Lunch At Kuala Selangor - 21st April 2012

On 21 April 2012, a few of our section members led by our convenor, James Sia, decided to venture to Kuala Selangor for a makan outing, with wives and kids in tow. It turned out to be a cosy affair (only 11 of us) with fantastic seafood and the mandatory drinks to wash down the grub! With the fishing boats coming back with their catch all afternoon, some amount of marketing was inevitable! The group headed home with their fair share of fish, prawns and a other local specialties. Anyone keen to do a weekend makan cum hockey trip to Kluang? Drop me an email!

The Eating Crew - Young and Old!

Enjoying the 'Helicopter snails' - recommended by Dato Poon (We actually don't know what these are called!)

Clean sweep! Certainly did justice to the food...

Chinese tea and Whiskey - recommended by James Sia!

Fishing boats and their catch

As fresh as they come - From the nets into the basket!

Looking like they know what they are buying...

She knows what she's buying - Lucky Vicky!

RSC vs Aquinas College

RSC played Aquinas College from Perth on 12 April 2012 at Stadium Hoki Tun Razak. Aquinas is a regular visitor to Malaysia and RSC has hosted them in all their previous trips here. Aquinas came with a very young side, with an average age of just 16, whilst RSC was represented by the usual mix of a few young players, middle aged, 'matured' and 'very matured' players. We certainly appreciated the fact that we had a good turnout of 18 players for the game, as we needed to rotate our players considering the furious pace the game was played by our young opponents. Fortunately for us, experience and luck prevailed this time and we came out winners with a 5-3 margin. Our goals were scored by Joel Van Huizen (2), Jay Ooi (1), Baldwin Zacharias (1) and Vincent Mariadass (1). In true Malaysian spirit, the game was followed by a makan kecil at the stadium arranged by our Convenor, James Sia, and our Australian guests were more than happy to tuck into our local cuisine (including our locally brewed beers!). Aquinas thanked RSC for hosting the game and expresed their hope that they may reciprocate sometime in the future!

RSC doing what we do best... outside the pitch!

Our ever reliable defence facing yet another short corner

Aquinas and RSC team photo after the match

Our guests enjoying the food!

A couple of words from Aquinas. See you in Perth (we hope!).

Old friends (Obviously!)

Annual SCC 6’s held on 3rd & 4th March 2012 at the Padang ,Singapore

The 2012 Singapore Cricket Club(SCC) 6’s saw RSC team comprising of Bobby Ho, Baldwin Zacharias, Daljit Bhullar(Keeper) ,James Andrew,Siva Subramaniam (Captain),Aiman Hakim and Tang Chun How playing their hearts out in this 2 day tournament at the Padang ,Singapore recently.
Great goalkeeping and strong backline marshaled by Bobby and supported by Baldwin and James enable the team to win by small margin to advance to the next round. Our youngsters in the likes of Aiman and Chun How provided the arsenal to propel the team to victory.
The first game was against the Dutch team and we won it 1-0. The 2nd game we were trailing 1-0 against the Singaporean team and managed to equalize in the last minute. The 3rd game which was under the blazing sun saw us losing to a young Japanese side. We played 5 games in all and dreaded the idea of getting back to the hotel as our legs were no longer ours.
The first day saw the RSC team ending up with 2 wins 1 draw and 2 losses. Unfortunately we missed the chance to go into the Cup category and ended up playing in the Plate category. The next day we met the Australian youngsters and succumbed being beaten 3-0 which practically ended our interest in this tournament .
In all, it was a good tournament in which we the players were able to enjoy the atmosphere and foster better friendship among other players and ourselves. As usual SCC was a fantastic host and hope to see them in our coming tournament.
Lastly we would like to thank our Good friend Prem who was there to support our team

10th RSC 9's - KLHC ON THE DOUBLE

This year’s edition of the 10th RSC Hockey 9’s held on the 16th & 17th July 2011 at the Bukit Kiara Sports Annexe saw KL Hockey Club walking away with both the coveted George Koshy RSC Hockey 9’s challenge trophies. Whilst the men’s team won the main cup competition at their second attempt, the Ladies grabbed the Ladies category cup event on their maiden appearance. The 10h edition tournament attracted a total number of 30 teams, 24 men’s and 6 ladies. This year’s competition also saw the return of the Ladies tournament. Due to a lack of teams there was no competition for Ladies last year. The tournament saw the addition of several first timers to the competition, among them being Sentul Sports & Cutural Club, Synergy Hockey Club, Victoria Institution Old Boys Association, ISCI ladies from Indonesia, Tornadoes Singapore Hockey Club (Ladies) and KL Hockey Club Ladies. Special mention must also be made of foreign team participation, they being, the ever present Singapore Cricket Club, Tornadoes Vietnam Hockey, Bakerites Singapore and ISCI Indonesia.

