Supporting England Hockey’s Vision: How MERKUR is Making an Impact

The MERKUR UK Community project is supporting an initiative aimed at identifying the nation’s Olympiads of the future following a £10,000 award to promote England Hockey’s ‘Pick up a Stick’ campaign.

With the opening ceremony of the 2024 summer Olympics taking place 26 July in Paris, England Hockey is aiming to harness the momentum and profile of the Games to drive awareness of the sport and in the process to create an Olympic legacy based on increased participation at all levels.

Tony Boulton, MERKUR UK’s director of public and political relations has overseen the launch and implementation of MERKUR Community. Confirming the latest award, which takes the total generated by MERKUR Community to over £60,000 since its launch in January 2024, he said: “As a global celebration featuring athletes from 196 nations participating in 329 events across 32 sports the Olympic Games provides an unrivalled opportunity to engage with current, lapsed and most importantly generations of new players.

“England Hockey oversees the sport’s management and development, spanning from grassroots initiatives to elite-level activities and the MERKUR Community funding will go towards facilitating coaching courses so clubs can train additional members to deliver hockey sessions in the local community providing equipment for the ‘Adopt a School’ campaign and developing a tool kit of interactive digital resources.

“We are absolutely delighted to be able to help fund the work of England Hockey and encourage greater numbers to play the game regardless of their previous hockey experience.”

England Hockey has set a bold vision for the future of the sport, aiming to make hockey the number one team sport in England by 2028. In order to achieve this ambitious goal, the organization has been working with various partners and sponsors to support and promote the growth of hockey at all levels. One such partner that has been making a significant impact is MERKUR, a leading provider of sports equipment and apparel.

MERKUR has been a long-standing supporter of England Hockey, providing high-quality equipment and apparel for players, coaches, and officials. The company’s commitment to innovation and quality aligns perfectly with England Hockey’s vision of excellence in the sport. By partnering with MERKUR, England Hockey is able to ensure that its athletes have access to the best possible equipment, giving them a competitive edge on the field.

In addition to providing top-notch equipment, MERKUR has also been actively involved in promoting hockey at the grassroots level. The company has sponsored various youth programs and initiatives aimed at getting more young people involved in the sport. By investing in the development of young talent, MERKUR is helping to ensure the future success of hockey in England.

One of the key ways that MERKUR is making an impact on England Hockey’s vision is through its support of coaching and officiating programs. The company provides training and resources for coaches and officials, helping to improve the overall quality of the sport. By investing in the development of these crucial roles, MERKUR is helping to create a strong foundation for the growth of hockey in England.

Overall, MERKUR’s partnership with England Hockey is playing a vital role in supporting the organization’s vision for the future of the sport. By providing top-quality equipment, promoting grassroots initiatives, and supporting coaching and officiating programs, MERKUR is helping to drive the growth and success of hockey in England. With their continued support, England Hockey is well on its way to achieving its goal of making hockey the number one team sport in the country by 2028.