The move follows the recent success of the national governing body, which has been awarded a number of key events in the sport's calendar, including the 2015 EuroHockey Championships, 2016 Women's Champions Trophy, 2017 Men's World League Semi-Final and the 2018 Women's World Cup.

The country has identified five objectives - grow participation, deliver international success, increase the visibility of hockey, enhance infrastructure and be a strong and respected governing body - that it believes will propel the sport in England over the coming the years.

Fundamental to the England Hockey strategy is the concept of a "virtuous circle" underpinning the sport.

England Hockey aims to "deepen the passion of those who play, follow and deliver the sport by providing the best possible environments, the best possible experiences, and the support which clubs and deliverers of the game need" ©England Hockey

"At a fundamental level, international success drives an increase in visibility for the sport," read an England Hockey statement.

"With the right systems in place, this fuels a growth in participation which drives further international success, and thereon the circle continues."

After the British women - featuring a number of the England players - won bronze at the London 2012 Olympics, England Hockey knows that success on the international stage boosts the nation's pride in their teams.

But London 2012, where hockey was the third biggest sport in terms of ticket numbers, also left another important legacy for the sport in the form of the Lee Valley Hockey and Tennis Centre on the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, which is being developed for the benefit of spectators and players alike as it works to reach out to new audiences.

Hockey was the third biggest sport in terms of ticket numbers at the London 2012 Olympics ©England Hockey


The philosophy, which also aims to bring together the international and grassroots, and commercial and community elements of the sport, is underpinned by the volunteers, coaches, officials, clubs and facilities that are "paramount to enabling the game to thrive".

"This is an exciting time for hockey," England Hockey chief executive Sally Munday said.

"We've won important bids for international tournaments in the coming years, and we have a real clarity of thought about how we can translate that into future participation to help our sport flourish."

Read the full details of the England Hockey strategy here.

Contact the writer of this story at [email protected]


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