TAVISTOCK Hockey Club is hoping for the sporting public in West Devon to support their bid to secure funding to provide hockey training in primary schools.

Insurance company Aviva is offering grants to clubs to provide the hockey coaching in schools and Tavistock has applied for up to £25,000 which will support the younger generation.

In conjunction with Tavistock Hockey Club, Aviva would like to start a primary hockey development programme for 15 local primary schools in the Tavistock Learning Community.

The Tavistock Hockey Club bid is being backed by the Okehampton Community and Recreation Association (OCRA), who urge schools in West Devon to make their online vote.

The funding will allow each school to be offered a six week coaching package of two hours per week.

Coaching will be run by fully qualified coaches on a local AstroTurf culminating in a Tavistock primary tournament. It was also provide equipment for each school consisting of 30 sticks, 30 balls and cones and allow schools to send two staff to an inset run by fully qualified coaches and accredited by Tavistock Hockey club.

Aviva said it hopes the project will create opportunities for up to 750 young people to be introduced to the sport of hockey.

Voting closes at the end of may. The projects with the most votes go before the judging panel.