Department of Community, Culture and Leisure’s Sports Development Unit is pleased to announce that IOMA Cronkbourne Bacchanalians Hockey Club has been awarded ClubFirst status, making it the second club on the Island to achieve this standard. ClubsFirst is England Hockey Board's accreditation scheme for clubs. It is a national recognition that clubs can demonstrate that they are working towards minimum operating standards, including providing a safe, effective and child friendly hockey environment. All clubs achieving ClubsFirst also achieve the Sport England Clubmark accreditation, a nationally recognised award for sports clubs. The ClubsFirst process takes a number of months and hard work from the hockey club to evidence all the good work that it does, along with this the club also has to deliver a junior coaching session for England Hockey’s North West Development Officer to observe. Hon David Cretney MHK, Minister for Community, Culture and Leisure said “It’s great to see a second hockey club on the Island achieving this award, which demonstrates the commitment and hard work of the club.’’ Hockey Development Officer Kerry Penswick explained: “Having two hockey clubs on the Island who have achieved the prestigious accreditation over the past 6 months is a great achievement for hockey on the Island, with a third club very close to accreditation too. This highlights the desire within the hockey community to show its dedication to offering hockey within a safe and organised environment.’’ -Ends-