Hoci Cymru Road to the World Cup 1: A Positive Start
- maxparsons3
- Jun 15
- 2 min read
Hoci Cymru’s senior men are on the Road to the World Cup.
As we count down the days to the FIH Hockey World Cup this summer, we’ll be joining the journey and taking a peek into the side’s preparatory camps ahead of their opener against India on Saturday 15th August.
Preparations have continued to progress well over the past weeks and months, with the senior men’s squad gathering for a positive launch day which set the tone for the whole campaign.
Regular gatherings have also seen the squad complete a series of training camps, the culmination of which resulted in practice matches against England and Australia.
Exposure to such high-level opposition at such an early opportunity is important, and has enabled staff and players to assess where the squad is currently at in its development and preparation.
The experiences and learnings from those matches have been instrumental in identifying key areas of focus as preparations continue towards the World Cup.
Attention now turns to the next three training camps, where the group will build on those foundations and further refine performance ahead of the tournament in the Netherlands and Belgium.
The next major milestone will be a trip to Barcelona in July, where the team will take on Spain as part of its ongoing World Cup preparation programme.
The group remains focused on using every opportunity to develop cohesion, sharpen performance, and ensure they are in the best possible position heading into the World Cup.
Hoci Cymru senior men Head Coach, Danny Newcombe, stated:
“This has been an incredibly valuable block of games for us. Facing two world-class sides in England and Australia has tested every aspect of our game and shown us exactly where we need to be as a group. There were moments where we competed really well, created opportunities and showed the character that defines this team, but we’ve also been exposed in areas that we know must improve if we’re going to consistently perform and compete at the World Cup.
“The biggest gain from this block has been the experience of competing against some of the best athletes and hockey programmes in the world. We’ve learned a huge amount about ourselves, both individually and collectively, and we’ll use those lessons to drive our standards forward. We know from experience that this is part of the process, and the only way to reach the level required is to challenge ourselves against the very best.
“I’m proud of the attitude and commitment the squad has shown throughout a demanding period. The players have embraced the challenge, worked exceptionally hard and continued to push each other every day. We leave this block knowing there is no magic bullet to bridge the gap, but with a clear understanding of what is required and real excitement about getting back on the training ground and continuing the work.”
Wales’ senior men open the whole World Cup at midday on Saturday 15th August when they take on India, before facing Pakistan and finally England to complete their Pool D campaign.
Wales’ fixtures, which all take place at the Wagener Hockey Stadium, Amstelveen, are below in full:
Wales v India – Saturday 15th August, 1200
Wales v Pakistan – Monday 17th August, 1130
Wales v England – Wednesday 19th August, 1130
