What does IHUK do?

I’ve been involved in a discussion over on THF today, and the subject of IHUK came up. Now, as the National Governing Body, IHUK is answerable to the IIHF when it comes to the sport in the UK, but what does it actually do?

In theory, as the NGB, it should be responsible for the governance of the sport. Now, to my mind, this means it runs the national side, authorises leagues, schedules, issues work permits, trains and allocates officials, etc. A well run NGB is vital to any sport. If the NGB is run properly, and has the requisite authority, the sport should in theory flourish within whatever limitations it comes up against.  Sadly for us here in the UK, things are somewhat different.

IHUK seemingly has very little power over the sport as a whole. The EIHL effectively runs itself, using IHUK to simply rubber stamp work permits and provide officials. The EPL and NIHL are administered by the EIHA, and the SIHL runs the game north of the border. But what impact does this have? Well, mostly it holds the game back. Team GB is IHUKs responsibility. During each season the IIHF designates a series of ‘International Breaks’, when tournaments and friendlies are to be played. Currently, the EIHL and EPL ignore these, playing on as usual. In theory, IHUK should have the power to impose these breaks (much as the FA does in football), and organise games for Team GB. Sadly, IHUK has so little power even if it were to do so, I highly doubt most clubs would agree to them, and would play on regardless.

Also, by not having a strong governing body, with a defined development plan, British ice hockey misses out on funding from bodies such as Sport England, the National Lottery, etc. These funds have gone to many other minority sports in the past, and continue to do so today. During the last few years British basketball got its house into (relative) order, and secured funding to develop both the game at a grass roots level and to build Team GB for the Olympics. Whilst not a resounding success, it shows just what can be achieved with a  governing body willing (and able) to take control.

In ice hockey, I have a distinct feeling that it will be many, many years until this happens. The sport is riddled with vested interests, personal vendettas, and rampant egos at board room level. Each part of it operates within its own little self serving bubble, and woe betide anyone who attempts to change the Status Quo. I can even point out when IHUK lost any last vestige of control over the British game: When the IIHF forced it to affiliate the then embryonic EIHL against its wishes. This proved to the EIHL (and the EIHA to a lesser extent) that theywere the power brokers, not IHUK. A decade on, and things just seem to be getting worse.

In the end, I know I am coming across as a bit ranty here, but I honestly believe that our sport can and should have a brighter, more stable future if only we had strong, capable governance. I guess we can all dream, eh?