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Hockey
Not only has the equipment moved on apace, benefiting from the carbon technology we see in tennis rackets, but the accessibility has increased too. My recollection of hockey was playing with wooden sticks on sodden pitches from age 13 to 16, then never having the chance to play again; hockey is now accessible for players from age 5 to 70+. England Hockey's David Faulkner says: "One of our targets is to get 10,000 more adults playing hockey. We have men and women who still aspire to put on an England shirt even if they didn't make it to International level when they were younger - in fact, our over 65's and over 70's hockey teams are world champions."
Over the last four years the Federation of International Hockey has been active putting in place an infrastructure that will produce our new international players and inspire us oldies to keep active. For the younger player they have created a game called Quick Sticks which was introduced in January to primary schools and has been well received with over 1500 sets for sticks, balls and goals already sold. This five-a-side game is played on a netball court using a ball slightly bigger than hockey ball giving younger kids a chance to sample the team sport and increase their ball skills.
Also slowly emerging and being promoted by the England Hockey is "the Single System, which is about delivering appropriate hockey at each level, which is a progression to help spot potential future players," says David. "Clubs often have links to secondary schools, which encourages potential school age players to join local hockey clubs to play regularly, even after leaving school, to therefore experience county or regional hockey tournaments. From this there is then a pathway through to National Performance Centres which are University-based so students can study for their long-term future as well as become full-time athletes. The sport has become far quicker and more demanding than when I played 20 years ago," says David.
Next on the agenda for the England Hockey is the introduction of Mini Hockey for secondary schools which is 7-a-side, where you can use a half a hockey pitch width-ways, plus indoor hockey, which is 6-a-side. David says, "we are going to develop these more for junior and secondary; which will hopefully influence the National Cirriculum. We want young boys and girls to experience as much sport as thay can at a younger age because all their sporting experiences will benefit them for playing hockey."
So what are David's thoughts on the new technology which affects the game? "You'll very rarely see a wooden stick used in top level hockey these days, most are carbon as you can get exactly the same spec each time. Carbon gives far more power, so you get better pace off the stick. A rule that has changed is that you can use 'drag flicking' at short corners rather than hitting at short corners so sticks are made with a slight bow in them as it helps with the flicking; The FIH capped the bow in the stick to 25mm to limit the slingshot effect and maintain the skill level."
Slazenger
The Slazenger Hockey Range provides each player with the key needs of players - power, precision and performance. The focus range for 2009, the NPro Range uses the new Fuse and Nano technology from Slazenger which provides the range with the ultimate in sport technology and expertise. Fuse technology provides more responsive sticks for all player levels with premium carbon fibres being used in a unique way with nano resin to give more durability and improved stick performance. Slazenger's excellence in providing quality sticks that meet all players' needs makes them the brand of choice for pro players including GB Captain Ben Hawes. The five sticks from the NPro range retails from the NPro 1 at £180 through to the NPro Junior, RRP £80
Gryphon
Gryphon focuses on innovation and pushing the boundaries for field hockey; new sticks for 2009 include the Pro Tour which is a Real Low Bow model designed for better ball control and easier forehand and backhand lifts. Incorporating their ultra-premium lay-up design and Silicon Sleeve technology (SS) for maximum power with a silky smooth feel. The Pro Blue Steel combines the Real Low Bow design with the World-renowned Taboo composition to create a responsive and powerful stick - the choice of many of the world's best players. The Pro Blade is for the aspiring player who demands more, it also incorporates the Real Low Bow design with a maximum power to weight ratio to produce a stick that punches well above its weight in terms of performance.
The entry level senior composite is a quality performer: The Predator is a fibreglass and epoxy resin composite, utilising Gryphon's Flex Matrix Technology (FMT) to maximise the sweet spot for the developing player. At entry level the Slasher is a junior composite combining technology from their top-end models with high end materials to produce a well weighted stick that is ideal for the junior player.
Gryphons latest release in Performance Footwear the Venom 09 is ultra-lightweight, water resistant shoe incorporates a PU nubuck upper, phylon mid-sole, additional toe protection and a dimpled sole to produce a lightweight cushioned ride.
Mercian
Mercian quality has risen at both ends of the composite spectrum; the improved M-Tek collection includes: Storm, Air, Lava and Fire - it features new materials, shaft shapes and balance points, creating a superb quality high-performance range. At the same time, the new Swordfish, a 100% fibreglass composite is offered with improved durability and performance characteristics. These products will be seen in the hands of players at The GB Super League and the National Youth Festival in May. Mercian is involved with sponsorship and support at both events.
Mercian have seen fantastic growth in its team wear collections and will continue showing off new high performance garments and a bespoke design service which follows on from the success of the GB teams in Beijing last summer.
Beginners hockey has not missed out as Mercian offer a upgraded product into this sector - the new Tiger Shark has better reinforcement and an attractive gloss paint finish suitable for all beginners and with a highly competitive retail price around £12.50, it offers fantastic value for money.
