Belgium and the Netherlands hosted the first ever FIH Para Hockey World Cup in August. 16 teams from around the world entered with players who have an intellectual disability, showcasing inclusion, respect and fun in hockey.

The tournament was split between the two host nations, with England’s Pool hosted in Amsterdam at Myra HC.

England’s Hockey ID squad was represented by Kes Bloxham (GK, St Albans), Ollie Graham (Tunbridge Wells), Alison Mullan (London Wayfarers), Mudassar Arshad (Waltham Forest), Joel Davey (Blueharts), Thomas Shaw (Wakefield), Oli White (Tunbridge Well), Sophie Wood (Harleston Magpies), Rob Crosse (Wakefield) and Ellen Greenhall (Tunbridge Wells).

England opened the first day of Para Hockey World Cup action with a brilliant 6-3 win over India, with Rob Crosse scoring a hat-trick as well as Joel Davey and Oli Graham scoring on their England debuts.

In the afternoon of the first day saw England play Argentina with Alison Mulland becoming the first woman to score a goal at the Para Hockey World Cup for England and finishing as 4-1 winners.

Off the pitch, the players started to mix with other nations and the volunteers at Myra HC were friendly and helpfully supported to players when needed.

The atmosphere pitch-side was a real celebration, with flags and supporters from all nations making incredible noise while offering support and applause to all teams entering and leaving the pitch.

The following three days of action saw a mix of results with a 7-3 win over Chile alongside defeats to Bulgaria, Spain, Malaysia and the Netherlands.

Despite the tough results, squad morale was high after a visit from some of the senior England women’s squad. The senior players spent time with the squad after the match and took part in some competitive table tennis matches.

England finished with six different goal scorers at the end of the Pool matches, highlighted by Rob Crosse with 11 goals.

The final placement matches were played in the Wagener Stadium (host stadium for the Senior FIH World Cup), England faced India again and after their 6-3 win in the pool stage, England needed to avoid defeat to claim ninth spot.

A very tight match finished 2-2 with Thomas Shaw scoring both goals for England to claim the Challenger Trophy. The team received the trophy on stage in the atmospheric fan village at the Wagener Stadium, concluding the tournament with a big celebration.

One of the comments from the players was how amazing it was that they got to wear the exact same kit as the senior teams and how proud they were of that!

With the World Cup now over, thoughts and planning are now towards the KETTLE ® EuroHockey EuroChamps27, where the England Hockey ID squad will be competing in front of home support.

England Hockey would therefore like to invite all eligible players to an open selection event on Saturday 5 December at Bisham Abbey. The event will run from 11:00 – 15:00.

The link to register interest is below,
 Hockey ID Open Selection event for season 2026-2027. – Fill in form

The basic criteria is below, but it does not matter at this stage if players have got this as there is a process to follow which we are able to support players (and families with). 

Players must be over 18 at start of tournament (July 2027)
1. Significant impairment in intellectual functioning, defined as an IQ of 75 or less. 
2. Significant limitations in adaptive behaviour, including conceptual, social, and practical adaptive skills. 
3. Evidence that the intellectual impairment was present before the age of 22.