20 Nov, 2024 On World Children’s Day 2024, the International Hockey Federation (FIH) is proud to highlight its commitment to empowering young girls through the Body Confident Sport program. Launched during the 49th Statutory Congress of the FIH earlier this month, this initiative aligns with the 2024 theme, “Listen to the Future,” emphasizing the importance of hearing and addressing the voices of young people to shape a brighter, more inclusive tomorrow. Body Confident Sport is a tool co-created by Nike and Dove, and funded by the Laureus Sport for Good Foundation, which tackles one of the critical challenges faced by girls in sports: low self-esteem linked to negative body image, with research showing that nearly half of teenage girls (aged 11–17) drop out of sports due to body image insecurities. FIH is using this platform to amplify the voices of girls, ensuring their needs and aspirations are heard and met through meaningful action. The Body Confident Sport program aims to bring about change by helping girls and young people of all gender identities feel comfortable and confident in their own bodies while participating in sports, including hockey. Through a combination of coach education and practical, easy-to-use program guides, the initiative provides both coaches and players with the tools, knowledge and inspiration to foster body-confident athletes. By rolling out the coaching tool globally, FIH aims to provide hockey coaches with practical resources to create supportive and inclusive environments. This project reflects FIH’s dedication to ensuring that every girl feels valued, confident, and inspired to stay active in hockey, offering opportunities for self-expression, growth, and empowerment. Commenting on the initiative, FIH President Tayyab Ikram said: “World Children’s Day, with its theme ‘Listen to the Future,’ perfectly embodies what the Body Confident Sport program stands for. This initiative, launched during the FIH Congress, is about listening to the voices of young girls, addressing their concerns, and creating an inclusive environment where they can thrive. By fostering body confidence, we aim to ensure that everyone feels supported and empowered to pursue their passion for hockey, shaping the future of the sport and society alike.” This effort will be promoted under the empowering banner of #MadeForHockey, set to become a powerful symbol for women’s empowerment in hockey. About World Children’s Day Observed annually on November 20, World Children’s Day 2024 focuses on the theme “Listen to the Future,” emphasizing the importance of prioritizing children’s voices in creating a better world. By empowering girls and addressing their challenges, the Body Confident Sport program exemplifies the transformative power of sport to inspire confidence, inclusivity, and leadership among young athletes. For more information on this initiative and other FIH programs, visit madefor.hockey. Source: FIH.hockey

18 Nov, 2024 The International Hockey Federation (FIH) is thrilled to announce that Walcz, Poland, will host the inaugural edition of the women’s FIH Hockey Nations Cup 2, from 16 to 22 June 2025. This exciting tournament marks the first-ever FIH event to be held in the Polish city, adding a new chapter to Poland’s growing presence in international hockey. The women’s FIH Hockey Nations Cup 2 serves as a pivotal platform for 8 emerging teams – ie, the national teams ranked after those involved in the FIH Hockey Pro League and the FIH Hockey Nations Cup – to compete at a high level, offering a pathway to promotion to the FIH Hockey Nations Cup, which is directly connected to the FIH Hockey Pro League. The 2025 edition will feature these eight nations competing in a week-long tournament, showcasing their skills and vying for the title in a highly anticipated competition: Poland South Africa Italy France Malaysia Uruguay Wales Czechia Walcz, known for its scenic landscapes and strong sporting culture, is ready to welcome the global hockey community with open arms. Hosting the tournament at this location will not only boost the profile of hockey in Poland but also provide a unique opportunity for local fans to experience world-class hockey action firsthand. The event promises to be a fantastic display of skill, determination, and sportsmanship as teams battle for a spot in the higher tiers of international competition. “We are extremely pleased with what confidence the world federation has placed in us. This is extremely important to us in our strategy for the development of women’s hockey in our country. 