Irish Hockey Secure Hosting Rights for World League 2 (w), Part Of The Olympic Qualifying Process for Rio 2016

Irish Hockey have won a big coup securing the hosting of the Women's World League 2, which is part of the Olympic Qualifying process for Rio 2016. Ireland will play hosts to this 8 team tournament which will take place from 14th - 22nd March 2015. Irish Hockey are delighted that the Irish hockey community are once again getting the opportunity to directly support one of their National teams on their road to the 2016 Rio Olympics. It is hoped that Irish hockey supporters will help to lift the Green Army to the next level on their pathway to Rio.

The tournament in Dublin will be played in two pools of four followed by cross over matches to produce the final placing's. The top two teams will qualify from each of the three World League 2 Tournaments, being hosted in Ireland, India & Uruguay, one final place will be awarded to the third highest ranked country from across the three tournaments giving seven places in total for World League three. The six highest placed teams from the two World League 3 semi-finals, being hosted in Spain & Belgium, will qualify for the Rio De Janerio 2016 Olympics.

Both of Ireland's national teams have had their eyes firmly focussed on the 2016 Rio Olympics after coming painfully close to qualifying for the London 2012 Olympics and home advantage for Ireland's women's teams will no doubt be an added bonus to the Green Army. Ireland's men meanwhile will head to the USA from February 28th - March 8th 2015 for their respective World League 2.

Commenting on the honour CEO Mike Heskin was clearly excited by the prospect of bringing this world level event to the Irish Hockey Fans commenting , "We are delight to have secured the World League for the women's team . I hope we can give the women's team the same wonderful support that was delivered to the Men in the 2012 Olympic Qualifier. An international 8 team tournament is the type of competition we always hope to attract to Ireland. As a small country it is difficult to compete with the bigger nations is securing a major international tournament so we are delighted that the World body has granted Ireland this event . It is our intention to deliver a tournament that Ireland can be proud off."

12 Nations qualify for the Olympics in Hockey - 1 Host; 5 through Continental Cups; 6 through the World League Process.