2024 FIH Pro League Programme

A DECADE OF SPORTS LEGACY

It’s been 10 years since we opened the doors of Lee Valley Hockey and Tennis Centre - and what an incredible decade it’s been!

You might know this place for hockey, but it has a sporting pedigree dating back to 1923 and, as London 2012’s only purpose built Paralympic venue, drew record crowds for the Wheelchair Tennis events in that magical summer of 2012.

We’re thrilled to say that, since we opened to the public after the Games, over 1.3 million people have come through our doors and 460,000 people have played hockey and tennis here in topnotch facilities.

Community use has always been key, with the vast bulk of the programme reserved for communities, schools and clubs and a stream of funded initiatives ensuring the widest possible range of opportunities.

School hockey teams and local clubs play on the same pitches as GB stars, and four year olds begin their tennis journey on

the same courts as wheelchair tennis champions. And, as a hub for disability tennis, we deliver impactful tennis programmes and weekly sessions for people with a range of disabilities.

We’re delighted to welcome you to the prestigious FIH Pro League for another show-stopping celebration of hockey. This is, after all the “Wembley of English Hockey”, and we’re no stranger to packed stadiums and roaring crowds. We hope you enjoy this, our 13th major international sporting event since the Games.

If you like what you see here, remember that Lee Valley Hockey and Tennis Centre is just one of hundreds of great days out across the 26 mile long, 10,000 acre Lee Valley Regional Park. We’ve got everything from white water rafting to riverside trails, from the world’s best cycling venue to beautiful nature reserves.

Start your journey at visitleevalley.org.uk

WeLcoMe

FroM NIck PINk, ceo oF greaT BrITaIN Hockey

A very big welcome to an exciting series of international hockey back at the home of hockey in Lee Valley Hockey and Tennis Centre, London. We are excited to be back in front of a home crowd hosting some of the best nations in the world including the current Men’s FIH World Cup champions Germany, our Antipodean rivals Australia men and women and, from across the North Sea, Ireland men.

The new look format of the FIH Hockey Pro League means we are hosting stages featuring 32 matches in a busy 12 day period. We are delighted that all of the weekend dates for the event are sold out. We do not take this support for granted. We know that it is a large commitment, amongst competing demands, to come to London and cheer your hockey heroes on. Our teams are incredibly grateful for your support and we hope that you enjoy the hockey and the ancillary sports presentation and activities we are running alongside the games.

These are the first official games for GB men and women since qualifying for the Olympics back in January. It is a busy month with FIH Hockey Pro League matches in Netherlands against Belgium and Germany. After that it will be fine tuning before the Olympic Games in Paris at the end of July when we of course hope for medal success. This is the first time that our teams have worn Mizuno kit on home soil. We are grateful

to Mizuno, our new official kit supplier for their support and we are pleased to be able to offer a wide range of official merchandise at our retail village for the event.

The international programme comes off the back of a very successful domestic season and our sincere thanks to the volunteers, coaches, officials, schools, and hockey clubs over the last 12 months who have worked tirelessly to provide opportunities for so many in our sport.

Events like this wouldn’t happen without a huge amount of support. We are particularly grateful to our HockeyMaker team whose dedication and commitment is second to none in sport, we really value them all. We also thank the staff here at Lee Valley Hockey and Tennis Centre for their support in hosting us and in the detailed planning for the event.

Finally, again thank you for all your support and please do go home and tell people about the great experience here at and about this great game of ours. We need to keep spreading the word and making sure people know more about the sport we all love.

Thanks again, all the best.

WHAT IS THE FIH HOCKEY PRO LEAGUE?

Each year the top men’s and women’s international teams from across the globe compete in the FIH Hockey Pro League. The FIH Hockey Pro League Trophy is awarded to the team that wins the league upon completion of the season.

This Pro League season continues the series of stages, where multiple teams will convene

to play two matches against each other in one location.

Being crowned champions of the FIH Hockey Pro League Season 5 will come along with a new and tremendous incentive in the form of a direct qualification for the Women’s and Men’s FIH Hockey World Cup 2026!

