What we want to achieve together
To make sure that our sport thrives and grows into the future, we want to nurture a love of hockey within a more diverse group of young players and communities to reflect society.
We want to create meaningful, joyful, safe and accessible experiences that keep players and their communities in the sport as they progress through life.
What does success look like with your help?
- Doubling the number of 7-13 year olds in club activity
- Ensuring that key groups identified in our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Framework are welcomed and developed in hockey through a system that adapts to the player
- Securing investment to upgrade hockey facilities which will enhance access and quality of experience for key groups targeted in the Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Framework, therefore creating and embedding a more inclusive system
How are England Hockey going to lead and support this?
Great clubs providing great experiences
We will proactively support clubs in creating environments and experiences that engage and include players to maintain andgrow the game. This includes transforming the way in which we work with clubs to support them in providing great experiences.
As part of this we are reviewing and updating our ‘What Makes A Great Club’ guide (available here) and evolving how we engage with clubs.
We want to enable memorable first experiences of hockey that create lifelong advocates
We will provide the tools and training to ensure that first experiences of hockey are available, affordable, and inclusive to anyone who wants to take part.
We are focusing on the youth audience to ensure that early experiences help to build a lifelong love of the game that attracts and retains a broader audience in hockey.
Competition and event structures that really enhance the passion and excitement of our game
We will make sure that national and local competition frameworks provide the best experiences for player and supporters and keep them coming back. To support this we will review and develop the current provision and work with the appropriate Areas to provide the right competition structures for the future.
Best in class learning and development
We will inspire a representative, paid and voluntary, workforce of great coaches, officials, and leaders across the game by facilitating learning and education programmes that support everything we have outlined. The hockey workforce will be able to access support and training when and where they need it.
Facilities our game and communities deserve
In line with the Facilities Strategy, we will work collaboratively with clubs, Sport England, other NGBs, local authorities and education sites to improve and increase hockey provision.
We will support this by developing new plans that help clubs create more lasting and sustainable relationships with facility providers securing hockey for the long term.