The groundbreaking developments in inclusive hockey, gender balance, and international collaboration at the EuroHockey ID Forum 2024 this week.
The event saw 22 nations represented and emphasised the growing impact of initiatives like Mixed Ability Hockey, global census surveys and partnerships with the Special Olympics.
EuroHockey President Marcos Hoffman opened the event and thanked the the national associations in attendance: “Hockey ID and advancing inclusivity is at the heart of the work of EuroHockey so to have more than half our members now engaged is something to be celebrated.”
Development Chair Peter Elders added the focus was not just developing our athletes but also ensuring pathways for umpires, officials and coaches of all abilities via unified programmes.
He added: “We have just launched a toolkit with training initiatives for our coaches and stakeholders. The more tools we have, the more we can grow a more inclusive sport.”
Among the key highlights of the forum were:
- Mixed Ability Hockey case study (Jonny Bruton)
- Ireland’s Cork C of I club is pioneering mixed ability hockey with 30 participants engaging in inclusive training sessions and gameplay without adaptations.
- Upcoming programmes include a six-week training block (February–April) and participation in the IMAS Rugby World Cup 2025 in Spain, a first for hockey.
- Global Census & Hockey Inclusion (Norman Hughes)
- The FIH Hockey ID Survey aims to collect global data on hockey participation, which is critical for future quota decisions and maintaining inclusion in international events like the Special Olympics World Games (SOWG).
- Current challenges include low participation figures in some regions, emphasising the need for greater collaboration with national Special Olympics organisations.
- Gender Equality Goals:
- Workshops addressed the need for meaningful gender representation in hockey. Key proposals include transitioning to a 7:3 gender ratio (minimum) for mixed teams by 2027.
- Long-term ambitions include standalone male, female, and mixed events, aligning with international equality standards.
- Unified Umpiring and International Exchange (Linda von Overmeire-Sandkaulen)
- Unified umpiring programs trained six Hockey ID players, integrating them with younger unified partners.
- International camps in Europe fostered cultural and athletic exchanges, with plans for continued collaboration in 2025.
- Special Olympics Partnership:
- Enhanced cooperation with Special Olympics will ensure sustained support for Hockey ID programs, which is crucial for SOWG 2027 inclusion.
- Next Steps:
- A toolkit launch and training initiatives aim to equip coaches and stakeholders.
- The forum concluded with a call to action for member nations to prioritise survey participation (FIH) and advance Hockey ID initiatives locally.
The forum underscored hockey’s commitment to inclusivity, innovation, and international unity, paving the way for greater global participation and recognition.
