10 December 2020 Lausanne, Switzerland: Horizm, the award-winning provider of digital inventory management in sport, and the International Hockey Federation (FIH) have confirmed an agreement that will see FIH using Horizm’s Artificial Intelligence powered platform to help hockey’s world governing body unlock new digital revenues. The collaboration highlights the FIH’s growing commitment to digital as a key component of its commercial strategy and, through Horizm’s real-time solution, will enable FIH to establish accurate market valuations for its different digital assets. It will also provide FIH with the intelligence and the tools to create new digital content franchises that can be monetised directly, or in partnership with Horizm. Commenting on the announcement and the challenges sports organisations face when trying to understand the value of their digital channels, FIH CEO Thierry Weil said: “We’re very happy to have engaged on this partnership with Horizm. They can deliver clear measurement as well as a valuation and evaluation of our digital assets. And then quantify this for us. This is much needed data which we will use for our current and potential future commercial partners”. FIH Sponsorship Sales Director Ricky Thussu added: “We’ve been on the journey with digital where data, content, social media, OTT have played an integral part and Horizm is just the right layer to wrap around them so we can quantify the value delivered through these engagement and touchpoints we have created”. Horizm, CEO, Pedro Mestriner said: “It is a pleasure to be working with such a progressive and forward-thinking sports federation whose commitment to unlocking digital value is an example to others in the industry”. The FIH engages hockey fans globally across Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, YouTube, its OTT platform Watch.Hockey – available both as an app and a web version – and its official websites (www.FIH.ch and www.FIHProLeague.com) and is supported by a portfolio of seven official global partners and suppliers. Horizm’s success in helping sports rights holders like the FIH unlock digital revenues was recently recognised at leading industry event, the World Football Summit Industry Awards, where they were chosen as Best Supplier presented by SportsTechX. Horizm also used World Football Summit to announce their collaboration with LaLiga Champions, Real Madrid CF. #HockeyDigital #GrowingDigital
Bidding process to host inaugural FIH Hockey5s World Cup launched
9 December 2020 Lausanne, Switzerland: The International Hockey Federation (FIH) today launched the bidding process for hosting the 2023 FIH Hockey5s World Cups (Men and Women). The Hockey5s’ flagship event is a brand-new FIH competition. 16 teams per gender will take part in this inaugural edition. The FIH Executive Board last year decided to create an FIH Hockey5s World Cup, with a view to further boosting the development of hockey globally through the promotion of its 5-a-side format. Continental Hockey5s tournaments will be organized and act as qualifiers for the World Cup. FIH CEO Thierry Weil said: “The FIH Hockey5s World Cup will enable a number of National Associations, smaller ones in particular, to participate in a World Cup – or the qualifiers of a World Cup – while they’re currently struggling to do so with the 11-a-side format. This is good for the overall growth of our sport. Furthermore, we strongly believe in the power of Hockey5s to welcome new players and fans in the hockey community.” As most will remember, Hockey5s enjoyed a resounding success at the last Youth Olympic Games in 2018 in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Furthermore, FIH also opened today the bidding process to host the 2023 FIH Hockey Junior World Cups, which will involve 16 Men and 16 Women teams. Both bidding processes are open to all National Associations, with 5 March 2021 as a deadline to submit their bidding documents for the 2023 FIH Hockey5s World Cups and 31 March 2021 for the 2023 FIH Junior World Cups. For more information about FIH and hockey in general, please download the Watch.Hockey app or follow the FIH social media channels – Facebook, Instagram and Twitter – and website.
