delighted and still in shock considering 12 months ago she was still playing Under 15s.


While admitting playing for the Hockeyroos is a massive step up from anything she has previously encountered, Nanscawen says she isn’t going in with any expectations and is just looking forward to playing.

 

Experienced squad members Kate Hollywood, Hope Munro, Nicole Arrold and co-captain of the Hockeyroos squad Emily Halliday have also been named in the side.


2 June
Hockeyroos v India

3 June
Hockeyroos v Argentina

5 June
Hockeyroos v South Africa

6 June
Finals

2009 Hockeyroos Squad

Nicole Arrold                           GX 7000 MAXI

Alison Bruce                            GX 7000 MAXI

Emily Halliday                         GX 7000 MAXI

Kate Hollywood                       GX 7000 MAXI

Stacia Joseph                          GX 7000 MAXI

Hope Munro                             GX 7000 MAXI

Georgia Nanscawen                GX 8000 TURBO TORQUE

 

Other squad members:
Teneal Attard, Madonna Blyth, Toni Cronk, Casey Eastham, Emily Hurtz, Fiona Johnson, Heather Langham, Rachael Lynch, Kobie McGurk, Sarah O'Connor, Megan Rivers, Danielle Schubach, Kim Walker


Grays Athletes Win WorldHockey Awards

Thu 11 December 2008

WorldHockey Men's Player of the Year Award - Pol Amat, Spain

Pol Amat was named the 2008 World Hockey Player of the Year. Pol, the first Spanish winner, received the prestigious award at the FIH Congress Dinner last week in Los Angeles. Pol was the driving force behind the Spanish Men's Team performances throughout 2008, climaxing in a silver medal at the Beijing Olympics.

WorldHockey Young Player of the Year Awards

Ladies - Maartje Paumen, Holland   Men's - Eddie Ockenden, Australia

Both the World Hockey Young Players of the Year Awards went to two Grays Players - Maartje Paumen of The Netherlands and Eddie Ockenden of Australia. Maartje won Gold at the Beijing games scoring 11 goals in the process, a new Olympic record. Eddie performed consistently well at the both the Olympic games the Champions Trophy.


Mark Knowles re-signs with Grays Hockey

Thu 29 January 2009

Grays Hockey is pleased to announce that Kookaburras (Australia Men's Hockey Team) midfielder Mark Knowles has re-signed with Grays Hockey.

Knowles, 24 years old, is a key member of the Kookaburras outfit and is an important signing for the brand in Australia and worldwide.

In 2007 Knowles won the highly regarded Junior World Hockey Player of the Year award and captained the Australian side for the first time. Knowles was the youngest member of the Australian Men's Olympic Hockey Team to win Gold in Athens 2004 and has since played in the 2006 Commonwealth Games, 2006 World Cup and 2008 Olympic games.

Knowles uses the GX 7000 Composite 37.5" medium-weight hockey stick.

 GX 7000

• Carbon and Aramid braided mix for exceptional power
• “Carbon-X” heel and edge protection zones
• Optimum weight to balance ratio for excellent balance and feel
• Sizes 38.5”, 37.5”, 36.5”


Grays Dominates the 2009 Hockeyroos Squad

Thu 9 April 2009

The beginning of a new and exciting era for the Hockeyroos has been reconfirmed today, with Hockeyroos coach Frank Murray announcing his 2009 national squad, which includes 10 Grays sponsored athletes.

 

Demonstrating the youthful nature of the new Hockeyroos line-up, the squad includes 16-year-old Georgia Nanscawen (VIC). Nanscawen was first noticed and singled out by Grays when she was just 12 years old and subsequently appeared in a television advertisement that aired on channel 31 in 2007.

 

In addition to Georgia Nanscawen, three additional Grays athletes will also make their debut, namely Alison Bruce (NSW), Stacia Joseph (VIC) and Airlie Ogilvie (NSW).

 

Grays is also delighted to announce the inclusion of previous squad members Nicole Arrold (ACT), Kate Hollywood (NSW), Claire Messent (VIC), Hope Munro (WA), Ashley Nelson (WA), and freshly named co-captain of the Hockeyroos squad, Emily Halliday (WA).

 

The first step in the Hockeyroos march to the top of world hockey will take place on home soil, when the Hockeyroos host the world’s top six nations at the Samsung Hockey Champions Trophy in Sydney from 11-19 July 2009.

 

As the first major international tournament since the Beijing Olympics, the Champions Trophy will be the first opportunity for the Hockeyroos to unveil their new era, as they begin their climb back to Olympic glory at the London 2012 Olympics.

