Deeside.com > News
Posted on: Sunday, July 28, 2024
Youth ice hockey team Deeside Dragons have received new kit with financial help from online electronics retailer AO.
Sixteen players from the newly formed U16 girls ice hockey team are set to benefit, after Deeside Dragons were selected by the AO to receive part of a six-figure funding pool.
The initiative is part of the Bolton-based company's pledge to get around 500,000 children involved in sport over the next five years.
Two of the players, 11-year-old Violet Lennon and her 13-year-old sister Autumn, are especially excited.
Their father, Michael Lennon, who works in AO's logistics team, made a successful bid for the funding.
Expressing his gratitude, he said: “The uniforms are absolutely amazing and all the girls love them. While we were taking photos the U18 boys were waiting to turn up for their training session and they were all so jealous that the girls are sponsored by AO.”
“We're really grateful to AO for providing us with this kit, it will make us the envy of the league when we take to the field,” Michael added.
AO launched the grassroots program last year, initially inviting staff to apply for funding for their beloved youth sports teams, and then opening it up to the public.
Through the program, community-led youth sports teams across the country can apply to have AO's iconic smiley face logo on the front of their shirts, with the company covering the cost of the kits.
The winning team will receive kit from KitKing, the UK's number one specialist teamwear retailer.
Vicky Monk, group marketing director at AO, expressed her enthusiasm for the programme: “It's fantastic to see AO's smiling faces emblazoned on kit all over the country.”
“We're very committed to creating opportunities for young people who might not otherwise get the chances they should have.”
“Through this grassroots programme and our existing sponsorships with JagTag, Lancashire Cricket’s county age groups and the BLGC, we’re really proud that we can help inspire almost half a million children to take up sport over the next five years.”
Interested grassroots clubs can apply for financial support through the retailer's portal.
Discover something? Have a story to share? Send us a Facebook message | Direct message twitter | Email: [email protected]
the latest news
