INDOOR HOCKEY SPECIAL
EXCLUSIVE
ON THE UP... AT LAST!
By the late 1990s and early 2000s Europe had offered them a chance to at Crystal Palace used to be one of the
indoor hockey had been sidelined and compete at a high level against the best highlights of the season. Not being
devalued. The first nail in the coffin international players so with that carrot able to walk the following week was an
came when the Hockey Association taken away they began to concentrate acceptable price to pay because it was
(as it was then) encouraged the then on their outdoor game more. such a fantastic event.”
sponsor, the Royal Bank of Scotland, to Then there was the banning of the The last three years has seen an
transfer their sponsorship to the men’s women’s U21 players from the 2001 attempt to reinvigorate indoor hockey.
outdoor cup. This was televised live competition. This was badly managed It is generally agreed that holding the
by the BBC. With only 1000 spectators and a confused message was sent finals at the NIA in Birmingham has
and a game best described as ‘flat’ the out to the clubs. The net result was been a success. The event has attracted
bank dropped its support of hockey that indoor giants, Bowden Hightown, big support from Tempest and Qatar
altogether. withdrew from the tournament that year Airways, while highlights have made
10
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The second blow came when the and thus their relegation to the North it on to Sky Sports. A move back into
A
g
men were withdrawn from the European League. indoor hockey by England has also
P international scene and thus many Hightown player, Tina Cullen, said brought back a keenness amongst
players’ interest in the game waned. at the time: “The Indoor Championship hockey players, giving players like Nick
Push
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