 

2009 Hockeyroos Squad

(Grays sponsored athletes are highlighted)

 

Nicole Arrold                           GX 7000 MAXI

Alison Bruce                            GX 7000 MAXI

Emily Halliday                         GX 7000 MAXI

Kate Hollywood                       GX 7000 MAXI

Stacia Joseph                          GX 7000 MAXI

Claire Messent                         O-TECH SILVER

Hope Munro                             GX 7000 MAXI

Georgia Nanscawen                GX 8000 TURBO TORQUE

Ashley Nelson                          GX 8000 TURBO TORQUE

Airlie Ogilvie                           GX 7000 MAXI

 

Other squad members:

Teneal Attard, Jane Bennett, Madonna Blyth, Toni Cronk, Casey Eastham, Anna Flanagan, DeAnne Gilbert, Emily Hurtz, Fiona Johnson, Heather Langham, Rachael Lynch, Kobie McGurk, Sarah O'Connor, Megan Rivers, Danielle Schubach, Kim Walker 

 


Grays dominate the FIH WorldHockey All Star Teams 2008

Thu 11 December 2008

The WorldHockey All Star Teams was announced in Los Angeles on the 22nd November. A number of Grays players were unveiled in both the Mens and Ladies teams once again echoing Grays dominance at the international level. The highlight of the announcement was 10 out of the 18 players featured in the Ladies team used Grays Sticks.

Men

  • Pol Amat (Spain)
  • Santi Freixa (Spain)
  • Barry Middleton (Great Britain)
  • Eddie Ockenden (Australia)
  • Jong Ho Seo (Korea)

Ladies

  • Kaori Chiba (Japan)
  • Baorong Fu (China)
  • Natascha Keller (Germany)
  • Seon Ok Lee (Korea)
  • Yibo Ma (China)
  • Maartje Paumen (Netherlands)
  • Maria Jesus Rosa, goalkeeper (Spain)
  • Qingling Song (China)
  • Melanie Wells (Australia)

Quick Questions with Mark Knowles

Fri 6 June 2008

My nickname is  KNOWLESY...and I have played hockey for THE KOOKABURRAS... 

 My most memorable achievement would have to be..WINNING OLYMPIC GOLD IN 2004 ... 

From the GRAYS range I use  GX7000 MAXI.....and I like it because   GRAYS STICKS HAVE THE BEST FEEL OF ANY IN THE WORLD 

To prepare for the Olympics I ..TRAIN HARD IN A VARIETY OF FIELDS TO MAKE MYSELF THE BEST PREPARED I CAN BE..

 The best thing about representing  Australia is...WINNING IMPORTANT MATCHES   

 To conquer nerves before an important game I ..LISTEN TO MUSIC AND HAVE COFFEE WITH MATES/ GIRLFRIEND....   

The best thing about the Olympics is...THE CROWDS AND PLAYING IN THE GREATEST SPORTING EVENT ON EARTH 

 In five years time I will...HOPEFULLY HAVE PLAYED AT 3 OLYMPICS, HAVE A BEAUTIFUL FAMILY AND STILL LOVING LIFE ..

 The best advice I have ever received is...REMEMBER SOMEONE'S ALWAYS WATCHING (GRANDAD) ...

 I admire  MY PARENTS AND PEOPLE WHO WORK HARD AND GET THE REWARDS ...

 My earliest childhood memory is...FOLLOWING MY FATHER AROUND THE HOCKEY FIELDS AND FAMILY CAMPING TRIPS  

 Other teams/sports that I follow are...MANCHESTER UNITED, BRISBANE LIONS ..

 My Favourite travel destination is...HOME TO ROCKHAMPTON  ... 

My favourite sporting moment is... BRISBANE LIONS 3 PEAT 

Something people might be suprised to know about me is... I HAVE 2 TATTOOS

The best day of the year is... XMAS DAY, DONT SEE MY FAMILY TO OFTEN SO THATS THE BEST

 On the weekend you will find me...WATCHING SPORT OR RELAXING AT THE BEACH 

 I am looking forward to...CONTINUING TO PLAY FOR MY COUNTRY FOR A WHILE

 The most embarrassing thing I have ever done is...CHICKEN OUT OF HIGH ROPES COURSE

 People always ask me... WHY MY LEGS ARE SO SKINNY  

Three words that describe me are...SPORTY, HAPPY, HARDWORKING 
 The most annoying thing is......PEOPLE WHO SMOKE 
  My life motto is...LOVE LIFE, WORK HARD AND ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE

WARNING: Counterfeit sticks

Tue 24 June 2008

Please be wary of counterfeit GRAYS Hockey sticks which have recently been appearing on the Australian market. There is a concern with counterfeit hockey sticks being sold through unauthorised retailers.

Plesae beware of hockey sticks not purchased through approved retailers - see our retailers listing

It is also recommended that you do not purchase hockey sticks from online auction web sites.


Australian Olympic Women's Hockey Team Announced

Tue 24 June 2008

Grays Hockey will be represented by five female athletes at the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games, which are:

Nicole Arrold (ACT) 26yo                        GX 8000 Turbo Torque

Melanie Wells (QLD) (nee Twitt) 30yo      GX 7000 Maxi

Hope Munro (WA) 27yo                          GX 7000 Maxi

Kate Hollywood (NSW), 22yo                  GX 7000 Maxi

Emily Halliday (WA) 29yo                       GX 8000 Turbo Torque


New Zealand Olympic Hockey Teams Announced

Tue 15 July 2008

The New Zealand Olympic Committee has named the 32 men and women who will make up the New Zealand Olympic Hockey Team to Beijing 2008.

Grays athlete are highlighted.

