Listening, planning and building for the future

Dear member,

We are writing to update you on the progress of several key areas at Scottish Hockey, and to reinforce our commitment to open communication and listening to your input as we work to shape a stronger future for hockey in Scotland.

  1. Listening First – Short-Term Steering Group and competition consultation – Supporting Long-Term Planning

The Scottish Hockey Board has established an independent short-term Steering Group to support the development of a long-term strategic plan for hockey in Scotland. This group will work closely with staff and key stakeholders, providing both support and constructive challenge to ensure the plan for hockey is realistic, effective, and aligned with the needs of our sport. This initiative reflects our commitment to listen first in order to strengthen and modernise hockey in Scotland in collaboration with those that are delivering every week —ensuring our collective plan is inclusive, sustainable, and fit for the future—while also responding to the financial challenges we faced in 2024 that continue to be a challenge.

Members of the Steering Group were nominated by Scottish Hockey staff and approved by members of the board and trusted external partners, including members of district, national, and Great Britain. Bringing together a diverse mix of skills and perspectives, the group will work closely with key stakeholders to develop a plan that reflects current realities, engages priority groups, and sets a clear vision for future success. We aim to complete the development of this strategic plan by the end of the year, with a view to implementation from 2026.

We believe this work must be collaborative to create a forward-looking and inclusive vision for hockey in Scotland. It will also respond to member feedback on communication, helping to strengthen engagement and transparency—resulting in a plan all partners can confidently support. Keep an eye out online to get introduced to the steering group in the coming weeks.

As part of the drive to improve collaboration and understanding our competitions team have also launched a competition survey relating to the league your club participate in. There should be one submission per club with responses due before 6th June. Please contact [email protected] if you have any individual feedback in addition to your formal club response. 

 

Men’s Premiership – https://forms.office.com/e/B5p2xViyMM

Women’s Premiership – https://forms.office.com/e/rj7LucktAh

Men’s National League – https://forms.office.com/e/8AiCCVqJcq

Women’s National League – https://forms.office.com/e/vUyGC2M9f2

Men’s Regional Leagues – https://forms.office.com/e/W6Zp8kqRDr

Women’s Championship Leagues – https://forms.office.com/e/SyeXwHA7Gn

 

Photo by Paul Elliott
  1. Update on Supreme Court Ruling and Implications for Hockey in Scotland

On the 15th of April 2025, the UK Supreme Court ruling clarified that under the Equality Act 2010, the term “sex” refers to biological sex rather than gender identity. While this does not require immediate changes from sports governing bodies, it may have a bearing on how policies are developed around single-sex competition, inclusion, and fairness. Some sports have already made changes and others are reviewing their policies in light of the ruling.

We understand this decision raises important and sensitive questions for our sport and recognise that any progress we make—whether to update a policy or retain our current approach—may have an impact on individuals within our community. That’s why we are approaching this with great care, guided by legal obligations, professional expertise, and a deep commitment to respecting and supporting our members.

The Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) is expected to publish updated guidance for sports organisations before the UK Parliament’s summer recess. This guidance will help clarify how the ruling interacts with existing law and will be a key resource in informing our next steps.

In the meantime, we will review how other governing bodies are approaching this to support our understanding while maintaining a focus on doing what’s right for hockey in Scotland, balancing fairness in both competition and access to the sport.

No decisions have been made at this stage. Over the summer, we will take time to review the EHRC guidance and engage with our clubs, members, and partners. Member input will be an important part of this process, alongside careful consideration of legal guidance and the wider implications for fairness, safety, and inclusion in our sport.

We aim to provide an update on our position before the start of the 2025/26 season, subject to the timing of the EHRC guidance and our engagement process.

For those wishing to explore the ruling further, a helpful summary is available here:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c74z04j23pwo

Glasgow National Hockey Centre
Glasgow National Hockey Centre, Glasgow Green
  1. Glasgow National Hockey Centre – Building for the Future

Scottish Hockey continues to prioritise efforts at the Glasgow National Hockey Centre, a crucial facility for the future of hockey in Scotland. Our goal is to work positively with partners to try and establish a sustainable business model that can help in reactivating the site to a fuller use of the facilities available. Further information on these plans will be shared at an online users group meeting for club and community awareness on 18th June.

Thank you, as always, for your commitment and partnership. We value the contributions of every club, official, volunteer, player, and supporter. Together, we can shape a stronger future for Scottish Hockey — one grounded in fairness, inclusivity, and shared ambition.

 

Warm regards,

Derek Keir

 

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