While domestic hockey may have drawn to a close, summer is the perfect opportunity for you and your club to level up ahead of a new season of opportunity.
To help you do so, Hockey Ireland have a variety of programmes and grants available to help new and existing clubs expand their offering and upskill their members. Check them out:
We are expecting the Department of Culture, Communications and Sport to launch the Community Sports Facilities Fund (previously Sports Capital Equipment Grant) in June 2026. The fund is open to applications from all affiliated clubs and provinces in the Republic of Ireland.
In the last round, the following funding available per application was as follows, however, it might increase in the next round:
This is a huge opportunity for hockey to improve our accessibility and sustainability, creating lasting partnership agreements with other sports and schools. To help us best support your organisation with their application and to channel our assistance in the correct areas, please fill in the following form: Community Sports Facility Fund 2026 – Fill out form
Link to webinar delivered on 13th May – https://youtu.be/5FEwrSR99fs?si=0E-N9h_oDDxaMilB
Presentation: CSFF Workshop May 2026
Hockey4All is Hockey Ireland’s club initiative for players of all ages with both intellectual and physical disabilities. It provides the opportunity for people to share their love for hockey.
The Hockey4All Grant is open to both new and existing H4A clubs, offering valuable support to help make hockey more accessible and inclusive. Clubs can apply for up to €2,500 towards equipment and up to €8,000 for facility upgrades. Facility funding can support projects such as ramps, accessible seating, accessible toilet improvements, storage containers, and other accessibility enhancements. We encourage all eligible clubs to apply and take advantage of this opportunity to further develop inclusive hockey in their community: Apply Now
Walking Hockey is a variation of the game where you walk instead of run. It’s designed to help people keep an active lifestyle regardless of age, health or ability. Whether you’re new to the sport, haven’t played for a while or had to stop due to injuries or other reasons, Walking Hockey allows you to pick up a stick in a fun and relaxed environment with like-minded people.
The Walking Hockey Grant offers €300 to new and existing clubs. Funding can be used to support pitch hire, equipment, training tops, and post-session refreshments, helping clubs create a welcoming and enjoyable environment for participants. This is a fantastic opportunity to grow participation and engage more people in hockey in a fun and accessible way: Apply Now
Pick Up A Stick is a welcoming initiative designed to introduce people to hockey for the very first time—or to help former players rediscover the game—in a fun, friendly, and non-competitive environment. Clubs run short programmes, typically over five or six weeks, inviting community members to get involved, learn the basics, and enjoy the sport at their own pace. Organisations can also deliver social hockey in a small-sided format. It’s a great way to open up the club to new audiences, grow membership, and even build a pathway for future volunteers, coaches, and committee members by giving participants a deeper understanding of the game. A 300 euro grant is available via filling in the following form: Apply Now
The Game Changers is an innovative youth initiative designed to give young people a powerful voice in shaping the future of hockey in Ireland. This exciting program provides a platform for the next generation of hockey enthusiasts to engage, collaborate, and lead the way for a thriving hockey community nationwide.
Applications for the 2026 Game Changers closes on May 31st. Apply Now
Hockey Ireland is delighted to announce the signing of a formal Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Special Olympics Ireland, marking a significant milestone in the continued development of inclusive hockey opportunities for athletes with an intellectual disability across the island of Ireland.
The agreement formalises a collaborative partnership developed over the past four years and will see Hockey Ireland lead the delivery of field hockey as an official sporting opportunity for athletes with an intellectual disability through its nationwide club network.
The partnership aligns closely with Special Olympics Ireland’s Inclusive Club Framework, introduced in 2019, which supports athletes becoming members of mainstream sports clubs while continuing to access Special Olympics competition opportunities. Under the agreement, hockey will be delivered fully through Hockey Ireland and its affiliated clubs, while Special Olympics Ireland will promote these opportunities to its members and support athlete participation pathways.
To support clubs, coaches, volunteers and families in understanding the new partnership and the opportunities available, Hockey Ireland and Special Olympics Ireland will host an online information webinar on Wednesday, 27 May from 19:00–20:00. The webinar is open to parents, coaches, volunteers and club members and will explore how Hockey4All clubs can become affiliated as Special Olympics Ireland clubs, the benefits of affiliation for both clubs and athletes, and how the partnership will support greater participation and inclusion within the sport.
Attendees will also hear more about the upcoming Hockey Ireland National Competition, which will take place on 6 September 2026. The webinar will conclude with an open Q&A session, giving clubs, coaches, volunteers and families the opportunity to ask questions and learn more about how to get involved.
Alongside these, Hockey Ireland will also be running Coaching, Umpiring, and Young Hockey Leaders courses throughout the summer to provide opportunities for new and aspiring players, coaches and umpires to develop and thrive.
Keep an eye on hockey.ie/events/ to see what’s coming up!
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