In a grassroots hockey landscape where most clubs are grateful to land a single sponsor, securing three-year sponsorship deals for every adult team feels almost unbelievable. But that is exactly what has been done at WappingHC.
All 16 adult teams, eight women’s and eight men’s, now have their own kit sponsor placement on the free home and away shirts from club kit partner Grays for the next three seasons. This has enabled the club to provide funding for match day coaching at no extra cost to players.
Its partners include flagship sponsors E1 CrossFit, Simon Wright Jewellery and The Moretown Belle who sponsor three teams. With Savills, Feeneys, The Northcote and Lunaria Partners sponsoring two each.
Splitting sponsorship by team opens more doors, the club says. It makes the commitment more affordable for local businesses, gives sponsors a clearer identity within the club and spreads the risk if one partnership ends.
Most sponsorships last for a season, so having three years guaranteed changes everything. It gives stability, reduces the admin burden and lets sponsors feel like they are investing in a long-term project rather than a quick win.
When Wapping approached potential partners, there were a few points that consistently resonated with them:
- Community impact
Wapping HC is deeply involved in local outreach and youth development through our free Kidds sessions in Tower Hamlets and Newham. Sponsors wanted to support something meaningful, not just put their logo somewhere. - Clear visibility beyond shirts
We showed them how they would feature in our social content, club communications, matchday posts and events. Many were surprised by how much reach a hockey club can offer. - Professional materials and communication
We put together proper sponsorship packs and pricing. Presenting ourselves professionally made a huge difference to how seriously businesses took the conversation. - Actual engagement from the teams
Players genuinely care about their sponsors, whether that means posting thank-yous, showing up to the sponsor’s venue, or sharing updates. Sponsors notice this and it matters!
