Players and officials in Munster hockey are on a collision course over a proposal aimed at increasing the profile of hockey in the province.
The Munster Branch of the Irish Hockey Association (MBIHA) will tomorrow night examine a proposal to impose a mandatory rule that Division One fixtures must be played on Saturdays between 12.30pm and 3.30pm.
While such a recommendation already exists, the move to make it mandatory has arisen after a number of recent games were played at times perceived to be unsociable.
Most notable in this instance was the women’s top-of-the-table clash between UCC and Cork Harlequins last Tuesday night, which clashed with the Munster vs All Blacks rugby match.
The students inflicted a 3-0 defeat on the champions, their heaviest defeat in more than a decade, but only a handful witnessed it.
By comparison, College’s game against Bandon at a similar time the previous week attracted a significant crowd, dovetailing as it did with club training.
The branch is open to night-time and midweek games – more about that later – but the proposal has nonetheless ruffled the feathers of top-level clubs, with a number lodging objections with the branch that will be considered this evening.
A number of players have contacted Southern Fried in recent days to outline their opposition to the proposal.
Many felt that as amateurs, morning and evening games often suited their work or college schedules better.
Others believed staging games at the same time may disperse crowds, and that such an imposition could also see more clashes with top-level sport, namely Premier League soccer and Heineken Cup/Test rugby matches.
The branch, however, maintains that both spectators and media are more likely to attend games fixed for Saturday afternoons, resulting in optimum exposure for the sport.
There is, however, room to maneouve according to the branch, who have included a caveat in the proposal. Division One fixtures can be played outside the prescribed times provided clubs seek and get written approval from the fixtures secretary at least 10 days prior to the fixture.
The proposal also indicates that matches being played in Irish competitions will take precedence.
What do you think? Should all Division One games be played between 12.30 and 3.30pm? Have your say below.
Top level matches should not be fixed to suit a few as they appear to have been done in the past. If you have the talent and ability to play at the top level in Munster you should be looking to play in front as many people as possible.
It is hard enough to get exposure for hockey and get people to attend a game as it is without playing early morning or midweek games and expecting people there.
I have played a number of Div 2 games on Friday nights and have seen more people at it than a game in Div 1 played at 11 on a Saturday morning. (Other players and umpires have commented on how happy they were to play at this time too). A good way to start the weekend!!!!!
Fix the games where you will attract the crowds, Don’t be tied to a few hours each weekend in case there is a clash with big rugby or soccer game. Make the most of the opportunity to attract the crowds every weekend.
don’t think it’s a good idea, the matches should be played at a time which suits the players and not the branch or supporters.
Have we forgotten that this is not a spectator sport!!!It is for those who have a excellent talent and wish to play the sport. These have other commitments besides playing a match at a time for spectators!!!
What about the mother who can only play on certain times, are you going to punish them because they have children. The same can be said about college students….how many of the ul and ucc team have taken on incredibly tough courses like dentistry, physio and studying to be a dotor. It is not fiar to punish these players, who are already under a considerable amount of pressure as it is.
If the munster branch was trying to increase the popularity of watching the sport why don’t they do something pro active.
Every clubs training times are well known through out munster. Why don’t the munster branch go to these trainings, announce that such and such a match is on at what ever time. For schoolgirls, many of these would go to matches if someone only bothered getting off their behind and going to the clubs….telling them this is the match to be at this weekend.
Why isn’t the munster website updated with big signs showing matches….
Munster branch are just taking the lazy way out instead of being hands on…they should get off their posterior and go to the clubs to advertise the matches…than if it doesn’t work, they should think about fixing the times.
With the ucc quins match on tues night, it could have been a doubler header if both clubs had got their act together as the ucc men play quins on the thurs….than it would have attracted more crowds.
Should be up to teams to arrange the match at times that suit the players (and I hate to put it like this) but not the supporters.
From a Limerick’s side perspective, we have to travel to Cork a lot and it suits us, most of the time, to play earlier then half12 so we can make it back to Limerick at a reasonable time. With players having college, work and personal family commitments.
There must be other ways of promoting the sport then this??
I think all Mens premier league matches should be played at the same time every week e.g half 2 every Saturday,It means the players know what time there match is every week.Its a joke having a Ci/Quins Peard cup at 12,have it at ha;f 2 where you will get a bigger crowd.For clubs with Mens and womens teams in division 1 e.g Ci or Quins.Have there women on at 1 and the men at half 2,You will attract bigger crowds and it is a reasonable time