You may already know that England Hockey are holding a resolution vote across all clubs and regions with a view to introducing substantial changes to the hockey regions and how they are managed. These will be voted on at the EH AGM on Tuesday 17th March. For information can be found on the EH website here

A number of clubs will vote for this resolution and a number of others will not. This resolution has the potential to change the whole face of hockey throughout the country. I have asked for a number of documents to be placed on the club website relating to this issue. There are aspects of the resolution that will be beneficial but equally, many that will not. It would have been prudent for EH to have introduced aspects of the resolution one at a time to allow further discussion to be undertaken.

Below are the reasons as to why RHC will not be voting in favour:

1. I cannot find any cost benefit analysis data and there appears to be a lack of detail concerning any financial implications.

2. I cannot find any information pertaining to an impact assessment being carried out (i.e. effect on big clubs v small clubs). All University clubs seem to have major advantages under this proposed scheme. I.e. Those with 7 teams or more!

3. The spilt of areas could well find Yorkshire clubs potentially having several teams in the same tiers thereby playing weakened hockey. Teams will more than likely end up playing each other numerous times due to the potential of creating smaller leagues.

4. Travel distances increase significantly for some clubs although it will decrease for others.

5. The dilution of both men's and ladies leagues may result in the total loss of smaller clubs and loss of players to other sports at a time when hockey has experienced some resurgence due to the GB results and effect of the Olympics.

6. In conclusion we are not the only club or County expressing serious doubts and concerns about timescales and EH's need to push through these proposals at such a pace. There is genuine alarm at the way in which this wholesale change is being handled by EH.

There is undoubtedly great confusion and a certain amount of conflicting information being posted across all media outlets regarding these proposals. One source of confusion is the press release issued by the North. It suggests great support for the proposal, but my experience through contacting other clubs is that this is not the case.

I would urge all members to read all of the documents which will provide you with the necessary information. You will soon see why RHC is not happy with this proposal.

James Swinscoe
RHC Chairman