Last month, we invited you to send in questions for England Ice Hockey CEO Henry Staelens, as part of a special Q&A.
Below, he has answered a number of your submissions relating to all aspects of the game, including its future growth across the UK. A big thank you to everyone who took the time to get involved.
Q: Is there any update on the proposal to “Grow the Game” and increase opportunities for young people to play ice hockey?
A: Yes. Growing the game and increasing opportunities for young people is at the heart of our strategy and a key pillar of Project Unity. Over the past few months, we’ve been laying the groundwork to move from intent to impact.
This summer, we will begin rolling out a national Growth and Long-Term Athlete Development (LTAD) strategy, which focuses on removing barriers to entry, creating accessible entry points, and supporting sustained development at grassroots level.
Key elements include:
These efforts are backed by governance reform and a new approach to funding and partnerships, positioning us to deliver long-term, sustainable impact for young players across the UK.
Q: Are there plans to introduce paid roles for junior/development or national coaches?
A: Yes. Project Unity is not just a governance exercise – it is about building a stronger, more professionally delivered sport.
Paid roles are central to delivering on our promise of quality, sustainability and growth across every level of the game. Getting this perfected will take time, and some critical changes will need to take place, but it’s important we make a start – it’s long overdue.
Q: Is the Elite League supportive in developing more homegrown players and providing more opportunities for domestic players at the highest level of UK hockey?
A: Yes. We now have regular discussions with the EIHL. We both understand that we are partners, and we are continuing to hold discussions on how to align domestic development with elite performance.
While the EIHL is a commercially independent entity, there is shared recognition that improving the domestic pipeline benefits the long-term health of UK hockey.
The involvement of EIHL-linked figures in national development working groups is a positive signal.
Q: What is your plan for engaging with the women’s game and women’s clubs?
A: The women’s domestic game is a strategic priority, and we are committed to engaging directly with clubs, coaches, and players to shape its future.
Our approach includes:
Encouragingly, we have already seen a 16% increase in participation across the women’s game, signalling strong momentum and growing interest that we are committed to building on.
We can certainly do more. This work will continue into the 2025/26 season with clear milestones, investment opportunities and meaningful collaboration at every stage.
Q: Why does the England Ice Hockey website not have para ice hockey listed in the front-page dropdown for leagues?
A: This is being addressed. Additionally, discussions are taking place for GB Para to be directly affiliated with Ice Hockey UK, where there are greater opportunities to access Olympic funding and performance support, to really partner in the efforts to move the game forward in the coming years.
Q: Is England Ice Hockey considering allowing 15-year-olds to play senior hockey, as seen in Scotland?
A: We are reviewing this carefully. While we support opportunities for talent progression, any such policy must balance player welfare, physical development and readiness.
We are consulting with player development leads, coaches and medical professionals, as well as understanding any impact seen in Scotland, before making any changes to age eligibility.
Q: Has Kevin McLaughlin begun work with coaches in England, and what changes are planned for 2025/26?
A: Yes. Since joining the UKIH Foundation as head of player development, Kevin McLaughlin has been actively engaging across the hockey community to assess and strengthen the current coaching, club and player development systems.
Kevin has:
The ongoing focus is on evaluating and advising on how to elevate the Coaching and Long-Term Athlete Development, with key objectives to:
This work will directly feed into the broader strategy to help our coaches, grow participation and align development pathways.
Q: Do you believe increasing to four imports in the NIHL helps bridge the gap to the EIHL?
A: Increasing the number of imports in our domestic league can positively impact the overall standard, competitiveness and marketability of the game.
High-calibre international players bring experience, skill and professionalism that can raise the performance level of teams and provide domestic players with valuable opportunities to learn and compete alongside top-tier talent.
However, this must be balanced and aligned with a clear domestic player development strategy.
We are working in close partnership with the NIHL and key stakeholders to ensure that any changes to import rules are guided by data and development needs. The goal is to create a system where imports complement, not replace, homegrown talent, and help foster an environment that supports long-term athlete development and progression through the UK hockey system.
By combining enhanced league competitiveness with targeted development investments, we can strengthen both the top end of the game and the pathway leading into it.
Q: How is Sport England funding being used and what are the success metrics?
A: To clarify, England Ice Hockey does not currently receive any ongoing funding from Sport England.
The only support received to date has been through COVID-19 relief funds, made available to assist with operational recovery during the pandemic.
Over the past five months, we have been working diligently to complete the Governance Action Plan required by Sport England. This work is positioning us to become fully compliant with the Sport England Code of Governance, which will make us eligible for public funding for the first time in the sport’s history.
We are currently the biggest sport not to receive any participation funding, and it is crucial that we address this as quickly as possible – and that starts with the revamp we have taken in terms of governance standards at England Ice Hockey. We hope to announce completion of this in the next couple of weeks.
Once eligible, Sport England funding will be directed towards priority areas that will enable sustainable growth and improved delivery, including:
This approach is not only about accessing funding but about creating a more unified, cost-effective and impactful model for delivering hockey across England.
Q: How do you plan to increase visibility of the sport outside of website updates?
A: Increasing the visibility of ice hockey is a key opportunity and goes far beyond just updating our website. Our focus is on building a unified, modern, and community-driven sport that resonates with a wider audience.
This includes forming long-term strategic partnerships with purpose-driven organisations and community brands to elevate national campaigns.
We’re also investing in storytelling and media content to spotlight players, coaches, clubs and events, especially within the women’s and para hockey communities.
New delivery models for LTP will drive local visibility through schools, rinks and community activations, all supported by a national brand and shared communications strategy. And by creating a strong, unified visual identity and digital presence, we’ll ensure that every part of the sport, grassroots to elite, is more accessible and engaging to the public.
Ultimately, visibility is about transforming how we present the sport nationally, connecting with more people, in more places, more effectively than ever before.
Q: What can be done to improve communication with referees and clubs?
A: As part of the broader reform, we are undertaking a comprehensive review of the officiating structure across IHUK, with a focus on both development and operational efficiency.
Now that the season is ending, we will be working more closely with referee section leadership and club representatives to foster a more collaborative and professional officiating environment – one that supports both referees and the teams they serve.
Key areas of work include:
Q: Why doesn’t the EIH events team manage the para ice hockey playoff event like other leagues?
A: This is being reviewed. Para ice hockey is a valued part of our sport and should be integrated into the national events calendar.
Discussions are underway to ensure para events receive consistent planning and promotion going forward, with appropriate support from the events team, under the appropriate governing body.
Q: Can we expect any exciting developments this summer?
A: This summer marks a pivotal phase for the future of ice hockey in the UK, as we begin implementing foundational changes that will drive long-term growth, sustainability and unification across the sport.
Key developments include:
It’s a pivotal summer of progress, where the foundation is being laid for a more unified, modern and professionally delivered sport across all levels of the game – something we feel is long overdue, and can only benefit those across the sport in both the short and longer term.
To send us your latest club news, please click here!