This week the European Hockey Federation successfully launched their Equally Amazing Charter which challenges all areas of the sport to offer equal opportunities to both genders.
The spirit of the charter and the inherent challenge that it presents has been immediately embraced by the experienced commentary team assembled in Antwerp by Nick Irvine who explains:
“The message is clear – and easy to get behind – we are equally amazing. However, it is not about catchphrases but a call to action. Within my strong commentary team, we have a group of men and women who all share a passion for our sport.
“We have traditionally seen and heard only male voices as lead commentators with women in support roles. This changes with Equally Amazing. So we start here in Antwerp with some small but important steps and I have asked Kate Richardson-Walsh to add to her burgeoning media credentials by taking on the lead commentary role for a number of games.
“Kate will find that the role needs a different set of skills to her normal punditry but I have no doubt that she will take it in her stride.
Above all else, I know that we can rely on the hockey family to give her the support that they have always given me which is not only equally but totally amazing!
“You will have heard Kate’s debut on Monday when she called Ireland v Belarus in what was a very special moment as she teamed up in the commentary box with her wife, Helen Richardson-Walsh – two of hockey’s British hockey’ s History Makers making some hockey broadcasting history as well.”
