GB Hockey Launches Npower Big Dribble
Great Britain Hockey has launched the npower Big Dribble, a new initiative that will see a giant hockey ball travel the length of the country, stopping off in 40 towns and cities along the way. GB Hockey players, James Tindall and Ashley Jackson and Made in Chelsea star Millie Mackintosh launched the initiative on Monday in Trafalgar Square.
At each stop communities will be invited to be part of a record attempt to ‘dribble’ a hockey ball 2012km. Participants will also have the chance to send the GB hockey squad good luck wishes ahead of the Summer’s Games by signing the giant ball.
The action-packed road show, which will raise funds for national children’s charity WellChild, will begin its journey in Edinburgh on 15th April.
Over the next 18 days, thousands of people across the UK will have an opportunity to get involved in the free to attend event. The npower Big Dribble will conclude its journey on 2nd May when it will arrive at in Trafalgar Square for its grand finale.
Locations hosting the npower Big Dribble events include Gateshead, Leeds, Cardiff, Cheltenham, Bristol and Reading, and schools, families, sports teams and individuals are all invited to welcome the ball’s arrival into their town and to get involved in a range of free, fun hockey related activities.
All events will offer communities a chance to contribute to the record breaking dribble attempt. Participants will be invited to dribble a hockey ball up to 100 metres, contributing to a running total online and every individual who completes the course will be awarded a certificate.
In addition, many of the events will also offer a chance to meet GB hockey players, past and present, and to get involved in a range of free, fun activities including the Cage Goal Scoring Challenge, Giant Hockey Skittles and a competition to win an electric scooter – complements of event sponsor, npower.
In addition to getting the country dribbling, the road show is also being used to test the UK’s Electric Vehicle (EV) infrastructure. Equipment will be transported in new Mercedes-Benz Vito E-CELL all-electric vans, powered using npower charging posts, in an effort to showcase EV technology, while identifying areas where further development is required.
Sally Munday, chief operating officer, Great Britain Hockey, said: ‘Our vision is to capture the imagination of the British public, to inspire people of all ages and backgrounds and sporting abilities to get involved in hockey. The npower Big Dribble will arrive on the doorstep of thousands allowing them to experience a taste of one of the nation’s favourite team sports. Having a go couldn’t be easier – it’s great fun and what’s more, no equipment or experience is necessary.’
Volker Beckers, chief executive officer for RWE npower, added: ‘npower has a long and proud tradition in supporting sport at all levels, and when we heard about Great Britain Hockey’s record-breaking campaign, we wanted to offer our support. It’s our way of getting behind GB Hockey and wishing them all the best at this summer’s major sporting event. Both hockey teams have a great chance of collecting Gold medals.’
