EIHL update following submission to DCMS

The Elite League has made an application for funding to DCMS

The Elite Ice Hockey League has officially submitted the necessary documents to request government funding as part of Ice Hockey UK’s overall response to the Department of Digital, Culture, Media & Sport, which required detailed information about finances that would enable the sport to operate sustainably.

The EIHL provided details as part of the initial ‘fact-finding’ request from the DCMS in September, and both the league and its member teams have now submitted the requested further information in the hope that ice hockey will be able to benefit from the same kind of support as other sports have already received from government.

Chairman Tony Smith explained: “When we took the decision to suspend our 2020/21 season, we were very clear that the only way we would be able to play would be if crowd numbers were increased or support was available from the government to offset the loss of income. We have seen other sports be awarded grants recently and we believe we have made the case for professional ice hockey in the UK.

“If sufficient funding were to be available to us, then of course we would look at every option as to how we can organise some form of season in early 2021. However, this decision now rests firmly with the government."