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THE Welsh Hockey Union is the governing body for hockey in Wales and covers all aspects of the game including clubs, schools, universities, competitions, development, umpiring and international hockey.
Established in 1996 following the merger of the former Welsh Women’s Hockey Association and the Welsh Hockey Association, the WHU has sought to be a progressive forward-thinking governing body working with the other national bodies in Great Britain to the benefit of the game as a whole and in support of the Great Britain Olympic cause.
The WHU is a full and active member of the European Hockey Federation and the Federation Internationale de Hockey.
The WHU also works closely with the Sports Council for Wales, the Welsh Sports Association, the Commonwealth Games Council for Wales, its member clubs and schools and associated organisations to the benefit of hockey in particular and sport generally in Wales.
Competitive structures suitable for all levels of ability exist and are regularly updated to ensure that they are relevant to the requirements of the union’s membership.
International teams for men and women exist at senior, U21, U18 and U16 levels. The senior and U21 teams play in European and World competitions, as well as in Celtic Cup competitions and the senior teams have competed in the Commonwealth Games. The U18 and U16 teams play in European and friendly international events.
In addition to the above, a mixed international team plays in a match against the England mixed team on an annual basis.
Whilst the WHU promotes and develops hockey at international and national level, regional organisations promote the game in their own areas. Separate women’s and men’s regional committees work in North and South Wales.
The regional committees organise domestic competitions for youth and senior players and run regional teams as part of overall development and performance structures. The regional committees are autonomous bodies, but each work closely with the union’s central organisation.
The Welsh Hockey Umpires Association is also an independent organisation working with the WHU. The WHUA manages all matters relating to umpire development and performance.
The WHU also operates elite development programmes at regional and national levels and at various age and ability in order to identify and then to educate players through the player pathway. These elite development structures are designed to bring players through from early identification of potential, through to the senior teams.
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