9th April England Hockey’s Latest Guidance

Following confirmation that the UK can move to Step 2 of the Governments Roadmap from 12 April, England Hockey can confirm that some small changes will be permitted to our sport specific guidance from next Monday. 

Changing rooms can be used from 12 April, but we advise they are avoided, or their use is minimised as much as possible. 

As expected, outdoor seated hospitality will be allowed, and takeaway services can continue. Organised indoor hockey will be permitted for Juniors (Under 18s). Adults cannot play indoor hockey, except as a single household or support bubble group at this stage. 

One change that comes in immediately is around spectators. Although not encouraged, spectators are permitted on public land (e.g parks but not private sports clubs) and must follow legal gathering limits and social distancing rules. The exemption for disabled athletes and safeguarding of juniors still stands in all other settings. 

Further to our update earlier this week, it has now been confirmed that disabled access to sport is considered an exempt reason for car sharing. Other than this or sharing with members of your household or support bubble, car sharing is still not permitted for sport. 

We recommend everyone keeps following the guidance so that hockey can continue to be played in a safe environment. We are encouraged by the positive comments received from those picking up a stick so far and want everyone to enjoy being back on a pitch safely and responsibly this summer. 

Our FAQs have been updated with more detail here. We will continue to review and add to these as necessary. 

We do not expect to see any further changes to the guidance until Step 3 of the Governments Roadmap, from the 17 May.