ScHeDuLe MaTcH

Saturday 1 June

10:00 Germany v India

12:15 Great Britain v Ireland

14:30 Great Britain v USA

17:15 Germany v India

Sunday 2 June

10:00 Germany v Ireland

12:15 Great Britain v India

14:30 Great Britain v India

17:15 Germany v USA

LATEST RESULTS

Wednesday 5 June

11:00 Great Britain v China

13:15 Great Britain v Spain

15:30 Germany v USA

17:45 Germany v Ireland

Thursday 6 June

12:00 Germany v China

14:15 Germany v Spain

17:45 Great Britain v USA

20:00 Great Britain v Ireland

Saturday 8 June

10:00 Germany v India

12:15 Great Britain v Australia

14:30 Great Britain v Australia 17:15 Germany v India

Sunday 9 June

10:00 Germany v Australia

12:15 Great Britain v India

14:30 Great Britain v India

17:15 Germany v Australia

Tuesday 11 June

11:00 Great Britain v Spain

13:15 Great Britain v China

15:30 Germany v Australia 17:45 Germany v Australia

Wednesday 12 June

12:00 Germany v Spain

14:15 Germany v China

17:45 Great Britain v Australia

20:00 Great Britain v Australia

STaNDINgS curreNT

HOW TO ORDER A PRINTED VERSION OF THIS PROGRAMME

If you don’t have access to a decent enough printer to opt for the free-of-charge print-at-home solution which you will find on the GB Hockey Website, you can order a printed copy for £9.95 + £2.50 P&P. Our programme partners, JMS Creative, will print copies to order and post to your home. To order your copy, complete the form here.

bit.ly/EHProgrammes

(this address is case sensitive and should be entered exactly as displayed) or scan the QR code on the right.

FREE A3 OLYMPIC WALL PLANNER WITH EVERY PRINTED PROGRAMME ORDER

Hockey? NeW To

Here’s your quick-fire guide to the rules!

Substitutes

There are unlimited rolling subs, but they cannot be made between the period of a penalty corner being awarded, and a penalty corner being taken.

Penalty Corners

Penalty corners are awarded for:

• offences by a defender in the circle which does not prevent the probable scoring of a goal

• an intentional offence in the circle by a defender against an opponent who does not have possession of the ball

• an intentional offence by a defender outside the circle, but within the 23 metre area they are defending

• a defender intentionally playing the ball over the back-line

• the ball becoming lodged in a player’s clothing or equipment while in the circle they are defending

Penalty Strokes

Penalty strokes are awarded for:

• offences by a defender in the circle which does prevent the probable scoring of a goal

• an intentional offence in the circle by a defender against an opponent who does have possession of the ball

Cards

• A green card means the player goes to the sin bin for two minutes

• A yellow card means the player goes to the sin bin for a minimum five minutes

• A red card mean the player is permanently suspended from the game

Shootout

The exciting way to decide the result if the score is level at full-time! Here are the rules:

• Five players from each team take part

• The ball is placed on the nearest 23m line opposite the centre of the goal

• The goalkeeper or defending player will start on or behind the goal-line between the posts

• When the whistle is blown, the attacking player has eight seconds to score!

• If the scores are still level after five attempts, each the competition moves to sudden death...

So Far... THe acTIoN

CLICK OR SCAN FOR ALL THE

RESULTS SO FAR

In the men’s FIH Hockey Pro League...

GREAT BRITAIN has participated in only one stage so far, which took place in Argentina back in December. Great Britain finished second in last season’s edition of the Pro League but have experienced a mixed start to this season’s campaign. Out of the four games they have played, they lost 2-1 to Argentina and drew 1-1 with them, subsequently losing the shoot-out 2-1. They faced the Dutch twice, securing a 3-2 victory in the first match but experiencing heartbreak in the second, losing 2-1 to a 60th-minute goal by Joep Troost with a fine finish in only his second international. Take a look at the goal via the video below.

IRELAND will arrive brimming with confidence after recently defeating the reigning Olympic champions, Belgium, not once, but twice! They secured a 2-1 victory, followed by a more emphatic 4-1 win. Check out the highlights from their second match below. Their tournament will conclude in London.

Of the four games they’ve played so far, GERMANY has won two games in normal time, beating Belgium 2-0 and 3-2, but lost twice to Argentina in the shoot-outs that followed their 1-1 and 2-2 draws. Check out the best of the action from their 3-1 win over Belgium on 18 February.

Another team completing their matches in London is INDIA. Recently, they had a thrilling 5-4 victory against Argentina but also lost to them 5-4 in a shootout after a 2-2 draw. Additionally, they faced Belgium twice, losing both in regular time and in a shootout. India will be keen to conclude their tournament in fine fashion. Check out the many highlights from their goal-fest against Argentina.

In the women’s FIH

Hockey Pro League...

