One of the first key tasks of Steven Morris, the recently appointed FIH Marketing & Communications Manager, will be to produce an overall Communications Strategy for the FIH.

The FIH media contact database, with over 250 names, is currently being refined by Hannah Cox in the FIH office.

More names will be added after a further mailshot, which has been sent to 36 named national association/continental federation contacts, requesting details on their national media contacts.

The Committee expressed its disappointment that, to date, only 36 of 112 countries had nominated a contact.

Web Master Event Accreditation

Criteria have been drafted regarding accreditation for bona fide web masters wishing to attend major FIH events.

The use of web casting by accredited web sites will not be permitted though static photos/images will be allowed. Full details available from the FIH office.

The following FIH Media Officers have been appointed for events during 2001:

Men World Cup Qualifier (Edinburgh, July) - Nick Irvine (England); Women’s World Cup Qualifier (Amiens/Abbeville, Sept) - Patrick Rowley (England); Men’s Champions Trophy (Lahore, November) - Arjen Rahusen (Netherlands); Women’s Champions Trophy (Amstelveen, August) - Nick Irvine; Men’s and Women’s Champions Challenges (Delhi, December) - Dil Bahra (England).

The FIH would like to hear from other potential candidates, who wish to be considered for future FIH Media Officer appointments. Contact Steven Morris on comm@FIHockey.org.

Modified proposals for the 2001 FIH International Player of the Year awards have been drafted by David Agius (Malta), incorporating the introduction of a new category of awards for under 21 players.

The 2000 hockey highlights video has now been completed and the Committee would like to thank David Christison (Australia) for his assistance with its production. Extra copies of the video can be obtained direct from the FIH office. Contact Hannah Cox on info@FIHockey.org.

Octagon CSI TV has successfully completed negotiations with TyC (Argentina) and MBC (South Korea), for coverage of the major FIH tournaments over the next few years.

It has been decided to discontinue issuing FIH Press Cards now that most members of the hockey media hold similar cards for the AIPS (Association Internationale de Presse Sportive) and Hockey Writers Club.