Celebrating an international workforce
5 December 2020 Lausanne, Switzerland: As we celebrate International Volunteer Day, we recognise the huge efforts and commitment shown by the hockey community across the globe. Hockey, as a sport, relies on a vast army of volunteers to ensure the smooth running of events, clubs and associations. From the chairs of committees and the presidents of associations to the youngest ball patrol boy or girl, you will find volunteers working hard and with total selflessness at every level of the game. While we are celebrating just a few individuals on the United Nations-led International Volunteer Day, it is worth thinking about and recognising the work of each and every volunteer on every continent. In Oceania, the work of Fakavahe (Vahe) Paeaimoana has helped school children across the Polynesia kingdom of Tonga to develop a love of hockey. The willing volunteer helps with coaching and umpiring at a number of primary schools, as well as working on a disability programme, an adult hockey programme and on a community hockey project. The Pan American Hockey Federation is recognising the work of Pedro Berganza and Valeria Pardo, two volunteers working in El Salvador and Bolivia respectively. For Berganza, a decade of work with the national association combined with his position as goalkeeper for the national team has been recently rewarded as the El Salvador Hockey Association has been included in the Sports National Organisation (INDES) budget. This development means more development and growth for the sport For her part, Pardo has been pushing the cause of hockey both as a development officer and as someone truly immersed in the game. Hockey in Bolivia is hugely under-financed and under-resourced but somehow, Pardo has managed to source funding and manage the meagre budget so that Bolivia now has both a women’s and men’s national team. The Asia Hockey Federation has nominated two trailblazers of the game. Oman’s Abdul Rehman and Saman Rashid from Pakistan have both taken their love of the game as players into lifelong roles as volunteers. Since retiring from the game, Rehman has been coach, umpire and team manager for the Oman national team, while Saman has used her knowledge of the game to great effect as a Technical Official at a number of increasingly high profile events. Nonhlanhla Mtolo has been volunteering for both the domestic league and international events since she joined the strong volunteering hockey workforce in South Africa. Nonnie, as she is known, splits her time between a role as team manager for the provincial youth sides and Technical Official duties when South Africa hosts international events. Also from African Hockey Federation, Louis Tengey is the epitomisation of someone who makes things happen. He started his volunteering journey by creating a hockey club – the Pozo Sticks – in 1977. Two decades on and Tengey realised that, if hockey was to grow in Ghana, a development programme was needed. So he started one. Another two decades on and Tengey is still heavily involved in the game, working at the National Hockey Stadium and assisting the Greater Accra Hockey Association. The two volunteers being recognised by the European Hockey Federation are from Bulgaria and England respectively. Kaloyan Hristov has been instrumental in bringing competitive international hockey to Bulgaria. He founded one of the leading Bulgarian clubs, Slavia 1921, and has also been the driving force behind numerous national and international competitions hosted in Bulgaria. Hristov is very conscious of Bulgarian hockey and its place in the country’s history which creates a neat link to the other EHF volunteer Katie Dodd. While Dodd is best known as an international player in the 1980s and 90s, she is now Chair of the Trustees of The Hockey Museum, which is fast becoming a valuable resource both nationally and internationally. Over her distinguished hockey career, Dodd has also been Director of England Hockey and was presented with her member of Honour accolade in 2018 for her work within the game. The stories of these volunteers are just a few examples of the extraordinary breadth of work that people from all backgrounds and cultures undertake as part of our expansive and hugely appreciated hockey community. To see our special video of thanks to all hockey volunteers, please click here. #IVD2020 ENDS Notes to Editors: FIH Contact Nicolas Maingot, Senior Communications Manager media@fih.ch +41 (0) 21 641 0650 About the International Hockey Federation (FIH) The International Hockey Federation (FIH) is the world governing body for the sport of hockey, recognised by the International Olympic Committee (IOC). Founded in 1924, FIH today has 137 member National Associations. For more information on the Hockey Revolution, please visit: fih.ch/inside-fih/our-strategy
World Cup qualification quotas decided
3 December 2020 Lausanne, Switzerland: Under the chairmanship of FIH President Dr Narinder Dhruv Batra, the Executive Board (EB) of the International Hockey Federation (FIH) conducted today, via online conference, its last meeting of the year. Discussing the allocation of quotas per continent for the upcoming FIH Women’s and Men’s World Cups, to be played in 2022 and 2023 respectively, the members of the EB agreed on the following scheme: Women Africa: 1 Asia: 4 Europe: 6* Oceania: 2 Pan America: 3 *including hosts Men Africa: 1 Asia: 4* Europe: 7 Oceania: 2 Pan America: 2 *including hosts Teams will qualify based on their performance at the final competition of each 2021 Continental Championship. The match schedules of the 2022 FIH Women’s World Cup – hosted by Spain and the Netherlands – and of the 2021 FIH Women’s Junior World Cup – organized in South Africa – have been approved. Furthermore, the EB expressed its great satisfaction for the inclusion of Hockey for those with Intellectual Disabilities – known as either ParaHockey ID or Hockey ID – in the 2023 Special Olympics World Games in Berlin, Germany, as a demonstration sport. The news was announced earlier today. This is the first time that hockey will take part in the flagship event of the Special Olympics movement and the EB extended thanks to everyone involved in this achievement. Following up on its last meeting where it confirmed the reviewed FIH gender equality policy, the EB approved the amendments in the FIH Statutes concerning gender-neutral terms, which will be presented for approval to the FIH Congress in May 2021. The EB also confirmed the principles of the FIH Academy Organisers Guide, the purpose of which is to outline the opportunities and roles for FIH, Continental Federations, National Associations and Licensed Providers in the delivery of FIH Academy Programmes, including parameters for Hero scholarships and courses. For more information about FIH and hockey in general, please download the Watch.Hockey app or follow the FIH social media channels – Facebook, Instagram and Twitter – and website. ENDS Notes to Editors: FIH Contact Nicolas Maingot, Senior Communications Manager media@fih.ch +41 (0) 21 641 0650 About the International Hockey Federation (FIH) The International Hockey Federation (FIH) is the world governing body for the sport of hockey, recognised by the International Olympic Committee (IOC). Founded in 1924, FIH today has 137 member National Associations. For more information on the Hockey Revolution, please visit: fih.ch/inside-fih/our-strategy
