No priority and packed calendar: The tale of England Hockey’s indoor season

COPPER BOX — Another year, another round of players enjoying a brief indoor stint while continuing to advocate for lengthening the domestic season in England. Sunday at the Olympic Park saw the indoor game thrust into the spotlight for the first time in two years and although the Copper Box was half full, the whole spectacle suggests that more should be made of the shortened format given the excitement and skill on show. 

With Hockey 5s yet to kick into gear – or, indeed, move the 11-a-side game aside – leaving uncertainty over formats and priorities, while the FIH Indoor World Cup next week has fallen to the pandemic, England’s focus on the indoor game remains limited at best.