The International Hockey Federation (FIH) declared 2021 the year of youth

The International Hockey Federation decided to coincide 2021 with the development of sports among the younger generation. The main goal is to help unlock the potential of young people, to show the huge opportunities of the hockey world.

FIH plans to assist associations of other countries. It is also important to involve new people and use more resources to increase public awareness of sports and hockey, which in the future will lead to the popularization of this sport. 

The program for the growth and development of hockey for future generations is under the leadership of the FIH Development and Education Committee. The team of coaches and employees of the FIH Academy is already ready to provide all the necessary assistance to translate the plan into reality. It is also worth noting that this program will not be limited to only 2021. The Office decided that it would be conducted on an ongoing basis.

Necessary steps have already been taken towards achieving the objectives of the program. The Federation has developed a Grow Hockey Guide that will help develop hockey in different countries, taking into account their capabilities and resources. This guide even contains guidelines for the development of hockey in countries where beach sports are more developed. All this indicates readiness to work together. It no longer matters whether you have resources; the main thing is the exchange of experience and information.

Confirmation that this program is not limited to 2021 is a more global project Start: Play: Stay. Thanks to this project, the Federation expects, after working with national associations and continental federations, to create its hockey development strategy. This project will allow hockey associations to receive the necessary information and resource support.

Tayyab Ikram, Seif Ahmed – Co-Chairs FIH Development & Education Committee said:

“The FIH Development & Education Committee (DEC) had gladly begun to carry out new tasks related to the implementation of the youth year program. Thanks to this year, we will be able to see how hockey affects the life of the younger generation around the world. This year, the results of all countries, associations, hockey schools, which are making a lot of efforts to develop our sports, will be especially noticeable.”