Project to drive hockey growth in Torquay

CONSTRUCTION has begun on Torquay’s latest piece of sporting infrastructure, and the local hockey club is looking forward to more people being able to play the game closer to home,

The Surf Coast Shire is delivering the Banyul-Warri Fields Hockey Pitch, funded through the Victorian government’s Regional Sports Infrastructure Program.

The pitch will include a new synthetic hockey pitch with LED lighting, electronic scoreboard, sheltered spectator seating, and a new car park, and is expected to be finished by early next year.

Torquay Tornadoes co-founder and vice president Andrew Crowley has advocated for a local venue for the club 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 the 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 presently 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,” Mr Crowley 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.”

He 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.

“A lot more people, especially kids, are now going to be able to get involved in the game.”

He said the Tornadoes aimed to increase participation by 20 per cent in the first year.

“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.” Cr Liz Pattison is 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.”