Now: Pensions Expands Men’s Hockey Deal

NOW: Pensions, the principal partner of Great Britain and England Men’s hockey, has continued its support of the men’s domestic league, following its first full season in the role.

To mark the start of the 2013/14 season, the sponsor hosted a launch event at Devonshire Square, London, with players from the NOW: Pensions Men’s Premier League playing in an exhibition Rush Hockey match and demonstrating their skills in the NOW: Hockey Speed cage.

Rush Hockey is a modified format of the game which NOW: Pensions is supporting to help England Hockey develop the sport at the grassroots. 

The event also coincided with the first year anniversary of pensions auto-enrolment in the UK and provided the backdrop for new initiatives which NOW: Pensions is introducing into the domestic league.

For the new domestic season, NOW: Pensions is helping to develop tools for hockey clubs to make their hockey life easier, both on and off the pitch. This will include a toolkit for clubs such as pitchside banners and marketing materials to help clubs both look smart and promote the game in local communities. 

NOW: Pensions will also offer coaching materials from England Coach Bobby Crutchley, team building exercises, physical conditioning and nutrition advice to help provide simple tools for hockey clubs around the country. 

Finally, local clubs will also be given the opportunity to watch firsthand how the England squad trains and the NOW: Hockey Bus will be supporting fans by providing free coach travel to the Domestic League Finals in Reading for the club which tops the Premier League at the end of the regular season.  

Morten Nilsson, CEO of NOW: Pensions, commented: ‘This is just the start of our efforts to help England Hockey develop the sport, not only at the elite level, but also the domestic game and grassroots.’

‘We’re already supporting Rush Hockey and have developed a speed cage to bring the sport closer to the public.  Hopefully the initiatives announced today will be a real help to clubs in the domestic league which we can expand as our partnership with men’s hockey continues.’

‘We’ve been delighted with our partnership with England Hockey and would like to wish every club competing in the NOW: Pensions Men’s Domestic League the best of luck for the coming season.’

Philip Kimberley, chairman of England Hockey commented: ‘We’re delighted to be in partnership with NOW: Pensions and to have their support for the Men’s Hockey League. We are really excited about what we can achieve together, especially given the increased interest there has been in hockey recently.’

‘It’s great to see so many clubs represented here tonight and to introduce them to their sponsors. NOW: Pensions have some great ideas for this year’s league and I can’t wait to see who makes it to Finals Weekend.’ 

NOW: Pensions signed a four-year deal with England Hockey in April 2013 to support the elite squad, domestic game and grassroots on the Road to Rio 2016 and beyond.