MORE than 70 girls and boys that represent Ben Rhydding Hockey Club in the under 12s, 13s, 14s and 15s teams have benefited from a smart new kit, thanks to local property firm, Dacre, Son & Hartley’s sponsorship.

The teams recently travelled to Arnhem in Holland for their annual junior hockey tour. It is the first tour for three years and they played several matches against some of the top teams from across Holland, as well as watching two of the world’s top teams, Holland and Argentina, do battle in a men’s’ international tournament. Some of the sponsorship money has been used to buy branded hoodies for all the players on the tour.

Abi Box, one of the club’s head coaches, said: “Ben Rhydding has a thriving junior section with more than 350 junior members, from under 9s to under 16s and we play matches most Sundays during the season, as part of the Yorkshire and North East Leagues and Tournaments. We are proud to have happy, confident, and motivated players that all love hockey.

“Recently the under 12 girls’ team qualified for the England Hockey National Club Finals at Beeston Hockey Club in Nottingham, as one of the eight top teams in the country, having won the Yorkshire and North East League. After a wonderful set of games, they became the highest placed team in the country north of Birmingham. It is the first time a team from Ben Rhydding Hockey Club has qualified for the national competition in eight years.

“The financial support from Dacres means that our teams can wear smart, practical kits to all their practice sessions, games and on our tour and it’s great to have the backing of such a long standing respected local firm like Dacres.”

Director, Tim Usherwood, from Dacre, Son & Hartley, said: “We have a long-standing relationship with the club, which is based on Coutances Way, and have sponsored several teams and kits over the years. Numerous Dacres staff have played for Ben Rhydding over the years. It is a very supportive and social club encouraging many people from our local community to enjoy the game of hockey, and we are proud to have our brand associated with so many talented and dedicated young players.”