Hockey Ireland’s Post

Have a read of the AUSPORT / ASC Modern Coach Approach!!! Spread this far and wide. Its about participation, enjoyment and retention. Its about winning well not winning at all costs. The only way to generate this change is to share and spread the word. #coaching #moderncoachapproach #ASC

Part of what I do as a journalist is seek to hold people and organisations to account. Some of you would know Ice Hockey Australia is not an organisation high on my list of accountable & transparent national sport bodies. Their governance is appalling. In the last 48 hours, they've announced Australia is hosting an International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) so-called "world championship" tournament for lower ranked teams (eg. Serbia, Croatia, UAE, Israel, Iceland, Bulgaria etc) in April 2025. This was news to every one of the six state/territory member associations who theoretically "own" the sport's development and day-to-day operations, but were caught out by this surprise announcement. "Many things still need to be approved at many levels," IHA admin officer and former thugby league player Adam Woolnough said in damage control mode when news prematurely broke of the IIHF's support for Australia's bid. It's a bid about which none of the grassroots players, parents, coaches, administrators or even corporate sponsors were aware. An hour after "many things still needing to be approved", Ice Hockey Australia posted to Facebook with news of the 27 April -3 May event to be staged at O'Brien Group Arena at Docklands. There's little doubt the O'Brien Group will put together a professional and well executed event, and likewise, the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) will cut Ice Hockey Australia some slack with venue and associated support facility minimum requirements that no Australian arena can currently offer in one location. But why did IHA exclude the very source of all of its volunteer cohort -- the state associations -- by keeping them in the dark as the bid was being prepared, the documents published and the pitch polished? It possibly stands to reason when one recognises ice hockey is a relatively small sport down under where average to woefully incompetent kitchen table administrators can get a foothold in the sport and have their way without being challenged. The current president Ryan O'Handley (pictured) is a vet whose work focuses on sheep and parasites. Under his watch Australia just lost every game bar one in the 2024 Div II championships, escaping with a 3-2 win over Iceland which helped avoid relegation. The result is as disappointing as the time a decade ago when O'Handley coached the team.

Hi sports clubs and sport publishers! Are you curious about Live blogging for increased fan engagement & live sports coverage? Get inspired and learn some best practises from Hannes Biedermann at the Hockey club EC-KAC in this free webinar.

The Secret to Building Trust with Youth Sports Coaches The video emphasizes the importance of effective communication and relationship-building between coaches and parents in youth sports.

Are you considering to become a coach-mentor for youth in schools in your community? 🏫 Here’s some encouraging words of advice from 3 Up2Us Sports #Alumni who served youth through sports! Learn more at www.up2ussports.org 👈

The first season with the Basketball Champions League has been successful. Read more to discover what were the key learnings from the season.

🌟 The Power of Grassroots Soccer Tournaments: Where Dreams Begin ⚽ Grassroots soccer tournaments are more than just games—they are transformative experiences that shape the future of the beautiful game. In my latest blog, I explore the immense value these tournaments bring to players, communities, and the sport itself. ✅ Unearthing Hidden Talent: Grassroots events often reveal extraordinary players from previously disadvantaged areas, offering them a chance to shine on a bigger stage. ✅ Skill Development: Young athletes can measure their abilities against peers, gaining insights into their strengths and areas for growth. ✅ Building Confidence and Character: These tournaments teach teamwork, resilience, and discipline—skills that go beyond the field. ✅ Community Impact: Grassroots soccer brings people together, creating unity and inspiring young players to dream big. Grassroots tournaments are where passion meets opportunity, creating pathways for the next generation of soccer stars. 🌍✨ 📖 Read the full blog to learn why investing in grassroots soccer is essential for the future of the sport: https://lnkd.in/gMND3PZZ Let’s celebrate the foundation of football and the potential it holds for changing lives! 🙌⚽ #GrassrootsSoccer #FootballDevelopment #YouthSports #Soccer #CommunityImpact #athletes #sportsagents #sportsmarketing #sportsbusiness

🏒 How youth hockey is growing stronger! The world of youth sports is evolving, with a focus on fostering healthy relationships, positive cultures, and lifelong skills. Across communities, we’re redefining success and prioritizing athlete well-being over the ‘win-at-all-costs’ mentality. 🔑 Here’s how the shift is happening: ✔️ Growth over outcomes ✔️ Prioritizing athlete well-being and safety ✔️ Building collaborative cultures ✔️ Focusing on lifelong, life-enriching skills Together, we’re shaping the future of youth sports for the better. Learn more at www.survivorsforchange.org. #YouthHockey #CommunityChange #PositiveCulture #HealthyRelationships #AthleteWellbeing

🚨Hockey parents, this one’s for you!🚨 We stumbled across this clip of Jeff Daniels sharing the ups and downs of raising hockey players, and it hit us right in the feels. 🏒❤️ Between early morning practices, endless rink trips, and, let’s face it, those unforgettable gear smells, it’s easy to get caught up in the hustle. But today, we’re hitting pause to remind you: it’s not just about the games, the scores, or even the smell (though we can help with that 👀). It’s about the memories, the bonds, and the lessons you’re building every single day. Hockey is more than a sport—it’s a foundation for your kids’ future, teaching resilience, teamwork, and grit. So next time you're in the car, savor the ride (even if it smells like their gear bag exploded 🫣). And when it’s time to actually tackle those smells, you know where to find us. 🖥️ Book now and let us handle the mess, so you can focus on the moments that matter most. #HockeyParents #GearValetYYC #CalgaryHockey #MinorHockeyLife #ParentLife #BuildingFutureLegends #HockeyLife #YYCHockey #CalgaryBusiness

Did you know? Throughout the lottery era, only four of the 39 players chosen first overall have won National Basketball Association (NBA) championships with the team that originally drafted them. Professional sports leagues rely on the draft to create parity, but the true impact often depends on the structure and execution. Understanding the nuances can be the difference between sustained competitiveness and long-term imbalance. Part 4 of our series exploring the implications of various competitive balance systems in professional sports. Today, we break down the Draft System. #SportsBusiness #SportsGovernance #CompetitiveBalance #SportsManagement