Why Do We Need A ‘National Hockey Fund for State Schools & EDI?
From September 2025, England Hockey is launching a new membership model designed to secure the future of the sport by increasing access, visibility, and support for clubs across the country. This refreshed approach places inclusion, participation, and development at its heart. Key to the change is a renewed focus on growing the game in state schools with the support of School Games Organisers, helping more young people discover hockey. Free coaching courses will increase the number of qualified coaches in clubs, ensuring players at every level are supported and developed, while the continuation of our free-to-air broadcast deal with Channel 4 brings top-level hockey into homes nationwide—raising the sport’s profile like never before.
These changes matter because they represent a step-change in how England Hockey supports the game from the grassroots up. The new membership model offers more than just benefits - it provides the tools to grow your club, diversify participation, and future-proof the sport.
England Hockey’s new membership model was carefully designed with extensive input from our hockey community. A comprehensive research project, conducted in November 2024 by the sports consultancy Two Circles, gathered feedback from 2,412 respondents representing players, parents, officials, and club leaders across 554 clubs. This research provided a strong foundation for our membership changes, ensuring they were tailored to the needs of the community and the future of hockey.
These research results, along with more detailed overviews of the changes to membership form the 25/26 season can be found in the downloads on this page.
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To make a lasting impact on hockey delivery in schools, we need to leverage existing networks and structures, building on what already works to achieve sustainable progress at scale.
We are partnering with YST to reintegrate hockey into the School Games, securing dedicated SGO time to boost hockey delivery in primary schools. SGOs, with established connections and credibility in schools, will coordinate local hockey activity, creating more opportunities for young people to experience the sport.
Investment will focus on areas with the greatest need, identified through data on club locations, existing school hockey activity, and socio-economic factors. An initial pilot will run in selected areas to showcase the potential impact and scalability of the model.
Roles for each stakeholder:
England Hockey:
- Provide free, age-appropriate hockey content for in and out of curriculum
- Deliver CPD for teachers and young leaders at no cost
- Offer clear guidelines on health and safety standards
- Support schools in establishing links with local clubs
- Develop a tiered competition framework for schools
- Provide resources to foster long-term club-school connections
Clubs:
- Connect with SGOs to align plans and delivery
- Offer taster sessions and school visits
- Provide festival venues and support
- Facilitate transitions from school to club
SGOs:
- Plan based on local data and club input
- Engage schools and teachers in hockey initiatives
- Organise one primary school hockey festival per year
- Report on progress and outcomes
Schools:
- Participate in CPD and utilise resources
- Deliver hockey activities leading up to festivals
- Enter teams in SGO-led festivals
- Communicate club exit routes to young players
YST:
- Identify SGO areas and oversee delivery
- Manage funding and reporting processes
- Share good practice and success stories
This coordinated effort leverages proven strategies to boost hockey activity in schools, enhance club connections, and expand access to underserved communities.
A pilot programme will launch in September 2025 across 32 SGO areas, with outcomes reported back to members before expanding nationwide.
