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England Hockey appoints DWM as media partner

From England Hockey
The England Hockey Board (EHB) has engaged sports media and communications specialists David Welch Management to enhance the sport’s profile in all branches of the media. The deal will see David Welch Management working with the Great Britain hockey squads in the build up to the 2012 London Olympics.

The partnership represents a highly innovative role for the former Daily Telegraph sports editor, David Welch, who led the paper’s award-winning coverage of the Olympics from Barcelona 1992 to Athens 2004. In a ground-breaking arrangement, DWM will work with the EHB to uncover stories and features, raise the profile of individuals within the sport and spread the message of hockey’s continuing revival across the entire media spectrum.

With England Hockey’s men being crowned European Champions in 2009 and semi-finalists at the World Cup in Delhi last month, plus the women hosting the prestigious Champions’ Trophy in Nottingham this July, the sport is entering a new phase of achievement and ambition.

In consultation with the EHB’s in-house media team, DWM journalists working on the project will include, notably, Sue Mott, the award-winning feature writer, interviewer and columnist, who has covered many Olympics since Los Angeles 1984 and written recent books with Great British Olympians, such as Sir Steve Redgrave and Andy Murray.

With the EHB looking to create key strategic partnerships to transform the positioning and awareness of the sport, the partnership with DWM intends to establish hockey as a sport clearly focused on medals at the 2012 London Olympics; to enhance the domestic and international profile of the sport going forward; and to generate interest in the sport’s individuals as athletes, role-models and sponsorship opportunities.

Speaking as the partnership was announced, Mark Armitage, the EHB’s Commercial & Membership Director, said, “I am delighted that we have selected David and Sue to work with us on this very important phase of developing the profile and awareness of hockey in this country. These two bring enormous skill and experience and we look forward to working with them to bring hockey back into the consciousness of the general public as a fast, exciting and dynamic game in which England and GB are starting to compete at the very highest level.”

David Welch Management is a business which offers sponsors and sports experienced advice on how to maximise their Olympic media potential; provides increased recognition and opportunities for current sportsmen and women; and promotes a select group of top-class journalists across an extensive range of media activities.

David Welch already represents Olympians such as Lucinda Green and Lisa Dobriskey, the reigning Commonwealth 1,500m champion and world silver medallist, and will be working with a selected number of other sports on their Olympic aspirations.

David Welch said: “The Olympics have always been very special to me, and their coming to London represents an opportunity for everyone in sport to enjoy an experience which will, perhaps, never come their way again. It is an honour to be associated with genuine medal contenders such as the Great Britain hockey team.”

Notes:
The England Hockey Board is the National Governing Body for hockey in England. In accordance with a framework agreement between the home nations of England, Scotland and Wales, the England Hockey Board is the ‘nominated country’ for Great Britain The nominated country has full and complete responsibility to lead the delivery of the Great Britain hockey teams’ business operations and performance objectives. The other member associations (currently Wales and Scotland) assist the nominated country in the performance of its obligations.

Further Information:
Lawrence West, PR & Sponsorship Officer, England Hockey Board, 01628 897509

David Welch, David Welch Management, 01832 274340


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