NOW: Pensions backs men's hockey on the road to Rio

NOW: Pensions, the independent multi-employer trust, has announced that it will be the Principal Partner of Great Britain and England Men's hockey (England Hockey) as the new squad embarks on its road to the 2016 Olympics in Rio.

As part of the four-year deal, the first time England Hockey has secured a long term sponsor for men's hockey, NOW: Pensions will be visible nationwide throughout the year as a partner committed to developing the future of the game.

Morten Nilsson, CEO of NOW: Pensions, commented: "NOW: Pensions has chosen to partner with England Hockey because we saw many commonalities with our own values in the passion and spirit shown by Team GB during the Olympics. We are here in the UK for the long-term and want to support a growing sport, as we do with auto-enrolment and our business.

"NOW: Pensions is a company which aims to challenge the status quo, and we believe everyone deserves access to a better pension in order to secure the retirement they deserve. Through partnership with England Hockey, we hope to further communicate this message across the UK to engage both employers and employees".

The company says is also fully behind England Hockey's London 2012 legacy plans aimed at making the sport more accessible through the grassroots initiative, Rush Hockey, helping England Hockey take the shortened version of the game to popular venues, sport centres and schools across the UK to encourage more people to get involved in the UK’s fastest growing team sport.

Together with the new sponsor, England Hockey also announced its new centralised training squad and new-look adidas kit at the recent launch event in London. Building on the success of the London 2012 Olympics, the squad includes a number of the players who secured fourth place at London 2012.

Captain Barry Middleton, Richard Smith and Nick Catlin will return home to the centralised programme once they have finished their respective seasons in Holland and Belgium. Ashley Jackson, Rob Moore, Dan Fox, Iain Lewers, Harry Martin and George Pinner also return to the side.

Sally Munday, Chief Executive of England Hockey, commented: "It is fantastic to have the support of NOW: Pensions. The ambition of our two organisations feels very similar as we continue to take advantage of the opportunity London 2012 has given us to grow the numbers playing and watching our sport. It's a real fillip for both the elite and grassroots elements of the sport and the journey begins next weekend at the NOW: Pensions Men's Hockey League Finals, which will include prize money, a Rush Hockey zone and coverage on Sky Sports".