Kookaburra
The 2009/10 at Kookaburra continues uniting quality, durability and cutting edge design of the highest calibre. Hockey sticks offer cutting edge technology and stylish, contemporary design with their unique construction matrix formula for strength, durability and performance. The leading models in the L-Bow collection are the Extreme and Kookaburra Skill Zone. Also the flagship L-Bow stick Phoenix has stunning cosmetics and awesome power with the Flame and Minerva at price points. The top selling M-Bow collection has been supplemented by the New Renegade model which adopts a thicker head shape in order to maximise power potential.
In Hockey Footwear the Demon offers excellent comfort and cushioning and superb traction. Its lightweight construction and running shoe design are ideal for the modern hockey player. Kookaburra ‘Team Wear' continues to lead the way in design and technical innovation with ‘Stay-dri' fabrics used in all areas of the popular clothing range. Kookaburra's new Made 2 Order program has the Elite and Club styles available in a wide range of colour options.
TK Hockey
New products and options added to keep things fresh at TK Hockey: The Pulse series has a new system of composite stick manufacture called Fusion Technology - this integrates a full composite spine with a mulberry core which improves the stick's rigidity by reducing torsional flex to increase potential output. Mulberry also acts as a natural dampener to improve the player's feel on the ball. The Pulse series also has a lighter pick up and lowered bow and with four models starting at just £100 RRP.
A favourite with players of all abilities, the Flowflex series of sticks is expanded for 2009 - Flowflex 1 incorporates AVS (Anti Vibration System) handle to increase feel and the eye catching Flowflex feature that improves the stick's rigidity. This Flowflex series and Core series has models covering a wide range of price points, with a range of colours and stylish graphics. Colours from 2008 are retained offering retail stockists continuity with some new options too. In footwear the TK 2 shoe is introduced and offers excellent quality and value at an RRP of £50 for hockey players at all levels.
Player and team clothing is where TK are the undisputed leaders and for 2009 we are upping our game with exciting new products such as the Santos hoodie and Lima jacket, as well as exciting new concepts in marketing and sales support for our retail stockists.
adidas
adidas have been producing performance footwear for hockey for the last 15 years, incorporating their trainer technologies: adiPRENE, 3D Torsion System, TRAXION and CLIMALITE, into their hockey shoes to produce an unrivalled range.
The three striped sticks have proved extremely popular since their introduction prior to the Beijing Olympic Games; top scorer Taeke Taekema and winning goal scorer Christopher Zeller both used adidas sticks.
The adidas hockey stick range has new graphics throughout for 2009-10. The HS 1 as used by adidas sponsored players during the Europeans this summer, has a smart clean look and will be available in XTreme 24 or the larger bowed XXTreme 24 shape. Also the HS 2 with the centre 24 bow, is available in a strong blue with white stripes. Retro graphics feature on the HS 3 and this is also available in the popular XTreme 24 shape. In the middle of the range there are three signature sticks in the JD1, TT10 and CZ19. The Centre 24 or 17 HS 4 is a take-down of the HS 1 available in either a 17 or 24 XTreme bow. The HS 5 has white stripes on a mesmerizing metallic bronze background. The red and black HS10 100% glass fibre youth stick has converging white stripes and is available in 32", 34", 35" and 36.5" lengths.
New footwear includes ‘Adistar Support 2' which replaces the existing ‘Adistar Support' which is wider fitting, lower to the ground and lighter than the previous model. There is also a narrower fit Adistar Support 2 N available in Silver. The best selling Attack 08 is this year in silver with black stripes.
The adidas hockey range is distributed by Specialist Sports Shoes Ltd in the UK who are able to provide expert hockey advice and a flexible service, with no minimum order requirements and next day despatch on items in stock.
Dita
With sales in March up more than 42% and with the response from retailers at the Allied and Intersport shows very favourable indeed, Dita are confident that 2009 will be one of their best years for some time. Two years ago Dita decided that the hockey market needed a brand that stocked all its items all year round - this has proved a smart move as retailers are looking for stock-holding distributors.
The Dita stick ranges this year are very sharp both technically and graphically and will meet the demands of all types of retailer: the EXA stick range is already proving popular with the EXA 700 (Black) which retails at £170.00 having future production brought forward. This particular stick is Olympic level and offers various bends, head shapes and power indexes and is thought by many to be the best dribbling stick.
Dita's shoe range includes 17 different models ranging from £25.00 to £85.00 including the Olympic level shoe, the Ultimate. The new Reactor will supersede the very successful Enforcer model as it's even lighter - its popular sole design means it will be used in the forthcoming World Cup.
