Ireland women have taken up the FIH’s offer of a Pro League place for the first time.
Ireland will join the women’s global league for the 2025/26 season after New Zealand turned down the offer.
The Black Sticks won the Nations Cup and were, by right, offered the chance to be promoted.
But funding issues have put paid to the women’s teams hopes and runners-up Ireland have snapped up the chance.
It means that Ireland will follow their men’s counterparts into Pro League participation. Ireland men were relegated this season.
The news also brings to light the continued issue of teams failing to take up invites or withdrawing completely.
Ireland women’s head coach Gareth Grundie said: “It’s a testament to the quality of play this team has achieved to date and is an excellent and invaluable opportunity for further improvement.
“It comes at an ideal time for us as a programme also, pitting us against the World’s best teams as we go in search of qualification for the 2026 FIH World Cup in the Netherlands and Belgium.”
On the men’s side, following the Black Sticks victory at the Nations Cup in Malaysia, FIH has extended an invitation to Hockey New Zealand for its men’s team to join the Pro League.
New Zealand’s hockey governing body is currently undertaking a analysis and decision-making process. The FIH has approved their request for an extension of the deadline to confirm or decline their participation until 21 July.
Should New Zealand decide to not participate, runners-up Pakistan would have the opportunity to consider joining. The Asian nation were ousted from the inaugural Pro League for not playing their games.