AUSTRALIA will arrive fresh from playing Belgium on Wednesday and Argentina on Thursday in Antwerp. Before that, their most recent matches were in India, where they won three out of four games, relying on a shootout to edge past India in one of them. Check out the dramatic one-on-one action below.

Like their male counterparts, GREAT BRITAIN has participated in only one stage so far, out in Argentina in December and they are yet to record a win. First up for them in London though, is the USA who they enjoyed a double victory over in last season’s Pro League. In their nine meetings so far, the USA has been victorious only once, so will these matches mark GB’s first points on the board? Let’s take a look at the highlights from one of their matches last season:

SPAIN will also arrive on a plane from Antwerp where they have recently played Beligum and Argentina on Wednesday and Thursday respectively. Their most emphatic victory of this campaign came against Ireland in February. Take a look at the moments from that match via the video here:

GERMANY like Great Britain, has played the fewest games so far, with only four completed. Despite this, they have proven to be a formidable team in London, winning three of their four matches. They have defeated Belgium twice and Argentina once, with their only loss coming against Argentina in their first head-to-head match in Santiago. This season in London, they will face India, the USA, China, and Australia. Based on last season’s Pro League results, Australia appears to be their toughest contender, as they were the only team among these to defeat Germany. A brace from Ambrosia Malone and a goal from Grace Stewart handed the Aussies a 3-0 victory. Here are the highlights from that game.

AUSTRALIA, the team from Down Under, arrives in London with an even 50/50 record in this season’s Pro League, having won four and lost four of their eight games. In Leg 2 of this stage in London, they will face hosts Great Britain and Germany. With mixed results so far this season, they are aiming for more consistency when they take to the pitch. Last season, they achieved a 3-1 win over Great Britain but also suffered a 1-0 defeat to the hosts. Here are the highlights from the defeat against GB last year:

Martin) separated the two sides.

The USA has had another tough campaign, with only one point from 12 games, and finished at the bottom last season. They face a challenging task to earn more points in London, with games against Great Britain and Germany. In their most recent match against Germany, they suffered a 2-0 defeat in the final of the Olympic Qualifiers in Ranchi. Despite the loss, this result secured their qualification for Paris 2024. Here are the highlights.

CHINA has enjoyed some positive results in the Pro League this season and, at the time of writing, sits third in the table. In London, they will face Great Britain and Germany. Of the teams on display in this stage, China has already achieved double delight over the USA and India. However, in last season’s league, they failed to secure a win against their upcoming opponents, so they will be aiming for better results this time around. Here are the highlights from China’s narrow defeat to GB in last season’s Pro League where only a 39th minute goal from Hannah French (née

INDIA, new to the Pro League this season, completes the lineup of teams in London and they have a point to prove! Their latest result was a thrilling 5-4 victory over Argentina. Watch the action here:

OFFICIALS MATCH MANAGERS

UMPIRE MANAGERS

Ged CURRAN (GBR)

Louise KNIPE (GBR)

UMPIRES

Laurine DELFORGE (BEL)

Ahmed ELSAYED (EGY)

Hong Zhen LIM (SIN)

Ivona MAKAR (CRO)

Sebastien MICHIELSEN (BEL)

Michiel OTTEN (NED)

Magali SERGEANT (BEL)

Cookie TAN (SIN)

Coen VAN BUNGE (NED)

Sarah BENNETT (ZIM)

Steve CATTON (GBR)

Rogier WARRIS (NED)

JUDGES

Richard CHERE (GBR)

Karen DAFFEY (GBR)

Annie HAIRSINE (GBR)

Lauren HENDERSON (GBR)

Jenny HOLLMAN (GBR)

Katie JOSS (GBR)

Stephen MASON (GBR)

Grace MULHOLLAND (GBR)

Ben REDWOOD (GBR)

Sue ROW (GBR)

Harry STICKLAND (GBR)

ParIS... eyeS oN

The 2024 Olympic Games, the pinnacle for hockey, are fast approaching. Held in Paris from 26 July to 11 August, Great Britain’s women will aim for their fourth consecutive podium finish, while the men hope to recapture the magic of 1988, their last medal-winning year at the Games. The men’s medal matches take place on Thursday 8 August, whilst the women’s medal matches will be on Friday 9 August.

Both teams will compete in a 12-team tournament, aiming to finish in the top four of their group to qualify for the quarter-finals. Each team will play five pool games to advance, after which the competition shifts to thrilling knockout matches when only the winner survives.

