Flintshire's Deeside Dragons' youth ice hockey team can now don free kits, thanks to AO’s grassroots grant.

The online electricals retailer's generosity has resulted in a newly formed U16 girls’ team, boasting 16 players, becoming one of the fortunate recipients of a funding pot.

Their goal is to make sport accessible for roughly 500,000 children within the next five years.

Among the beneficiaries are 11-year-old Violet and 13-year-old Autumn Lennon.

Their father, Michael, an employee within AO’s logistics team, secured the funding.

Michael said: "The kits look absolutely incredible and the girls all love them.

"The U18’ boys were waiting to come on for their training session as we were taking pictures and they were all very jealous that the girls were sponsored by AO.

"We can’t thank AO enough for providing us with this kit, that means we will be the envy of the league when we turn up to games."

AO launched the grassroots funding programme last year, focusing initially on its staff and later broadened its scope to include the wider public.

This approach enables community-led youth sports teams across the UK to apply and potentially sport the AO iconic smile logo on their shirt, with the company footing the bill.

Teams whose funding bids are successful get their kits provided by the UK’s leading teamwear specialist, KitKing.

Vicky Monk, group marketing director at AO, said: "It’s amazing seeing the AO smile on kits up and down the country.

"We are incredibly passionate about creating opportunities for young people, who may not otherwise get the chances they deserve."

Monk mentioned that the AO is proud that its grassroots program and other existing sponsorships including JagTag, Lancashire Cricket’s county age-groups, and BLGC, would render sports accessible to almost half a million children in the next five years.

Grassroots clubs interested in AO’s support can apply for funding via the retailer’s online portal.