Fairweather, due to step down from a position he has held since 2010 after the body’s Congress in Dubai in November, has played a pivotal role in the FIH’s decision to introduce sweeping alterations to its event portfolio.

Getting rid of the Champions Trophy has been one of the more controversial choices taken as part of the new strategy and has attracted criticism in some circles, with hockey fans disappointed to see the end of a tournament which has over 40 years of heritage.

Fairweather insists change was essential, however, if hockey is to attract more supporters and increase its standing in the competitive world sport market.

“When you move away from something like that it is always tough,” Fairweather told insidethegames.

“We need to meet those objectives to take ourselves to the next level, if we rely on tradition, are we going to take it to the next level?

“The answer to that question is no.

“With the home and away, there will still be a Grand Final and there will be a winner.

“How that is positioned and branded is still to be decided.

“You are getting that consistency for people to engage and view the sport over a period of time.

“We don’t have a consistent and understandable narrative at the moment.

“But now, you will be able to follow the tournament over a period of time and then we know there will be a World Cup, European Championships, Olympic Games and that’s when you start to build a following.”

The new format also includes getting rid of the much-maligned Hockey World League (HWL), which came under fire from players and officials within the sport due to its confusing format, and the Champions Trophy in favour of a new three-tier home and away competition.

It is due to come into effect in 2019 and will have a direct consequence on the qualification process for future Olympic Games.

Competing nations will clash twice a year, once at home and once away, in a format similar to the HWL.

Teams participating in the brand-new league will be chosen based on a defined set of qualification rules, while countries will also compete in second-tier and third-tier events which mirror the HWL.

The move comes as part of the FIH’s 10-year “Hockey Revolution” strategic plan, which aims at trying to improve the global interest within the sport.

It was launched largely due to the threat of being removed from the Olympic programme three years ago as hockey managed to survive but finished in the bottom three, along with wrestling and modern pentathlon.

FIH sport and development director David Luckes admitted nearly being cut from the Olympics was the “driver” behind the sport’s governing body implementing a revamped competition structure.