The 16 Black Sticks Men's players to compete at the 2008 Beijing Olympics are:

Shirt # Player Name NHL Team Age Caps Position
3 David Kosoof North Harbour 29 136 Striker
7 Blair Hopping North Harbour 27 183 Defender
30 Ben Collier North Harbour 24 72 Midfielder
31 Steve Edwards North Harbour 22 47 Midfielder
10 Ryan Archibald Auckland 27 207 Midfielder
6 Simon Child Auckland 20 81 Striker
8 Dean Couzins Auckland 27 155 Defender
16 Paul Woolford Auckland 31 128 Goalkeeper
20 James Nation Auckland 31 90 Defender
24 Gareth Brooks Auckland 29 103 Striker
9 Casey Henwood Midlands 27 61 Midfielder
17 Kyle Pontifex Wellington 28 65 Goalkeeper
18 Phillip Burrows Wellington 28 198 Striker
25 Shea McAleese Central 23 70 Midfielder
12 Bradley Shaw Canterbury 25 73 Defender
19 Hayden Shaw Canterbury 27 139 Defender

The 16 Black Sticks Women's players to compete at the 2008 Beijing Olympics are:

Shirt # Player Name NHL Team Age Caps Position
8 Jaimee Claxton North Harbour 30 138 Striker
10 Lizzy Igasan North Harbour 25 121 Defender
3 Krystal Forgesson Auckland 25 66 Striker
14 Kim Noakes Auckland 25 34 Defender
22 Gemma Flynn Midlands 18 16 Striker
1 Kayla Sharland Central 22 87 Midfielder
2 Emily Naylor Central 22 105 Midfielder
17 Caryn Paewai Central 32 141 Midfielder
23 Tara Drysdale Central 29 114 Midfielder
26 Anita Wawatai Central 27 41 Goalkeeper
15 Beth Jurgeleit Wellington 27 66 Goalkeeper
21 Niniwa Roberts Wellington 32 134 Striker
24 Sheree Horvath Wellington 28 34 Defender
4 Kate Saunders Canterbury 26 51 Defender
11 Stacey Carr Canterbury 24 92 Midfielder
13 Jo Galletly Canterbury 28 63 Defender


Smith celebrates 100th game with win

Tue 13 May 2008

Grays would like to congratulate Victorian Viking and Kookaburras midfielder Andrew Smith on celebrating his 100th international appearance by defeating China in the Darwin 4 nations tournament.

GRAYS well represented in 2008 Beijing Olympics Squad

Wed 14 November 2007

Hockey Australia has announced a fresh new look for its 2008 Beijing Olympics Squad. Grays Hockey is again well represented with eight athletes choosing Grays hockey sticks and equipment. Ashleigh Nelson is the new member of the Grays team to join the National Squad.

Follow the links to view each athlete's hockey stick.

Nicole Arrold, ACT - GX7000 Maxi

Suzie Faulkner, QLD - GX7000 Turbo

Emily Halliday, WA - GX8000 Maxi

Kate Hollywood, NSW - GX7000 Maxi

Hope Munro, WA - GX7000 Maxi

Ashleigh Nelson, WA - GX8000 Maxi

Rebecca Sanders, NSW - GX7000 Maxi

Melanie Twitt, QLD - GX7000 Maxi


Interview with Mark Knowles

Fri 12 October 2007

Listen to Mark Knowles talk all things hockey and also get a sneak peek into the life of Australia's Olympic Gold Medallist.

Grays Hockey Video Promo

Wed 26 September 2007

Earlier in the year we put together a GRAYS Hockey TV Ad for the Hockey Show which aired on Channel 31 in Victoria throughout the hockey season. GRAYS Hockey was a major sponsor of the show, and we thought, why not use our sponsored players to star in the ad!

Luke Young, Hannah Cohen, Georgia Nanscawen, Andrew Smith, Rebecca Waley and Lachlan Dreher all featured in the ad which takes us through the highs and lows of their hockey careers. The one thing they all had in common was that "GRAYS was there."

 Check the ad out for yourself


Website Launch

Thu 27 September 2007

We've been putting in the hard yards over the last few months, to update our website.  There are a few new features, that we've specifically built with you in mind.

Downloads
We'll be posting audio and video interviews of our sponsored players for you to view or download, plus screensavers and wallpapers to you can show your support for your sport!

Newsletter
We've going all out to keep you up to date with the latest in your sport and the lastest gear to help you be your best.  Click on the newsletter link on the bottom of any webpage to subscribe to your preferred sport.

Google Maps
Now you can find your closest retailer with a quick click.  We've added the ability to find your closed store and get directions with Google Maps.  Click on the retailers link and select your state to check it out.

 


Be the first to know!

Fri 28 September 2007

If you love your sport as much as we do - you'll want to be the first to know the lastest info.  We'll be posting exclusive interviews with some of our sponsored players, plus giving you access to screensavers and wallpapers, to you can keep even closer to your favorite sport.

We'll be covering Cricket, Rugby League, Rugby Union, Hockey, Netball, Squash, Tennis and Darts.  Just click on the newsletter link at the bottom of any page and select the sports you're interested in.  We promise not to spam you with useless information, and you can unsubscribe at any time.