Safe Hockey
Ensuring hockey is a safe and enjoyable experience for all participants is a shared responsibility across the sport. This webpage brings together a range of resources to support clubs, coaches, and organisers in planning and delivering safe hockey activity.
Available support includes the Planning Safe Hockey guidance, a practical document designed to help identify and reduce risks. A free Planning Safe Hockey e-learning module is also available, offering key learning points and encouraging reflection on safe practices. In addition, a Health and Safety Policy template and Risk Assessment guidance are provided to help clubs meet their legal and moral obligations effectively.
These resources have been developed in memory of Luke Hobson, a 14-year-old player who tragically died on 28 March 2019 after sustaining a fatal head injury during play. With the support of Luke’s parents, this work seeks to raise awareness and prevent future incidents.
Those involved in organising hockey activity whether matches, training sessions, or events have a duty to safeguard all participants. Planning with safety in mind builds trust, reassures parents and guardians, and enhances the overall experience for everyone involved.
As the game continues to evolve, maintaining a strong focus on safety remains essential. These tools are designed to support safe, confident delivery at every level of the sport.
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England Hockey has published an important guide entitled Planning Safe Hockey. The guide is intended to be used as a checklist by anyone delivering or planning hockey activity. England Hockey strongly encourages all clubs/organisations and their members to familiarise themselves with the guide and to address any unsafe practices.
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England Hockey has released a Safe Hockey Online Module on Hockey Hub. It aims to provide some guidance and ideas on how to deliver fun, safe and engaging sessions, and how we can put the very best practice, policies and procedures in place to make sure that our sport is as safe as it possibly can be
It covers the three key parts of running a safe session - plan, deliver and review.
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This Health and Safety Policy Template is designed to help clubs and organisations implement best practices to ensure the safety of all participants. It outlines essential procedures for risk management, emergency protocols, and maintaining safe environments during hockey activities. By following these guidelines, clubs can create a safer, more secure setting for players, coaches, officials, and spectators, promoting the wellbeing of all involved.
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It is essential that hockey clubs assess the risks associated with activity prior to the delivery of any hockey related activity. Regardless of whether your club/organisation owns its facilities or hires from a local provider, it is your responsibility to ensure that the facilities used are as safe as possible for you and your members.
Risk assessments for your playing facilities should be completed at the start of each season and should be reviewed regularly to assess any potential risks to individuals. A template risk assessment is available for both clubs and coaches to use prior to the delivery of hockey activity and can be found here. England Hockey strongly recommends that a risk assessment is carried out and recorded prior to all hockey activity.
Please view the England Hockey Risk Assessment web page for more guidance and examples of how to complete risk assessment for outdoor and indoor hockey activities.
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FACEMASKS STRONGLY RECOMMENDED FOR DEFENDING PENALTY CORNERS
Following updated FIH regulations mandating the use of facemasks in all official international competitions, England Hockey strongly recommends that all players - at every level and age - wear facemasks when defending penalty corners.
The safety of players is a priority, and the use of facemasks during penalty corners - where ball speed and proximity present increased risk - can significantly reduce the chance of facial injury.
After careful consideration, the England Hockey Board has decided not to make the use of facemasks mandatory for domestic hockey in England at this time. The current body of research into the use and impact of facemasks across all levels of the game remains limited, and further evidence is required before a compulsory rule can be applied. In line with our approach to other protective equipment - such as mouthguards and shin pads - we are strongly recommending their use. This position will be reviewed as and when further research becomes available.
In addition, we continue to strongly recommend the use of shin, ankle and mouth protection for all players during training and matches. These items are essential for reducing the likelihood of preventable injuries in the sport.
We encourage clubs, coaches, and parents to support this guidance to help foster a culture of safety and responsibility across the hockey community.
