Grimsby Roller Hockey Club (GRHC) has received a new sports kit, worth £750, from the GFORCE Grassroots Campaign - which aims to provide financial support to help sports teams and clubs achieve their aspirations.
Alison Goddard, from GRHC, said: "Roller hockey is a fast pace, exciting and energetic team sport. It’s infectious and everyone at GRHC loves the game.
"However, over the years we have struggled to attract and retain new players and our continuity depends on our ability to train new players.
"Being in a low economic area is an ongoing challenge for us and the cost of the kit and accessories is prohibitive for many potentially good and interested players. That’s why we applied to the GFORCE campaign.
"We were delighted to be successful and received 25 hooded shirts and two referee shirts.
"The shirts were given to players across our five teams helping to create an energising sense of team spirit. The referee shirts create uniformity and gives the GRHC referees a unique identity at tournaments."
Leading sports kit provider, GFORCE Sportswear, launched the unique sporting Grassroots campaign in 2016 to reinforce its engagement to grassroots sport, by setting aside a £5,000 pot of money. Organisations across the East Midlands could apply to for grants, with a maximum value of up to £750 per team or club.
Following an incredibly successful first year, the campaign was opened up to the entire Midlands area for 2017. Simon Ward, sales director at GFORCE Sportswear, said: "The GFORCE Grassroots campaign exists to reward the dedication, passion and success of sports teams and clubs from across the Midlands just like Grimsby Roller Hockey Club.
"The team look fantastic in their new kit and we are really pleased that they have gone down so well with all concerned. We wish them the very best for the future.
"Our company has a proud history of supporting the local community and we are so pleased to be able to help local sports clubs in this way."
GRHC, established in 1973, is one of the longstanding clubs in England Roller Hockey with many successes over the years. The club has five teams, the Under 9s, Under 13s, Under 17s, Under 20s and seniors and all its coaches and committee members are volunteers.
To help attract and retain new players, the club applied to the Grassroots Campaign for funding so it help its players with the cost associated with playing the sport.
Alison continued: "Our entire committee and all our coaches were involved in the design process which was great.
"We wanted something to complement our area’s signature black and white striped, sport colours and, as Roller Hockey is played all year round, the players wanted something for off court use, that was smart, warm and hooded.
"We have been thrilled with the final garments.
"We’ve had a lot of positive feedback about their quality and smart design so a huge thank you to GFORCE for their support.
"This generous gift has made a huge difference to players across our club."
