Ulster Hockey has warned that the sport could “disappear altogether in some areas” of the province if they do not receive significant investment from the government due to a lack of facility provision.
The governing body have revealed that they have written to Gordon Lyons, the Minister For Communities, asking for £10million in funding to help avoid “potential existential issues” surrounding the sport.
With recent investment going into football, GAA and rugby, Ulster Hockey chief executive Marc Scott has urged Lyons to bring the investment in hockey up to the same level, citing the recent number of athletes Northern Ireland sent to the Olympic Games as part of Team GB and Team Ireland as evidence of its popularity and success.
Ten Northern Irish hockey players went to Paris, the most athletes from one sport, while both GB and Ireland’s captains, David Ames and Sean Murray, are from north of the border.
“At grass roots level, hockey is currently the largest female participation sport in the country and has also seen the successful delivery of several new programmes aimed at growing participation,” read Ulster Hockey’s statement.
“In recent years we have seen an upwards trajectory in participation numbers at all levels, the delivery of a successful schools’ outreach programme targeting non-hockey playing schools of all denominations and the delivery of a successful Refugee Engagement programme in partnership with Ethnic Minorities in Sport Organisation (EMSONI).
“Despite the positive progress, there has been no substantial public investment into hockey facilities as well as static and limited investment into the development of the sport in the last 20+ years.
“With facilities falling into disrepair or worse repurposed, the sport of hockey is faced with challenges around facility provision which at best will limit its ability to continue to grow and reach its potential.”
In line with those beliefs, a “robust consultation with clubs, schools and local authorities” has led to Ulster Hockey estimating that £10million is required to bring hockey into line with mainstream sports in Northern Ireland as has appealed for that amount from Lyons.
As part of the consultation, Enniskillen, Londonderry and Portrush have been highlighted as three key hubs that need addressed, with the lack of pitch availability and the quality of playing surfaces being two other considerable problems for the sport.
“There are several clubs with significant waiting lists, often on their girls’ side, who are turning potential participants away, risking losing them from hockey, and potentially sport & physical activity, altogether,” continued Ulster Hockey’s statement.
“With the average life span of an astro turf pitch set at 10 years, many pitches within the province are now approaching or past their life span with clubs unable to fund replacements without intervention and support.
“As a governing body, Ulster Hockey acknowledges the financial complications associated with the deliverance of these facilities but are keen to stress the potential impact the continued lack of investment would have on the sport.
“When Sport NI’s focus shifted towards performance funding being delivered to Hockey Ireland, Ulster Hockey has seen a significant reduction in core funding over the last 8 years in real terms.
“Despite initiatives such as our Club 1896 Business Network being launched in recent years, we strongly believe that the levels of investment into hockey isn’t commensurate with that of other significant sports in the region.
“As a result, we are seeking this investment to facilitate the continued growth of participation in the sport and to safeguard the fabric of our core activity.”