Ulster Hockey launch plan

Hockey players Pippa Best and Michael Robson are joined by Total Hockey's Alan McMurray and Kukri's Terry Jackson. Angela Platt of Ulster Hockey is also present.

Since its formation in 2009, the organisation has been hugely successful in developing the grassroots participation levels, and bringing the men’s and women’s codes together. This new document aims to set out the next stage of the sport’s development.

It targets player participation and high performance development as its key indicators for large scale expansion by the end of 2017.

Executive Manager Angela Platt says the sport is aiming high, and is confident of reaching new players, coaches and volunteers to build on the success it has recently enjoyed.

“As of the 2012-2013 season over 15,000 people participated in hockey from grassroots level right through to senior level hockey in Ulster. With this in mind, Ulster Hockey intends to increase player participation in the sport by 15% over the next four years so that 18,000 should be participating in hockey by the end of the four-year strategic plan.”

The strategic plan, which is set to be unveiled before the 2013-2014 season gets underway, will set the tone for four years of development and expansion in which hockey will enhance the sport at all levels and ensure it is on the right path for continued development.

Angela added, “The new strategy aims to further develop the structures Ulster Hockey now has in place so that we can continue to develop hockey from grassroots to high performance level in Ulster.”