The contract will take in the build-up to the London 2012 Olympic Games, where Adidas will have a strong presence as the long-standing kit supplier to the British Olympic Association.

 

Kalle Melin, managing director of Specialist Sports Shoes Ltd, Adidas' hockey distributor in the UK, said: "We are proud to enter into a new five-year partnership with the England Hockey Board to supply all the England and Great Britain teams and the performance staff with technical team-wear products for training and competition.

 

"We hope that this will enable each player to perform at their very best when wearing an England shirt.

 

"The partnership encompasses the Great Britain squad who have used Adidas kit at the Olympic Games for more than 20 years and the players are used to the superior technical performance of the Adidas products.

 

"The partnership with England will also be important for the future development of the Adidas hockey ranges.

 

"The company has always worked closely with athletes and players to develop the best technical products available for the sport."

 

England Hockey Board (EHB) commercial director Mark Armitage said: "Taking another important step in the transformation of the sport of hockey in England, our aim is to bring this fast, entertaining and highly skilled sport, which is compelling to both play and watch, to a much bigger audience and ultimately attract more fans, sponsors and media coverage whilst also engaging our current participants, fans, and volunteers."