England Hockey is the National Governing Body (NGB) for hockey and undertakes a number of roles.
Strategic Direction and Leadership
England Hockey sets the strategic direction for the sport and for the NGB using input from many areas including it’s own permanent staff, the Regional Consultative Committee (RCC), the standing committees and working groups and through interaction with the many volunteers who work for hockey.
Playing of the sport
England Hockey co-ordinates the competition structure throughout the sport and runs the Investec Women’s Hockey League, NOW: Pensions Men’s Hockey League, as well as over 30 national knockout competitions and a whole host of other tournaments. It also ensures that an appropriate disciplinary code is in place and ensures that there is a development pathway for players.
Best Practice Knowledge Transfer
The Development Team (which includes national staff for young people, umpiring, and coaching, together with the 12 strong regional network) co-ordinates the transfer of knowledge of best practice throughout the sport. The sharing of ideas with other National Governing Bodies also takes place.
Interface with external bodies
England Hockey acts as the interface for the sport with national bodies such as Sport England, UK Sport, The Youth Sports Trust, the Central Council for Physical Recreation (CCPR), and scUK. Funding streams from such bodies are used by the England Hockey to develop the sport throughout the country.
England Hockey is also a member of the Federation of International Hockey (FIH), and the European Hockey Federation (EHF).
Marketing and sponsorship
England Hockey undertakes a lead role in developing the image of the sport, of marketing it and of securing sponsorship packages.
International squad management
England Hockey’s performance team is responsible for talent identification and development of athletes for the U16, U18, U21 and senior men’s and women’s England squads. We are the Nominated Country (NC) for Great Britain Hockey Limited (GBHL) and together with Scotland and Wales, prepare athletes to qualify and compete as Great Britain for the Olympic Games.