England Hockey’s new membership model has been carefully designed with extensive input from our hockey community. A comprehensive research project, conducted in November 2024 by the sports consultancy Two Circles, gathered feedback from 2,412 respondents representing players, parents, officials, and club leaders across 554 clubs. This research provides a strong foundation for our proposed membership changes, ensuring they are tailored to the needs of the community and the future of hockey.
Research Approach and Robustness
- Representative sample: the survey captured a diverse range of voices, with respondents spanning gender, age groups, and roles in hockey.
- Statistical confidence: results are accurate within a 7% margin of error at a 95% confidence level, ensuring reliability and robustness in the findings.
- Comprehensive coverage: key topics explored included membership benefits, connection to England Hockey, and areas for improvement in the sport.
Key Findings
Community Values:
- 72% of respondents highlighted ‘team spirit and belonging’ as what they love most about hockey.
- 85% want more hockey in state schools, emphasising the sport's developmental role.
Membership Awareness:
- While 89% of respondents are aware of club membership, only 33% understand its detailed benefits, highlighting the need for better communication.
- Insurance and contributing to a national hockey fund are viewed as vital, with 76% and 81% rating them as highly important, respectively.
Top Priorities:
- Increased visibility of hockey, training enablers (coaching and officiating courses), and safeguarding workshops were identified as key areas for investment.
- Free-to-air TV ranked third among benefits, appealing strongly to younger audiences.
Connection to England Hockey:
- Only 40% of respondents currently feel connected to England Hockey, but over 60% want to feel better connected and learn more about England Hockey’s work.
Impact on the Membership Proposal
The research findings directly inform the new membership model by addressing the community’s priorities:
- Development: Expanding capacity for coaching and officiating courses to ensure a safe, inclusive, and welcoming environment for all participants.
- Development: The creation of a state school hockey fund would enable a pipeline of you g players picking up a stick and connecting to the club community
- Accessibility: Removing barriers such as cost and administration to encourage greater participation in training, courses and workshops.
- Visibility: Increasing investment in initiatives like free-to-air broadcasts to grow the sport’s reach and inspire the next generation of players.
Looking Ahead
The proposed changes are designed to benefit players, parents, and volunteers while supporting the long-term growth and sustainability of hockey in England. This evidence-based approach demonstrates our commitment to listening to the hockey community and delivering a membership model that meets their needs.