FIH Media Release: A special time for hockey
3 December 2020 Lausanne, Switzerland: With a piece of extraordinarily bright news in a year that has been devoid of too much joy, the Special Olympics has announced that Hockey for those with Intellectual Disabilities, which is known as either ParaHockey ID or Hockey ID, will be included in the 2023 Special Olympics World Games in Berlin as a demonstration sport. For the purposes of this article, we will refer to the sport as Hockey ID. Special Olympics, which was founded in 1968, has inclusion at its very core. It’s mission, which has remained unchanged for the past 52 years, is to “create a better world by fostering the acceptance and inclusion of all people.” While the Special Olympics movement provides a host of training, fund-raising and other opportunities for communities around the world, one of the pinnacles of the movement is the bi-annual Special Olympics World Games. At the event in June 2023, in Berlin, 7,000 Special Olympics athletes from 170 countries will compete in 24 sports. There will be a support staff of 3,000 coaches and 20,000 volunteers. It is here that Hockey ID will be making its debut appearance, with between 12 and 15 nations represented, as a demonstration sport – one of two sports chosen from a field of 10. Thomas Gindra, Vice President Sports at Special Olympics, commented on the decision: “All applications were convincing, but field hockey and rowing were slightly ahead in the end. These are established sports that have a lot of potential to advance the inclusive sports landscape in Germany together with Special Olympics. With field hockey and rowing, we want to send a strong signal that more and more sports and clubs are joining the Special Olympics movement and thus improving the lives of people with intellectual disabilities.” The driving force behind Hockey ID’s inclusion is Norman Hughes, who is FIH Hockey ID Project Lead. He explained that the journey to this point for Hockey ID began in earnest in 2015 when European Hockey Federation President and FIH Executive Board Member Marijke Fleuren introduced Hughes to Natascha Bruers, the Sports Director for Special Olympics Netherlands. One conversation led to another and eventually Hughes found himself presenting Hockey ID to the Special Olympics Eurasia Congress in 2019. Among the audience were representatives from across the globe and Hockey ID began to gain more traction in countries where it had not formerly been really recognised or facilitated. A major step forward occurred when the DHB (the German Hockey Federation) hosted the men’s EuroHockey Indoor Championships in February 2020 and ran a Hockey ID festival alongside the Championships. Representatives from Special Olympics Germany were at the event and witnessed for themselves the excitement and skill involved in Hockey ID. “It was explained to me that we were up against 9 other sports for just two spots as demonstration sports,” says Hughes. “But we built a bid up and it was submitted in July. We heard the good news in November.” Among the key factors that sealed the deal for Hockey ID’s inclusion was the willingness of the FIH, the EHF and other national hockey associations to work in partnership with the Special Olympics. “It was also the fact that we are doing a lot in education and coaching,” adds Hughes. “We need to keep pushing now though because the Special Olympics will want to see us keep growing and developing. Things such as coaching resources and coach education are a vital part of that and it will be great to see these embedded into the FIH Academy. “I also hope this will inspire nations to get on board now. I would like to see local groups linking with their Special Olympics organisations to really make sustained progress. “For the athletes, it is really life-changing. It is a massive opening ceremony and a massive closing ceremony. There are workshops in between events and full educational experiences. It builds confidence, and opens up other opportunities.” President of DHB, Carola Meyer, said: “We are very, very happy that we could successfully apply with Hockey ID as a demonstration sport for the Special Olympics World Games 2023 in Berlin. “It is a very important step to be represented with field hockey in the Special Olympics family. This application has been supported by many letters from different national hockey federations, the International Hockey Federation and the European Hockey Federation, which was certainly a decisive criterion of hockey to win the bid against strong competition.” As of this year, Hockey ID in Germany has two ambassadors in Selin Oruz, the bronze winner of Rio 2016, and Mahmut Gerdan, an active member of the Special Hockey Team Germany. “I am a very proud ambassador of Special Hockey Team Germany today,” Selin Oruz said when she received the news of the successful application. “And I wish our team lots of fun at the 2023 Special Olympics World Games in Berlin!”. “That’s great news,” said a delighted Mahmut Gerdan, who as a player has already taken part in a European Championship in Hockey ID. “It’s great that we can be there in Berlin. Until then we will train hard to become even better. To play such a tournament in front of your own audience in Germany is something very special!” FIH Executive Board member and EHF President Marijke Fleuren, who has championed the inclusion of Hockey ID at the Special Olympics, said: “To say I am delighted that Hockey ID gets the chance to participate in the Special Olympics World Games as a demonstration sport would be an understatement. “I am thrilled and emotionally touched that our athletes can show their skills on such a platform. They deserve it, as do their parents and fans who have given them 100 per cent support on their journey to participate in our sport. From my side, a big thank you to Norman Hughes and Natascha Bruers for their tireless work and enthusiasm and to DHB and Special Olympics Germany for making it happen.”
