ARMY HOCKEY ASSOCIATION (AHA) MANAGEMENT PLAN 2016 – 2021

Reference:

A.2014 DIN01-099

INTRODUCTION

  1. In accordance with Reference A Hockey is a synopsis sport and is eligible for public funding. This is the latest update to the seventh Army Hockey Association (AHA) Management Plan. It seeks to build on the foundations of the first five and to take the Association forward. For ease it follows a similar format to its predecessors using the same AHA short, and long term objectives, and how the Association manages those objectives.

2.Having already taken the actions required by England Hockey Limited (EH) in the “Uniting the Hockey Family” initiative – the focus now switches to support the UK Armed Forces (UKAF)and the adoption of a system that sequences the hockey season to deliver our strongest teams to the Inter-Service and CountyChampionship tournaments.

3.Like its predecessors, this plan is a living document. Changes can be tracked using the edition number in the footer. This edition of the plan is 7.8. In accordance with Reference A it is to be updated every year, presented to the AGM, amended if required between the AGM and the September Executive Committee Meeting for presentation to the Army Sport Control Board as the hockey season commences.

MISSION

4.The AHA is to promote, develop and encourage hockey (outdoor and indoor) for all Army personnel, male and female, whether it be a Unit, New Army Regional structure, Corps, Service or National level, and to assist the bodies responsible for the development of the infrastructure and facilities within which hockey may flourish.

SPECIFIED TASKS

  1. Examining the Mission the following are the AHA specified tasks:

a.Tosupport the UKAF HA in their Mission.

b.Tosupport English Hockey Limited (EH) through the UKAF HA in their Aims and Objectives.

  1. To maintain the AHA on a sound financial footing.
  1. The seeking and maintaining of suitable sponsor(s).
  1. The maintenance of a publicity and communications website and other social media tools.
  1. The development of AHA facilities.
  1. Support to representative Army teams and players.
  1. Competing in and promotion of the following annual tournaments/competitions/events:

(1)Regional and League Competitions.

(2)National League (Ladies) (Indoor).

(3)Army Cup (Major and Minor Unit) (Mixed).

(4)Inter Corps League (Men’s/Ladies/Masters) (Outdoor).

(5)Inter Corps Tournament (Men’s/Ladies/Masters outdoors only) (Indoor/Outdoor)

(6)Inter Service Tournament (all teams) (Indoor/Outdoor).

(7)Men’s CountyChampionships

(8)Regional Umpire Qualification Courses.

(9)EH and UKAF HA Coaching Courses.

i.Support to Regional and Corps Chairmen and Secretaries.

j.Development of Coaches through Army/UKAF HA schemes.

k.Assessment, Coaching and Development of Umpires.

l.Development of Tournament/Match Officials within the emerging UKAF HA framework.

m.A structured overseas tour plot for all teams with clear aims and strong Financial/Media Plan.

CO-ORDINATION

6.The Executive Committee of the Association meets twice a year, once during the Inter-Corps Tournament (the AGM) and thesecond Thursday in September to synchronise the coming season. Divisional and Corps Secretaries are invited to attend both meetings.

  1. In outline the following are points of control for the development of Army Hockey:
  1. Executive Committee AHA (Ex AHA) with Sub Committees as required for:

(1)Financial Planning and Management.

(2)Control and Development of Hockey Umpires

(3)Control and Development of Coaches.

(4)Control and Maintenance of Equipment.

(5)Direction of the Pavilion and other areas of development.

  1. Theatre (ie Germany/Cyprus) Sport and Hockey Boards.
  1. Corps Sports Boards.
  1. Infrastructure Regional Sports Boards.

PRIORITIES

8.Long-term aspirationsendure from previous plans and continue the 16-21period, they are:

a.Maintenance and update of a plan to develop hockey infrastructure at representative level, regional and garrison level that is integrated with the Army Estate Plan - Chairman.

b.Mechanisms that identify, select, train and develop coaches, umpires and officials to UK Armed Forces Level – Coaching sub committee, the AHUA and officials member.

c.Maintenance of the Lytle Pavilion and the playing facilities around it as the recognised home of the AHA – Pavilion sub committee.

