Unlike many other hockey clubs of our standard, we don’t have access to our own synthetic turf fields. This puts our club at a significant financial disadvantage as we need to pay extra to access the turf fields at Perth Hockey Stadium for training and home games.
It also means we cannot create the sense of ‘community’ we strive to achieve, with games and training scattered across the metropolitan area.
The club has been busy looking at options for a location to develop new turf and grass fields or access existing turf and grass fields on a financially viable, long term basis.
Why does the club need a turf?
While once most hockey games were played on grass fields, most high-level Junior and Senior Hockey is now played on synthetic turf. Only two Premier 1 Clubs do not have direct access to their own turf facility – we are one of them.
Currently our members are required to train and play at multiple venues across the metropolitan area – even for “home” fixtures.
Not only is this expensive, it prevents our club from maintaining the strong, family-oriented club we want to be. We want all our players – from pre-primary aged children through to seniors to be able to play together, watch each other and interact, creating a strong and inclusive atmosphere.
Previous proposal
In 2016 Town of Victoria Park made public a recommendation for the club to develop a turf facility at Harold Rossiter Park. Subsequent community engagement found the proposal did not have broad public support and the decision was made to not progress at this location.
Current status
Our Turf Committee is investigating a range of options and is in discussions with the Town of Victoria Park, Hockey WA and other local governments and stakeholders.
Our members have indicated a strong preference to stay within the Town of Victoria Park – not only is Vic Park home to most of our 500 playing and 200 social members, it is part of our history.
The Town of Victoria Park is currently working on a Public Open Space Strategy and other planning strategies and we look forward to continuing to engage with the Town through this process. We understand that in the coming months, a proposed location or location options will be presented to the club to consider.
Open and accountable
We know our community wants to be part of the discussion. When we hear more from the Town of Victoria Park about a proposed location for new turf development, we will share that information on our website and through our social media channels.
In the meantime, we suggest following us on Facebook and Instagram and also the Town of Victoria Park.