American Dietetic Association. (2006). Fueling field hockey players. Retrieved from http://www.lehighsports.com/assets/sportsmed/FHNutrition.pdf
The American Dietetic Association has produced an informative article/fact sheet on the requirements for a field hockey player nutritionally. It not only covers what is lost and what is required to regain fluid levels but also what can be eaten to improve overall performance based on the specific movements of hockey. On overall performance, I can see from this article what I was eating/not eating could have affected my game. I intend to take these on over the summer season to see if there is an improvement in my overall ability.
Brooks, T. (2010). New penalty corner rule. Retrieved from http://www.thehockeyshow.org/main/guest-writers/new-penalty-corner-rule/
Travis Brooks is a Victorian field hockey player in the Australian Kookaburras international squad. Travis’ article highlights the independent thoughts of a player on the Victorian association changing a game rule without international backing. It questions the impending decision, which could impact how the game is played in Victoria and for players from interstate joining the competition. The article bases its information from the International Hockey Federation (FIH) suggesting the impending decision would split the Australian competition rather than uniting the sport internationally. This source evoked thought for how I, as a goalkeeper, would be affected by such changes and how it would impact the hockey community I play in.
Competitions at Hockey Victoria. (2010). Competitions at Hockey Victoria – Sportingpulse. Retrieved from http://www.sportingpulse.com/assoc_page.cgi?c=1-1058-0-21042-0&a=COMPS
The Competitions at Hockey Victoria website provides a list of all current competitions for Hockey Victoria powered by partner site Sportingpulse. All links include detailed information, to which are listed by the highest to lowest ranked competition. Information for this site is added by clubs, players and officials, and is provided to clubs, officials, players and supporters for playing times, results venue information and statistics. As all information is loaded by clubs and officials it is accurate and up to date. I am a current player in this association, so the information provided in this directory in the way of statistics and current form changes what and how I post within my blog.
Field Hockey Forum. (2010). Field hockey forum – Home. Retrieved from http://www.fieldhockeyforum.com
Field Hockey Forum is an international forum for field hockey players to share game information. Discussion topics are broken down into sections, allowing different aspects of the game to be discussed from different countries. As topics are from personal perspectives, it allows for contributors and readers to engage in topics normally not accessible at a local hockey level. I personally use this website for tips and new training drills, of which I discuss within my blog, so I can see how I was able to adapt the techniques and drills to my skill level.
Golden, K. (March 2008). Yoga gives professional athletes a boost. Retrieved from http://www.yogabasics.com/connect/yoga-gives-professional-athletes-a-boost.html
Kelly’s article on Yoga for athletes encourages the belief that the practice can boost flexibility strength and health. Athletes credit Yoga for amazing feats within their chosen sport; regarding it as not only a benefit physically but also mentally. I was encouraged to look at this article from a work colleague, to help improve my game, fitness and my mental approach to goalkeeping. I have tried Yoga since I read this article, and have found it fulfilling and have mentioned the benefits on my twitter account and blog.
Hockey Victoria. (2010). Hockey Victoria – Home. Retrieved from http://www.hockeyvictoria.org.au
Hockey Victoria is the governing body, affiliated with Hockey Australia, which provide and run hockey competitions for the state of Victoria. Hockey Victoria provides news and information for the Victorian hockey community on a state, national and international level. Information provided is directly from the association and is used by clubs and supporters for its associated competitions. News updates on our association, clearances for players and associates affects how my competition is run, for better or worse and is vital to providing accurate information on my blog.
Keepers Resources. (2010). Keepers Resources 2.0 – Resources to help you to be an even more amazing keeper. Retrieved from http://www.obogoalkeeping.com/resources
OBO - Keeper resources is a part of the OBO brand website, which was created for keepers and coaches to access resources for goalkeeping skills, drills and information. OBO international sponsored goalkeepers and coaches post technical skill articles, respond to players questions and share personal experiences from their current and past international careers. Information provided shows experience and dedication, and together has created a large knowledge base for field hockey goalkeepers worldwide. Tips within this website helped me through my season including finals, and provided me with links to videos and documents which I have added to my blog.
NSW Government. (2010). Publicity and Media. Retrieved from http://www.dsr.nsw.gov.au/sportsclubs/ryc_market_promo_pub.asp
The NSW Government has provided information for sporting clubs on promotion and marketing; how it can benefit and improve your club. The article highlights free self promotion, how easy it can be if done correctly and also provides generic marketing templates for anyone to use. Personally before starting my blog, I was wary of casting incorrect image for my club; I used tips from this article to ensure I was creating the right image and to use the blog to attract new players.
OBO – Home. (2010). OBO Home. Retrieved from http://www.obo.co.nz/#home
OBO is a New Zealand based field hockey goalkeeper equipment manufacturer. The OBO website provides an outline on their product range, sizing, colours, equipment uses and suppliers, and useful links to resources for field hockey goalkeepers. OBO only manufacture equipment for goalkeepers, keeping the essence of what they create rich and true to the specific position. From this website I have been able to get ideas for new kit, correct sizing and to see what is new in regards to keeper training and equipment.
Partridge, K. (2008). Goalkeeper – believe me, it’s the best position on the field. Retrieved from http://www.kathleenpartridge.com/display_article.aspx?articleid=20&frompage=1
From the Kathleen Partridge website, this article discusses the difficulty in finding field hockey goalkeepers, the importance of the position and her personal thoughts on why the position is the best one available. Kathleen draws from her own personal experience as an international keeper to highlight goalkeeping as important role and what makes it unique. It questions why the position is one of the last to be filled, and how goalkeeping can be better promoted to encourage new players. Kathleen’s article and my blog both have the same aim, to promote the sport and encourage players to take up the position. But it also questions why it is so hard to get hockey players to be a keeper – what is their mentality?, what does it take? And who wants to be a keeper over a field player?
Staps, F. (2010) The Mental Aspects of Goalkeeping. Retrieved from http://www.obogoalkeeping.com/resources/2010/05/11/the-mental-aspects-of-goalkeeping/
Staps has created an e-book looking at what makes a keeper, how goalkeeping affects the player mentally and how this makes the goalkeeper different. It starts from a base introduction to goalkeeping right through to performance and how to improve mental thought when keeping. As I progress with my keeping and my blog, this article has helped to break down my barriers; not only keeping to but to my target audience.
The Hockey Show. (2010) The Hockey Show – Home. Retrieved from http://www.thehockeyshow.org/
The hockey show is a forum originally based around a short run Victorian TV show on channel 31 which has now been cancelled. The forum has changed to be for players and spectators in the Hockey Victoria competitions. Discussions are of a personal perspective, which can allow opinions to be voiced anonymously about the association. Victorian representatives of the Australian Hockey Squad occasionally post relevant topics for discussion for opinion basis. This forum, however personal and not always correct, does have information from players and clubs which provokes thought for me as a keeper and as a club member to see how a club can be perceived by posts by a fellow member or rival club.
