Wednesday 14th September sees the launch of Back to Hockey – a new programme set to attract over 15,000 women back to one of the UK’s most popular Olympic sports. Hosted by Cronkbourne Bacchanalians Hockey Club the informal sessions are aimed at women who are looking for a great way to stay in shape and have some fun in a team environment without needing to commit to ongoing club membership, regular training and competition schedules. The campaign is backed by the England Hockey Board (EHB), the sport’s official National Governing Body, and will be offered by hundreds of clubs and leisure centres across the country. Karl Moore, coach for the Back to Hockey being run in the Isle of Man says: “Anyone who’s played hockey knows the sport provides a great workout – burning calories, improving cardiovascular fitness and toning those all important female targets of thighs and bottom. The new Back to Hockey sessions will, we hope, prove incredibly popular with women looking for a fun, social way to get fit and stay in shape.” Holly Woodford, Development Director at England Hockey Board, says: “Back To Hockey courses will run in six to eight week blocks and focus on fun and fitness. Participants will get the chance to not only refresh their skills, but also discover new ones, all through bite sized games. Back to Hockey will provide all the physical benefits of the game’s full format, without the pressure of having to perform for team selection. Many women may have played hockey at school or for a club but moved away from the game because it became too time consuming, competitive and physically demanding. For many, they might simply have not known where to play. “The new Back to Hockey sessions provide a superb opportunity for women in the Isle of Man to get involved in the sport in a format that suits women’s busy lives,” continues Woodford. The campaign is encouraging women to dust off their old hockey sticks; Woodford explains: “We are inviting women across the UK to either hand in their old hockey stick at a club in their local area to help more women enjoy the sport, or they can simply bring it along to enjoy the game themselves. Join our hockey stick amnesty and let’s get hooked on hockey!” Back to Hockey starts Wednesday 14th September 2011 at 8.30pm at the NSC Astro Turf pitch, Douglas. To book your place or find out more, contact Bacchashc@hotmail.com or for general information visit www.englandhockey.co.uk/backtohockey -ends-