HOCKEY fever has gripped Chard as the town is playing host to the HockeyFest 2016 before training for the new season starts.

The HockeyFest event has seen a number of clubs host community events since August 20, with Chard Hockey Club due to take centre stage on September 10.

The summer fun day is being held at the home of Chard Hockey Club, at Cresta Leisure Centre on Zembard Lane, from 2pm until 6pm.

Hockey has seen a spike in popularity after the gold medal success at the Rio Olympics.

Team GB goalkeeper Maddie Hinch, 27, who hails from Keinton Mandeville and attended King's College, Taunton, 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 hadn’t played it before then but once I had the pads on, I just learnt to love it. I found my local club, Exmouth, and began training with them.

“Within the club we had a few international players; they were my inspiration growing up. I advise everyone to get involved with hockey as soon as possible.”

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

“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.”

In 2015, 335 clubs and nearly 1,000 new players took part in HockeyFest, and more than a quarter saw a growth in membership numbers from the previous season.

Since 2011 the number of junior players has increased by 64 per cent as more people have been inspired since London 2012 when Great Britain women’s hockey team took home a bronze medal.

For more information about England Hockey, visit www.englandhockey.co.uk.

For more information about Char Hockey Club, including news on training sessions, visit www.chardhockeyclub.co.uk.