9.Short Term (2016/2021) and longer term priorities are listed below (where no specific owner is shown, the Executive Committee will lead):

2016/2021 Aspirations

a.Support the re-invigoration ofhockey within the new Army Regional structure through the provision of training for those organising,coaching or umpiring hockey within the sporting areas determined by HQ Regional Command, BA(G) and BFC:

(1)Organisers:

(a)A bulletin board hosted on the AHA website to draw down templates of commonly used instructions, forms, terms of reference and other guidance.Use of the Army MOSS site to promote both summer and winter AHA and Corps fixtures

(b) Access to AHA organised ‘academy periods’ to develop players and coaches within their division.

(c)Organise another pool of the EH Men’s CountyChampionships at the Army Hockey centre for the 2016/2017season.

(2)Coaches: The training oflevel 1 and 2 coaches – see below:

(a)Identification of potential level 1 Coaches – Corps Chairman.

(b)Loading of potential level 1 coaches to coaching courses in accordance with EH arrangements – AHA Office/Regional Secretaries.

(c)Identification of potential level 2 Coaches – Team Managers.

(d)Loading of potential level 2 coaches to a UKAF HAcoaching course in accordance with UKAF HA arrangements – Coaching Secretary.

(3)Umpires: The training of further level 1 umpires – responsibilities:

(a)Identification of potential candidates – RegionalSecretaries.

(b)Provision of suitable umpire course opportunities (hockey tournaments) – RegionalSecretaries:

  1. Develop the tournament officials structure and provide training and progression opportunities on the back of the inter-corps/inter command/inter-service – Officials Member.

c.Co-ordinate a fixture and training programme, and support as necessary, for all Representative teams culminating in the:

(1)Winning the Inter Service (UKAF HA) Indoor and Outdoor Tournaments.

(2)Developing Representative Men’s and Ladiesteams to gain promotion atthe England Hockey National league indoor and theArmy hosted round of the CountyChampionships.

d.Full participation in the Inter Corps Tournaments by all Corps.

e.First class administration of Army Tournaments/Competitions.

f.Continue to develop the profile of hockey within internal and external members.

Longer Term Aspirations

  1. Completion of the first Army Hockey Centre of Excellence at Aldershot with 2 floodlit pitches to international standard and a warm up pitch.
  1. Having tied the annual AHA overseas tour programme into the UKAF HA tour programme, have Corps plans their tours (Men’s and Ladies) around this programme tode-conflict and relieve pressure on popular players.
  1. A long-term Development Plan for the training, use and retention of Umpires, Coaches and Officials tied into the appropriate overarching CS plans.

FINANCE

10.The AHA’s financial year begins on 1 April and ends on 31 March. Allocations, working practices and responsibilities are managed by the finance subcommittee. Audited reports are to be presented to the AGM by email after the AGM in July/Aug.

11.All Sponsorship matters are co-ordinated by the chair of the finance sub-committee.

MEDIA

12.Visibility and communications are key tools in our continued operation. The recognition of the opportunities generated by sponsorship, the contribution of individuals and units as well as successes is vital ground.

13.In addition to the above, targets for the forthcoming year are:

a.Publication of the Army fixture card (On the web site) by end of Aug - Secretary AHA.

  1. Continued development of the Website to an extent that it is the primary communication tool with social media platforms as the secondary tool in order to capture the youth– AHA Office/Webmaster.

c.Provision of details of hockey ‘talent’ found in the ATRs to Army Managers and Corps Secretaries – AHA Office.

CONCLUSION

14.Outlined above are latest issues to be constructed and attacked to move us forward over the next 5 years and build on the previous success. This is a live document and will change. Changes will be promulgated following the Executive Committee meeting in the minutes. The Chairman’s report to the AGM will measure the success of what we have achieved.

Signed on Original and (signed electronically)

R A Head

Col

Chairman

1

Draft of V4.8 for distribution with the 2016 AGM Agenda for comment by/at the AGM on 17 May 16 – silent procedures apply.