Securing hockey pitches is obviously key to the future of the sport and working to secure stronger more collaborative approaches with providers is an absolute requirement in coming years.
With the majority of clubs across the country hiring facilities from schools, colleges, universities or leisure centres, there is often a great difference between facility standards and the arrangements and partnerships clubs have in place with their facility providers.
This is a gap for most clubs with arrangements often short term, both in nature and outlook. Communication is mainly through the bookings person, with limited commitment from the owner to the hockey club for the long run. Many clubs do not realise or utilise the long-term financial investment they have made and use this to negotiate better deals or secure long-term access. Therefore, developing strong relationships politically (if you use a local authority, school or university facility) is critical.
Working out your annual bill and how much your club have invested since the pitch was last resurfaced is a useful exercise when negotiating with a provider. This also applies to asset-owning clubs who wish to demonstrate their credibility to access local funding opportunities.
For those asset owning clubs, we need to ensure their facilities are sustainable for the long run with maximum use, robust maintenance and long-term financial planning. England Hockey tirelessly works behind the scenes aiming to support the long-term provision of facilities. It is key that clubs work together with us to ensure future provision for hockey.
To help you make the most of your facilities, England Hockey can support on all aspects of managing and improving your facilities. These range from design and construction guidance for clubhouse and changing rooms through to pitch maintenance. You can visit our dedicated Facilities webpages or contact the facilities team at England Hockey – facilities@englandhockey.co.uk
Support and Resources
Click on the links below to explore the resources and support available to help your club this season
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Use this handy list of questions alongside our resources to help you prepare for the new season:
- Has your club conducted a pre-season inspection of all facilities to identify maintenance needs and safety hazards?
- Are your facilities accessible to all members, including those with disabilities, and have you considered reducing your environmental impact wherever possible?
- Do you have emergency plans in place for your facilities, including first aid and evacuation procedures?
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Click on the links below to access our toolkit of resources and support to help your club #GetSeasonReady.
Please click on the links below to access some hockey specific support from England Hockey:- England Hockey Facilities Strategy
- England Hockey Developing your Facilities Project Page
- Awareness of commercial facility partners page
- England Hockey Funding for Facilities page
In addition, Sport England and Buddle have a range of Facility specific help and support for your club:
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#GetSeasonReady fosters a community of learning and shared experiences. Click on the links below for the current opportunities available:
Sport England's Buddle
Sport England’s Buddle is a fantastic free resource, that provides access to a host of workshops, webinars and supporting information to help the running and development of your club.
The Dealing with Increasing Costs workshop is available to support the Appropriate and Sustainable Facilities strand. Head to the Dealing with Increasing Costs workshop page on the Buddle website to find out more information and book your place.
Club Development
Read on, challenge yourself by answering our handy questions, and then access a range of resources to support you club with facility sustainability.
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- What is the club’s annual spend on pitch hire? Does this allow the facility to sustain a robust business model?
- Do you have a priority booking arrangement or partnership / community use agreement in place? Does this include access to changing and social space on site?
- Do you have a relationship with your pitch provider? Is there a facility management group? Is your club represented? Are you dealing with the key decision makers at your site?
- Does your club have a facilities plan? How do you rate the current quality of the pitches you use? Do they require maintenance?
- Is there a replacement strategy? Have you engaged with England Hockey on any plans you may have?
- Playing Pitch Strategy – this is a local authority document that assesses the current need and future demand of facilities within your area. Are you aware of the Strategy and did your club feed into to the process?
- Is the community around you changing and can this provide opportunities – are there new housing plans and if so, can you accommodate and maximize the potential usage on your pitch?
- Can you ensure that the income generated from the facilities you use is reinvested into making hockey sustainable?
- Are you aware of England Hockey’s facility partners for pitches, lighting and equipment who will be able to help on facility issues?
- Does your facility have a Green Policy on environmental sustainability, recycling and green energy?
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An opportunity to meet your Club Development Manager and other clubs in your area and discuss common issues, development opportunities and share ideas and best practice. Dates can be found on our monthly calendar and invites will be sent directly from England Hockey Clubs team.