2025 is the year in which we invest in the development of women’s hockey and the opportunity to host teams in Poland from around the world will undoubtedly contribute to the spread of our sport”, said Rafał Grotwski President of the Polish Hockey Association. Following the announcement, FIH President Tayyab Ikram said: “Wałcz, Poland, is about to make history by hosting its first-ever FIH event with the women’s FIH Hockey Nations Cup 2! This is a proud moment for FIH, as it continues to expand the horizons of hockey around the world, as well as for Poland, and I have no doubt that the global hockey community will be welcomed with the warmth and enthusiasm that Wałcz has to offer. It’s a fantastic opportunity to showcase the passion for hockey in Poland, and I’m confident the event will be a remarkable success at this magnificent venue. Congratulations and thank you, Poland!” Source: FIH.hockey

12 Nov, 2024 Lausanne, Switzerland: The International Hockey Federation (FIH) is delighted to announce that the inaugural edition of the FIH Hockey Nations Cup 2 (men) will be staged in Muscat, Oman next year (17-23 February 2025). This new event will give the opportunity for 8 more nations – ie, the national teams ranked after those involved in the FIH Hockey Pro League and the FIH Hockey Nations Cup – to play an intercontinental FIH tournament, and compete for the chance to be promoted into the 2026 FIH Nations Cup. The creation of this new event follows one of the key focus areas of the FIH Empowerment and Engagement strategy – namely “More opportunities to compete” – that aims at facilitating the accessibility of National Associations to FIH tournaments. Here’s the full list of participating teams for this event: Austria Chile China Egypt Oman Poland Scotland USA “Hosting the inaugural FIH Nations Cup 2 in Oman is both an honor and a testament to our commitment to advancing hockey in the region. We are thrilled to welcome teams and fans from around the world to experience Oman’s passion for this sport. This tournament marks a significant milestone for Hockey Oman, and we look forward to an exciting display of talent and sportsmanship on our home ground”, said Hockey Oman Chairman Dr. Marwan Juma Al Juma. Commenting on the announcement, FIH President Tayyab Ikram said: “Oman is the nation of the “firsts”! Hosting very successfully the inaugural FIH Hockey5s World Cup and now the very first FIH Hockey Nations Cup 2! The global hockey community could witness the wonderful hospitality of our Omani hosts during our FIH Congress, and all the participating teams can expect the same. It will be an amazing event in a magnificent hockey venue. Thank you, Oman!” The hosts of the women’s event will be announced soon. For more information about FIH and hockey in general, please follow the FIH social media channels – Facebook, Instagram and Twitter – and website. #HockeyInvites #HockeyEquals Source: FIH.hockey

11 Nov, 2024 On the occasion of its 49th Statutory Congress, the International Hockey Federation (FIH) announced the launch of its Women in Hockey Empowerment Project — a transformative platform designed to uplift and engage female players, coaches, officials, and leaders in the sport. This initiative aims to: Identify, analyze, and address issues of inequality across all levels of hockey by providing coaches with the materials they need to help build body confidence for girls and make sport a place where they feel like they belong. Accelerate opportunities for girls and women in hockey to advance and lead; Create a mechanism to celebrate successful women in the sport, positioning them as role models for other women and girls This effort will be promoted under the empowering banner of #MadeForHockey, set to become a powerful symbol for women’s empowerment in hockey. As part of the inaugural FIH Women in Hockey Empowerment Project, the Laureus Sport for Good Foundation has awarded FIH a grant to help change the future of sport for girls by leveraging Body Confident Sport – a first-of-its-kind, evidence-based set of coaching tools co-created by Nike and Dove which provides coaches with the materials they need to help increase body confidence, body image and self-esteem in girls. Research