The Yves-du-Manoir Stadium, designed by Louis Faure-Dujarric and named after a French rugby player, will stage the hockey competitions for Paris 2024. It is a rare venue that can boast hosting two Olympic Games. It was the main arena for the 1924 Olympics, hosting the Opening Ceremony and athletics events. Located in Colombes, northwest of Paris, the stadium has hosted around 250 national and international competitions, including athletics, rugby, football, and boxing.

The stadium has undergone several renovations and will be modernised by the Hauts-de-Seine department. Post-2024, it will house the French Hockey Federation, the Ile-de-France League, and the Departmental Hockey Committee, along with a resident club. New facilities will include two synthetic hockey pitches, a football and rugby building, four football pitches, three rugby pitches, and a new athletics track.

If you are printing this programme at home, or are ordering a printed version, there’s a pull out wall chart on the next page!

GB MEN’S GROUP STAGE:

POOL A: France, Germany, Great Britain, Netherlands, South Africa, Spain

Saturday 27th July, 9.00am

Great Britain v Spain (Pool A)

Sunday 28th July, 7.15pm

South Africa v Great Britain (Pool A)

Tuesday 30th July, 11.45am

Great Britain v Netherlands (Pool A)

Thursday 1st August, 11.45am

France v Great Britain (Pool A)

Friday 2nd August, 7.15pm

Great Britain v Germany (Pool A)

In Pool B are: Argentina, Australia, Belgium, India, Ireland, New Zealand

GB WOMEN’S GROUP STAGE:

POOL B: Argentina, Australia, Great Britain, South Africa, Spain, USA

Sunday 28th July, 12.15pm

Great Britain v Spain (Pool B)

Monday 29th July, 4.00pm

Great Britain v Australia (Pool B)

Wednesday 31st July, 9.30am

South Africa v Great Britain (Pool B)

Thursday 1st August, 11.45am

USA v Great Britain (Pool B)

Saturday 3rd August, 9.00am

Great Britain v Argentina (Pool B)

In Pool A are: Belgium, China, France, Germany, Japan, Netherlands

Don’t just watch the Olympic Games unfold - become a part of it. Whether you’re cheering from home, trying hockey for the first time, getting together as a club, or hosting a special hockey event, there’s something for everone to enjoy.

Find out more now!

POOL A

France

Germany

Great Britain

Netherlands

South Africa

Spain

POOL B

Argentina

Australia

Belgium India

Ireland New Zealand

SATURDAY 27 JULY

09:00 Great Britain Spain Pitch 1

09:30 Belgium Ireland Pitch 2 11:45 Netherlands South Africa Pitch 1

12:15 Australia Argentina Pitch 2

16:00 Germany France Pitch 1 16:30 India New Zealand Pitch 2

SUNDAY 28 JULY

16:00 Germany Spain Pitch 1 16:30 Belgium New Zealand Pitch 2 18:45 Netherlands France Pitch 1

19:15 South Africa Great Britain Pitch 2

MONDAY 29 JULY

09:00 Ireland Australia Pitch 1 11:45 India Argentina Pitch 1

TUESDAY 30 JULY

09:00 Spain France Pitch 1

09:30 South Africa Germany Pitch 2 11:45 Great Britain Netherlands Pitch 1 12:15 Ireland India Pitch 2 16:00 Argentina New Zealand Pitch 1 18:45 Australia Belgium Pitch 1

WEDNESDAY 31 JULY

11:45 Germany Netherlands Pitch 2 18:45 Spain South Africa Pitch 1

THURSDAY 1 AUGUST

09:00 India Belgium Pitch 1

09:30 New Zealand Australia Pitch 2 11:45 France Great Britain Pitch 1 12:15 Argentina Ireland Pitch 2

FRIDAY 2 AUGUST

09:30 Netherlands Spain Pitch 2 12:15 Australia India Pitch 2 16:00 New Zealand Ireland Pitch 1 16:30 Belgium Argentina Pitch 2 18:45 France South Africa Pitch 1 19:15 Great Britain Germany Pitch 2

KNOCKOUT

SUNDAY 4 AUGUST •

09:00 11:30 16:30 19:00 TUESDAY 6 AUGUST • 13:00 18:00 ThURSDAY 8 AUGUST 13:00 18:00 MoNDAY 5 AUGUST • 09:00 11:30 16:30 19:00 WEDNESDAY 7 AUGUST 13:00 18:00 FRIDAY 9 AUGUST • MEDAL 13:00 18:00 WOMEN’S KNOCKOUT

