Hockey on the Island is set for a boost thanks to a partnership between The Sports Development Unit at the National Sports Centre, and Medis Limited, a pharmaceutical company based in Douglas.

Medis has provided funds to buy new hockey equipment for Primary Schools, in an innovative programme which is aimed at training teachers to play the game who, in turn, set up an after school Hockey Club for their pupils. 

The initiative will culminate in a number of Hockey Festivals to be held between 15th – 18th March, at which pupils from schools across the Island will be wielding their hockey sticks and showing off their newly acquired skills in regional tournaments.
 
Speaking at the hockey training workshop for teachers, which Medis also helped to organise and run, Managing Director, Stuart Colligon, said, "Fitness and sport need to be at the top of everyone’s agenda.  We are delighted to be able to provide the seed core funding, especially if it encourages more children to take up what is a great game, have fun, and keep healthy at the same time. 

"It’s also fantastic that so many teachers are giving up their time to help children learn about and enjoy the sport."

Looking forward to the March Hockey Festivals, Emma Callow, Community Sports Development Officer at the NSC, said, "Previously, if schools didn’t have any hockey equipment, or didn’t have the budget to buy any, they simply couldn’t take part in this initiative. 

"Now, thanks to the funding and support we have had from Medis, we have been able to buy new equipment which has enabled over a hundred more children to get involved this year." 

Pictured: Stuart Colligon, Medis MD (back row), with some of the teachers who attended the Hockey training workshop to gain new Hockey skills.