By Mike Haymonds

Leandro Negre, FIH President, made his first visit to the Museum on Wednesday and pronounced himself “very impressed” with what he saw after a guided tour with Chair of Trustees Katie Dodd and Curator Mike Smith. He spoke with many of the volunteers about the work they were involved with and saw first hand some of the fascinating archives and artefacts that had recently arrived. He also had the opportunity to meet with a student from Oxford University, currently using the Museum for her degree study on hockey.

His visit came a week after Katie and Mike visited the FIH head office in Lausanne where plans for possible future collaboration between the FIH and NHM were discussed.

Describing himself as “a fan of collecting things,” Mr Negre said: “As 2024 will be the centenary of the FIH, the development of tangible evidence of hockey’s history is highly important: The work of the NHM will be a big part of our preparations over the next decade.

“I was pleased to meet so many volunteers and very impressed with how dedicated and organised they appeared.“

The Museum curator Mike Smith said: “I’m extremely pleased to be forging this valuable relationship with the FIH. We are also pleased to be able to show a life-long collector like Leandro what we have achieved at the NHM.”

The FIH President presented the Museum with a large hockey-themed limited edition print of a painting by the well-known Spanish artist Jordi Alumà. He also donated one of his own sweaters, knitted by his wife, then his fiancée, and worn throughout his career as Spain’s goalkeeper.

The CEO of Woking Borough Council, Mr Ray Morgan, also attended the visit, demonstrating Woking’s continued support for the NHM project. As a token of hockey’s support Mr Negre presented Mr Morgan with an FIH tie.

2014.5 – 25/01/14