shows that nearly half of teenage girls (aged 11–17) drop out of sports due to body image insecurities. The Body Confident Sport program aims to change this by helping girls and young people of all gender identities feel comfortable and confident in their own bodies while participating in sports, including hockey. Through a combination of coach education and practical, easy-to-use program guides, the initiative provides both coaches and players with the tools, knowledge and inspiration to foster body-confident athletes. FIH will champion this program by raising awareness and driving engagement across the global hockey community. The initiative will also leverage the FIH Academy’s extensive global network of coaches to ensure its far-reaching impact. The FIH Women in Hockey Program builds on years of FIH’s dedication to advancing gender equality and forms a key pillar of the FIH Empowerment and Engagement Strategy, launched in June 2023. FIH President Tayyab Ikram said: “Our sport is fully committed to gender equality and to increasing the participation of girls and women at all levels. I urge the entire hockey community to become advocates for body confidence and support this important program. On behalf of FIH, I’d like to express our sincerest gratitude to Nike for their support and to Laureus for the confidence they have placed in us to maximize the global impact of this great initiative.” Marijke Fleuren, Chair of the FIH Gender Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion Committee, echoed this sentiment, adding: “Hockey has been a pioneer in the fight for gender equality for a long time now. However, challenges remain. Body confidence among young girls and women is one of them. We are proud to lead this change with a tangible program and a clear call to action. Pleasure must take the lead again!.” “As a company founded by a coach and an athlete, Nike knows how critical coaches are to inspiring a lifelong love of sport and helping youth achieve their greatest potential,” says Mariette Brethouwer, NIKE, Inc. Director of Social & Community Impact, EMEA. “The FIH’s efforts through the Laureus Sport for Good grant will give coaches the tools they need to help girls shift the conversation from what their bodies look like to what their bodies can do – and in doing so, inspire more girls to stay in sport and continue benefitting from it.” “Laureus Sport for Good uses sport as a tool to help children and young people overcome violence, discrimination and disadvantage in their lives. Ever since its inception, Laureus Sport for Good has reached millions of children and young people around the world. Laureus Sport for Good currently supports more than 200 programmes in over 40 countries. This year, Laureus has began working with several organisations in delivering the Body Confident Sport toolkit around the world” adds Sara Downie, Programmes and Grants Manager at Laureus Sport for Good. “We are pleased and proud to support FIH on this initiative. We are looking forward to seeing the difference the initiative makes to thousands of girls around the world.” All information is on madefor.hockey. #MadeForHockey Source: FIH.hockey

09 Nov, 2024 Convening today in Muscat, Oman, the FIH Congress has decided to (re)introduce the Vice-President role. Meeting immediately after the Congress, the Executive Board (EB) has appointed EuroHockey President Marcos Hofmann and PAHF President Alberto “Coco” Budeisky to take on this major responsibility. Commenting on the appointments, President Tayyab Ikram said: “I’m really delighted that the Congress voted in favour of reintroducing the role of Vice President. This is the right thing to do for an organisation that is committed to good governance. I would like to congratulate Marcos and Coco for their appointment. With the next Olympics to be staged in Los Angeles in 2028, Coco is perfectly positioned to offer a strong representation of FIH in all LA28 related matters. Being at the helm at the Continental Federation of Europe, where the next FIH Hockey World Cup will be hosted (in the Netherlands and Belgium) in 2026, and thanks also to his professional background, Marcos will play a key role in our global development. With their experience, knowledge and personalities, I know that both will perfectly fulfill their mission. I very much look forward to working closely with them the way forward.”

