15th Oct 2011: Tit bits here and there

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A banner that welcomes you at the entrance of Rockingham Club, where first part of Indian tour is underway, makes a good reading: ‘Hockey players wanted from age 6 to 85’.

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Do you know what is gold coin? The invite for the international matches says the gates are free. That’s for namesake. At the entrance you have the Gold Coin Counter. Which means you have to put some money, normally people put one Aus Dollar coin. Seems similar to our hundi system, volunteer donation.

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Rockingham District Hockey Club organizes the pre-Lanco International hockey events – men and women teams’ friendlies in the district sports complex in Rockingham. The sports complex has facilities for rugby, cricket, football, net ball etc.

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Rockingham District Hockey Club is a Second Division one. A couple years before Indian national coach Michael Nobbs coached the team. It topped the second division, but lost out to play-offs. The top two teams of this division plays the play offs against two lowest ranked teams of Division One. Michael Nobbs also coaches another club, which is in Division One.

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Michael Nobbs was seen asking Indian players to sign on a stick. Whom it is to be presented? “One of the kids in the Club, wants”, he says.

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The turf here sports four goal cages. Two on the traditional places, two just opposite the dug outs. These two are placed in a specially carved out extensions without affecting normal things. Its good idea because it will help more groups training same time.

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After losing to Indian women the Australian team was really downcast. Its certainly not the main team, only a couple of present international players in it. “Australia has simultaneously has back up team, these players will move to senior side shortly” says a father who came here from Adelaide to watch his daughter figure against India.

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If you are a journalist, you will be surprised. There is no facility for journalist. More surprise in store, nobody responds to request for line up or match reports!