The EHB came out on top at a glittering ceremony at the Brewery in London on Tuesday night, being chosen ahead of the PGA and Home Nations Golf Unions Great Britain & Ireland Partnership, and the Rugby Football League. EHB Chief Executive Sally Munday was presented with the gong.

Recognised as a ‘trailblazer’ sport by sports coach UK, the EHB has developed its coaching system significantly in recent years, integrating coaching into all other areas of the EHB and the hockey environment in line with The UK Coaching Framework. A clear coaching pathway has been built around the Single System player development pathway with the support of Centrally Contracted Coaches and Coach Educators. Complementing this, the governing body has launched a new Level 4 Award and CPD coach performance programme Embracing new technology, the EHB has launched a series of interactive coaching DVDs and working closely with the other British hockey home nations (Scotland and Wales), is leading the development of a clear Coaching Strategy for Great Britain.

At the top level, the EHB’s commitment to coach development has contributed to recent podium successes, including the England Hockey women’s hat-trick of bronze medal wins this summer, the England Hockey men’s Champions Trophy silver medal and podium positions achieved by the National Age Groups.

Stuart Guise, Head of Governing Body Support at sports coach UK, said: "The EHB thoroughly deserves this award for its forward thinking and the commitment demonstrated to the development of coaches and coaching. It is great to see that in a sport the size of hockey, the EHB can have so much impact on its coaching workforce and be recognised for its work as a leading NGB in coaching."

Sally Munday, Chief Executive of the EHB, said: "This is great recognition for a number of years’ hard work by a lot of people in our sport to radically change our approach to coach development. We are midway through a journey of significant improvement built around our Single System development pathway and it is fantastic to be recognised for the progress we have made in the last few years."

David Faulkner, Performance Director at the EHB, said "I am personally delighted that an independent body has recognised the work that the NGB and our volunteers in hockey are doing - it is a true team effort. This award is for all those who have believed in and contributed to what the EHB is trying to achieve in developing our player and coach pathway."

ENDS

For further information and interview opportunities, please contact Lawrence West, EHB PR & Sponsorship Officer, at [email protected] or on 01628 897509.