Hockey is Diversity (HiD) is a Berlin-based, non-profit organization that brings together current and former amateur and professional hockey players, clubs, and partners who believe in the power of sport to create positive social change. Founded in 2010 by former DEL player and author Dr. Martin Hyun, HiD uses hockey as a platform to promote respect, inclusion, and equal opportunities for all.
At Hockey is Diversity, we believe that respect begins with recognizing the value of every individual. We stand firmly against racism, antisemitism, right-wing extremism, discrimination, and all forms of exclusion, while championing diversity, inclusion, and equal opportunities both in sport and beyond.
Hockey has long shown what is possible when people from different backgrounds, cultures, faiths, and identities come together with a shared purpose. The game teaches us that diversity is not a challenge to overcome—it is one of our greatest strengths.
In the 2004/05 season, Hyun himself was the first professional player of Korean descent in the 1st Bundesliga and also a junior national player for Germany.
Sport has taken me far beyond the rink. It has opened doors to people, cultures, and experiences I might never have encountered otherwise. While I owe my values to the way my parents raised me, sport taught me something just as important: never define yourself by a single role. I was never content with being “just” an athlete. I wanted to use the opportunities the game gave me to make a difference beyond the scoreboard.
That mindset followed me wherever I went. While studying in the United States, I found purpose in working with refugees from Iraq and Somalia who had experienced unimaginable hardship. Those moments reinforced a belief that has guided me ever since: the greatest impact we can have often comes not from what we achieve for ourselves, but from what we do for others.
This conviction is at the heart of Hockey is Diversity. It is inspired by the words of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., whose vision continues to shape my journey:
„It really boils down to this: that all life is interrelated. We are all caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied together into a single garment of destiny. Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly. We are made to live together because of the interrelated structure of reality . . . Before you finish eating breakfast in the morning, you’ve depended on more than half the world. This is the way our universe is structured, this is its interrelated quality. We aren’t going to have peace on Earth until we recognize the basic fact of the interrelated structure of all reality. “
For me, hockey has never been just a game. It is a platform to build bridges, create opportunities, and remind one another that we are stronger when everyone has the chance to belong.
Hockey is Diversity e.V. is an independent, non-profit organization built on a simple belief: hockey is more than a game. It has the power to bring people together, break down barriers, and create opportunities that extend far beyond the rink.
Our mission is to make the diversity of our society visible and to inspire a culture where every person feels seen, respected, and valued. We believe that different backgrounds, cultures, identities, and life experiences are not obstacles to overcome—they are strengths that make our communities, our teams, and our society better.
In sport, diversity is already part of everyday life. Every locker room is built on trust, teamwork, and the understanding that success comes from people with different stories working toward a common goal. We believe the same spirit should shape our society.
That is why we use the game of hockey as a platform for connection. Through education, community projects, storytelling, and meaningful partnerships, we create spaces where people meet, listen, learn from one another, and grow together.
Our vision reaches beyond hockey. We want to help build a society where respect is the standard, inclusion is lived every day, and diversity is celebrated as one of our greatest strengths. Because when everyone belongs, we all move forward together.
We promote international understanding and tolerance in all areas of culture and the concept of international cooperation.
We promote civic engagement for charitable purposes, such as intercultural awareness, peace and dialogue culture, and social harmony.
We promote equality between women and men (gender equality).
We promote sports, especially ice hockey, para ice hockey, floorball, inline and skater hockey
We organize and design panel discussions, conferences, exhibitions, lectures, and readings. Furthermore, we contribute our perspectives to events hosted by other institutions and raise awareness of topics such as diversity, inclusion, and anti-discrimination.
Through targeted projects in ice rinks, stadiums, and educational institutions, we raise awareness. We talk to young people and clubs about diversity, racism, and social responsibility – in a practical, dialogue-oriented, and respectful manner.
We maintain close ties with national and international stakeholders from sports, politics, business, and civil society. This collaboration fosters sustainable partnerships that strengthen and advance our goals.
Mit Beiträgen, Artikeln und Veröffentlichungen greifen wir aktuelle gesellschaftliche Entwicklungen auf und bringen unsere Perspektiven in öffentliche Debatten ein.
Chairman & Founder /
Chairman of the Board & Founder
Vice Chairman
Vice Chairman & Treasurer
Regional Representative (North Rhine-Westphalia)
Education & Inclusion Lead
Creative Director & Lead Photographer
Membership Manager
Representative Referees
Consultant
Video Director & Editor
Chief Information Officer
Community Ambassador (Berlin)
Apparel Designer
