The International Hockey Federation (FIH) has set up a partnership with Loughborough University looking at innovation in hockey.
The FIH aims to use the expertise of the English university in both sport and business to further its strategic objectives and expand its delivery capability. The international federation will now have a dedicated ‘Innovation Centre’ at Loughborough.
A key project of the partnership will be to work towards the development of a new and dynamic, entertainment-focussed complementary game designed to help hockey reach new markets.
The university’s school of business and economics will be a key contributor and will assist the FIH to develop a strategic 10-year plan that will run from 2014 to 2024.
FIH CEO Kelly Fairweather said, “We are delighted to enter into this Innovation Partnership with such a well-respected and talented organisation. I have been incredibly impressed by the scale and standard of design innovation and insight research on offer, matched by the high levels of staff dedication and talent. I am really looking forward to working with Loughborough University to develop our sport to reach more people.”
Loughborough University will provide expertise from their sports development centre; sport technology institute; school of sport, health and exercise sciences; school of business and economics, as well as their design school with an objective of helping the FIH improve hockey for both players and fans.
Peter Keen, Director of Sport at Loughborough University said: “Naturally I am delighted that we will be working in partnership with the International Hockey Federation (FIH). I believe this agreement to provide our knowledge and expertise across a wide range of academic disciplines will enhance the sport of hockey and increase interest globally.
“This agreement is timely for us as we look we look to extend our reputation for sport at Loughborough. Working in partnership with such a progressive world governing body will undoubtedly help us to raise our international profile and further build our association with such a significant global and Olympic sport.”
As part of the successful recent event assignment process for the Hockey World Cups in 2018, bidders were given the opportunity to introduce a global partner to the FIH. England Hockey put forward Loughborough University.