SATURDAY 27 JULY

18:45 Argentina United States Pitch 1 19:15 Netherlands France Pitch 2

SUNDAY 28 JULY 09:00 Belgium China Pitch 1 09:30 Germany Japan Pitch 2 11:45 Australia South Africa Pitch 1 12:15 Great Britain Spain Pitch 2

MONDAY 29 JULY

WEDNESDAY

Pitch 2

Pitch 2

ZERO CARBON & ZERO WATER

• FIH certified for dry hockey

• Unique ‘play wet / play dry’ crossover performance

• 80% sugarcane

• Made with green energy

CHOSEN FOR PARIS 2024

THE WORLD’S LEADING MANUFACTURERS OF FIH APPROVED HOCKEY TURFS

PIONEERS IN SUSTAINABLE HOCKEY SURFACES AND DRY TURF TECHNOLOGIES FIH RECOMMENDED

AUSTRALIA

The Australian men’s national team, known as the Kookaburras, is a strong force in international hockey and were silver medallists at the last Olympic Games.

They have a rich history of success, including three Hockey World Cup titles and a consistent record of top finishes. They have dominated the Commonwealth Games, winning gold in every tournament since 1998. Olympic achievements include one gold, four silver, and five bronze medals. They also claimed the inaugural FIH Hockey Pro League in 2019 and have won the Champions Trophy 15 times, with a record streak of five consecutive titles from 2008 to 2012.

The Kookaburras are renowned for their attacking abilities and solid defense, making them a team to watch here in London. Keep an eye on one of hockey’s all-time greats – Eddie Ockenden.

2001, 2003, 2005, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2013, 2015, 2017, 2019, 2023

GERMANY

The German men’s team is one of the dominant forces in international hockey and reigning World Champions.

Known for their technical skill and resilience, they have consistently been a formidable presence on the world stage.

Germany’s impressive honours include four Olympic gold medals and three World Cup titles. They have also secured eight European Championship gold medals, but are yet to claim a Pro League title for their list of honours.

The team is renowned for its disciplined play which has been instrumental in their success in various international competitions.

You are always guaranteed a consistent, competitive and clinical performace from Germany, and they will prove tough to beat.

1992, 2008, 2012

1984, 1988

2010 1928, 1956, 2004, 2016

1975, 1986, 1998

2009, 2015, 1983

1987, 2005

GREAT BRITAIN

a

1988 victory in

remains a highlight, driven by an exceptional squad and the memorable performance of players like

and Sean Kerly. They enter this season’s Pro League on the back of an excellent second placed finish in the 2022/23 edition and will be hoping for another fine campaign to give them confidence ahead of the 2024 Olympics in Paris.

WORLD #6

The India men’s team boasts a rich legacy, being one of the most successful teams in the history of the sport.

With a remarkable tally of eight Olympic gold medals, India dominated the sport during the early to mid-20th century, excelling between 1928 and 1956.

In recent years, the team has experienced a resurgence, highlighted by a bronze medal at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, their first Olympic medal in 41 years. They also finished in third place in the 2021/22 Pro League, showing their intent.

India remains a formidable force in international hockey. Known for their speed, skill, and intricate stick work, the Indian team continues to be a source of immense pride and passion for millions of fans and will delight all those who watch them in London.

Watch out for Harmanpreet Singh who was named FIH Player of the Year in 2021 & 2022 and the Pro League’s top scorer for the past two seasons.

IRELAND

The Irish men’s team, known as the Green Machine, has a proud and evolving history in international hockey. Historically, the team has struggled to make a significant impact on the global stage. However, the past decade has seen a huge transformation. A landmark achievement came in 2015 when Ireland won the bronze medal at the EuroHockey Nations Championship. Following this, they went on to qualify for the 2016 Olympics in Rio, marking their first Olympic appearance in over a century. Although they didn’t secure a medal, their participation was a historic moment that inspired a new generation of players and this year, they have earned the right to compete again at the Olympic Games by beating South Korea 4-3 in the qualifiers back in January.

Watch out for Shane O’Donoghue, one of Ireland’s most consistently outstanding performers.

SPAIN

Known as “Los Redsticks,” Spain is a prominent force in international hockey and has consistently competed at the highest levels. Their golden era was marked by silver medals at the 1996 Atlanta and 2008 Beijing Olympics. They clinched the EuroHockey Nations Championship title in 1974 and 2005, but their recent podium success on the international stage has been limited to a silver medal in Europe in 2019.

