The parents of young Luke Hobson, who sadly died following a tragic training accident, have welcomed England Hockey’s detailed guidance ‘Planning Safe Hockey’ and urged all clubs to study the document.
Luke, 14, died in March 2019 after being struck on the head during an unsupervised and non-lit practice session at Blueharts HC.
The thorough guidance was published in memory of Luke with clubs being advised to supervise all stick and ball session and address any unsafe practices.
England Hockey chief executive Nick Pink said of the document that it “reflects the important lessons we can learn from Luke’s death”.
Luke’s parents said: “The ‘planning safe hockey’ guidance covers crucial issues including the importance of no unsupervised stick on ball play and for floodlights to be switched on when needed well in advance of any play taking place.
“We urge all hockey clubs and schools where hockey is played to carefully study the guidance and fully implement all the measures recommended.”
England Hockey’s guidance, published last month, states that “using stick and ball in warm-ups should be encouraged to prepare players for the session but this must only start when appropriate supervision is in place and must be conducted in a safe environment.”
EH also has advice on lighting and ensuring that it is turned on prior to the start of the session if required.
Pink further stressed: “I can think of no clearer way to bring home to clubs, coaches and the whole hockey community the importance of planning for safe hockey than to dedicate this guide to Luke’s memory, with the permission of his parents.”
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