The specialist bank and asset manager has signed a five-year agreement beginning with England's participation in the EuroHockey Nations Championships, which starts in Monchengladbach later this week.

The agreement means that the women's team are now commanding greater investment than the men's team, who are still looking for a sponsor ahead of the London 2012 Games.

England Hockey chief executive, Sally Munday, said: "We are absolutely delighted that Investec is supporting England and Great Britain Hockey during such an exciting period for the sport.

"With the women's national side fourth in the world and current World and Commonwealth bronze medallists, there is a great sense of optimism for the forthcoming European Championships and moving forward to London 2012.

"The partnership with Investec will make a tangible difference at grassroots level as we continue to invest in initiatives encouraging greater participation within schools and our clubs.

"The next 18 months give us an unparalleled opportunity to motivate current hockey players and entice potential new ones and we look forward to doing this alongside a partner of such calibre."

The landmark agreement with the England Hockey Board sees support extended to Quicksticks, a version of hockey for primary school children, the England Hockey League Women's Premier Division and Conferences, and The London Cup, as well as the Great Britain and England women's teams.

Investec's Global Head of Marketing, Raymond van Niekerk, said: "It is an honour for Investec to be supporting the England and Great Britain women's hockey teams.

"We began sponsoring the South African women's team last year and have expanded our backing of the sport as it symbolises commitment, enthusiasm, skill and personal development.

"The range of support goes from grassroots kids' hockey all the way to the senior national teams.

"We are very excited about working with the England and GB Hockey women in the years to come."


The agreement will also see England's women wearing the Investec logo on their kits at the forthcoming EuroHockey Nations Championships, which will be screened by the BBC on its red button platform and website.

England open their campaign against Belgium on Saturday (August 20).

The Great Britain and England team captain, Kate Walsh, said: "It is fantastic that Investec is sponsoring the team.

"We hope to bring success on the field as we enter an exciting phase of major competitions, which includes the Investec London Cup, a women's event in 2012.

"We all started playing hockey at school and continue to be involved at club level, so it is great that this partnership will also support hockey at community level.

"The investment, coupled with our achievements, will hopefully inspire future generations and help to build on the fantastic progress of England and GB women's hockey."

At the sponsorship launch, television and radio presenter Natalie Pinkham was revealed as an ambassador for the England and Great Britain teams.

Pinkham, whose grandfather played for Northamptonshire and trialled with England, is a huge supporter of sport and participation in it.

"It is such a privilege to be working with the England and Great Britain women's hockey teams," she said.

"I am a firm believer in sport and the contribution it can make to all our lives and am very excited to be working with Investec and the girls in encouraging people to get behind the teams and have a go at hockey themselves."

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