After a brilliant year of hockey, Scottish Hockey is entering an exciting new phase, focused on a deeper engagement with clubs and key stakeholders to inform and shape the future of hockey in Scotland. A short-term steering group consisting of club representatives and experienced individuals in hockey have been appointed by Scottish Hockey board to support and scrutinise the development of a long-term strategy for hockey in Scotland. As part of this process Scottish Hockey will be holding club engagement sessions throughout the summer to help inform that plan.
Scottish Hockey, like many organisations however, has faced a significant rise in operational costs in recent years. The expenses associated with delivering our core services — particularly travel, accommodation, and event delivery — have increased markedly, contributing to pressures on our year-end accounts and making 2024 a particularly challenging year. In response, the Board and staff have taken important steps to strengthen governance. These steps include enhanced financial oversight, the implementation of tighter cost control measures, and the setting of critical cost-saving targets for 2025.
While substantial grant support from our national agency has helped offset some of the impact, the continued rise in costs presents ongoing financial challenges. This is a common issue across the sport sector, and Scottish Hockey is taking proactive steps to address it. One of those steps has also been to explore new commercial opportunities.
To ensure long-term sustainability, we are developing a new strategy that better aligns our business plans with the financial realities facing the sport. As part of this and to support, we are currently recruiting new directors — including roles in finance, communications, and an independent chair — to bring additional expertise and leadership. Subject to approval, these appointments will be ratified at the Annual General Meeting on 10 June.
These changes are aimed at strengthening financial governance, improving communication with clubs and stakeholders, and ensuring we remain focused on delivering our core objectives in a sustainable and transparent way.
We are also hosting a series of club engagement sessions and strongly encourage attendance at one of the upcoming dates.
Provisional dates (subject to change)
• Wednesday 2nd July – Edinburgh (6:00–8:00pm)
• Wednesday 16th July – Glasgow (Details to follow and may subject to change)
• Wednesday 20th August – Borders and Online (Details to follow)
• Wednesday 27st August – Aberdeen / Dundee (Details to follow)
Questionnaires have been distributed to gather information for our planning in key areas, including competitions. In addition I will be attending the upcoming East and West District AGMs having previously attended a north region District committee. I want to extend my gratitude to our District committees and the masters committees for their essential work in facilitating hockey for our communities throughout the year.
Scottish Hockey will continue to address business areas alongside our daily operations. With a small staff team, we aim to collaborate with member clubs to advance hockey as needed and within our capacities. If you have any topics concerning the future of hockey that you would like to discuss, please inform us and we can address them during one of the engagement sessions where a time can be scheduled for discussion. If the topic is more urgent, please contact your local Regional Development Manager in the first instance. Further details, including registration links for these events and finalised timings for the upcoming engagement sessions, will be shared via Sport 80 and through your regional development manager.
Scottish Hockey is committed to collaborating with clubs to inform our strategic approach to hockey alongside our staff and board. Your support is invaluable in helping us strengthen the future of hockey in Scotland. Thank you for your continued support, and I look forward to seeing you at an upcoming engagement session.
