English Ice Hockey Association and the England National Team Programme are delighted to announce a partnership with Bauer Hockey to support all England ice hockey teams.
The new partnership will see Bauer Hockey UK supply team wear and protective equipment to the England Team players and staff as part of the re-branding of the EIHA’s flagship programme.
With the Association’s re-vamped programme about to commence for 2016/17, England National Programme Director Geoff Hemmerman said: “Every ice hockey player knows about Bauer and their products, whether it be skates or sticks or any other item of equipment. The name Bauer is highly regarded in ice hockey the world over and it is fabulous that we can today welcome Bauer Hockey as the newest partner of the England National Team Programme.”
For over 80 years Bauer has provided innovative hockey equipment including sticks, gloves, pads, helmets, skates, base layers, bags and apparel. In recent years, Bauer has developed a Team Programme that is committed to outfitting individual associations and teams both on and off the ice, creating a unified look.
By providing a one-stop solution, Bauer’s Team Programme is helping the EIHA to build their identity and elevate the game at the England National Team level which is seen as a big step forward by England National Team Head Coach, Ben Pitchley.
“Bauer has a great name in the world of ice hockey and I am delighted that we have been able to engage Bauer UK to support our new look England National Team Programme (ENTP),” said Pitchley.
He added: “We want to deliver a first class programme that will prepare our young hockey athletes for the game at the next level which could be a World Championship competition or senior hockey within the EIHA system. A big part of my aspiration is that we are seen as looking and acting professionally and association with Bauer Hockey will help us with that aspiration.”
Bauer UK Director, Lucy Thomasson was equally enthusiastic about the new partnership and said: “Ice hockey in the UK is not a mainstream sport although there are more 10,000 or so players registered with teams and clubs in the UK and Bauer Hockey is keen to support the growth and development of the sport here in the UK.
“Forging closer ties with the National Governing Body and its elite player development programme is an important part of our Team Programme and I am really looking forward to working with the ENTP players and staff over the coming weeks and months.”
With the ENTP Selection Camp for the Under 14 and Under 15 boys teams taking place in Sheffield between 15th and 18th August the first job was for Bauer UK to supply new rink suits, helmets and gloves to the coaching staff. Ben Pitchley added. “It is really important to me that our coaching team present our programme in the best possible light and being able to demonstrate a consistent brand appearance on the ice and off it should help us to get our vision across to players and their parents.”
Fore more information on Bauer Hockey UK please visit www.bauerhockeyuk.com.