The team’s style of play is characterised by fluid passing, quick transitions, and strong defensive organisation, making them a difficult opponent for any team. With a blend of experienced players and emerging talent, Spain continues to be a formidable presence in international hockey, aiming for further glory in future tournaments.

Watch out for 26-year-old Marc Miralles who was named as their captain in 2022.

AUSTRALIA

The Australian women’s field hockey team, famously known as the “Hockeyroos,” stands as one of the most successful teams in the history of women’s hockey. They have consistently dominated the international scene grabbing Olympic gold in 1988, 1996 and 2000.

From the late 1980s until 2000, the Australian team was ranked at number 1 in the world. Only once during this period, did the Hockeyroos fail to win a tournament, when they finished fifth. Although they are now ranked at fourth in the world, they are still a force to be reckoned with on the global stage and will once again be competing at the Olympic Games after winning the Oceania Cup in 2023.

Watch out for Jane Claxton, the most capped player in the current line-up and an outstanding midfielder with the ability to lead both on and off the pitch.

CHINA

The Women’s China team represents a nation with a growing presence in international hockey and are the No 1 ranked team in Asia.

Participating in major tournaments like the Olympics, the World Cup, and the Asian Games, the Chinese women’s team has showcased their potential on the global stage and pose a formidable challenge to their opponents.

Their best-ever international performance came on home soil in the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing when they won a silver medal, but they have given consistently good performances since then.

Their current coach is Aussie Alyson Annan who guided the Netherlands women to World Cup (2018) and Olympic (2021) glory and gives a good indication of China’s ambition.

Watch out for Bingfeng Gu who is dynamite in penalty corner situations.

HEAD COACH

GERMANY

The German women’s team, often referred to as Die Danas, boasts a rich history of

and dominance in international

With an impressive record that includes numerous medals on the World and European stage, Germany has consistently been among the top contenders in women’s hockey and currently sit at number 3 in the world.

Their most recent podium success came last year when they clinched the bronze medal in the EuroHockey Nations Championships on home soil in Mönchengladbach with goals from penalty corner star Sonja Zimmermann, Charlotte Stapenhorst and Jette Fleschütz sealing an impressive 3-0 win over England.

Watch out for Charlotte Stapenhorst, a consistent performer who was a key part of their success at the last European Championships.

GREAT BRITAIN

The Great Britain women’s team has enjoyed good success on the world stage at recent

They have medalled at each of the last three Olympic Games with London 2012 beginning their run of medals with a bronze after beating New Zealand 3-1. Four years later they secured a famous gold medal after surviving a shoot-out drama against the Netherlands which saw the Dutch fail to convert any of their one-one-ones with goalkeeper Maddie Hinch to emerge as the team’s heroine. In 2020, they missed out on the chance for double-gold, but bagged another bronze after defeating India 4-3 with goals from Elena Rayer, Sarah Robertson, Holly Pearne-Webb and Grace Balsdon.

Watch out for three-time Olympic medallist Larah Roper who has been a consistent performer for GB for a number of years.

The Indian women’s team come into the Pro League on the back of winning the FIH Hockey Nations Cup which was played in Valencia in December 2022.

In recent years, the team has made significant strides with notable performances in various tournaments. Their participation in the Tokyo 2020 Olympics was a major milestone, even though they narrowly missed out on a medal, losing 4-3 to Great Britain in the bronze medal match after a semi-final defeat to Argentina. Nonetheless, their spirited display inspired a nation.

Unfortunately, they missed out on qualifying for Paris 2024 after losing to Japan in the bronze medal match at the Olympic Qualifier in Ranchi in January 2024. As a result, they are determined to put on a strong performance in the FIH Pro League to show the world what it will be missing.

2004, 2017 1999, 2009 1993, 2013, 2022

The USA team enters the Pro League for their fifth consecutive season, though their presence this time is owed to New zealand’s withdrawal.

This opportunity offers the USA a chance at redemption following their relegation from the Pro League in 2023 due to a 9th-place finish.

Guiding them is Coach David Passmore, a seasoned figure well-versed in international hockey, having honed his skills in England, Great Britain, and Ireland over the years.

The enjoyed success at the Olympic qualifiers in Ranchi back in January, securing second spot, losing 2-0 to Germany in the final.

Keep an eye on Ashley Hoffman, a standout midfielder with fine pedigree. As the daughter of Brenda Hoffman (née Stauffer), a bronze medallist in the 1984 Olympics, Ashley embodies versatility, excelling both in defense and in driving the attacking force.

HONOURS