Wapping Hockey Club will be supporting the 'Back to Hockey' campaign this spring by putting on free training sessions.

Back to Hockey is partnering with Sport England’s ‘This Girl Can’ campaign, which is a national programme celebrating active women around the country who are participating in sport and exercise.

Wapping’s summer Back to Hockey programme, supported by the Mayor of London’s Free Sport programme, offers sessions for people who want to get back into fitness but may not have played hockey for a number of years, along with those who want to partake for the first time.

Beverley Blackburn, England Hockey’s participation manager and hockey coach of seven years, said: "It’s an exciting time to come back to hockey as so many women have been inspired by the ‘This Girl Can’ campaign and want to give the sport a try.

"We welcome all abilities and are keen to show that hockey has come a long way from the days of muddy pitches and waiting around for a touch of the ball.

"The Back to Hockey sessions are also aimed at those who played during their school days but may have moved away from the game because it became too time consuming, competitive and physically demanding.

"Now back for another successful year, the flexible format allows women get involved in the sport on a local basis and can fit easily around busy schedules."

Wapping Hockey Club chairman Stuart Burnside added: "Too many people are switched off from team sport through thinking that clubs are only interested if you’re a current player. Wapping HC will always welcome you, whatever your standard, however long it is since you last played."

Sessions start on Thursday, April 16 at the John Orwell Sports Centre at 8.30pm.