Pablo Negre Turf Inaugurated for Malawi 2021
Africa Hockey News | 19 Oct. 2020: Blantyre, Malawi 🇲🇼 Inauguration of the Pablo Negre Turf in presence of Minister of Youth & Sports Mr. Ulemu Msungama and the African Hockey Federation President & FIH EB member Mr. Seif Ahmed. ACCC 2020 to be postponed from Dec. 2020 to take place in Malawi during 2021.
Malawi unveils brand-new facility towards ACCC 2021
In 2016, FIH awarded Malawi the prestigious Pablo Negre Award, therefore helping the African nation to get a new artificial turf hockey pitch. Turf was supplied by FIH Partner Polytan and lighting by Musco Lighting, a Supplier to the Pablo Negre Award. The brand-new facility was inaugurated last Sunday in attendance of Minister of Youth & Sports Ulemu Msungama and the African Hockey Federation President & FIH EB member Seif Ahmed. Malawi will host the Africa Hockey Club Championship in 2021.
Next FIH Indoor Hockey World Cup postponed to early 2022
24 September 2020 Lausanne, Switzerland: Due to the global COVID-19 pandemic still going on, the International Hockey Federation (FIH) and the Belgian Hockey Association have jointly decided to postpone the upcoming FIH Indoor Hockey World Cup – initially scheduled to be played in February 2021 – to 2-6 February 2022, in order to maximise the athletes’ and fans’ experience. FIH CEO Thierry Weil stated: “The FIH Indoor Hockey World Cup is a great hockey spectacle which generates a fantastic atmosphere. With the current major uncertainties which we are facing – such as the ability of all teams to travel, the completion of all continental qualifiers or the access of fans to the venue – and in order to protect the health of everyone involved, a postponement was the only option to go for. Our thanks go to the Belgian Hockey Association and the Province of Liège for their great commitment to put together an amazing show in 2022!” Hockey Belgium CEO Serge Pilet added: “In coordination with the Province of Liège, we are convinced that this is the wisest decision in regards to the actual health situation due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Let’s hope this postponement will enable us to organise a superb event in Liège’s magnificent Country Hall, in ideal conditions. But first, let’s try to put the pandemic behind us …” It will be the sixth edition of the FIH Indoor Hockey World Cup. The showpiece event will see 12 teams competing in both the men’s and women’s competitions. Austria men and Germany women won the last FIH Indoor Hockey World Cup events that took place in 2018 in Berlin, Germany. More information about the history of the FIH Indoor Hockey World Cup is available here.
