COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – USA Field Hockey is pleased to announce Osaka Hockey as the apparel sponsor for U.S. Masters Teams adult programs. Osaka Hockey will serve as the exclusive uniform and kit supplier through 2024, including for upcoming prestigious events such as the 2023 World Masters Hockey (WMH) Pan American Continental Cup in Buenos Aires, Argentina in December.
Osaka Hockey has been the official Performance Apparel Sponsor and official On-Field Footwear Supplier for Junior and Senior U.S. National Teams since 2021. In addition, they are the presenting sponsor of Nexus, USA Field Hockey’s Olympic Development Pathway program, and recently made and launched Team USA fan jerseys available to the public for purchase.
Pam Stuper, U.S. Masters Transition Team Chairwoman and USA Field Hockey Foundation Executive Director, commented, “On behalf of the hundreds of athletes who play on a U.S. Masters Team, this is a very exciting move forward. As we compete for Team USA in international competitions, we are thrilled to be wearing the same uniform and kit that our national teams wear. We want to look the part, because we are part of Team USA. We’re thrilled to partner with Osaka and move the sport forward together.”
“We couldn’t be happier with the renewal of our collaboration with the men’s, and are thrilled about the addition of the women’s to further strengthen our partnership with the U.S. Masters,” said Valentin Debouche, Osaka Hockey Americas US Territory and Sales Director. “The U.S. Masters Team embodies all of the field hockey values that are dear to us at Osaka. Their love and passion for the sport has no limits. Year after year, they are proving to everyone that field hockey can be a lifelong sport for all to play. We are proud to accompany the U.S. Masters on their journey and witness their success internationally.”
“Osaka has been a fantastic and productive partner,” said Ginger Wheeler, USA Field Hockey’s Commercial Partnership and Marketing Manager. “The products are very high quality and USA Field Hockey is pleased with Osaka’s flexibility, creativity, dedication and support of our mission to Grow the Game, Serve and Inspire Membership and Succeed Internationally.”
Team USA athletes – both men and women, and youth athletes participating in Nexus – have been competing in Osaka gear and winning gold. Osaka is expected to deliver kits for the upcoming Pan American Games. Bringing the U.S. Masters under the Osaka umbrella completes the circle of high performance field hockey athletes who will be wearing, training and competing in their gear.
Masters teams are comprised of adult athletes, starting at age 35, with players well into their 70s and 80s. World Masters Hockey is the exclusive organization and tournament coordinator recognized by the International Hockey Federation (FIH) to host and organize continental championships such as the Pan American Continental Cup in December in Buenos Aires, and the 2024 World Cup scheduled for Cape Town, South Africa, in October and Auckland, New Zealand in November.
To learn more about Masters Field Hockey programs, contact masters@usafieldhockey.com.
To learn more about Osaka, visit osakaworld.com.
by NCAA
