Field hockey

Background

This page explains the work permit criteria for field hockey for the 2008-09 season. These criteria were agreed following consultation with the governing bodies, England Hockey, Welsh Hockey Union, Scottish Hockey Union and Irish Hockey Association. This criteria is supplementary guidance to the published employer guidance notes and both sets of guidance should be referred to when making an application.

Length of season

The season for field hockey runs from 1 September to 31 May.

Criteria for players

Work permits will not be issued to clubs who are not affiliated to the relevant governing body. The UK Border Agency will consult with the following relevant governing body for confirmation of affiliation: England Hockey, Welsh Hockey Union, Scottish Hockey Union and Irish Hockey Association. Their contact details can be found at the end of these criteria.

• Work permits will be issued for established international players in men's and women's field hockey, who will make a significant contribution to the development of the sport in the United Kingdom.
• Players must have played in at least one competitive game for one of the current top 12 international teams in the world during the two years preceding the date of the work permit application.
• The top 12 international male teams are unlikely to be from the same countries as the top 12 international female teams.

Competitive games comprise games played in:

• Olympic Games
• World Cup
• Games within the qualifying tournament for the above, and
• Commonwealth Games

The Top 12 international teams list can be accessed on the International Hockey Federation website.

Players who do not meet the above criteria must submit evidence of support from the relevant governing body with their application.

Criteria for coaches

Coaches are required to have gained a GB level 3 qualification or an equivalent qualification. With an equivalent qualification they will still need to undertake the health and safety and first aid qualifications and an awareness of child welfare issues.

If the individual does not hold a coaching qualification, the UK Border Agency's Sports and Entertainments Team would accept testimonials from other coaches from overseas clubs detailing the level of experience held. However, the application must be supported by the relevant governing body and the coach must have health and safety and first aid qualifications and an understanding of child welfare issues.

Evidence should be provided to show that a resident search has been undertaken. This should include a copy of the advertisement from the following websites: England Hockey, International Hockey Federation or Field Hockey. Details of responses to the advertisements should be provided.

Criteria for player/coach and coach/player

The individual must meet either the playing or coaching criteria. Employers will be required to provide a detailed job description and a copy of the contract, in order to confirm which role the individual would be filling predominantly.

If the role is predominantly to coach, then the coaching criteria must be met and the job should have been advertised accordingly (see above for details on advertising).

An individual who has been issued with a work permit as a player may assist at coaching sessions only if accompanied by a properly qualified coach.

Length of Issue

Permits will be issued for the length of the contract, up to a maximum of five years.

Salary

The expected salary for a player or coach for the 2008-09 season is a minimum of £215 per week plus accommodation (for example. if the club wants to give the player or coach £50 toward accommodation, the minimum should then be £265 per week). Travel costs must be excluded from this.

Extensions

Applications will be considered for players who have previously held, or currently hold, a work permit, provided that they meet the above criteria.

Further information

This criteria should be used in conjunction with the sports and entertainments guidance for employers when making a work permit application.

The general criteria for work permit applications under the Sports and Entertainment criteria are available in the booklet 'Applying for a Sports and Entertainment Work Permit - Guidance for Employers'. This guidance can be downloaded from the right side of this page or are available in paper form from the distribution centre on 0117 3441471 between 0900 and 1700 Monday to Friday.

For more information please contact us at:

UK Border Agency
Sports and Entertainments Team
PO Box 3468
Sheffield
S3 8WA

Phone: 0114 274 3303
Fax: 0114 274 3003
Email: ents.workpermits@bia.homeoffice.gsi.gov.uk

Consultation contacts

Applications from clubs in England

England Hockey
The National Hockey Stadium
Silbury Boulevard
Milton Keynes
MK9 1HA

Phone: 01908 544664
Email: stephen.barlow@englandhockey.org

Applications from clubs in Wales

Welsh Hockey Union
Severn House
Station Terrace
Ely
Cardiff

Phone: 029 2057 3940
Fax: 029 2057 3941
Email: info@welsh-hockey.co.uk

Applications from clubs in Scotland

Scottish Hockey Union
589 Lanark Road
Edinburgh
EH14 5DA

Phone: 0131 453 9070
Fax: 0131 453 9079
Email: info@scottish-hockey.org.uk

Applications from clubs in Ireland

Joan Morgan
Irish Hockey Association
6a Woodbine Park
Blackrock
Co Dublin

Phone: 00353 12600028
Fax: 00353 12600087
Email: joan.morgan@hockey.ie