English Hockey Stars Boost Performance with Nike Laser Elite Sticks

Two emerging talents in English hockey, Rory Penrose and Beth Alexander, are enhancing their game with the new Nike Laser Elite sticks. As Nike establishes itself in the hockey equipment market, both players credit the sticks with improving their performance on the field.

Penrose, a former student at Loughborough University, is using the Nike Laser Elite for the current season after previously employing the Shadow Elite. Transitioning to this model, he sought a design that provided a more pronounced bow. He explained, “I’m a drag flicker and also I play centre back, so with how big overheads are in the game now, having a bigger bow helps me get under the ball a bit more and I can get a couple of extra metres under my aerials.”

This season, Penrose has signed with Harvestehuder THC in Germany. He noted that the stick has significantly boosted his confidence, particularly in executing key plays. “I definitely feel like at the point of release I’m just getting more speed through the ball and also I feel like I’ve got more feel if it’s stuck into the stick a bit more. It means I can really just rotate and rip through the ball,” he said. The right equipment has made a tangible difference for him, allowing him to take control during matches.

Beth Alexander, who will represent East Grinstead this season, first tested the Nike Laser Elite during her debut for England at the FIH Pro League last November. She appreciates the stick’s lightweight design, weighing in at just 525 grams. “This allows me to have quite like a light stick ball carry. It’s got a really low bow, which means that I can use it for aerials and 3D skills,” she stated.

Alexander also highlighted the stick’s construction, which includes a high carbon content. “The stick has got quite a high amount of carbon in it just to strengthen stability around the ball and hitting. But that doesn’t really add to the weight, which I like,” she added. Having captained Loughborough Students for three seasons, she finds the balance of the stick particularly suited to her style of play.

“Sometimes when you get a really high carbon stick, they feel really heavy. But this has got a nice balance between being a high-level carbon stick, but also not being too heavy,” Alexander explained.

Nike introduced the Laser Elite sticks during the Paris Olympic Games, featuring prominent ambassadors such as Dutch gold medalist Duco Telgenkamp and German captain Christopher Ruhr. As the brand continues to make inroads into the hockey community, players like Penrose and Alexander demonstrate how the right equipment can enhance performance and confidence on the field.

With their continued success, both athletes are poised to make significant impacts in their respective leagues, showcasing the potential benefits of innovative sports technology in hockey.