Hockey development is all set to take off in the Pacific as the Targeted Assistance Programme (TAP), initiated by the International Hockey Federation (FIH), extends its reach to that part of the world. While attracting many more people to our sport, the initiative has another far-reaching and essential objective – to improve the health and life chances of the Pacific Island populations.
TAP’s aim is to support Continental Federations and National Associations in achieving long term, sustainable growth of hockey across the globe, focusing upon areas where the sport is currently drastically under-developed or non-existent.
Putting their weight behind the Pacific TAP project are two powerhouse organisations: Hockey Australia and the Oceania Hockey Federation (OHF). Working with groups in the Solomon Islands, Tonga and Vanuatu, the partnership members hope to raise the profile of the game and encourage hundreds more participants of all ages and abilities.
And it is about much more than just introducing a new sport to these communities. The Pacific Sports Partnership is about getting people in the Pacific region moving, leading to healthier lifestyles with exercise and physical activity becoming a habit for life. This will include actively targeting participation in youth, and the engagement of women in sport.
While the programme is an initiative to encourage participation in hockey, it also aims to encourage an active and healthy lifestyle. An indigenous development officer will be appointed in each of the three regions and will receive support from both Hockey Australia and the Oceania Hockey Federation.
Secretary of the Oceania Hockey Federation, Bob Claxton said: “The innovation funding is a significant boost for hockey in the region and for the people of the Pacific nations because, for the first time, it allows us to have in-country development officers on the ground in the Solomon Islands, Tonga and Vanuatu.
"It will help create sustainability in these countries where before we’ve had people coming in and out to deliver hockey programmes in the community. It’s great that the Australian government, through the Pacific Sports Partnerships Innovation Fund, is supporting not just sport, but the overall health benefits of people pursuing an active lifestyle, particularly amongst girls and women.
“The engagement of Hockey Australia in this programme is also of vital importance because of the expertise that Australian hockey has within its network. Through the innovation fund we’ll be able to give the island nations and the dedicated development officers access to this expertise and to open them up to a broader network on which they can call upon for advice and support.”
Hockey is one of five recipients of the new ‘innovation grants’, taking the total number of sports involved in the Pacific Sports Partnership to 16. The TAP project is an important part of the Hockey Revolution, FIH's 10-year strategy aimed at making hockey a global game that inspires the next generation. For more information on the strategy, click here.
