As hockey players, fans, umpires, parents return to the hockey fields all over Europe, we are taking some time to take a snapshot of what’s happening around Europe and who are the drivers to make hockey happen in a safe environment for players, club members and fans.
It’s clear that for the safe return without experts to guide our Federations and clubs that sharing knowledge, learning by doing, club members using their business knowledge, IT skills and acumen that there is an army of willing people making hockey happen all over Europe.
Of course, as COVID19 continues to be prevalent throughout Europe, Government guidelines change (sometimes overnight), some are rules, some guidance and often it is our Club managers and volunteers that have to read these papers and find a way to make them work in their own clubs.
What has become very clear from speaking to many involved is that everyone has a role to play, it’s not about ‘someone’ telling people how to behave, where to stand, sit etc… but each person has to take their own responsibility and realise that in fact the much bandied ‘new normal’ is not in fact normal at all! But actually a new way of living for the moment.
The EHF is delighted to see hockey back on the field after the many online webinar trainings, athlete driven individual trainings, the ‘loo roll challenge’ and all the other brilliant initiatives that the clever hockey family have delivered for the past few months.
We wish the FIH, DHB and Belgian Hockey well on the return of the FIH Pro League this week, which will be available on the new FIH Hockey app – Watch.hockey.
Join in the conversation and send us links to what your club / school / federation is doing for the #SafeReturn to hockey.
Photograph: Lisnagarvey HC delivers the Irish Senior Cup last weekend
