IHUA and Sedgwick Ireland announce new sponsorship deal

The Irish Hockey Umpires Association (IHUA) is delighted to announce the signing of a four-year sponsorship agreement withSedgwick, a leading global provider of technology-enabled risk, benefits and integrated business solutions. Under the agreement, Sedgwick will become the headline sponsor partner to the IHUA umpiring panel for on-field umpire attire. Following the recent announcement of Specialist Sports UK / Adidas as the exclusive clothing supplier to IHUA, the clothing will now proudly carry the Sedgwick branding.

Running from the 2019/20 season, the IHUA will promote Sedgwick Ireland throughout all provinces through Ireland’s premier national league competitions, the EY Hockey Leagues as well as all Irish Cup Competitions, International Test Matches, Inter-provincial tournaments, All Ireland Schools finals and Indoor hockey.

IHUA Chairman Warren McCully is looking forward to the future with enthusiasm. He said, “This is tremendous news for umpiring and further demonstrates our commitment and support to hockey within Ireland. Umpires are an essential part of the game and we believe Sedgwick Ireland shares IHUA’s key values and focus on taking care of the people in hockey and we are absolutely delighted to enter into this partnership together.

This generous support not only affords an unrivalled prospect to promote the Sedgwick brand to the extensive and still rapidly growing hockey community but also ensures that we have vital umpire development funding for the immediate future. I would also like to extend my gratitude to Brian Caruth and Hockey Ireland for their involvement in securing the deal.”

The IHUA has recently undergone a major rebranding exercise culminating in this announcement of the Sedgwick Ireland collaboration and finalising the vision of umpiring within hockey in Ireland. It will also allow the IHUA to further support its umpires, umpire coaches, umpire assessors and umpire managers nationally for their personal development and to deliver sustained excellence both at home and on the international stage.

Malcolm Hughes, CEO of Sedgwick Ireland, said, “Sedgwick is Ireland’s largest and longest established specialist third party insurance administrator and loss adjuster, and we are proud to be able to support the IHUA.

Like Sedgwick, hockey has a great and storied history in Ireland, and we are delighted to support the incredible work and dedication of umpires across all levels of the game,” he added.

Pictured from left to right at the launch of the new sponsorship agreement: Peter Conway (Hockey Ireland Board of Directors), Dick Harnett (Head of Business Development & Sales @ Sedgwick Ireland), Bruce Bale (IHUA & International Hockey Umpire), Alison Keogh (IHUA & International Hockey Umpire), Gillian Morgan (Head of Business Services, Marketing & Brand @ Sedgwick Ireland) and Warren McCully (IHUA Chairperson) Location: UCD National Hockey Stadium.