Torquay Hockey Club vice-president Andrew Crowley says a new local hockey pitch will enable more people to play the game they love, closer to home.
Construction is underway on the Banyul-Warri Fields Hockey Pitch in Torquay. Surf Coast Shire Council is delivering the pitch, funded through the Victorian Government's Regional Sports Infrastructure Program.
Torquay Hockey Club co-founder Andrew has advocated for a local venue for the Tornadoes to play and train on since 2012.
"We were part of the 2019 G21 Regional Hockey Strategy that identified the need for the ground, then a business case went to Council and the next step was a precinct land use plan," he said.
"We were incredibly fortunate that Torquay was identified for a new hockey venue given the level of planning that has gone into this project over time, supported by a growing demand for the sport on the Surf Coast."
The Tornadoes are currently based at Stead Park in Corio.
"The travel commitment has made it difficult for us to recruit kids and retain players because people don't want to make that trip," Andrew said.
"One of our goals is to recruit lifelong hockey players and this new facility means we can do that.
"Hockey is a game that can be played from age eight, right through to your 80s in masters. You can also play with your kids, you can play with your friends socially, and you can play it as your second sport over summer."
Andrew said the new pitch would present fantastic opportunities for the club and for people across the shire.
"The most exciting part is that we're going to be able to attract players from all over the Surf Coast, from places like Aireys Inlet, Moriac and Winchelsea," he said.
"A lot more people, especially kids, are now going to be able to get involved in the game.
"Our aim is to increase participation by 20 per cent in year one. This growth is anticipated to come from under 8 and under 10 programs, social hockey and people returning to hockey.
"People have already started returning to the club because they know there's a ground coming."
The Banyul-Warri Fields Hockey Pitch will include:
- a new synthetic hockey pitch with LED lighting
- electronic scoreboard
- sheltered spectator seating
- a new car park.
Surf Coast Shire Councillor Liz Pattison was excited to see the pitch taking shape
"The Banyul-Warri Fields sporting precinct is a hive of activity and we can't wait to see hockey players added to that mix, thanks to this new facility," she said.
"Huge thanks to the Victorian Government for funding this important project."
The pitch is expected to be completed early 2026.
