On the occasion of its 49th Statutory Congress, the International Hockey Federation (FIH) announced the launch of its Women in Hockey Empowerment Project — a transformative platform designed to uplift and engage female players, coaches, officials, and leaders in the sport.

This initiative aims to:

  • Identify, analyze, and address issues of inequality across all levels of hockey by providing coaches with the materials they need to help build body confidence for girls and make sport a place where they feel like they belong.
  • Accelerate opportunities for girls and women in hockey to advance and lead;
  • Create a mechanism to celebrate successful women in the sport, positioning them as role models for other women and girls

This effort will be promoted under the empowering banner of #MadeForHockey, set to become a powerful symbol for women’s empowerment in hockey.

As part of the inaugural FIH Women in Hockey Empowerment Project, the Laureus Sport for Good Foundation has awarded FIH a grant to help change the future of sport for girls by leveraging Body Confident Sport – a first-of-its-kind, evidence-based set of coaching tools co-created by Nike and Dove which provides coaches with the materials they need to help increase body confidence, body image and self-esteem in girls.

Research shows that nearly half of teenage girls (aged 11–17) drop out of sports due to body image insecurities.

The Body Confident Sport program aims to change this by helping girls and young people of all gender identities feel comfortable and confident in their own bodies while participating in sports, including hockey. Through a combination of coach education and practical, easy-to-use program guides, the initiative provides both coaches and players with the tools, knowledge and inspiration to foster body-confident athletes.

FIH will champion this program by raising awareness and driving engagement across the global hockey community. The initiative will also leverage the FIH Academy’s extensive global network of coaches to ensure its far-reaching impact.

The FIH Women in Hockey Program builds on years of FIH’s dedication to advancing gender equality and forms a key pillar of the FIH Empowerment and Engagement Strategy, launched in June 2023.

FIH President Tayyab Ikram said: "Our sport is fully committed to gender equality and to increasing the participation of girls and women at all levels. I urge the entire hockey community to become advocates for body confidence and support this important program. On behalf of FIH, I’d like to express our sincerest gratitude to Nike for their support and to Laureus for the confidence they have placed in us to maximize the global impact of this great initiative."

Marijke Fleuren, Chair of the FIH Gender Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion Committee, echoed this sentiment, adding: "Hockey has been a pioneer in the fight for gender equality for a long time now. However, challenges remain. Body confidence among young girls and women is one of them. We are proud to lead this change with a tangible program and a clear call to action. Pleasure must take the lead again!.”

“As a company founded by a coach and an athlete, Nike knows how critical coaches are to inspiring a lifelong love of sport and helping youth achieve their greatest potential,” says Mariette Brethouwer, NIKE, Inc. Director of Social & Community Impact, EMEA. “The FIH’s efforts through the Laureus Sport for Good grant will give coaches the tools they need to help girls shift the conversation from what their bodies look like to what their bodies can do – and in doing so, inspire more girls to stay in sport and continue benefitting from it.”

“Laureus Sport for Good uses sport as a tool to help children and young people overcome violence, discrimination and disadvantage in their lives. Ever since its inception, Laureus Sport for Good has reached millions of children and young people around the world. Laureus Sport for Good currently supports more than 200 programmes in over 40 countries. This year, Laureus has began working with several organisations in delivering the Body Confident Sport toolkit around the world” adds Sara Downie, Programmes and Grants Manager at Laureus Sport for Good. “We are pleased and proud to support FIH on this initiative. We are looking forward to seeing the difference the initiative makes to thousands of girls around the world.”

All information is on madefor.hockey.

#MadeForHockey