Coaches, officials, welfare officers, and club leaders play an essential role in shaping the development and growth of hockey. These individuals, often volunteers, are the backbone of the sport, creating safe, welcoming, and enriching environments that enhance players' experiences both on and off the field.
At England Hockey, we recognise that supporting and developing the people around the players is just as important as focusing on the players themselves. Through our membership model, we are committed to reducing barriers for these key contributors by providing accessible, high-quality development opportunities and resources. This not only supports existing volunteers but also makes it more appealing for the next generation of leaders to get involved.
Our membership model simplifies access to training by removing cost and administrative burdens, making it easier for individuals to enrol in relevant courses and workshops. These offerings ensure that coaches, officials, welfare officers, and club leaders are equipped with the skills and knowledge needed to foster safe, inclusive, and enjoyable hockey environments. Notably, this aligns with one of the top priorities identified by players: greater investment in the development of people who support their journey in the sport.
By significantly increasing the capacity for coaching, officiating, and safeguarding workshops by up to five fold, we aim to provide players, parents, and deployers with confidence that the individuals in these roles are well-prepared and qualified to uphold the highest standards. This proactive approach also addresses the growing compliance expectations within hockey and the broader sports landscape, particularly in response to safeguarding issues.
As part of this initiative, we are introducing revised standards for deployment in coaching roles, with plans to expand these standards to other critical roles that impact safeguarding and welfare across hockey. This comprehensive approach will help ensure that everyone involved in the sport, at every level, benefits from a safe, supportive, and positive environment with limited barriers to entry.
