As someone who worked at two of the FIH Series Finals and worked with colleagues on all four other events, I can say that the whole six-event competition was, in so many ways, a triumph.
Yes, there were scorelines that were more akin to cricket scores; yes there were some issues that a video referral system would have cleared instantly; yes there were times when the matches were played to empty stands.
But, and this is where I think we can lose perspective, hockey matches were played and results were achieved. We have teams that are now contemplating the next stage of their Olympic pathway and, if we look at the teams’ performances at the six events, I would argue that the correct teams are heading to the Olympic qualifiers.
The winners were the teams who gained invaluable experience of playing international hockey. Wales and Scotland’s players all too often take a back seat to Great Britain demands, so to see these nations competing in their own right was fantastic and, as Wales women’s coach Kevin Johnson pointed out, a great way to warm-up for the ‘more important’ EuroHockey competition taking place in August.
For Italy too, Chiara Tiddi made the same point. Playing teams such as Spain, South Africa, Canada and Belarus had given the team an immense experience of different styles of play. And an intense tournament is great preparation for what will be another intense tournament when Italy starts its EuroHockey campaign.
The other winners were the officials. Here was the chance for a group of umpires and match officials to work with experienced colleagues and share learning. These are not second-rate umpires, these are developing umpires who are heading to the top levels of the sport. Working in an environment where the results meant a chance to qualify for the Olympic Games is going to test the strongest of nerves – but this is the pressure that the officials need in order to improve.
Finally, the other beneficiaries were the host nations. These six events, plus the Open Series events that preceded them, were a great way for a nation to dip its toe into hosting hockey events. The six hosts all have varying degrees of experience when it comes to hosting. Malaysia and India are old hands; Valencia is fast becoming the hockey centre for Spain; Hiroshima, Le Touquet-le Plage-Paris and Bainbridge have all had much less experience but all six host nations will be the better for getting one additional event under their belts.
The timing of the Series Finals was appalling – the international governing body will acknowledge that – at one point three Series Finals and countless Pro League matches were all taking place at the same time. A smorgasbord of hockey for the fanatic but over the top in the eyes of most people. But, that said, the old adage of ‘provide it and they will come’ proved true. The FIH Series Finals were available on the FIH Live stream and they were enthusiastically viewed.
One Canadian hockey photographer told how a group of hockey fans back in Canada gathered at the club to watch the Wolf Pack in action. That is hockey fandom at its finest – gathered round the screen cheering the national team on.
On balance, this hockey journalist sees the FIH Series Finals as a success. It did what it said in so much as teams from across the world had a chance to play international competition. To see Fiji singing their hearts out after their final game; to witness the Thai women bowing their heads in respect to each other; to hear the national anthems belted out with pride and passion – yes, this was a good thing and it is sad to see it go.
This Hockey Life 