Establishing a strategic athlete development framework for the British Universities Ice Hockey Association (BUIHA)

Abstract

University ice hockey in the United Kingdom (UK) operates independent from the British Universities and Colleges Sport (BUCS) and is governed by the British Universities Ice Hockey Association (BUIHA). The organisation is volunteer-led, self-funded, and manages university participation and competition outside of the governing body structures as well as the national university sport framework. The absence of coordinated player development pathways has created the need to establish sustainable player development initiatives suitable for the unique environment of university ice hockey in the UK. The aim of the research was to understand and analyse organisational factors, coaching practices, and resource limitations that directly influence clubs’ ability to support athlete progression. The objective was to use the research to support the creation of a strategic player development framework. A quantitative survey was conducted among BUIHA coaches following the 2023-2024 season. Purposive sampling was used to directly attract coaches working within the affiliated clubs. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, chi-square test with Monte Carlo simulation, and thematic analysis of open-ended responses. The results showed that limited ice time, mixed skill levels and lack of funding were the main barriers to player development. Challenges were consistent across checking, non-checking and women’s teams, indicating systematic constraints in the BUIHA. Coaches identified education as the key development need, alongside resource support. It was identified that effective player development requires the approach built on three pillars: technical and tactical progression, coach education based on adult learning principles, and organisational sustainability. The proposed framework can be used by the BUIHA to further develop organisational direction and an implementation plan for development initiatives, considering the needs identified by coaches. Additionally, the results support clubs in identifying their development priorities and how they can contribute to sustainable succession planning as part of a wider systematic approach across university ice hockey in the UK.