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Update On The First Year Of The England Hockey ED&I Framework

In Spring 2022, England Hockey launched its Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Framework 2022 – 2024 which sets out the long-term strategy designed to ensure that hockey is a sport accessible for everyone.   

At the time of launch, England Hockey committed to providing regular updates on progress being made throughout the sport from within the National Governing Body through to new community initiatives.   

Initiatives delivered within the National Governing Body:  

  • Staff have taken part in a range of internal and external training including Inclusive Employers workshops 
  • Senior Managers took part in Sport England’s Leading for Renewal Equality, Diversity and Inclusion support programme which saw them receive coaching and attend seminars 
  • Recruitment processes have been opened up to further the reach of job adverts and reach more diverse candidates 
  • Sporting Equals ranked England Hockey as B in their Race Representation Index which monitors how NGBs are making progress with Ethnic Diversity 

Initiatives delivered within the hockey community: 

  • England Hockey amended the kit regulations to provide players with freedom of choice over the kit they compete in which includes shorts, skorts or skirts and allows the use of head coverings  
  • A number of legacy projects were created on the back of the 2022 Commonwealth Games which included working with the Muslim Sports Foundation and Holiday Activities Food Programmes  
  • Funding went in to developing the Flyerz programme to provide opportunities for disabled people to get into hockey 
  • A competitive international team for ID Hockey was established with them competing at the Special Olympics National Games in 2022 and the Special Olympics World Games in 2023 
  • The inaugural state school competition took place in the spring of 2023 with 53 different schools taking part 
  • The Coaches Advisory Group (CAG) was created to act as a voice for the coaching family to discuss current and future coaching provision and push for inclusion 

Angela Durnin, England Hockey, Non-Executive Director and ED&I Advisory Group Chair, said: “The progress that has been made in the first year of the Framework has been great to see and key changes like the kit regulations and the positive work being done in communities through the Commonwealth Legacy projects show England Hockey’s commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion. 

"It's also been pleasing to see the different teams across the governing body building relationships with more diverse communities. These projects and relationships are vital to ensuring that more people can experience the benefits of the hockey 

“While progress has been made across a number of areas of the sport, we know that the work doesn’t end there, and I look forward to seeing what the next steps bring for hockey and what we can achieve in the next year.” 

The Full Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Framework - The First Year report is now available.