At EVO we are all about breaking new ground in hockey.

We're not just serious about supporting young players through our innovative coaching models and philosophy. We also want to provide practical support and opportunities to the current and future stars of the game we love.

We have been working for some time on an ambitious project to sponsor and support both junior and full international players. And we are proud to announce that we have recently signed a deal for what we think is the world's first ever player to be sponsored by a hockey coaching camp.

EVO is proud to announce our FIRST sponsored player, RHYS SMITH!

Rhys is one of the most talented young players in the country. At just 18 years old, he has already been capped for GB U21s and won the prestigious Sultan of Johor Cup with them in October 2015. Despite his relatively young age, he has already won numerous junior national titles and has played in both the National Premier League (UK) and European Hockey League (EHL). 

As part of our support for Rhys, he will receive JDH equipment, coaching and player development advice and support, as well as sport psychology support and mentoring. We are committed to supporting Rhys throughout his professional hockey journey. 

Rhys, in turn, is a committed EVO Hockey coach, passing on his own amazing skills to young players, and is an excellent ambassador for EVO Hockey. 

You will be able to read updates from Rhys on his hockey journey exclusively through EVO Hockey, where he will now be a contributing author in the EVO blog! 

Rhys is jointly sponsored by EVO Hockey and our partners JDH. You can find JDH equipment, as used by Rhys and other top players, in the EVO shop.

Read more about Rhys - click here to see his EVO profile.

And check out his truly amazing EVO skills video below. See more like it in the EVO Skill Zone