Watch.Hockey App: FIH & NAGRA create digital home of hockey
16 September 2020 The International Hockey Federation (FIH) and NAGRA launch the Watch.Hockey app to create the digital “home of hockey” for 30 million fans and players New app kicks off the new digital “home of hockey” for the global hockey community, available on September 17th, 2020. Launch coincides with the gradual resumption of sports amid the COVID-19 pandemic and FIH Hockey Pro League matches scheduled later this month. App delivers a new level of engagement for fans with easy access to the best hockey content, all in one place and on any device, starting with free live matches, scores, stats, live reporting, news, personalized and trending content, and much more Lausanne, Switzerland, Cheseaux-sur Lausanne, Switzerland, and Phoenix (AZ), USA – September 16, 2020 – The International Hockey Federation (FIH), the world’s governing body for the sport of hockey, and NAGRA, a Kudelski Group (SIX:KUD.S) company and the world’s leading independent provider of content protection and multiscreen video solutions, announced today the launch of “Watch.Hockey”, a ground-breaking fan engagement app that creates a new digital “home of hockey” to the millions of hockey fans, players and officials worldwide. “Watch.Hockey” will be available starting September 17, 2020, free of charge, on the App Store and on Google Play. The timing of the Watch.Hockey launch coincides with the gradual resumption of international hockey, with the FIH Hockey Pro League re-starting on September 22, 2020 (Germany-Belgium). Through the app, FIH expands support for its global fan base by providing access to live matches on web, mobile and smart TVs. Other features of the app include live scores, results, statistics, personalized content in a “For You” section, and trending content, as well as access to replays, highlights, archived content, and news. “Our fans and community are at the center of everything that we do, and now we can bring the sport that unites all of us to them in an innovative way to enable a new level of engagement. Launching Watch.Hockey in the current context makes it particularly meaningful. I encourage the global hockey community to download the app now and start enjoying its rich, diverse and exciting content. I want to thank our partner NAGRA, whose teams have been by our side all these months to make this project a reality,” said FIH CEO Thierry Weil. “The application is very good. It enables you to see all the information about hockey from all over the world and, at the same time, watch international hockey when you want and from where you want. It is a way to be closer and more updated about what is going on in the hockey world, and it’s available to everyone, fans, players, coaches, etc.” said Argentina’s player Carla Rebecchi. “This is a great initiative by FIH which really brings hockey to your fingertips. It is an easy way to find live match action, replay old matches and watch and re-watch highlights. It is also very informative, you can quickly find match schedules, results and hockey news from all parts of the world,” said PR Sreejesh, India’s goalkeeper. “We applaud the FIH for reaching this milestone and giving a new dimension to the sport of hockey in a time of so much change, when engaging with fans, players and the hockey community at large is more important than ever before,” said Jean-Luc Jezouin, SVP Sales Development for NAGRA. “We are grateful to be a part of the return of hockey to the pitch, bring the best hockey content to millions of fans worldwide, and deliver a digital platform to help hockey grow and prosper.” The “Watch.Hockey” app is powered by NAGRA’s “sports-as-a-service” platform, which allows the FIH to harness the power of the sport’s passion and unite the leagues, clubs, and players for greater fan engagement to create an all-embracing sports experience in line with FIH’s vision. Download the Watch.Hockey app as of September 17 on. Apple Store: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/id1502181056 Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.nagra.ion.fih
FIH delegates its global anti-doping program to the International Testing Agency (ITA)
7 September 2020 Lausanne, Switzerland: The International Testing Agency (ITA) welcomes the International Hockey Federation (FIH) as its newest partner in the fight for clean sport. The ITA will manage the entire anti-doping program of the Olympic team sport, the FIH will retain results management. The FIH has decided to have its entire anti-doping programme run independently by the ITA. A four-year contract between the two organisations marks the start of cooperation. In a transitional phase until the end of 2020, the ITA will initially manage FIH’s out-of-competition testing activities, and from the beginning of 2021 the full anti-doping program. This includes in- and out-of-competition testing, athlete blood passport administration, therapeutic use exemption management, risk assessment, test distribution planning, whereabouts and compliance management. The FIH will maintain the results management within its structures. Based on the shared conviction of the two organisations that knowledge and prevention are crucial factors in deterring athletes from using prohibited substances – deliberately or inadvertently – an emphasis will be put by the ITA on rolling out a strong education program for the FIH. “The ITA is excited to welcome another team sport to the ranks of its partners”, says Benjamin Cohen, Director-General of the ITA. “Hockey is a true global sport with both strong female and male teams, and a sport with a long Olympic tradition. The delegation of its global anti-doping program shows the federation’s commitment to fair play and means that the FIH will profit from the ITA’s knowledge and expertise. We will tailor our anti-doping program to the specificities of hockey, but the FIH will also be able to access solutions and intelligence from the other sports the ITA partners with.” FIH CEO Thierry Weil: “We are very pleased to announce this partnership with the ITA, which is part of our continuing efforts to maintain a world class anti-doping programme for hockey around the world. Using this independent agency of anti-doping experts will ensure we continue to be at the forefront of efforts to educate our athletes and maintain the integrity of our competitions.” Source: FIH