Women’s ice hockey in the UK is gaining in popularity and professionalism, supported by the Women’s National Ice Hockey League.
The WNIHL Elite is the top tier of the sport with six nationwide teams. Below the WNIHL Elite sits the WNIHL 1, a league encompassing national teams, and the WNIHL 2, which is split into north and south regions, with Under 16 leagues enabling youth development.
Growing the game is more important than ever, and the section see the merger of Ice Hockey UK, England Ice Hockey and Scottish Ice Hockey a crucial element to achieve that.
Rachel Gilvear, from the women’s section of the sport, commented: “I am a big supporter of the proposed merger. Women’s ice hockey is oversubscribed due to the popularity of the sport, and I believe the best chance at creating facilities for these passionate players is through a single, unified voice.
“Aside from that, we have all seen the growth of the women’s game and how this has increased the success for GB Women. And we know the leagues can improve and expand with better resources and more support from a combined governing body.”
The merger of Ice Hockey UK, England Ice Hockey and Scottish Ice Hockey will transform the positioning of ice hockey across England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales.
Bringing all the resources of the organisations together under a single governing body will enable nationwide growth and development. Five core principles will underpin the work of the organisation, including professionalise to perform, enhance the experience, member-centricity, sustainability for generations to come and fully recognise potential.
Through months of consultation, engagement with other IIHF members and a driven, newly appointed executive team, the boards of the IHUK, EIH and SIH all unanimously approved the merging of the three bodies to bring everyone Together As One.
Ahead of a general meeting on 17 December, where IHUK, EIH and SIH will encourage its members to vote in favour of the vote, a number of meetings with key stakeholders and groups across the sport are being held, to ensure the merger delivers improvement and certainty in relation to their requirements.
Members are welcome to submit any questions or comments about the merger in advance of the general meeting via memberservices@englandicehockey.com for England and media@scottishicehockey.co.uk for Scotland. England Ice Hockey and Scottish Ice Hockey staff will ensure all queries are addressed during the sessions of in the follow-up materials.
A general meeting of members will be held for both England Ice Hockey and Scottish Ice Hockey on 17 December.
In the formal notice sent to members, directors and auditors, a proposed special resolution will be set out, asking members to agree that they wish to proceed with creating a merged entity.
If approved, this will be followed by an extensive period of detailed consultation, funded by UK Sport, with all sections using the five guiding principles to reshape the operations and delivery of the sport.
England Ice Hockey and Scottish Ice Hockey will each invite their members entered on the register of members (their affiliated clubs and teams), any honorary members, together with their respective boards, to attend the general meeting.
In line with their Articles of Association, each member is entitled to receive notice of, attend and cast one vote at the meeting (subject to being duly registered and all fees being paid).
To pass the special resolution, at least 75% of votes cast on the day must be in favour. Members will have the right to appoint a proxy (or proxies), up to 48 hours before the meeting.
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Photo credit: Andrea Bailey Photography