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The Samsung Hockey Champions Trophy is just 8 days away!!

The preparations are well underway with the media centre, expo, game development area and Champions Club being constructed this week along with new signage and goals on the Olympic pitch.

The media centre and expo being constructed at the entrance to the Hockey Centre

Ticket sales are going well with both weekends selling strong with limited grandstand tickets and Champions Club tickets available for the first weekend and only general admission on the final weekend.

The Champions Club on the far side of Olympic Pitch taking shape

Hockey fans are encouraged to book their tickets online at Ticketek or by phoning 132 849 to avoid disappointment. This is a very unique chance to see the top six hockey teams in the world do battle on our doorstep. Tickets to weeknight games are still available, with 2 games at 6pm and 8pm on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday nights it is a great after work activity or team bonding night instead of training.

With 8 NSW players in the Hockeyroos team our girls are very excited for the chance to play in front of a home crowd. Check out the Meet our HockeyBlues profiles online at www.hockeynsw.com.au to hear first-hand what playing for Australia in Sydney means to these athletes. If you were lucky enough to witness the Sydney Olympics then you will know just what magic can be created inside the Sydney Olympic Park Hockey Centre and for those of you who missed out - here is your chance.

Go to Ticketek.com.au today and make sure you follow all the action over the coming week online at www.hockeynsw.com.au.

Sunday July 12th is Pink Ladies Day. For the first time in Australian sporting history a national team will change their uniforms for charity when the Hockeyroos wear pink bodysuits to raise funds for the National Breast Cancer Foundation.

Kate Hollywood and Casey Eastham showing off the new Pink bodysuits

Pink Ladies Day is your chance to get involved too! Make sure you wear something pink and check out all the opportunities to support the Breast Cancer Foundation at the venue. Let's paint the stadium pink with crowd enthusiasm - grab some streamers, headbands, pink zinc and your pink hats and tshirts and book tickets to Sunday July 12 to see England V Germany, Australia V Argentina and China V Netherlands all for just $9.50 kids and $30 adults!

Cricket fans get into the Pink at the SCG in January

There will be plenty action off the field to entertain the children during the Samsung Women's Champions Trophy at Sydney Olympic Park Hockey Centre.

If you have not yet purchased tickets then do not fear about your children being suitably enterntained! Weekend sessions and the Family Day July 15th will feature an array of fun for the kids with facepainting, clowns, mascot appearances, free showbags, Hook in2 Hockey giveaways and prizes to be won!

Children aged 5-12 will be able to participate in fun games including an inflatable hockey pitch at the Game Development Zone whilst learning the skills of hockey on location at the premier international hockey event for 2009.

The Game Development Zone will be located near the scoreboard adjacent to the Olympic Pitch and will be coordinated by Hockey NSW and Hockey Australia staff. The Zone will run throughout each match day or evening, from half an hour before the first game.

Aussie Aussie Aussie!

All kids are welcome and encouraged to drop in and learn some new skills and have some fun whilst enjoying the day at the Champions Trophy.

NSW U18 Girls have had a good start to their Australian U18 Championship campaign with wins over SA, ACT and QLD which sees them currently sitting in first place.

NSW Coach Peter Shea told Hockey NSW before the championship the team were well prepared.

"We've had a good preparation going away to the Inter Academy Games in April where playing against the boys taught our players to maintain composure under pressure and have since been training well and working on set plays." Shea said

"Our goal is to come home with the trophy. We are a young team but should definitely be one of the top teams and we are going to the championship aiming for a win." Shea said.

To view the draw and follow the results of the NSW this week go to the NSW U18 Girls page here.

After nine Hockey NSW State Championships to date, three U13 State Championships will be underway this weekend across four venues in Tamworth (Girls North), Wagga Wagga (Girls South), Unanderra & Albion Park (Boys).

The U13 championships will round out the underage season, with just the veteran women's half state championships to come from July 24-26.

Last weekend, the U18 girls north and south championships saw Sydney North and Macarthur take division one honours and Central Coast and Wagga take out division two.

The NSW U18 Girls initial squad for 2010 was selected and can be viewed here.

Check out all the results this weekend on HockeyNet.

Photo: C & C Images

Have you seen the Hockey NSW website this week?

If you would like to meet the NSW members of the Champions Trophy Hockeyroos team - head to www.hockeynsw.com.au to read their profiles where they share thoughts on the game, their lives and why they are looking forward to the Champions Trophy.

Don't miss these player scoops - hockeynsw.com.au for all your Champions Trophy news!

World Masters Games is coming to Sydney in just 99 days!

World Masters Games is the largest multi-sport event in the world and is open to participants of all levels across 28 sports and will run from October 10-18. The hockey event has seen over 50 teams registered already - with registrations open until the end of July - so head to www.2009worldmasters.com for all the event information.

Volunteer ballpersons (17-18 October only) and umpires are also required for the tournament - if you are interested or would like more information, please email Carlie McCall carlie.m@ hockeynsw.com.au