Astro-Turf Increases Hockey Speed and Skill in Katikati
13 Oct 2014 09:00 am / Yvonne

Few sports are as face-paced and physically challenging as hockey – but the days of trying to play this game on grass are long gone.

Hockey has evolved into a faster, more skillful game than ever. And astro turf is now a must.

Katikati hockey players have had to drive to and from the Mount to practice and play on their astro turf for years. But thanks to a $250,000+ fundraising project, the local community now has an ideal facility right on it’s back doorstep.

Second-Hand Turf Still First Rate

Sandy Kindley, assistant head of PE and Health at Katikati College, is one of the driving forces behind the half-size astro turf which is now installed in the school’s grounds.

When Tauranga Hockey Association decided to replace its astro turf in early 2013, Sandy fortuitously asked if Katikati Hockey could have the old one.

“That initial generous gift is what got us started. If it wasn’t for that we would never have progressed to this stage,” Sandy explains.

Local kiwifruit trucks were sent to collect the second-hand turf which was then stored while the complex foundations were constructed.

Helping hands with the new astroturf

Top soil had to be removed, shingle and a special underlay put down, along with a watering system to keep the ground in shape. Fencing was erected, and thanks to a $15,000 grant from BayTrust, floodlighting will be installed before the end of 2014.

Field at Katikai college getting prepared

“We want to light the facility to extend the hours of use because we’re chocka,” Sandy says. “We’re delighted to receive financial support from BayTrust. It will enable us to extend the usage of this community facility so that we can maximise it.”

Growth Sport

Hockey is unique among other popular sports in New Zealand in that both men’s and women’s teams compete at the highest level and enjoy equal recognition and profile.

Sandy agrees its popularity is growing. Katikati Hockey has eight school-age teams at present but that will increase to at least nine next year.

“The Black Sticks and success at the Commonwealth Games and World Cup have definitely lifted the profile of hockey,” she says.

While Katikati’s new astro-turf is half-size, measuring 50m by 50m, it’s ideal for practicing and holding shorter format games.

“The world under 21s have a new hockey five-a-side competition played on about a half turf. That’s where the future lies. Boards around the side of the field ensure minimum stoppages and lots of goals are scored. It’s fun and dynamic and that’s where hockey is progressing to.”

Summer hockey teams in Katikati

Goodbye Grass

Playing hockey on grass is ‘archaic’ by today’s standards, Sandy says. Astro-turf offers a number of benefits that the modern-day sport now demands.

“The ball runs to your stick smoothly on the turf, as opposed to grass which has lumps and bumps. It’s just so much faster and requires greater ball skills. Hockey’s evolved and there’s a lot more turf-based skills involved now.”

Sandy says this “huge project” is now almost complete and local schools and the wider community were making terrific use of their new facility.

“We wanted it to be multi-purpose as well. All our school PE classes are using it. It’s fantastic for football and lacrosse, as well as Maori traditional games.

“We have a summer hockey league starting here next term and it’s also available for private groups to hire.”

ENDS

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