Paralympic ambitions become reality
The 2030 Paralympic Games in the French Alps will be a real ambition for the British men’s and women’s para-ice hockey teams, with Ice Hockey UK, England Ice Hockey and Scottish Ice Hockey working together as one governing body.
Great Britain was last represented in the sport in Turin in 2006, where the team finished in seventh place, but with a professional, focused organization there will be no better opportunity for the section.
The GB Men’s (Open) Para Ice Hockey Team commented: “The challenge of securing a Paralympic qualifying position is enormous. However, the merger into one unified body offers the greatest potential positive impact. It has the potential to provide the necessary infrastructure and support to the Men’s National Team to further our professionalisation and create a robust support structure. This pivotal point could enable our athletes and coaches to devote their full attention to performance, laying the essential foundation for success in the 2030 cycle and we are moved decisively towards achieving Paralympic qualification.”
The GB Women’s Para Ice Hockey Team commented: “The GB Women’s Para Ice Hockey Team is at the heart of the international movement, having attended the inaugural Women’s World Challenge in 2021 and proudly competing in the first ever Women’s World Para Ice Hockey Championship in 2024. With only five national teams currently established and the target of eight set for participation in the Paralympic Games by 2030, GB is in a unique and strong position to medals depends on structural support. The upcoming merger offers the greatest potential benefit for our athletes and staff, providing the invaluable infrastructure, organization, support and potential funding needed to seize this opportunity and cement our place among the world’s best.”
About the ice hockey merger between Great Britain, England and Scotland
The merger of Ice Hockey UK, England Ice Hockey and Scottish Ice Hockey will change the positioning of ice hockey in England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales.
Bringing together all the organizations’ resources under one governing body will enable national growth and development. Five core principles will underpin the organization’s work, including professionalizing performance, improving experience, member-centric, sustainability for generations to come and fully recognizing potential.
After months of consultation, collaboration with other IIHF members and a passionate, newly appointed Executive Team, the boards of the IHUK, EIH and SIH have all unanimously approved the merger of the three bodies to bring everyone together as one.
Ahead of a general meeting on December 17, where IHUK, EIH and SIH will encourage their members to vote in favor of the vote, a number of meetings will be held with key stakeholders and groups from the sport to ensure the merger delivers improvement and certainty in relation to their requirements.
Members can submit questions or comments about the merger before the AGM to memberservices@englandicehockey.com for England and media@scottishicehockey.co.uk for Scotland. The England Ice Hockey and Scottish Ice Hockey staff will ensure that all questions are answered during the sessions or in follow-up material.
Voting process explained
A General Members’ Meeting will be held for both English and Scottish ice hockey on December 17.
The formal notice sent to the members, directors and auditors will set out a proposed special resolution asking the members to agree to the formation of a merged entity.
If approved, this will be followed by an extensive period of detailed consultation, funded by UK Sport, with all sections using the five guiding principles to reshape the sport’s operations and delivery.
England Ice Hockey and Scottish Ice Hockey will each invite their registered members (their affiliated clubs and teams), any honorary members, together with their respective boards, to attend the General Meeting.
In accordance with their articles of association, each member has the right to convene, attend and cast one vote at the meeting (provided he is duly registered and all fees have been paid).
To adopt the special resolution, at least 75% of the votes cast on that day must be in favor. Members have the right to appoint a proxy (or proxies) up to 48 hours before the meeting.
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