A HOOK school has teamed up with a sports club as its new title partner.

But the sports team in question is no run-of-the-mill club as the organisation is the Basingstoke Bison, the 2016 English Premier Ice Hockey League champions.

The developmental league champions announced they’d be “heading back to class” ahead of their title defence.

The ice hockey side has agreed terms with Sherfield School to become new title partners.

The independent day and boarding co-educational school will be linking up with ‘the Herd’ to form a partnership, further strengthening the club’s links with the education sector, which includes the University of Winchester.

The agreement has been dubbed a breakthrough for the Bison, which “once again underlines their commitment to development and local industries”, with Sherfield School taking on the naming rights for the team along with other title agreements.

Director of hockey Doug Sheppard reflected upon the deal, saying: “Our agreement is one that excites me as to the opportunities it will afford us both, and I cannot wait to see what the future will hold for us together.

“I would like to thank Sherfield School for agreeing to become part of the Bison community and look forward to a fruitful partnership.”

A school spokesman added: “We are delighted to be in partnership with Basingstoke Bison. We look forward to forging strong links with all involved and can see so many mutually beneficial opportunities for merging the very best in sporting talent and education.”

In addition to academic courses, the Sherfield-on-Loddon school attracts the sporting and artistic elite through partnership programmes with nationally recognised providers of equestrianism, dance, fencing, flying, golf, gymnastics, ice-skating, tennis, performing arts, and music.