THE repercussions of the overwhelming success of Team GB at the Rio Olympics continue as Hampshire prepares to take part in HockeyFest.

The event, from September 4-10, will see a number of hockey clubs in the region open their doors for a day of free hockey, the aim being to celebrate the social and friendly aspect of playing the game and allow those inspired by the heroics of Team GB’s gold medal winning women’s hockey team a chance to try the sport.

Rich Beer, director of development at England Hockey, said: “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.”

He added: “Over the last 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.”

Last year an impressive 335 clubs in the UK took part in the festival resulting in more than 1,000 new people joining their local clubs. In Hampshire, nine hockey clubs will be supporting the event this time around.

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 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 festival is not all about hockey.There will be a host of informal events taking place as well that the whole community can get involved with from bake-offs to evening socials in the clubhouse.