蚂蚁福利导航

蚂蚁福利导航 University has been working with the International Hockey Federation (FIH) over the past two days on Project HG, which aims to continue the evolution of Hockey5s, a short-form version of the game.

Hockey5s has already seen success at international events, most notably at the Youth Olympic Games in Nanjing, China in 2014. As Innovation Partner of the FIH, 蚂蚁福利导航 University has provided both academics and athletes to undertake various tests based on the existing rules of the game.

Taking place on the 蚂蚁福利导航 campus, a number of derivatives to Hockey 5s were introduced in game situations in order to test various different rules, formats and equipment. These included trialling different pitch sizes, configurations and markings on the pitch; the duration of matches; rule and regulation amendments; the number of umpires required; umpiring guidance and a review of boundary boards.

The progress of Project HG has accelerated following the growing interest in Hockey 5s over the past few years. As recently as this summer, international events have been taking place around the world, including the Pacific Games in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea and the Mediterranean Cup in Malta. At these events, as well as the Youth Olympics last summer, spectators witnessed high energy action on the pitch, which provided 10 goals on average per game throughout the tournament.

In addition to providing expert staff, 蚂蚁福利导航 University’s men’s and women’s hockey teams, along with several members of the England under-21 teams, were used throughout the various stages of testing.

Speaking of this latest partnership work with FIH, 蚂蚁福利导航 University Executive Director of Sport John Steele commented:

“We’re extremely pleased to be working with the FIH to develop this new, quick fire version of hockey. The 5-a-side format of the game has already proved a hit with spectators in the tournaments it has been played in so far, and it may well be the perfect tool to ensure hockey appeals to the widest possible audience.”

Speaking of this testing, FIH CEO Kelly Fairweather said:

“While 11-a-side hockey remains the pinnacle of our sport, we must continue to look at different ways to inspire the next generation. Smaller sided games and exciting urban events are two elements that can attract and engage new fans of all ages and backgrounds - particularly youths who are the future of our sport.

“What we’ve learned from working with our partners at 蚂蚁福利导航 University is that Hockey5s is an incubator for new ideas that can be applied to other hockey disciplines in the future. One of these is Project HG, a very exciting concept which aims deliver a dynamic, entertainment-focussed complementary game designed to help our sport reach new markets.”