Medis staff helped to hand out new hockey equipment to pupils at Scoill Vallajeelt as part of the build up to an Island-wide hockey tournament for primary schools. The pharmaceutical company has teamed up with Manx Sports and Recreation’s (MSR) Sports Development Unit to organise the tournament which includes providing new hockey equipment to allow teachers to set up after school coaching sessions for pupils. Kerry Penswick, Hockey Development Officer at MSR, thanked Medis for its support when she went along to Scoill Vallajeelt to hand over special lightweight ‘Quicksticks’ hockey balls designed to make it easier for youngsters to play the game. Also present at Scoill Vallajeelt was Debbie Shimmin, Secretary and Coach at Vikings Hockey Club. As part of this year’s tournament hockey clubs across the Island are providing expert coaching to help children prepare for the competition. 2011 will be the second year of the Medis tournament. Stuart Colligon, Managing Director of Medis, said the success of last year’s event had prompted the company to continue its sponsorship this year which will involve even more teams with the number of schools taking part increasing from 13 to 28. There will be five regional heats held in March with 10 teams qualifying for the finals at the National Sports Centre on March 30. In each regional heat a ‘fair play’ award will go to one of the teams, with the winner of each award being granted a place in the finals. Some of the Scoill Vallajeelt pupils are pictured wearing the ‘fair play’ tee-shirts. Scoill Vallajeelt headteacher Adrian Shorthouse said: “We value the support that Manx Sport and Recreation's Sport Development Unit gives to our school through its coaching schemes. We are also very grateful for the new equipment that has been donated by Medis. I am sure this particular equipment will enable the children to further develop their skills in readiness for the upcoming tournament." - ENDS -