Registration in UK ice hockey is coordinated under the authority of England Ice Hockey (EIH) for England and Wales. It applies to all individuals wishing to participate as players, coaches, managers, officials or volunteers.

Who must register

Individual registration is required for:

– Players (junior, senior, recreational, Para/Sledge and SEND categories)
– Coaches and team managers, who must hold the appropriate qualification/licence and must register via EIH
– Off-ice officials (bench officials, timekeepers etc) and club volunteers.
Clubs themselves must affiliate with England Ice Hockey in order to take part in sanctioned leagues and competitions.

Registration steps & requirements

Registration begins with the individual joining or being associated with an affiliated club. The process is typically:

1. Join the club and complete the club’s membership process.
2. The club presents the registration to England Ice Hockey via an online portal (such as the ‘Gameday’ system) including required documents (photo ID, proof of age etc).
3. Once approved by EIH, the individual is covered by insurance and eligible to participate in sanctioned activities.

For example, recreational registration in the EIHA system operates on a fixed annual insurance period (from 1 October to 30 September) and must be renewed each year; registration is not valid for 12 months from date of submission.

    Fees and categories

    EIH publishes registration/insurance fees for various categories: juniors, seniors, recreational, Para, SEND, coach, manager, off-ice officials.
    Dual-registration discounts may apply when an individual registers simultaneously in more than one role (for example, player and coach).

    Special categories & pathways

    – Junior & senior players: registration allows access to league and cup competitions, developmental pathways and national team recognition.
    – Para (Sledge) and SEND (players with special educational needs/disabilities) have designated registration categories to encourage inclusion and provide insurance and access to friendly, non-competitive or competitive formats.
    – Coaches and managers must not only register but meet additional criteria (DBS check if working with under-18s, first-aid, safeguarding training) and complete on-line registration within deadlines.

    Importance & benefits

    By registering with EIH, participants gain:

    – Access to officially sanctioned fixtures, leagues, tournaments and development programmes.
    – Comprehensive insurance coverage for training and match play under the EIH umbrella.
    – A clear governance structure: registered members must adhere to the EIH Rules, Code of Conduct, Anti-Doping policy and safeguarding requirements.

    Renewal and transfer

    Registration is typically renewed annually within a specified window, and transfers between clubs require approval and submission via the club and EIH systems.
    Failing to renew or register appropriately can result in loss of insurance coverage, ineligibility for sanctioned fixtures and non-recognition of the individual’s status under the governing body.

    In summary, the registration process for ice hockey in the UK ensures all participants — players, coaches, officials and clubs — are formally recognised, insured and governed under the national body EIH. It supports safe, inclusive and regulated participation at all levels of the sport.