*Update 16/03/2020. All training this week has been cancelled. We will issue further updates soon.*
England Hockey statement 13.03.2020. To check for any further updates visit the England Hockey website.
As elsewhere in society, the Coronavirus is impacting the current
and future activities of England Hockey. Below details England
Hockey’s position in relation to community hockey, the England
Hockey AGM, international fixtures and England Hockey offices.
Community hockey
Community hockey will continue to take place unless we are
advised otherwise by government, and we will continue to update
the Hockey Family on the situation. Please check with your local
league if you are unsure if the game is going to take place. We
would encourage all players to follow the widely available
guidance of public health with regards to people maintaining good
hygiene to avoid spreading of the Covid-19 virus.
In a hockey context, we would advise clubs and other hockey
venues to ensure washing facilities have appropriate provision of
hygiene products and urge players to follow the public health
guidance in environments where they are in close proximity to
others. If any players, officials or coaches are feeling unwell,
please follow the government’s advice to self-isolate and
therefore do not take part in hockey-related activities. We also
recommend our more elderly players and officials consider whether
they should take part in hockey activity.
All players and officials are responsible for their own safety
equipment (goalkeeping kit, facemasks, mouth guards, whistles,
shin pads etc) and we would encourage everyone to ensure they are
clean and not shared amongst team-mates.
Instead of the traditional handshake at the start and end of the
game, we are encouraging players to tap sticks – watch the video here Tap sticks
A warm smile and thanks of appreciation to officials may be more
appropriate at this current time.
England Hockey AGM – Tuesday 17 March
The AGM will take place as planned unless circumstances change.
The meeting at Bisham Abbey begins at 7:30pm. If you are
uncomfortable attending in the circumstances then duly authorised
representatives are advised that you can instruct a proxy to cast
your votes until 7:30pm on Sunday 15 March. Please click here for
more information.
FIH Hockey Pro League & England Hockey domestic Finals
England Hockey is continuing to monitor government advice in
relation to the hosting of events. At this juncture, there are no
changes to our advertised programme. We will keep participants,
ticket buyers and other stakeholders informed if this position
changes.
International teams’ tour to South Africa
The GB men’s and women’s squads were both due to travel to South
Africa on Sat 13 Mar for warm weather training camps (with match
play for the women) as part of their Tokyo preparations. After
due consideration, it has been concluded that this is not in the
best interest of players and staff, and they will not be
travelling. With no international programme activity over the
weekend of 13 and 14 Mar, players are available for selection for
the final Men’s and Investec Women’s Hockey League matches of the
season.
England Hockey Offices
England Hockey offices remain open for business. In the event the
situation escalates and we need to close the offices, we are
confident we have the capability to continue to provide services
to our customers, through home working and mobile applications.