Mike Joyce Appointed New Director General of International Hockey Federation

In a significant leadership change, the International Hockey Federation (FIH) announced the appointment of Mike Joyce as its new Director General during a meeting held in Amsterdam, Netherlands. Joyce, who has been leading the Education and Development Department at FIH for the past seven years, will assume his new role with a focus on strategic initiatives and operational excellence for the organization.

Joyce's extensive background in hockey includes roles as a player and coach with both the English and Swiss Hockey Associations. He has also contributed to the International Olympic Committee and served as Chair of the Global Association of International Sports Federations (GAISF) Membership Commission. According to Tayyab Ikram, President of FIH, Joyce's experience and passion for the sport make him an ideal candidate to advance the federation's goals. "I would like to congratulate Mike Joyce and wish him well for this exciting mission. I’m sure we have the right person to help FIH reach the next level," Ikram stated.

As Director General, Joyce will lead the FIH team and oversee the implementation of decisions made by the FIH Congress, Executive Board, and President. The FIH has also created two new positions to enhance its leadership structure: Chief Operating Officer (COO) and Chief Sports Officer (CSO). Diana Capsa, who previously served as Interim Senior Operations Director, will take on the COO role, focusing on the management of internal functions, including finance, human resources, and legal affairs.

The newly appointed Chief Sports Officer, Elisabeth Fürst, will oversee the Sport, Events, Development, and Education departments, reflecting the federation's strategic goal of aligning these areas under a unified vision. FIH described this organizational evolution as essential for addressing future challenges and driving innovation within the sport.

In his acceptance statement, Joyce expressed gratitude and enthusiasm for his new position, highlighting his long-standing commitment to hockey. "I am deeply passionate about the incredible sport of hockey, which has given me over 45 years of great memories and exciting challenges. I am exceptionally honoured and humbled to have been given the opportunity to help shape the future of the FIH and of hockey in this exciting role," Joyce remarked.

The appointment of Joyce and the establishment of new executive roles come at a crucial time as FIH prepares for a series of upcoming events, including the FIH World Cup 2026 and the Nations Cup Malaysia 2024-25. The federation aims to strengthen its operational capabilities and enhance its global presence in the sport. With these strategic changes, FIH intends to bolster its commitment to developing hockey at all levels and ensuring the sport's growth on the international stage.

For further updates about FIH and related events, stakeholders and fans are encouraged to follow the federation's official social media channels and website.