Hockey Ireland and Special Olympics Ireland have signed a formal Memorandum of Understanding to expand inclusive hockey opportunities for athletes with an intellectual disability across the island of Ireland.
The agreement formalises a 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 builds on Hockey Ireland’s Hockey4All programme, which has established teams in clubs across the country and created competitive pathways for players. Irish Hockey4All teams have already represented Ireland at two Special Olympics competitions in the Netherlands in recent years.
Under the agreement, athletes with an intellectual disability will be able to join local affiliated hockey clubs and access existing coaching structures, facilities and competitions. The arrangement aligns with Special Olympics Ireland’s Inclusive Club Framework, introduced in 2019, which supports athletes becoming members of mainstream sports clubs while continuing to compete within Special Olympics structures.
Over the course of the collaboration, both organisations have worked to embed Special Olympics’ ethics, rules, and processes into Hockey Ireland’s delivery model. This has included developing competition structures, introducing a grading system for field hockey, dividing training for staff and volunteers, and providing access to intellectual disability learning modules.
The partnership could also pave the way for Irish athletes to compete on the world stage. Following an agreement signed between Special Olympics International and the International Hockey Federation in 2023, recognising hockey within the Special Olympics movement internationally, Special Olympics Ireland will now be eligible to apply for athlete quota places at the Special Olympics World Summer Games in Santiago in 2027.
“This partnership represents an exciting step forward for hockey in Ireland,” said Richard Fahey, CEO of Hockey Ireland.
“We are proud to work alongside Special Olympics Ireland to create meaningful opportunities for athletes with an intellectual disability to participate, compete and thrive within hockey clubs across the country.”
“Over the past number of years, we have seen tremendous growth in Hockey4All, and this agreement provides a strong platform to continue building inclusive pathways locally, nationally and internationally.”
Karen Coventry, CEO of Special Olympics Ireland, described the agreement as “an exciting first step in a partnership focused on sport, inclusion and community.”
“Together, we will create more pathways for athletes with an intellectual disability to play and compete in hockey,” she said.
“To support clubs, coaches, volunteers and families, the two organisations will host an online information webinar on Tuesday, 27 May from 19:00 to 20:00.
The session will outline how Hockey4All clubs can affiliate with Special Olympics Ireland, explain the benefits for clubs and athletes, and provide details on participation pathways and future competitions.
Attendees will also receive information on the Hockey Ireland National Competition, scheduled for 6 September 2026, which requires Hockey4All clubs to become affiliated with Special Olympics Ireland.
Hockey Ireland and Special Olympics Ireland are full members of Sport for Business.
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Image Credit: Special olympics Ireland
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