Rourkela — Tom Sorsby scored a crucial goal to keep his franchise in the running for the Hockey India League title — and then called on hockey players from the elite game down to grass roots to wear a face mask.
Despite the International Hockey Federation mandatory missive this week, Sorsby said HIL players were still refraining from wearing protection in some matches.
Sorsby netted a decisive goal as Tamil Nadu Dragons clawed themselves back from 2-0 down to secure a point. It was so tight at the top of the standings that a win or loss would have seen them go top or exit the competition.
Sorsby deflected home from a PC where the UP Rudras players were in protective head gear.
“I would never step into a penalty corner defence without one. I value my life too much not to wear a helmet,” said Sorsby.
Thomas Sorsby's leveller to win @tndragonshockey a point and take them to the semifinals is our Hero Moment of the Match!
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— Hockey India League (@HockeyIndiaLeag) January 29, 2025
“I’m glad it’s now an official rule. We have seen, even after the news came out, that guys aren’t wearing them here. It’s super important that we need to take safety really seriously and decrease the amount of face injuries.”
“It’s even more important in lower leagues to wear them. We’ve got guys who can control every ounce of skills they have and occasionally people get hit in the face. When you have people with less skill and more unpredictability, it is even more important in lower leagues and junior hockey.”
FIH President Tayyab Ikram said this week that “safety cannot be compromised” as protective headwear became mandatory at penalty corners. The FIH added that the measure may not be possible at some non FIH-sanctioned events. However, this edict has long been overdue.
He added: “I can only encourage the global hockey community to include this measure in their own competitions or, at least, to implement alternative solutions to protect players during this phase of the game.”
It follows the FIH’s consultation period on the PC and data from nearly 10 years ago now where 295 matches were assessed and findings showing that 13.9% of all match injuries occurred at PCs.
Ollie Payne, who has Sorsby as a post man when the two line up together for GB or England, says: “If you don’t feel a difference why not wear it? I’m not the one charging down corners but it seems sensible. If there is a one in 1,000 breakdown and it hits a No.1 runner in the face then if you can stop that then great.”

Meanwhile, Ireland’s Tim Cross, who is playing for Shrachi Rarh Tigers, said: “The corner has been around for years. Twenty years ago, there were no face masks, you wore cricket gloves, no knee guards or anything.
“The game keeps developing and in this tournament, there have been injuries from balls deflecting and masks are the way to go [all the way down to grass roots]. The same as mouth and shin guards, there is always a risk in sport but they should be mandatory at all levels.”
Sorsby’s goal to level up at 2-2 was his second in 10 games with the Dragons. Not a bad return when you look at his international stats: 2 goals from over 100 games.
“That definitely ranks pretty highly,” he said of the goal’s importance. “My two in 10 games is the best ratio I have been on so the Dragons style of hockey must be suiting me.
“As the game opens up, we rotate our internationals really well [five maximum allowed on the pitch at one]. We try to stay super fresh and when the game inevitably gets open and chaotic that’s the moment we drive it home.
“Trying to maximize the rule about your overseas is really important. It’s not something I have ever done and learning about it is super important.”