Giving Surf Coast hockey more schtick
Surf Coast hockey is back better than ever thanks to a game-changing plan under development and a new synthetic grass pitch ready for action at Torquay’s Banyul-Warri Fields.
The Surf Coast Hockey Growth and Implementation Plan is a Hockey Victoria initiative backed by our Strengthening Regional Community Sport program.
The plan will focus on how best to assist the broader Geelong Hockey Association and clubs to capitialise on future growth opportunities in the area, including how to get the best out of Torquay’s new state of the art pitch.
With the new pitch there’s also an opportunity to consider all elements of how the local game is delivered and who delivers and supports it.
The working group that will develop the plan consists of members from the Geelong Hockey Association, Torquay Hockey Club and Hockey Victoria, supported by La Trobe University and Professor Russell Hoye.
They’ll be working together in the coming months to consider local competition offerings, governance models, how best to support the volunteers across the network and more.
President of the Torquay ‘Tornadoes’ Hockey Club Sarah Storen said, ‘Our new state of the art hockey pitch is a real game changer, and we look forward to working with Geelong Hockey Association, Torquay Hockey Club, Hockey Victoria and La Trobe University to make the most of the new opportunity.’
General Manager of Hockey Operations for Hockey Victoria David Bourke said the new pitch at Banyul Warri Fields is a boost for hockey on the Surf Coast.
‘The new surface opens up a range of great opportunities for clubs like Torquay to host more participation and development programs, and even attract major events into the future.'
‘We look forward to working with the project group to make the most of this state of the art facility and to take Surf Coast hockey to the next level,’ he said.’
Hockey Victoria is one of seven organisations backed by Sport and Recreation Victoria’s Strengthening Regional Community Sport.
It’s designed to help bring organisations, clubs, leagues and associations in regional Victoria together to work on tailored, localised projects that remove barriers, create opportunities, support volunteers and increase participation.
The program is part of the Regional Community Sport Development Fund that is delivering infrastructure and programs to support more regional Victorian families and children to get involved in sport.
The recent Banyul Warri Fields hockey pitch upgrades are part of the Regional Sports Infrastructure Program.
They include:
- state-of-the-art pitch featuring an eco-friendly Poligras Platinum World Cup synthetic surface
- 500 lux LED sports lighting
- electronic scoreboard
- sheltered spectator seating
- new car park.
Increasing sector capability and supporting the development of a highly skilled sport and active recreation workforce that in turn leads to a strong, sustainable industry is a key objective of Active Victoria 2022-2026 – A strategic framework for sport and active recreation in Victoria.