29 Aug, 2025 The International Hockey Federation (FIH) has successfully hosted an open session of its “Empower & Engage Series” titled “Strategic Planning for the Future of Hockey”, the first in a series of opportunities for hockey’s stakeholders to make their contribution to the future FIH Strategy. The webinar drew strong interest from across the hockey family, with 328 participants registering from all over the world, representing a diverse mix of National Associations, Continental Federations, clubs, schools, and other stakeholders committed to shaping the sport’s future. The session was opened by FIH President Tayyab Ikram and FIH Director General Mike Joyce, who underlined the importance of engaging the global community in building the next phase of the sport’s strategy. A collaborative conversation on hockey’s future Participants were divided into smaller groups to explore key strategic themes, including: Vision for the Future of Hockey Supporting People in Hockey National Association Membership Services Global Event Calendar Formats & Rules of Hockey The Values of Hockey Each group’s conclusions were then shared back in plenary, sparking a dynamic and lively exchange of perspectives. Ideas ranged from strengthening athlete pathways and volunteer support to innovating formats and reaffirming hockey’s unique culture and values. Building on the Hockey Revolution This webinar marks the first step in a wider consultation process leading up to the launch of the new FIH Strategy in December 2025. The initiative builds on the foundations of the “Hockey Revolution” strategy, unveiled at the 2014 FIH Congress, which delivered significant milestones over the past decade. At the same time, the sport must respond to new global challenges and opportunities, not least the 45 commitments made at the IOC’s Olympism365 Summit in June 2025, which call on sport to remain globally relevant and contribute to a better world. Through this series, FIH and its stakeholders aim to gather an open exchange of opinions and experiences, including bold ideas, constructive criticism, and fresh proposals, to ensure hockey continues to grow and inspire new generations worldwide. FIH President Tayyab Ikram remarking on the success of the first webinar said: “Our mission is clear: to promote and develop hockey for the benefit of everyone involved in our sport. The dialogue created through the “Strategic Planning for the Future of Hockey” series is not a formality, it is an invitation for the hockey community to challenge us, to share what works, and to imagine together what hockey can and should be in the years ahead. The energy and commitment shown in this first webinar proves that hockey has a strong and united global family ready to shape the future.” Next steps The “FIH Empower & Engage” series will continue over the coming months with more opportunities for the global hockey community to participate, share ideas, and co-create the sport’s strategic vision. This first webinar set the tone for what promises to be an inclusive and impactful journey. Have your say! All questions presented at the consultation workshop are now available as an online form. We invite you to complete yourself and to share with your hockey community for their input: FIH Future of Hockey Survey Previous webinars in the series can be explored here. Source: FIH.hockey

19 Aug, 2025 Since being officially recognised by the International Hockey Federation (FIH) in October 2023, World Beach Hockey has quickly grown into a dynamic part of the global hockey ecosystem. In less than two years, sixty countries have registered with World Beach Hockey, with an ambitious target of 100 by 2026. This growth has been underpinned by major milestones: building an international structure blending business and hockey expertise, launching targeted social media to showcase the sport’s benefits, securing partnerships with equipment manufacturers in China and India, and staging beach hockey events worldwide. The sport has also found resonance in diverse communities, from collaborations with indigenous groups in Australia to a recent program in Ukraine introducing beach hockey to war veterans. A Unique Gateway into Hockey Unlike traditional hockey, which can be technically demanding, beach hockey is designed to be safe, fun, and easy to pick up. Players, whether children or adults, adapt quickly, often discovering a new passion for the game. A four-year participation study confirmed that many who first tried beach hockey went on to play 11-a-side or indoor hockey. To capture the imagination of younger and non-traditional audiences, World Beach Hockey promotes the game under the banner of Xtreme Beach Hockey. With its vibrant beach setting and fast-paced play, the format appeals to those looking for accessible and alternative sporting experiences. Collaboration with FIH Partnership with the FIH is central to beach hockey’s vision. Early discussions with FIH President Tayyab Ikram and the FIH Board have focused on mutual growth: putting sticks in the hands of first-time players and integrating beach hockey into hockey’s broader development framework. Potential areas of collaboration include event management, coaching and umpiring education, joint beach hockey activations at FIH tournaments, and alignment with FIH projects such as Women in Hockey. Challenges and Solutions As with any new format, challenges remain. National Associations (NAs) often need guidance on how to integrate beach hockey into packed calendars. World Beach Hockey is addressing this by working directly with the NAs to highlight the sport’s recruitment potential. Infrastructure requirements are modest—sand courts can be set up on beaches, indoors, or as standalone facilities. Taking inspiration from the success of beach volleyball, the organisation aims to replicate proven models of sand-based sport development. Recognition, too, takes time, but strong social media promotion is helping accelerate awareness. Looking Ahead World Beach Hockey’s immediate focus is on growing the sport as an inclusive, cost-effective community activity for all ages. The long-term vision is bold: dedicated national, continental, and world championships, and eventual inclusion in multi-sport events such as the ANOC World Beach Games. The momentum continues with a landmark event in Melbourne on 1–2 November 2025. The inaugural Melbourne Xtreme Beach Hockey Cup will host 64 teams from across Australia and the world, with men’s and women’s competitions on day one, followed by youth tournaments for boys and girls aged 9–14 on day two. As Greg Hill, President of World Beach Hockey, emphasises: “The beach is a wonderful place to play hockey—you have the sun, sea, and sand. We hope to make beach hockey the most exciting beach sport in the world.” Source: FIH.hockey