The French Alps 2030 Paralympic Games will be a real ambition for GB Men’s and Women’s Para Ice Hockey teams, with Ice Hockey UK, England Ice Hockey and Scottish Ice Hockey working together as one governing body.  

Great Britain last had representation in the sport at Turin 2006, where the team finished in seventh place, but with a professionalised, focused organisation, there will be no better opportunity for the section.  

The GB Men’s (Open) Para Ice Hockey Team commented: “The challenge of climbing into a Paralympic qualifying position is immense. However, the merger into a single, unified body offers the greatest potential positive impact.

“It has the potential to provide the necessary infrastructure and support to the men’s national team to further our professionalisation and create a robust support structure. This could empower our athletes and coaches to dedicate their full attention to performance, setting the essential foundation for success in the 2030 cycle and moving us decisively toward achieving Paralympic qualification.”

The GB Women’s Para Ice Hockey Team commented: “The GB Women’s Para Ice Hockey Team stands at the genesis of the international movement, having attended the inaugural Women’s World Challenge in 2021 and proudly competing in the first-ever Women’s World Para Ice Hockey Championship in 2024.

“With only five national teams currently established and the goal set for eight for Paralympic inclusion by 2030, GB is uniquely and strongly positioned to be in medal contention.

“This crucial momentum hinges on structural support. The impending merger offers the largest potential benefit to our athletes and staff, providing the invaluable infrastructure, organisation, support and potential funding necessary to seize this opportunity and solidify our place among the world’s elite.”

About the Ice Hockey UK, England Ice Hockey and Scottish Ice Hockey Merger 

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. 

Voting process explained 

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: Xander Van der Poll