It was bold and it was brave. That was how many summed up the International Hockey Federation’s decision to launch a home and away League for International men’s and women’s teams.
Rugby had mulled over such a concept, Cricket had said they were going ahead with such a League, but the start date kept being pushed back. Whereas Hockey bit the bullet and went ahead with it.
The League was announced in April 2016. The top 16 men’s and women’s teams were then invited to submit to be a part of the competition, although at that time there was no clear decision as to how many teams would participate. In June 2017 the nine men’s and women’s teams to participate in the Pro League were announced.
Since then there have been, as one would expect a few hiccups, but also some positives as well. The new CEO Thierry Weil, coming from FIFA, made the wise decision that every competition run by the International Federation be branded as such, so the Pro League became the FIH Hockey Pro League.
Regrettably two of the key nations in the sport withdrew. India within a month of the announcement that they would be a part of this Historic competition, and then after the opening game their neighbours Pakistan.
Yet as everyone will tell you the proof of the pudding is in the eating. No one was truly going to be able to judge the competition until it started.
The League is a fortnight old and it could not have started any better. The hockey that fans have witnessed has been outstanding and thoroughly entertaining. The aim of the FIH Pro League was to grow the sport’s fan base, and two weeks into the League and the non-traditional hockey fans are glowing in terms of the sport. They are amazed at the speed. They are in awe of the skill. They are also being rewarded with goals; at least in the men’s competition.
There have been 51 goals scored in the opening seven men’s fixtures! For those not good at maths, that is an average of over seven goals a game! There have been four or more goals scored in every single match.
There may not have been goals in the Women’s competition, 12 in six games, but there has been drama. The lowest ranked team in the League, Belgium, has become the first team to record victories in two consecutive matches with wins over New Zealand and Australia. Both of these wins coming on the road and after a tough trip to Argentina. Their win over Australia was their first ever victory against their hosts dating back to 1950. It was also their first ever game against both opponents away from home.
The Australian Women’s team, the Hockeyroos managed to beat the World number one ranked side the Netherlands for the first time since 2009 and after 19 games!
What has made the League such a success at the start is that unlike many other sports, teams have gone out to win. Hopefully as the League plays out that trend continues to be the case. There has been no “Parking of the bus” by the away team. They have all looked to try and steal a victory and it has benefitted the league and the game immensely. It has been a breath of fresh air in a sometimes mundane sporting world where teams play not to lose. .
Maybe one of the reasons behind this approach has been the addition of the shoot-out if teams draw, and a bonus point awarded to the team that wins the shoot-out. Whereas the shoot-out is a nightmare for television scheduling it has been an absolute winner for the fans.
Teams have gone all out in the final quarter to snatch an equaliser and force a shoot-out as was witnessed by the Dutch and New Zealand Men. The fans are then given the drama of the shoot-out for a bonus point. A point that could in time make a difference in the League standings at the end of the League competition.
Of course this is nothing new, the Americans introduced this format in the original North American Soccer League in the 1970’s. Back then in football it started as a shot from the penalty spot to decide drawn games and then in 1977 a player had five seconds in which to score from 35 yards. The idea coming from an Ice Hockey penalty shot. It is fair to say that in the FIH Pro-League it has been a huge success.
The players and officials are finding the travel for one game “challenging.” This word having been uttered in many an interview. Yet all have said the format has brought a new dimension to the game, and it is clear that with each game being a single event the crowds are becoming more involved than during tournament play. One can only imagine the atmosphere had Malaysia, India and Pakistan played games at home.
Understandably there are issues that need to be ironed out before season two. However, the sport and the powers that be could not have wished for a better product on the pitch to showcase the game. Long may it continue, and may the finale in Amsterdam in June prove to be the culmination of six months outstanding competition.
Rest assured other sports are watching the League and cocking an eye with interest at the way things pan out. Hopefully so too are sponsors as the players who have always been given minimal reward for their dedication and the entertainment they provide, deserve more. Could Hockey having taken the bold step to launch a global competition that others were hesitant to take now start a trend that will change the face of international sport in years to come?
