ADULT COMPETITIONS REVIEW October 2016

WHY DO WE WANT CHANGE? Grow Participation Aim to increase number of teams participating, compared to existing programme where entry numbers in Cup, Trophy, Vase and 2nd XI competitions have decreased in recent years Offer opportunity for more informal competition with non traditional teams (ie not just 1st XIs, 2nd XIs of affiliated clubs) able to participate, using relaxed eligibility regulations Offer additional competitive hockey choice for players and potential new players away from regular league season Retain engagement with strongly attached clubs and grow participation with new offers Increase our visibility New competition(s) offers Structure so that where there is progression local competition leads to area finals prior to national finals. Area finals offer facility owning clubs the opportunity to host events consolidating a number of different finals in one day.

proposed new adult offer - Summary   The England Hockey or EH Cup for men and women. Hockey small sided leagues. The National Hockey Challenge Cup. Masters – retain existing competitions with trial Over 30s age group competition. Mixed – entries remain strong, retain with no format change. .

Proposed new adult offer IN DETAIL   THE ENGLAND HOCKEY CUP, 11 A-SIDE PLAYED IN THE SEASON Overview – An opportunity to progress in a national competition with matches against teams of a similar standard. Four tiers of competitions where entry is based on which league/division a team play in. Any club team from 1st XI to 10th XI can enter and will be placed in the relevant competition. This would replace the existing Cup, Trophy, Vase and 2nd XI competitions where entry numbers are decreasing. Players – existing club players playing in their regular league teams. Rules – Current 11-a-side FIH Rules of Hockey and standard KO regulations. “Starred player” regulations to ensure players play for appropriate teams within their club. Venue – Home teams responsible for provision of venue Format - Under the revised EH Cup umbrella there are four tiers for separate knockout competitions. Tiers to be determined by agreed levels within the overall hockey league pyramid. Teams enter at the tier that is relevant to their league position. The draft tiers are as below with illustrative descriptors as there tare not consistent league structures across England. If more detail is required click here. Tier 1 - England Hockey League and the highest Premier Division in each Region Tier 2 - Regional Premier Division 2 and sub-Regional Leagues Tier 3 - Higher level County leagues Tier 4 - Remaining lower County leagues When – Play Sundays, September to April, ie traditional hockey season. National format – Draws for the four tiers are localised in early rounds with greater distances as competitions progress. Four Areas finals with winners progressing to National Finals.

Proposed new adult offer IN DETAIL   HOCKEY SMALL SIDED LEAGUES, 6-A-SIDE, PLAYED IN THE SUMMER Overview – activity to offer choice in terms of playing outside of the traditional season; a chance to play with peers and aimed at being an easy to organise/play fun activity for participants. Players - Aimed at a mix of existing hockey players and those wanting a more casual game. Teams can be formed from existing club sides but also from other groups, eg businesses, University or School Alumni, friends, existing club players from different teams, students back from University for the summer. Rules – Separate Men’s & Women’s matches. Use 6-a-side format, third of pitch widthways, boxes not Ds, challenges not corners. Successfully trialled in HockeyFest on Tour in summer 2016. Venue – Initially a trial at a minimum of 6 venues where infrastructure exists for small sided games and social facilities. Host clubs to help with the running of the competitions. Format - Round robin leagues. Number & length of matches per session dependent on entry numbers When - Regular weekly midweek evenings over a four week period in June / early July 2017.

Proposed New Adult offer IN DETAIL   THE NATIONAL HOCKEY CHALLENGE CUP, 7-A-SIDE, PLAYED IN SUMMER Overview – Activity to offer choice in terms of playing outside of traditional season; a chance to play with peers and aimed at being an easy to organise/play competitive activity for participants. Players - Aimed at a mix of existing hockey players and occasional players. Teams can be formed from existing club sides but also from other groups, eg businesses, University or School Alumni, friends, existing club players from different teams. Rules – Use 7-a-side format, half pitch widthways, Ds, Corners. Matches 25 mins e/w. Venue – Home teams responsible for provision of venue. Format - Separate Men’s and Women’s KO competitions. Tier 1 Cup with Tier 2 competition for Cup R1 losers and Tier 3 competition for Tier 2 R1 losers so teams guaranteed 3 games. Drawn Home or Away. When - play May to early July 2017, every fortnight. Flexible on day of week but early rounds midweek early evenings with Area and National finals on Sundays. National format – Draws are localised in early rounds with greater distances as competitions progress. Four Area finals with winners progressing to National Semi Finals and Final.

Proposed New Adult offer IN DETAIL   MASTERS 30+ KO COMPETITION, PLAYED IN SUMMER Overview – A social competitive competition for adult payers. Existing Masters KO competitions have seen a retention and increase in overall entry numbers. There is a demand for a younger age group competition, to cater for adult players who want to play with their peers. Separate Men’s 30+ & Women’s 30+ KO competitions. To be played in the summer. This offers choice and a new activity without the need and challenges of playing two games in a weekend in the regular season. Players -. Teams can be formed from existing club sides but also from other groups, eg businesses, University or School Alumni, friends, existing club players from different teams. Players to be 30+ or reach the age of 30 in the year of the competition. Rules – Current 11-a-side FIH Rules of Hockey and standard KO regulations. Venue – Home teams responsible for provision of venue. National format - Knockout competition localised in early rounds with greater distances as competitions progress. “Plate” competitions for early round losers. Four Area finals with winners progressing to National Semi Finals and Final. When – Play Midweek or Sundays in late May to mid-July 2017. Area & National finals all played on Sundays.

Adult KO COMPETITIONS CALENDAR OF CURRENT & PROPOSED New OFFERS   Current Hockey Season Sep 2016- May 2017 Proposed New -Summer May, June – July 2017 Proposed New Hockey Season Sep 2017- April 2018 Men's & Women's Local Leagues (6 a side) Men’s & Women’s Over 30s Cup Men's & Women's Challenge Cup (7 a side) Men's & Women's Cup Men’s & Women’s England Hockey Cup (4 Tiers) Men's & Women's Trophy Men's & Women's Vase Men's & Women's 2nd XI Cup/Trophy Men's Over 40s Cup, Trophy, Shield Men's Over 50s Cup, Trophy, Shield Men's Over 60s Cup, Plate Women's Over 35s Cup, Trophy, Shield Women's Over 45s Cup, Plate Mixed Trophy & Plate

NEXT STEPS We would really welcome your views on the proposals   We would really welcome your views on the proposals Please click on the link below to give your feedback https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/competitionssurvey Thank you