LONDON, England, Jan 2009 – England Hockey this week launched its inaugural fantasy hockey game for the Slazenger England Hockey League which starts on 1st February following a two month winter break.

While Cannock and Reading battle it out at the top of the league table, armchair hockey fans can get involved by picking their own fantasy team of hockey stars. Based on the popular fantasy football format, players will pick up points for scoring goals and keeping a clean sheet but lose points for conceding goals and receiving cards.

England Hockey hopes that the idea will engage a new audience for the top flight league. Jo Baker, England Hockey’s PR and Communications Manager, said: “The free game is simple to play and offers a great way for the hockey community to follow their favourite teams and players. We hope that the interactive game will raise the profile of hockey and also improve attendances at national league matches.”

The fantasy hockey game follows the success of a similar game developed for the British Handball Association by London start-up Fantastar.com. Rob Tong, Fantastar co-founder, said: “We have worked with several governing bodies to develop something that generates a real buzz around Olympic sports for the build up to London 2012.”

Both games were built on Fantastar.com which also allows clubs, universities and schools to set up online fantasy sport games based on their own teams, players and results. The free service helps grassroots sport by promoting team spirit and improved performance while also providing an avenue for generating funds to help develop the sports stars of the future.

To find out more go to www.fantastar.com/englandhockeyleague