This year's five-week programme will be hoping for a repeat of the success achieved during the 2012 scheme, which has been credited with helping attract 30,000 more people to the sport.

Running from July 27 through to September 9, Give it a Go 2013 is open to everyone and concludes with the Harvester National Club Weekend, on September 7 and 8, where last year more than 300 hockey clubs opened their doors to the public.

Sport England chair Richard Lewis was "delighted" to hear the return of the Give it a Go campaign.

"With 30,000 people picking up sticks as part of last year's programme, it shows there is a huge appetite for hockey in this country which we can build on," he said.

"As we celebrate a year on from a fantastic summer of sport, it's great that programmes like Give it a Go are ensuring the legacy of London 2012 stays alive and I wish them every success with inspiring the next generation of hockey players."

England Hockey's chief executive Sally Munday also welcomed the news and explained how the project is helping to carry forward the Olympic legacy of the sport.


"This is a real, tangible opportunity for clubs and sports providers to fulfil the legacy of the London 2012 Olympic Games," she said.

"As a sport, we were delighted to welcome 30,000 more people to hockey in 2012 and we want to ensure that we, along with hockey providers, continue to give people the opportunity to play and volunteer."

Munday went onto say how, as well as playing hockey, there are many opportunities to catch live action of the sport and support the national teams over the summer.

"Alongside the Give it a Go campaign, this summer will also feature some outstanding opportunities to follow hockey, building on our success of recent years," she added.

"In June, London will host the women's Investec World League, giving sports fans the chance to see more of our Olympic stars in action, while in August our men's and women's teams will compete at the European Championships in Belgium.

"These events, coupled with the Give it a Go campaign, are a superb demonstration of the hockey legacy of London 2012, namely more opportunities for more people to play, watch and volunteer in hockey."

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