England and GB Hockey seal ‘landmark’ Vitality sponsorship deal

England Hockey and Great Britain Hockey have penned three-year sponsorship deals with medical insurance firm Vitality.

Under the terms of the principal partnership, which has been touted as ‘one of the most significant partnerships in the sport’s history’, the Vitality logo will appear on players’ team jerseys.

Through the deal, Vitality has secured the naming rights to the English Women’s Hockey League, which will be known as the Vitality Women’s Hockey League. In addition, England Hockey’s grassroots programme will be rebranded as the Vitality Back to Hockey initiative.

Nick Read, Vitality Managing Director, explained: “As one of the only sports played equally by men and women, hockey holds a unique position meaning it is well placed to drive engagement in physical activity with women in particular, supporting them to try out or return to the game.

“There has never been a more important time to be involved in women’s sport at all levels, inspiring many more people to become more active and live healthier lifestyles – which is all in line with our core purpose, to make people healthier and to enhance and protect their lives.”

Furthermore, Vitality has been named as presenting sponsor of the FIH Hockey Pro League in Great Britain, covering both women’s and men’s fixtures.

“The profile of hockey has grown significantly in the last ten years, and to be able to announce this new partnership at such a challenging time speaks volumes for the progress hockey in this country has made both domestically and internationally,” Nick Pink, Chief Executive of England Hockey and Chief Operating Officer of GB Hockey told The Hockey Paper.

“We look forward to working with Vitality over the next three years, and developing many opportunities for the sport.”

Olympic gold medallist Alex Danson-Bennett has also joined Vitality as a ‘Performance Champion’, in a role which will see the former England international focus on motivating colleagues and inspire them to take care of their health and wellbeing.

Danson-Bennett commented on her new position: “I am delighted to be joining an organisation that seeks to raise the profile of women’s sport, and I’m sure this partnership will see many more people get involved in the game, become more active and live healthier lifestyles.”

Vitality has served as the official wellness partner to England Hockey since 2017 and has an agreement in place with England Netball. Last year, the insurance provider became the title sponsor to the Women’s FA Cup, expanding its sport portfolio.

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