The English Ice Hockey Association (EIHA) is the body responsible for the sport of ice hockey in England and Wales.
The England program was formed in 1982 and in 1984 the Association appointed Bob Wilkinson to oversee the National Team Programme (NTP) for junior players and Mr. Wilkinson embarked upon an ambitious plan to develop the Team England Programme. Since then, under Bob Wilkinson’s stewardship, NTP has evolved and developed with team structure changes but in all respects a pathway to the GB program at U18’s was maintained and this remained the case until changes were announced to the junior age groups at the start of 2015.
With developments in women’s ice hockey the NTP was further expanded, in 2005, with the inclusion of a further two teams at U16 and senior women’s levels. Geoff Hemmerman was appointed to oversee the development of the new women’s section and together with Bob Wilkinson the Team England programme thrived.
In January 2016 the EIHA confirmed that a new structure was to be established for the programme providing the following opportunities for National Team level players:
- England U13 Girls
- England U13 Boys
- England U14 Boys
- England U15 Boys
- England U16 Girls
- England U19 Men
Under Geoff Hemmerman's stewardship the ENTP thrived with the creation of a number of new opportunities for an unprecedented number of players, coaches and support staff. The programme went on to deliver significant improvements in standards and performance until the COVID pandemic struck affecting all sports across the globe.
Now in the early summer of 2021 the Programme has a new Director and new ideas and opportunities are being considered for the challenge of a return to play and the re-establishment of Elite level opportunities under a new E21 banner. A new Coaching and Support team will be created and established over the coming weeks and months with the aim of increasing participation and seeking to inspire, motivate and improve standards and performance that together will Create and Build the E21 Legacy for 2021 and beyond.
19/06/21
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29 Nov 2023 by Rachel Gay
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