The requirement is to have insurance for all those at a Thistles recognised event participating in Organised Competitive Amateur Field Hockey ("Hockey"). Thanks to Paul Bateson's sterling work we think we have found it. This is annual cover for:
-- Personal Accident and Travel (players, coaches, and umpires)
-- Employers Liability (volunteers, coaches etc.)
-- Public Liability (spectators, opposition players, etc.)
To be covered partners would have to be members, possibly an Associate Plus membership - no fee but pay for the annual insurance. It also covers days tacked on to a Thistles recognised event as a holiday. Travel cover is provided worldwide (except USA) with age limit up to age 90 and no requirement for disclosure of prior medical conditions.
Now come the complications.
PREMIUM. All insurance policies have a basic premium that Thistles has to pay regardless of uptake - lets call it £10k per annum. We have, lets say, 250 members. With all members covered it costs each of us £40. (Above 250 the premium rises proportionately.)
EXISTING INSURANCE. People have their own favoured insurance for reasons that make sense to their circumstances however Thistles has no way of knowing if that insurance is compatible with "Hockey". All I can say is the one real world example so far: in Spain the player fortuitously used a public hospital because when he enquired of his insurance they advised they would not have paid out for private treatment because it was "Hockey".
SCOTTISH HOCKEY INSURANCE. Thistles events are outside of the auspices of Scottish Hockey and not all are members of S.H. For masters age players their cover, even with international extension, has low age cut-offs and gaps in the cover we need.
RISK. Thistles cannot be at risk. Consider the recent case of poor Adam Johnson who died playing Ice Hockey; no criminal charges but who is to say what civil suits will follow and against whom - England Ice Hockey for example.
-----------
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE DECISION
At the Executive Committee meeting 5th May this was discussed in depth. John Lees presented that the add-on cost to his normal travel insurance for playing Hockey is £60. My own is £100. So we are to present to the AGM the proposal that Membership Fees be increased to £65 per annum and this will include insurance for every playing member. Even though this may overlap player’s own choice of insurance at around £40 each this is excellent value for money and fulfils in full the need for Thistles not to be at risk. This would commence 1st January 2026.
Addendum. At present this insurance will only cover Thistles however the insurance broker is in discussions with Scottish Masters Hockey and I am speculating but who knows the day may come where there is a head policy for masters type Hockey regardless of whether National or Thistles.