Hockey: Extra turf gives room to grow

Hockey in Northland has received a mid-winter present from the Whangarei District Council with $1 million of funding for a third turf.

After convincing the council to invest at the end of 2011, Hockey Northland chairman Bill Shepherd is delighted the next step is finally about to begin.

Shepherd said Hockey Northland was delighted to have a confirmed site, council backing, an ASB grant, and $200,000 from Hockey Northland reserves to fund the new turf.

"The $1 million Whangarei District Council funding, budgeted in its annual plan 2013/14, enables us to begin the tender process, with construction of the base work due to begin in late September," Shepherd said.

The turf, which will be ready in January 2014, will provide the equivalent of 11 grass grounds and take the pressure off organisers who struggle to offer turf time with busy practice and game schedules restricting the game's ability to increase player numbers.

Confirmation of the turf is music to the ears of Hockey Northland's CEO, Grant McLeod, after fighting to fit everyone in this season.

"Scheduling has been a nightmare this season," McLeod said. "We had two new men's teams and four new women's teams this season so finding time to schedule everyone has meant we've not been able to promote the sport to younger players in the district because we really couldn't accommodate them.

"Our participation manager has been working primarily outside [the] Whangarei district, which is great for the sport, but we need the turf so that we can continue to develop a quality player-base for the region while also providing for increased demand."

While some may criticise the council for helping fund the project, Hockey Northland has proved its ability to attract international teams and national tournaments to the region. This year alone, Northland has hosted an international Four Nations and the national under-21 tournaments, with Shepherd adding Hockey Northland was aiming for another tournament.

"We'd like to get the national master's tournament in Northland. Over 1000 people attend the master's and the tournament has the potential to generate more than $1 million for the region," Shepherd said.

"The third turf will boost our ability to host national and international competitions like the Four Nations and Under 21 tournaments that were held here earlier this year."

Further funding will be needed to pay for lighting and dugouts, which Shepherd says they expect to raise by the end of the year.

"The turf will be ready at the end of January 2014 and will be played on regardless of whether we've got the lights and dugouts ready to go.

"The new turf is an exciting step forward for Hockey Northland."