Top-level hockey is on its way to the Tweed with the imminent opening of the region’s second international-standard pitch. The second turf field means Murwillumbah is now eligible to host Senior Open and Under 18 tournaments, which require two or more turf fields to be available. Finishing touches are being made to the new regional hockey pitch at Barrie Smith Fields in Murwillumbah in preparation for its opening this weekend. Contractors were busy spreading 90 tonnes of sand across the pitch last week, the final stage of construction for the $1 million field funded mainly by Council with assistance from the NSW Government’s Community Building Partnership program and the Tweed Border Hockey Association. The result is a Class two National Standard pitch, suitable for playing national tournaments and international matches.Mayor of Tweed Councillor Barry Longland will be in attendance on Saturday when the first games are played on the new pitch.”I congratulate the Tweed Border Hockey Association for their enthusiasm and determination in seeing this project through, and I’m sure it’s just the start of big things for this complex and for the sport of hockey on the Tweed,” Cr Longland said.Council’s Manager Recreation Services Stewart Brawley said although the completion date had been pushed back because of wet weather, everyone was pleased with the final outcome.”This is a new hybrid-style pitch that does not require wetting down like traditional synthetic pitches and therefore is more water sustainable, with less infrastructure and drainage requirements,” Mr Brawley said. “This improved complex will satisfy requirements to host national and state tournaments, as well as providing improved playing and training facilities for local players.”Tweed Border Hockey Association president Julie Williams said the new field would have a real impact on hockey in the region. “Tweed Border Hockey Association is very proud to be able to offer this hybrid turf field to members and we take this opportunity to thank Tweed Shire Council for their ongoing support to our association and members,” Ms Williams said. “Our members will now be able to play more fixtures when games would ordinarily be cancelled or relocated due to wet weather, resulting in a more fulfilled competition for them.”The opening, starting at noon on Saturday 21 April, will also feature the arrival of a travelling banner of support for the Olympic Team.
New hockey turf opens
Top-level hockey is on its way to the Tweed with the imminent opening of the region’s second international-standard pitch.
The second turf field means Murwillumbah is now eligible to host Senior Open and Under 18 tournaments, which require two or more turf fields to be available.
Finishing touches are being made to the new regional hockey pitch at Barrie Smith Fields in Murwillumbah in preparation for its opening this weekend.
Contractors were busy spreading 90 tonnes of sand across the pitch last week, the final stage of construction for the $1 million field funded mainly by Council with assistance from the NSW Government’s Community Building Partnership program and the Tweed Border Hockey Association.
The result is a Class two National Standard pitch, suitable for playing national tournaments and international matches.
Mayor of Tweed Councillor Barry Longland will be in attendance on Saturday when the first games are played on the new pitch.
“I congratulate the Tweed Border Hockey Association for their enthusiasm and determination in seeing this project through, and I’m sure it’s just the start of big things for this complex and for the sport of hockey on the Tweed,” Cr Longland said.
Council’s Manager Recreation Services Stewart Brawley said although the completion date had been pushed back because of wet weather, everyone was pleased with the final outcome.
“This is a new hybrid-style pitch that does not require wetting down like traditional synthetic pitches and therefore is more water sustainable, with less infrastructure and drainage requirements,” Mr Brawley said.
“This improved complex will satisfy requirements to host national and state tournaments, as well as providing improved playing and training facilities for local players.”
Tweed Border Hockey Association president Julie Williams said the new field would have a real impact on hockey in the region.
“Tweed Border Hockey Association is very proud to be able to offer this hybrid turf field to members and we take this opportunity to thank Tweed Shire Council for their ongoing support to our association and members,” Ms Williams said.
“Our members will now be able to play more fixtures when games would ordinarily be cancelled or relocated due to wet weather, resulting in a more fulfilled competition for them.”
The opening, starting at noon on Saturday 21 April, will also feature the arrival of a travelling banner of support for the Olympic Team.
