TIMPERLEY Hockey Club is supporting HockeyFest on Sunday, September 11.

HockeyFest sees clubs open their doors to new and current players across the region, all with the aim to do one thing - celebrating the social and friendly aspect of playing hockey.

Timperley Hockey Club, Stockport Road, will welcome visitors between 10am to 5pm.

The three week HockeyFest, which began on August 20, highlights the best aspects that the sport has to offer including an equal split between men and women playing and inclusive to all ages and abilities. With many clubs seeing a range of generations taking part, it really is a family affair.

HocketyFest follows the nation tuning in to watch Team GB’s hockey heroines make history at the Rio Olympics by taking gold at their first ever Olympic final, following the England women’s team gold medal success at last year’s EuroHockey Championships.

Rich Beer, director of development at England Hockey comments: “After this summer’s magnificent sporting success, many people are keen to try a new sport and want to have fun while staying fit and active. HockeyFest gives families the ideal opportunity to visit their local hockey club and see what it has to offer all ages and abilities.

“Over the past four years, we’ve seen a very encouraging uplift in grassroots participation and building on this success, we’ll be getting the new season off to a flying start by welcoming even more people to the hockey community. Hailed by many clubs as a ‘social festival’ that brings together like-minded people, HockeyFest is a terrific way for new members, both old and young and from all different backgrounds, to get involved on their terms, be it playing, coaching or volunteering; there are so many opportunities on offer.”

Olympic gold medallist and Great Britain and England goalkeeper Maddie Hinch said: “I got into hockey by playing rounders at school – apparently I was very dramatic diving for the ball and the teacher suggested I should go in goal in hockey. I hadn’t played it before then but once I had the pads on, I just learnt to love it. I found my local club, Exmouth, and began training with them. Within the club we had a few international players; they were my inspiration growing up. I advise everyone to get involved with hockey as soon as possible. It’s a great sport to watch, as a group we always talk about inspiring people to get involved with the sport and these events are perfect to get the nation playing.”

The HockeyFest campaign is organised by Great Britain Hockey, the sport’s official National Governing Body, in association with Notts Sport. Over 250 hockey clubs across the UK have signed up to be a part of HockeyFest 2016 - to find your nearest session, or learn more about the sport, please visit: www.greatbritainhockey.co.uk/PlayHockey or follow on Twitter @EnglandHockey or @_GBHockey #HockeyFest