Each year, every club has to pay membership fees to EH. Last year EH started reviewing its fees and carried out a consultation process with clubs. We contributed to the feedback given to EH who modified the proposals in the light of comments.

In brief, EH identified that their fees were significantly lower than those charged by other sporting bodies and that individual players were not really aware of what the fees cover or what benefits clubs and their members receive through EH membership other than entry to competitions.

Revised charging structure

For 2024/25 EH charged clubs based on the number of their league teams. From 2025/26 onwards EH will charge based on:
(a) The number of teams; plus
(b) The number of playing members of the club.

We are in the process of reviewing the club’s own membership fee structure for 2025/26 and will need to see what impact the additional fees charged by EH will have on our own membership income requirements. EH expect clubs to pass on the additional cost per member to members but we hope we can find ways to minimise (or even allay) the impact on our members.

New benefits for club members

The purpose of this note is however to give you the good news that each of you will have access to new or enhanced benefits from EH from next season on.

This is a list of the main benefits available.
1. Personal accident cover for all members (we currently pay extra for this for members);
2. A National Hockey Fund to support State school programmes;
3. Free access to essential courses in coaching, officiating and safeguarding which would include:
(a) Coaching courses and workshops covering:
- Introduction to hockey;
- Engaging games for children;
- Coaching club players;
- Integrating goalkeepers;
- Sessional coach course;
- Coaching conversations.
(b) Officiating courses and workshops covering:
- Introduction to umpiring;
- Umpiring level 1 course.
(c) Safeguarding and Safe Hockey modules will include;
- Basic safeguarding module;
- Hockey safeguarding module;
- Time to Listen (compulsory for identified club roles such as Welfare officers);
- Safe hockey;
4. Free to air hockey through a new partnership with Channel 4.
5. Priority offers for tickets as well as potential discounts.
6. Partner benefits which will be publicised separately.
This is the link to the EH website if you would like to read more about the background to the proposals and the new benefits.

Please do take advantage of the courses now available for free.