The weather was kind and fine with a cloudy spread and the participants were full of enthusiasm to display their skills what with the foreign flavour present. Since the weather was kind to the participants, the first day’s competition went on without a hitch and by mid noon the teams were seen planning strategies for the next day. This could be so that they could avoid the power-house teams in the next round and concentrate in the other categories up for grabs. Upon completion of the first round, the teams were then categorized into the various categories :- the top two from each group advancing to the main Cup Competition, the next two falling into the Plate competition and the bottom two in the groups going into the Bowl competition.

At the end of the 1st round competition which was on Sunday morning, the following men’s teams qualified for a shot at the coveted George Koshy Trophy. They were defending champions UNIKL, KL Hockey Club, Sapura Hockey Club, ISCI, Vietnam Tornadoes, RSC Hounds, and newcomers Sentul and VIOBA. It must be pointed out here that for the team of oldies from RSC, progress to the main competition has been the norm as time and again and with age against them they still have it in them to be in the main cup competition, and that in its state is an achievement of sorts. Whilst the focus was on the younger Dogs to qualify, the Hounds somehow always upset the odds. This team led by Bobby Ho is made up of veterans Alex Voon, Azman, Simon See, Narendran, Winsan (though not in age) Jay Ooi, James Andrew, Siva and the energetic Jonathan.

The second round matches pitted some exciting matches in all categories as teams that saved their efforts earlier were seen “pumped up” to perform in the upcoming matches. This was due to the fact that it was a knock out stage and they wanted to progress as far as they could. Some teams also had it in them to hold out for a draw and deliver at the penalty shoot out stage. Call it strategy or tragedy but this definitely was the plan for some. Such fine tacticians …………
At the end of 2 days competition and when the dust had settled, newcomers KL Hockey Club emerged champions in the Men’s Cup competition when they beat another newcomer, Sentul Hockey Club 2-0 in the finals. On the way to the finals, KLHC had earlier dethroned defending champions, UNIKL, in the q-finals 1-0 and in the semi finals they eliminated 2008 champions Sapura Hockey Club. The path to the finals for KLHA was a tough one and they definitely did show their prowess and caliber to be worthy champions.

In the Men’s Plate category, the final was an all SJAA affair when SJAA Seniors beat SJAA Juniors 1-0 in the final. Observers say that the Golden goal scored by Baldwin, was actually a miscue, because the goalkeeper had dived in an attempt to parry the ball. But somehow some turf of grass popped up from the ground and the goalkeeper was conned into making an unwarranted save. This resulted in the ball trickling under his body and into goal. So much for this fine skill, Baldwin !!!. In the Bowl Competition, last years winners, Bakerites were dethroned by Shell IT in the finals. In the Ladies category, the title was won by another first timer when KL Hockey Club Ladies triumphed over RSC by 2-0.

At the prize giving ceremony, the organizing chairman, Oommen then congratulated all the winners and reminded all participating teams to look out for next years tournament. He also thanked the donor, Mr George Koshy, for his donation of cash awards to both winners of the Men’s and Ladies event. Also present during the prize giving were club President, Mr Ronald Quay, Vice President Ms Julie Hoh, Sports Chairman Mr Seeni and other prominient former internationals Yg Bhg Dato Yogeswaran, Dato Sri Shan, Ow Soon Kooi, K Balasingam and S Balasingam. The sponsors, Carlsberg Malaysia, and CIMB were also present. The event ended with a photo shoot of the organizing committee and the distinguished guests.

The night before, during the tournament dinner function, the organizing Chairman Oommen Koshy thanked all the participating teams for taking time off to participate in this tournament. He specially thanked the foreign teams who had made it a point to pen the RSC Hockey 9’s dates in their calendar and were always a feature here. He was especially impressed that this year saw many newcomers being added to the list. He then thanked the main sponsors of the RSC 9’s, Carlsberg Malaysia and CIMB for the RSC Junior Hockey and also the other sponsors such as Milo, UFL fitness, TOPS, Inter Movers, Backyard, Prodigy for their generosity and sponsorship in making the RSC Hockey 9’s and RSC Junior Hockey a success.. The Club V-President, Ms Julie Hoh was on hand to give out souvenirs to all participating teams and the main sponsors, Carlsberg. Following that the guests were then entertained to some showtime and the DJ for the night kept all present entertained to some enthralling music and the people danced the night away.

