In 2021, the EIHA established a manager steering group.

The group was created to oversee a new support structure for the training and development for team and club managers. This was part of the wider programme of initiatives being introduced to raise standards across the Association’s pathways, for the benefit of all members and their participants.

The EIHA board’s ambition was to create a better experience for everyone who is involved in ice hockey, and to do this, standards of performance across all roles within the sport had to be improved.

The steering group, led by general manager Vicki Fidler, is now set to see a further overhaul.

Speaking about the forum and the wider ambitions, General Manager Vicki Fidler said: “EIHA managers (and assistants) are now having to complete and adhere to more regulations and requirements than ever before, and recent manager training events have hopefully empowered our managers to know that they have a voice on every team.

“Our managers are on the front-line, delivering gamedays, policies, safeguarding and so much more.

“We are now taking a more collaborative approach, working with other EIHA stakeholders including safeguarding and inclusion teams, so much so that we are opening the forum to club DSLs and wellbeing advocates this season.

“One of the many objectives for the programme is to ensure all EIHA off-ice personnel have the relevant support, qualifications, and guidance they need, with easy access to the tools to effectively manage teams going forward.

“Whilst we have a functioning pathway, we must still reassure managers that we will continue to evolve. To do this, I would now like to invite more EIHA managers to express their interest to be involved in the revamped manager steering group which is coming in the next few weeks.”

The original manager steering group has continued to meet monthly since its creation in 2021. Its members have already redefined the role of manager and pathway within the EIHA.

The main objective now is to revisit the syllabus for volunteers who want to support their clubs and the wider audience. Over the next few months, the steering group will review the current training syllabus and work alongside existing managers to re-upholster and plan manager education for 2023/24 and 2024/25.

Any manager or DSL wishing to participant within the manager steering group and help lead the way with education should send an email with an expression of interest to [email protected].

Registered managers, DSLs and wellbeing advocates who have yet to join the manager forum can do so now by downloading Stack Team App, searching for “EIHA Manager Forum” and requesting to join.

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