Grays
38% of International players and the talented midfield player Ashley Jackson use Grays so the new range of composite sticks represent the cutting edge of stick technology - specifically the O Tech range combines additional shaft strength with the new aerodynamic qualities created by the revolutionary O ports. Grays have now lowered price points, as requested by their customers, with the introduction of the new OTech 7000 and new OTech 6000, both featuring a standard blade profile.
Grays continue to build their clothing range and the teamwear collection in mens and ladies cuts. The new G 700 shirt comes in core colours as well as a custom range. There is also a stylish new G 600 Thermo Top for men and women, in navy and black. The shoe collection features the new G 4000 shoe and G 400 Junior model that has many similar features to the adult. The multi directional and angled outsole creates excellent grip on the G 4000 with low midsole profile, running shoe lightness and a pre formed footbed providing greater comfort on synthetic pitches.
Gymphlex
Gymphlex has introduced GFORCE, a range of high performance professional sporting wear for teams to develop a cohesive identity running across all of their garments, including warm-up kit, match kit and co-ordinating leisure wear.
Gymphlex have 70 years experience understanding the demands of each sport: The new extended Hockey range includes key hockey essentials, including tracksuit, dresses, shirts and skorts through to the more relaxed hooded sweatshirt - As well as choosing which team colours and fabric options customers can also choose to use embroidery to add names, badges or even numbers.
Protection
Opro
Juniors are a big market for Opro as age 8 to 15, mouthguards need to be replaced every year due to growth as well as hygiene concerns. The Silver range which is their top selling self-fit OPROshield is suitable from ages 7 to adult and retails at £8.99; It is developed to offer improved protection and retention in the mouth. It has a tough outer shell and a soft lining with 11 self-forming fins.
Opro have also just launched the OPROcustom which includes putty to take an impression of your own teeth at home. It is the first product of its kind available in the high street retail market suitable for age 10 and above. This kit also comes with a free OPROshield BRONZE so you can play sports with a mouthguard while waiting for your OPROcustom to arrive. As you would imagine a custom made mouthguard will cover the teeth more effectively giving protection against all forms of dental, facial and concussive injuries.
Gryphon
Paw V2 gloves from Gryphon have a ultra slim design providing comfort while maintaining feel. Gryphons G-Mitt combines the elements of the Paw V2 along with the "sticky palm" grip so it performs even better in the wet. The Anatomic Pro Shinguard is high performance, lightweight with dual strap fastening system and removable cushioned liner.
Kookaburra
Kookaburra shin Guards are priced from £9 - £22 SSP and are ergonomically designed to enhance performance. The Phoenix Shin Guard is an anatomically shaped covered PVC shield which provides excellent protection and comfort while maintaining eye-catching shelf appeal.
New to the hand guard range, the Engage hand guards - offer protection against abrasions and superior comfort and fit.
Dita
In a sport where protection from high speed balls is a necessity, Dita continue to come up with shinguards that are protective and light weight - the Mega 5000 weighs 275 grams a pair (large) MRRP £15.99 in sizes small, medium and large.
Trion:Z
Trion:Z's new waterproof design is available in 8 vibrant colours. The minus-ion and magnet technology that has made Trion:Z products so popular among professional athletes with appeal to all ages. In Cricket, England players James Anderson and Stuart Broad both wear Trion:Z. They were immediately impressed by the well-being benefits of the products which include pain relief, reduced stress, improved performance, improved health and improved sleep patterns. In a survey 88% said they had bought it for pain relief and they believed it had helped, 90% had bought to improve sport performance and reported noticeable results.
Kit bags
Gryphon
Gryphon's Deluxe Dave Carry All Bag has endless stash pockets, expandable internal compartments, cushy rucksack harness system and a stashable/ lockable single-zip rain cover.
Mercian
Mercian's new SKB features a removable rucksac and a large internal capacity meeting those requirements easily. Vibrant new colours including a rich Purple to complement the Red, Grey and Blue, create an attractive product suitable for all players.
Kookaburra
Kookaburra's Phoenix at £37.50 is a stylish, stick and kit bag which is perfect for transporting all clothing and equipment pitch side. The functional and stylish Cuba, Rebel and Oxygen bags complete the luggage collection. Prices range from £7.50-£27.50 SSP.
TK Hockey
At TK Hockey Pink is added to the colours offered in the high spec, features packed TK bags which include the TK 1 stick and kit, TK 2 and TK 3 single stick bags and the TK 6 rucksack/stick bag.
Goals
Harrod
Harrod UK's uniquely designed range of integral weighted goals have been designed to meet all known BSEN standards for freestanding goals. The goals are safe to use at all times, eliminating the users responsibility of attaching any separate anchorage and the unique roller system allows easy manoeuverability on all synthetic surfaces.
Harrod UK work closely with England Hockey as are their official supplier of goals and nets. "England Hockey strongly recommend that any Club School or Organisation that is procuring new equipment should only purchase goods that conform to BSEN 750 European Standard".