GRASS HOCKEY AT KIARA

This is scheduled for 6th August and 20th August at the Bukit Kiara Sports Annexe.

Time 5.30p.m.

We plan to conduct a coaching activity for interested kids (members children and open to others). Following that we will play a friendly game either amongst ourselves or with an invited team.

Members interested please inform the convenor if you are bring children for the coaching activity.

For those interested to play in the game, please bring your yellow/black jersey.

HASH AND HOCKEY SECTION CONDUCT HOCKEY INITIATIVE.

On Saturday June 4th 2011 at the Bukit Kiara sports annex, about 40 children from the HASH section and members of the club were given an introduction to hockey by the hockey section members. The idea to conduct this for kids under 12 years was mooted by the HASH section and after discussion and planning by the 2 sports section convenors, the Hockey section agreed to conduct this as a section initiative and development programme. As a run up to this session, the Hash section kids earlier had a junior run in the vicinity of Bukit Kiara/Taman Tun

After the initial briefing, the children, were divided into four groups for the respective coaches to teach them the drills. They were taught the basics on how to hold the hockey stick, stance for hitting, pushing and stopping, hitting technique, stopping the ball, dragging and running with the ball, and dribbling. It was observed that although the kids were first timers, there were a few who had it in them to take up the sport seriously. All that is needed now is constant practice, proper training and right guidance.

The children were eager beavers and when the hockey sticks were brought out for them, they were seen scrambling for the hockey sticks. As for some of the younger kids, since they were smaller and shorter, and not to be outdone, they brought along their own junior hockey sticks. One such interested kid was Aaron. Though only 4, he was seen running around with the junior hockey stick under the arm and wanting to do the drill over and over again. There was this incident when he went off for a drink and returned to find his coach nowhere around. He then went looking for his coach (Simon See) and called him back to teach him the drill again. It was as if he was saying “ I am back and you be with me!!! “ But poor Aaron, for all his chagrin and efforts, he had to end up with a swollen lip, no thanks to a minor incident which resulted when he was accidentally hit on the lips. Then there were 2 boys (sons of Siva). So long as their father was there they were not interested. Once Siva went off, they were seen doing the drills with gusto. So Siva next time, please leave them on their own….!!! There was another kid, Gareth Davies, who caught the eye with his ability to do the drills easily. He looks a natural and has cool composure when with the ball. Definitely a prospect.

On the other side of the pitch, were a group of girls being taught the basics like dragging and running with the ball. This group was under the guidance of former national players Stephen Van Huizen and Colin Sta Maria. From the looks of it there was fun in this activity because as the drills went on, some excited mothers of the kids also joined in to get a feel of it. Yet in a further section of the field were a group of children (9-12 years) learning the basics from St. John Davies and Sambu, also ex-national players. Here, they were taught the basic drills on pushing and learning how to tackle. From around the pitch we could hear the clatter of hockey sticks clashing and this showed that this activity was in high tempo and was definitely a robust activity and the kids loved it. To make it safe, control is the key word and the coaches definitely did enforce the rule.

And as the mood of the participants were coming to a low, the organizers decided to end the sessions. The whole activity ended at about 6.30p.m with the children having a group photograph with the hockey section members and coaches. The children were then feted to some food and most, if not all, left feeling satisfied that such a programme was initiated. Among the hockey section members present were James Sia (Convenor), Terence R, Simon See, Sambu, Colin Sta Maria, Stephen Van Huizen, St John Davies, Oommen, Ramesh, Siva, Siew Heng, James Andrew and Aiman. The section wishes to thank them for their support and assistance in conducting this initiative.

The hockey section would also like to thank the Hash section convenor K Ganesan and Junior Hash Tillia Thong for initiating the programme and working with the hockey section committee to see this through.

It is really heartening to see our former ex-Olympians such as Stephen Van Huizen, Colin Sta Maria and Sambu plus the likes of ex-internationals St John Davies and Teh Siew Heng making efforts to come to programmes like this and teach the young children. If the thought of being coached by an ex-Olympian or ex-international does not ruffle their feathers and give them pride then the children should at least savour the time spent with these “stars” because the number of Olympians is dwindling. It is on these efforts that a seed is planted and from this a future star may be born. The hockey section is blessed that they have so many ex-Olympians and ex-internationals in their ranks and it is truly refreshing to note that these players willingly and freely give back to hockey what they have acquired over their playing years. The efforts of the others who helped support the cast are also not to be overlooked.


Terence Rajasingham.