08 Nov, 2024 Following a vote by an Expert Panel, National Associations – represented by their respective national teams’ captains and coaches – fans and media, Yibbi Jansen (Netherlands) and Harmanpreet Singh (India) have been awarded the FIH Players of the year 2024 during the gala night of the 49th FIH Statutory Congress in Oman! While Ye Jiao of China and PR Sreejesh of India won the FIH Goalkeepers of the Year awards, the awards for FIH Rising Stars went to Zoe Díaz of Argentina and Sufyan Khan of Pakistan. For the second year in a row China women’s head coach Alyson Annan (Australia) has been awarded the FIH Coach of the Year award in the women’s category, while Jeroen Delmee (Netherlands) wins the FIH Coach of the Year award in the men’s category. Sarah Wilson of Scotland and Steve Rogers of Australia won the FIH Umpire of the Year award in the women’s and men’s category respectively. FIH Best Player of the Year (voted by Expert Panel, National Associations – represented by their respective national teams’ captains and coaches -, fans and media) Women – Yibbi Jansen was a thoroughly deserving winner of the award after starring at the Paris 2024 Olympics where she led Netherlands to yet another gold medal, scoring 9 goals along the way including the leveller in the gold medal match, with less than 10 minutes to go in the match, to get her team back in the contest and eventually to the top step of the podium. At just 24, Jansen is already one of the most accomplished players in hockey and already leads the list of all-time top goal scorers in the FIH Hockey Pro League! As the performances continue to improve, sky’s the limit for the prodigiously talented Dutch drag flicker. Asked about the pivotal moment in the gold medal match at Paris 2024, Yibbi Jansen said: “First off, thank you for having me here and for this award. It has been great to meet everyone who works behind the scenes to make all the hockey events possible worldwide. The Olympic Gold was always the biggest dream of my life and this summer that dream came true. Thank you to my teammates who all worked so hard for us to make this dream a reality. With 10 minutes left in the game and trailing, it was nervous moments. But we have been working so hard for so long and we are all really close to each other, on and off the field, so we always had faith in each other that we could overturn it and win. So thanks to them for everything!” Player Fans (20%) Media (20%) NA Vote (20%) Expert Panel (40%) Final Score Yibbi Jansen (NED) 9.27 10.34 3.72 4 27.33% Gu Bingfeng (CHN) 1.10 1.03 12.74 12 26.88% Xan de Waard (NED) 4.88 4.14 2.30 12 23.31% Nike Lorenz (GER) 2.22 1.72 0.88 8 12.83% Stephanie Vanden Borre (BEL) 2.53 2.76 0.35 4 9.65% Men – Harmanpreet Singh was the standout player amongst the men’s nominees, receiving the most votes across all categories of voters. Much like Yibbi Jansen in the women’s competition, Indian captain Harmanpreet Singh led the scoring charts at the Paris 2024 Olympics with 10 goals including goals in the quarterfinal, semi-final and both goals in the bronze medal match against Spain, which India won 2-1 to secure their second consecutive podium finish at the Olympics! Harmanpreet was also a crucial cog in the Indian team that had broken their 41 year podium drought at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games. He has previously won the FIH Player of the Year award on two occasions in 2020-21 and in 2021-22. The third one might just be the most precious one however, given it’s been won while leading his country for the first time, after taking over captaincy in 2023, and leading his team to an Olympic medal in his first attempt! Speaking about the celebrations back home after he captained his side to a second consecutive medal at the Olympics, Harmanpreet Singh said: “First off, I would like to thank FIH for this great honour. After the Olympics it was so great to go back home and have such huge crowds there to greet us and welcome us. It was a very very special feeling. I would like to mention my teammates, none of this would have been possible without you all. Special thanks to Hockey India as well for always giving us every opportunity to succeed at all levels. My wife and daughter are here today and receiving this award in front of them means the world to me. So thank you to everyone who made that possible!” Player Fans (20%) Media (20%) NA Vote (20%) Expert Panel (40%) Final Score Harmanpreet Singh (IND) 13.57 15 15.27 20 63.84% Joep de Mol (NED) 2.31 0.88 0.91 12 16.10% Thierry Brinkman (NED) 2.18 3.53 1.64 8 15.35% Hannes Müller (GER) 1.15 0.60 1.09 0 2.82% Zach Wallace (ENG) 0.80 0 1.09 0 1.89% FIH Goalkeeper of the Year (voted by Expert Panel, National Associations – represented by their respective national teams’ captains and coaches -, fans and media) Women – Ye Jiao has been a brick wall for China as they went from strength to strength in international hockey over the past year. Her performances at the Paris 2024 Olympics also stood out as China got to within 10 minutes of winning the gold medal, finally ending up with a remarkable silver medal, their first Olympic medal since winning silver at Beijing 2008, and only their second ever Olympic hockey medal! As she received her award, Ye Jiao said: “I would like to thank FIH for giving me this award. This is the centennial year of the FIH and to receive this award in this year is extra special. I would also like to thank those who support me, especially those back in China, my teammates, coaches and everyone who is present here today, joining

Continue Reading →