Stakeholder Consultation – Ulster Variation February

Content Background/Purpose of this paper Key Stakeholders Full IHL Key Considerations Regional Representation Promotion/Relegation European Qualification Logistics/Scheduling Ulster/Munster Logistics Provincial League Considerations Key Issues Summary – Key Points Appendix 1 2

Background/ Purpose Background IHL Working Group (IHLWG) are reviewing format of IHL IHLWG are exploring possible full IHL as part of strategic review IHLWG are seeking feedback /views from key stakeholders (including Branches/Clubs/Players/Umpires) via a process of consultation ( see Appendix 1 for process and progress so far) Purpose of this paper is to: 1. Inform on what a full IHL might look like 2. Provide a “framework” to allow debate on key considerations including impact on Provincial Branch leagues 3. Continue the dialogue to gather input on wider implications of any move to a full IHL 3

Key Stakeholders – High Level View of Full Season IHL (1) 4

Key Stakeholders – High Level View of Full Season IHL (2) 5

Full Season IHL Format How might this look like/ fit together? 6

Full IHL – some key considerations (1) 1. Regional representation –based on current approach Men & Women – Ulster (5) Leinster (5) Munster (2) = 12 Teams 12 Teams = 22 games in season ; 11 home / 11 away* (see next slide) * Most away out of province games are day trips except for Ulster/Munster/Connacht (decision on Connacht women required) 2. IHL Promotion /relegation – same Regional representation maintained? Option:- Club finishing lowest from each Province in IHL has some form of “Regional IHL Play Off” with play off format to be decided e.g. Play-off with (own) Provincial League winner Play-off Tournament with top 3 in Provincial League etc 7

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Full IHL – some key considerations (2) 3. European Qualification: (Options) a) IHL winner takes top Irish spot or…… b) IHL winner guaranteed at least 2 nd spot and…….. - some form of end of season Irish Championship (top 3-4 IHL teams?) with winner of this taking top Irish European spot - suggestion that winner of Irish Senior Cup also plays in the Championship and therefore retains route to European Competition 4. IHL Review period – if introduced - reviewed after 2 years or 3? 5. Logistics/Scheduling /Club costs - main logistical issue would be Ulster Vs Munster/Connacht matches - double weekends would be required Example: 4-6 double weekends for Ulster/Munster then could widen to entire schedule so 22 matches are actually played over weekends for all to ensure season moves forward in sync/ ease fixture congestion ? (see sample schedule Appendix 2) 9

Ulster/Munster Logistics – via Double weekends 10

Full IHL - Provincial League Impact? 11

Provincial Leagues – IHL Impact - Opportunity to realign Any move to a full IHL will require Ulster Hockey leagues to realign Consultation with UHU Competitions has indicated that if full IHL proceeds no major structural issues given all Premier/ Senior Leagues are 1st XIs Teams all “shuffle up”in line with existing rules and regulations e.g. if 5 Men/Ladies teams moved to IHL then could restructure by 1. Men: st XIs - 5 IHL = 22 1 st XIs …… Leagues 1 x 10 /1 x12* 2. Ladies: st XIs - 5 IHL = 44 1 st XIs …….4 Leagues 2 x 10/ 2x12 *NB At present Men’s Senior 2 league has only 7 Teams which causes issues in obtaining fixtures (12 league games/season) – rebalancing into 2 leagues of 10/12 teams would assist this particular issue 12

Provincial Leagues – Opportunity to realign -example 13

IHL – Some key issues recognised – to be mitigated 14

Summary – Key Points 22 IHL games/season (compares to existing c.18 Provincial League games + 5 IHL games Rounds 1-5) with end of season Championship Full IHL provides a more (season long) competitive programme for top Irish Club hockey Allows opportunity to realign/rebalance Provincial leagues Provides opportunity to create a clear pathway to IHL from Provincial Leagues – “Regional IHL Play-Offs” Decongests the annual IHA and Provincial Calendar - fewer weekends (see sample calendar Appendix 2) The issue of costs /time/travel recognised but with appropriate scheduling can be mitigated 15

Appendix 1 – Full IHL Consultation Process No. StepBy WhenCompleted 1 IHLWG to each Branch outlining the planned engagement and seeking confirmation on the person(s) from the provincial Competitions Committee that are to be included in the process. Ensure that Branch Executive Committees are aware of the process being followed and have their nominated people involved 8-Nov 2 National Coaches input to be gathered 22-Nov 3 Nominations /names of Competitions person(s) received from each Province 22-Nov 4 IHL WG to meet separately with each Province to work through an outline proposal and take detailed input from the Provinces to shape the proposal. May be one or more meetings in each Province. 25-Jan 5 IHL WG to meet separately with IHA Umpires Association to gather input 25- Jan 5 Proposal to be pulled together and schedule for local Provincial fora drawn up 1-Feb 6 Open fora to be held in each Province, led jointly by IHL WG and the Provincial Competitions person(s) Important that Provincial representative involved to cover the detail of any knock on local impact 1-Mar Current stage 7 IHLWG Finalise proposal following Provincial fora feedback 15-Mar 8 Proposal sent to the IHA Board for consideration 1-Apr 9 IHA Board Decision 30-Apr 16

17 Appendix 2 Illustrative Calendar 2013/14 this season Yellow is branch league, blue is IHA competition Versus Same year, showing an IHL program and a branch league (pink)

Questions / Next Steps 18