A yr in the past, in November 2018, the FIH had its international congress. An occasion the place a number of vital choices concerning the way forward for our sport had been communicated. Additionally kind of a yr in the past we spoke with the “new” CEO of the FIH Thierry Weil, earlier than the worldwide congress on some my worries for the way forward for our sport. Following the worldwide congress a yr in the past we had a chat with Mike Joyce, director of improvement for the FIH in regards to the Hockey2024 plan that was about to launch.
So at the moment, kind of a yr down the highway, with the tip of 2019 in sight, we thought it will be good to have one other discuss with these two directors from FIH in regards to the plans launched in 2018 and what has been completed since then in 2019 or will probably be in 2020. We outlined 10 matters to debate with them:
FIH Professional LeagueFIH QualifiersTokyo 2020A dry synthetic pitchThe FIH.stay platformHockey2024Growing hockeyLA 2028One quick format of hockeyDo all stakeholders have a voice?
Please be aware this column isn’t a precise transcript (removed from it) of the podcast. I do advocate each studying the total column in addition to listening the total podcast… 😉
FIH Professional League
2019 has been the yr of the launch of the FIH Professional League greater than the rest in all probability. At the very least when it comes to visibility on a world scale.
FIH felt it was essential to enhance the promotion of hockey around the globe. After they spoke to broadcasters their main difficulty with our sport was the shortage of a hard and fast calendar, a time of yr when broadcasters had been assured of sufficient worldwide video games to schedule of their programming. So the want from broadcasters for a extra constant hockey calendar has been fulfilled. The most important studying from this primary yr of the FIH Professional League has been the house & away video games within the present schedule had been an excessive amount of of a stress on the well being of gamers. So the 2nd yr will see an vital change with double residence video games for some opponents this yr adopted by double away video games for a similar the following yr. This implies journey is lower in half which isn’t solely higher for our environmental footprint however particularly will probably be much less of a pressure on participant well being. Suggestions from coaches and gamers, in line with Weil, was very constructive. However clearly some adjustments had been wanted going into yr two. The change of schedule for participant welfare but in addition a change within the manufacturing of those occasions for TV. Extra uniformity in displaying a recognisable format of the sport on TV. One other difficulty in yr 1 has been the shortage of supporters within the stands in some nations. A truth Weil blames on the quick preparation time between the ultimate inexperienced mild and the primary Professional League video games. Not permitting sufficient time for some good advertising of those occasions to attract within the crowds. This time nevertheless there may be sufficient time for the marketeers in every nation to work on an excellent ticketing plan and promotion of their residence video games. For instance in Germany this time the advertising company that was in cost for the very profitable indoor world cup will be certain that the German hockey supporters won’t miss out on their residence video games once more, in line with Weil. Financially it is clear this primary yr has been an funding. A a lot wanted funding within the promotion of hockey. However one other equally vital purpose is to create income and revenue for the FIH to make use of for the event of hockey around the globe. As a result of with a view to develop hockey, more cash is required. So clearly a marketing strategy for this occasion sooner or later in time might want to present income to have the ability to do extra for rising our recreation of hockey. Although Weil states he would even be pleased with a break even and extra promotion of our sport, the marketing strategy by the FIH assumes a revenue will probably be generated to assist develop hockey as of 2022 or 2023 on the newest.
Nonetheless, even when I take into account myself a giant fan of prime worldwide hockey & the FIH Professional League… I will probably be curious to see a full analysis by 2023-2024 to see how a lot cash not solely the FIH has invested i
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