9 things the WSH can learn from EPL

The hockey lovers in India are really excited about the news of WSH. According to many this is the right step in reviving Hockey in India which over years has taken a beating in front of other sports like Cricket, Tennis, Football and modern sports like F1. There was a time when the Hockey matches were passionately followed but now even India’s biggest newspaper covers it under other Sports while it covers NBA in the main page!!!!

With almost all decks cleared for WSH, and it happening this December, what are the steps that WSH can take to ensure that it does not go the PHL way. The answer to that question lies at the same place where the Indian leagues both IPL & WSH looked to when they designed themselves i.e. the EPL.

Now the question comes what can WSH learn from EPL and various other league. Lets look at what strengths does it employ and how it can be used

1. English and used for it’s advantage

The EPL takes huge advantage of the it being from England and uses this connection in the Anglophone world. Similarly WSH can use to its advantage the huge diaspora all around the world and ensure it goes global through them.

2. Aggression v Technical v Tactical

All the global sporting league’s rely on any one of the trait. You rely too much on one then it becomes a drag and if you mix them, you get more success. However of all the 3, using aggression helps the most to get the youngsters which becomes the backbone. This is true for EPL. Similarly in USA, NFL is most popular of the big 4 (Nascar/NBA/Baseball) because it uses a lot of aggression along with being tactical and technical too. Baseball which is too Technical with little bit tactical is now amongst the laggard in big 4 US games. Similarly Serie A which has more technical playing angle is also behind other Football league.

Hockey is a highly Technical game. WSH should ensure that aggression as well as tactical stuff if put into it to make it complete fun for viewers.

3. Matches on Weekend

IPL is played on a daily basis with over 74 matches being played in a single season/month. It may have bored you. You will not want to watch every team play, everyday. Like I just want to watch KXIP in the IPL and not KKR. EPL efficiently takes place on the weekend with the biggies not clashing with each other. The players are released if required for international commitments. This ensures local viewers can enjoy their games at the right place, in the Stadium.

WSH may not be able to do it initially but over time they should put in more matches but on Weekend only.

4. League goes on but does not burden you

The beauty of EPL scheduling is that even though it has 760 matches in a season it does not burden you, because you get to see your favorite team play 38 times. And with matches over the weekend spread over various months, you have the excitement but you are not burdened by it.

Somehow WSH has also to ensure that it does not over do it. Presently with 61 matches over 45 days seems a little drag. Over time I hope they ensure that they balance the scheduling

5. Local support and tradition

The EPL and other European clubs have strong traditions and following. WSH though cannot do that overnight but surely would like to be associated with the locals. The solution for this would be with signing some local talent, roping in local hockey clubs, linking themselves with the local traditions or roping the local stars. This will help the WSH to form an unmovable base of support.

6. Good junior Programs

This is one area where EPL lacks but surely other Europeans clubs specially Spanish, Italian and German clubs are very good. They have very good junior programs and which help them to produce future stars, bring in talent at very low cost, and through them garner local support. Through sponsorship programs the young talent must be tapped

7. Timing of Broadcasts

The timings of Broadcast is very crucial if the WSH really dreams of becoming a “World” Series Hockey rather than just staying in India. The EPL broadcast are set in a way that they are enjoyed in UK along with wide support network in Africa and Asia. As the matches are on Weekend, setting them towards evening or late night go down very well with the fans. Similarly in the long term WSH should try to balance out the various time differences and reach primary Hockey markets of Asia, Oceania and Europe.

8. Global Players and brand names

This is a aspect that makes EPL attractive to so many nations. A star of a local country be it in Africa or America is signed by an European team and then in return attracts the local viewers. WSH has brought in some stars but should look for some bigger names from Netherlands, Germany, Australia or Spain. This will help it improve the quality of league, generate interest locally and more interest globally.

9. Global expertize of the commentary panel.

Finally last but not the least, have you ever seen the level of commentators on ESPN be it cricket or EPL. This is why people love to watch ESPN. This really matters. A good match can be spoiled by a bad commentary. It is not only the stars that are required to put on a show but more sensible and level headed commentators. WSH can bring in good commentators from other sports as well like Harsha Bhogle etc. This factor will really help projecting WSH in a big way.

PS:-This post could not have written without the help of my friend Ambujesh Yadav an ardent athlete, a real sports and Man U fan.