Funding boost for hockey’s grassroots

THE Irish Hockey Association will invest €260,000 in the development of the game at grassroots level in 2007.

IHA chief executive Paul Varian said the projects will increase participation rates in hockey in Ireland. Said Varian: “These are exciting time for Irish hockey. For the first time, the Association is in a position to directly fund well-planned, long-term strategies and projects that will increase the number of Irish citizens engaging in healthy lifestyles through the enjoyment of hockey.

“Twelve months ago, when we originally announced this project, the IHA committed a sum of €250k to it over a three year period, 2007-09. The sum of €260k for 2007 is a high commitment from the Association and an indication of the importance the management board of the IHA places on successful development of hockey at grass root level.”