Investec has extended its sponsorship agreement with England Hockey and Great Britain Hockey for a further four years ©Investec

Investec will continue to be the principal partner of England Hockey and Great Britain Hockey’s women’s teams through to the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games after signing a four-year extension to their sponsorship agreement today.

The asset management company have partnered with the two organisations since 2011 and the deal will now include the Olympics in the Japanese capital.

It was originally due to come to an end following the conclusion of Rio 2016, where Britain’s women will be aiming to achieve another podium finish after earning a bronze medal on home soil at London 2012.

“Investec’s support of women’s hockey has been extraordinary,” England Hockey chief executive Sally Munday said.

“They have helped us take our work at all levels of the game significantly further forward, and we are much closer to our vision of a ‘Nation Where Hockey Matters’ than in 2011.

“With the women’s Hockey Champions Trophy this summer and the Hockey World Cup in 2018 we have a fantastic opportunity to continue our work with Investec and engage even more people in the women’s game.”

Women’s hockey has enjoyed a rapid rise in the country, with participation figures up 39 per cent during the period of the agreement with Investec.

England's women were crowned European champions in London last year following a victory in a penalty shoot out against the Olympic gold medallists The Netherlands ©Getty Images
England's women were crowned European champions in London last year following a victory in a penalty shoot out against the Olympic gold medallists The Netherlands ©Getty Images

Following Britain’s bronze at London 2012, clinched thanks to a 3-1 victory over New Zealand, England’s women went on to win last year’s EuroHockey Championships, held at the Lee Valley Hockey and Tennis Centre on the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park.

They claimed their first-ever Continental crown with a 3-1 shootout triumph against Olympic champions The Netherlands after they had fought back from a 2-0 deficit in the first quarter.

“Hockey is a sport that reflects our values and witnessing the passion, skill and commitment of the elite players over the last four years has been a great privilege,” Investec’s head of group and bank marketing Richard Harris said.

“I am delighted that our support has enabled England Hockey to put on more events, helping to showcase the sport and its athletes, and engage a wider audience with the sport.

“We look forward to working with England Hockey to take hockey even further over the next four years.”

England is due to play host to the Women’s 2016 Hockey Champions Trophy from June 18 to 26.

The Netherlands will join the hosts, World League winners Argentina, the United States, New Zealand and Argentina at the six-team round-robin competition.