Financial Planners have made a different kind of investment this month by becoming the new shirt sponsors of a local sports team.

Navigator Financial Planning, launched by David Crozier CFPCM in 2004, has signed a three year deal with Kilkeel Hockey. The firm is sponsoring the second team, which plays in the Ulster Hockey Junior League 1.

Mr Crozier, director of the Northern Ireland-based business, which lays claim as the first fee-based Financial Planner in Northern Ireland, met with Lindsay Beck, captain of Kilkeel Hockey Club's 2nd XI, on Saturday to shake on the deal. See picture above.

Mr Crozier said: “We've not done anything quite like this (sponsorship) before. Two of my sons play for the club sometimes so there has been a connection for some years.

“The opportunity came up and I thought it was a good moment to put something back into our local community, and at the same time get a bit of publicity. I have to say, I think the shirts look fantastic - the colours complement our own and the logo shows up very well.”

One of the Accredited Financial Planning Firm’s planners, Dale Kirkpatrick, played hockey for South Antrim, one of Kilkeel's major rivals, but had to hang up his stick at the end of last season due to injury.

As for Mr Crozier’s hopes for the team this season, he said: “They are currently propping the league up, but one win would see them off the bottom. Survival is the name of the game this year.”

He said 2015 had been “a brilliant year so far”.

He explained: “We moved offices and now have a sea-front location that clients and colleagues rave about, as well as bit more space and better communications.

“We hired an operations manager, Frank Nolan, who has been absolutely brilliant at getting the whole business a lot more efficient.

“2016 will be about leveraging our commitment to the new office and continuing to give a great service to our existing clients as well as presenting an attractive proposition to the type of new prospects that we can really add value to."