IHL ‘in limbo’ despite yes vote

On Sunday, IHL Option Two was passed at the Irish Hockey Association EGM, meaning the top four Ulster clubs will be invited to join a full-season Irish Hockey League next year.

However, it’s fair to say Ulster Hockey are far from pleased at the way the vote was handled and the next steps are as yet unknown.

Garvey were in support of the proposal and now John Gray wants everyone in the sport to pull together.

“The decision has been taken but now we have to wait and see what happens,” said the Garvey chairman.

“There’s plenty more to happen between Ulster Hockey and Irish Hockey. Hopefully they can work together but that’s between those organisations to sort out.

“The whole thing’s in limbo at the minute. It’s not just all going to be happy now because there are still issues. It’s concerning because we don’t know what’s going to happen. I think there will be some form of meeting with the clubs to talk about it all.

“Hopefully it will go ahead because it will improve the standard of hockey in Ireland.”

Earlier this week, Ulster Hockey released a lengthy statement summarising their displeasure at how the IHL Working Group and the IHA handled the vote, claiming the “consultation and decision making has not been robust enough” and that the IHA employed “a one-sided PR approach.”

“The decision making has been solely in the hands of the IHA and they appear to have an agenda that the decision to be reached will be a full season IHL, despite concerns being raised by key stakeholders,” they said.

“The only alternative that was submitted, which was by Ulster clubs, was rejected summarily and without circulation to other stakeholders and clubs for consideration.

“So this begs the question, what was the IHA afraid of by not circulating a potential alternative option?”

Ulster Hockey were further aggrieved that the IHA did not, prior to the meeting, confirm the rule that 75% of clubs at the EGM had to approve a motion for it to be passed.

Garvey chair Gray, however, claims the provincial board should have known:

“Information has been out for a long time on how Irish Hockey Association meetings are conducted so (Ulster Hockey) not knowing about the 75% rule was strange.”

“Yes, a full IHL has merit for the elite element of our game,” concluded Ulster Hockey. “However, we also have to consider the impact on the needs of those involved in Junior hockey, schools hockey and smaller clubs and therefore on balance we do not believe it provides the best option for the playing environment for hockey in Ulster.

“Ulster Hockey will continue to follow a strategy for trying to build a consensus which is balanced and brings about the best outcome for all those in hockey in Ireland.

“And this is totally in line with the Ulster Board’s right to take steps in the best interests of all hockey in Ulster.

“All we would ask from people today is that they remain open minded and would be prepared to give us fair hearing going forward.”