A project to renovate a hockey pitch in Nottinghamshire has received a grant of £35,000 from the Tarmac Landfill Communities Fund.
Goosedale Sports Club in Bestwood Village, applied for the funding to upgrade the artificial grass pitch at the club which will allow for teams and their members to train on the club’s grounds once again.
Goosedale Sports Club opened in 1937, stretching across 17 acres of land. Today, the club provides hockey, cricket, and youth football facilities for over 1000 active participants per year.
An artificial grass pitch was first laid in 1992 and has since deteriorated raising safety concerns. Nottingham Hockey Club in partnership with Redhill Ladies Hockey Club delivered the much-needed upgrade with the support of several grants and donations from several contributors.
Tom Bendall, Manager at Tarmac Bestwood Sand and Gravel Quarry said: “We’re delighted to have had the opportunity to donate to such a great project which will provide so many benefits to the local community. Giving back to and supporting the communities in which we operate is something we strive to do across the whole of our business, and we are happy to see the artificial turf is complete. Congratulations to all involved with the project!”
Councillor Chris Barnfather, County Councillor for the Newstead area, added: “I have championed this ambitious investment since early February 2020 when I met on site with Adam George of Nottingham Hockey Club and he outlined the Club’s vision for the future of Nottinghamshire hockey, so it’s great news that this fantastic new all-weather pitch is now finally here to benefit both the local and wider Nottinghamshire communities and to support their health and well-being through increased involvement in sporting activities.
“It’s the most positive way possible in which to kick off 2021, especially given the tough year that everyone has just experienced. I’m extremely proud of all the partners who have come together to support this initiative and enable it to happen.”
Adam George, Club Captain of Nottingham Hockey Club commented: “We have been truly blessed with such great support from so many, and I’m thankful to God that our applications for funding have been successful and enabled us to raise the amount needed to deliver this much-needed pitch upgrade.
“We now have a leisure facility that will provide for sports clubs, community groups and schools for many years, and we look forward to being instrumental in helping the local authorities deliver their strategic objectives around improving health and wellbeing.”
Throughout the Coronavirus pandemic, Goosedale has welcomed hockey clubs from across the county to practise socially distanced training in line with the national governing body’s guidelines. With schools and leisure centres closed, this threw a lifeline to clubs and their members, for whom team sports are a key part of ensuring physical and mental wellbeing.
The artificial grass pitch at Goosedale Sports Club is available to hire for community use. To find out more visit www.nottinghamhockeyclub.com / www.redhillhc.co.uk
