EHB Facilities Guidance

The Right Pitches In The Right Places Assessing outdoor pitch provision for club hockey

and the single system

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The Right Pitches In The Right PlacesAssessing outdoor pitch provision for club hockey and the single system

The Vision - EHB Strategic Plan

The Methodology

Current Pitch Provision

Providers of Hockey Faci l i ties

Arti ficial Grass Pitches

Capital Investment

Appendicies

Contact Us

These are exciting and challenging times for hockey facility provision. With the opportunities London 2012 and its legacy will afford sport EHB has an opportunity to ensure the facility stock of the sport is secured. With growing r ivalry for space for sports and an increase in the use of Artificial Grass Surfaces, this document aims to educate the end user on the needs of hockey and how to work across sports to ensure we are left with the r ight facilities, in the r ight places.

Many existing hockey Artificial Grass Pitches are nearing the end of their useful life as a result of the installation boom of the 90’s. Signifi-cant investment is needed to update the playing stock and protect our sport against inappropriate surfaces for hockey as a result of the r ising popularity of AGP’s for a number of sports. Advancements made between pitch sports gives us a great opportunity to secure the future of hockey pitches

Using this document will enable the user to demonstrate not only a need or justification to secure a hockey facility, but will also allow improve the ability to access capital funding streams.

IntroductionWho can use this document?

This document is intended to assist the following organisations wishing to build, or protect playing pitches for hockey:

Local Authorities, Planning Authorities,Town Councils, Parish CouncilsLocal Education AuthoritiesPE and Sports Stakeholder GroupsHigher and Further Education establishmentsHockey and Sports Clubs

This document should not be used in isolation. Please consult the following as further areas of information:

Local Authority Playing Pitch Strategies (if in place)England Hockey Board Facil ity Guidance DocumentsSport England Strategic Planning Tools

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The Right Pitches In The Right Places

MethodologyIn order to assess hockey provision effectively, there are a number of resources to utilise.

Use this document alongside “Selecting the Right Artif icial Surface” and “Towards a Level Playing Field” which can be found at www.sportengland.org The detail in these documents support the methodology below.

Hockey specific tools: EHB Facilit ies Audits EHB County Facilit ies PlansEHB Club Participation DataAll available from EHB Relationship Managers

Steps to follow:

1)SUPPLY AND DEMANDWhat are the issues of Supply and Demand that need to be addressed?(This should include considering the quality and surface of existing facilit ies as well as proposed new facilit ies)

2)STRATEGIC CONSIDERATIONSHas the site or sites been identif ied as a priority for hockey?Is, or will, the site be a Single System venue (JDC, JAC, JRPC, SRPC, NAGS, or Senior International Events, Domestic Events)

3)TYPE / LEVEL OF USEWhat type of use is proposed for the pitch by hockey?(Competit ion / Coach Education / Training)What standard of use is proposed for the pitch?(Recreation/Inter School / Local / Regional / National / International)

4)HOW MUCH USEHow much use will there be for each ‘Type’ and ‘Standard’ of play for each sport?(Percentage use/total hours)*

*consideration of playing v training times will be needed. Depending on the level of team, they may train for 2 hours, twice per week. For example, a national league club with a men and women’s team in that league may require 8 hours weekday evening training alone. Competition slots for adults are usually 90 minutes, however slots for young people will vary depending upon age, format of the game etc.Single System training could see a venue used for up to 4 hours per evening.Please consult the EHB Relationship Manager on number of hours.



Current Pitch Provision

Challenges with the current provision:AccessCostsQualityLack of Ancillary Facilities Overcrowding and lack of programming

Hockey is currently delivered in England through clubs, schools, colleges, universities, MOD, and local authority owned pitches. This culmination of providers, gives hockey a firm base to stand on in terms of numbers of facilities. However, there may be gaps in this provision when looking at geographical location and also the standard of any existing facility.

There are approximately 1000 sand filled or dressed, and 50 water based pitches in England. Most have been installed in the past 10-15 years. Many of the sand-filled or sand-dressed pitches are investments representing partnerships i.e. they involve arrangements made between clubs, schools and local authorities. A considerable number of these pitches are used for multi-sport activity e.g. hockey, football, rugby and tennis etc. In most cases hockey is not the dominant user.

•As of 2011 affiliated hockey clubs are utilising around two thirds of the sand and water AGPs in England. The clubs are using around 7,000 hours during September to April, and reduced hours during the summer months. •Outside of this club use, sits the Single System which uses 2000 hours annually •32% of pitches are over 10 yrs old, 12% 15 yrs old, 4% over 20 years old.

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The needs for new provision New build pitches Resurfacing Training areas Floodlighting Changing facilities* DDA Compliance* Clubhouses* Social Areas* Storage


Providers of Hockey FacilitiesEducational Establishments

Schools, Universit ies and Independent schools account for over 80% of the total pitch provision in England. They are an extremely valuable resource, and England Hockey Board wish to continue to engage with these pro-viders through Government programmes, along with the existing communications.The number of EHB Category 3 pitches (Sand based) is largely supported by schools, with Independent schools being key providers of EHB Category 1 (water based) pitches

Local Authority (LA)

LA maintained pitches are essential for the local delivery of hockey. Many LA owned pitches are utilised by hockey clubs who do not own their own pitch. In recent years, the Educational Sector have invested in facility, however, there are still schools who utilise the opportunity to access LA pitches. With LA’s offering the largest sector of EHB Category 1 pitches (sand dressed), they are a valued hockey provider.

Sports Clubs

Clubs are integral to hockey. With Sports Clubs accounting for only 5% of the total facility provision, it is essen-tial that we nurture the club environment. Many of the clubs in this category are multi sport sites, with hockey and cricket clubs sharing traditions steeped in history. Other multi sports clubs include the working together of sports such as rugby, football, archery and tennis to name but a few. It is important we understand the needs of hockey in relation to the facility provision from other sports.



Artificial Grass PitchesThe table below shows the number of AGP installa-tions over the past 40 years. The number of hockey surfaces (Water and Sand) began to level off after 2000 and in the case of water based pitches, a decline was seen. This is partly due to Sand dressed surfaces which help to replicate some of the characteristics of the water based. In recent years a ‘third generation’ of artif icial turf pitch has been developed. These are known as 3G or long pile turf pitches (due to the length of the turf). They have been adopted by the football com-munity for amateur competit ion and, in some instances internationally for professional football. A large number of pitches have been installed sine 2000

3G pitches can be a threat to hockey. AGPs are hockey’s primary surface and whilst some hockey at some levels can be played on some 3G pitches, it is not a hockey specific surface.England Hockey Board works alongside The FA, the Football Foundation, The RFL and the RFU to provide guidance on Artif icial Grass Pitches (AGP’s). It is important that the needs of the com-munity are considered, along side the level of com-petit ion and level of use on any AGP. The document “Selecting the Right Artif icial Surface” can be found at www.englandhockey.co.uk/facilit ies

England Hockey Board categorise their pitch surfaces.

EHB Category 1Water based surfaces approved within the FIHGlobal/National parameters.

EHB Category 2Sand Dressed surfaces approved within the FIH Global/National parameters

EHB Category 3Sand-filled (sand-based) surfaces within the FIH National parameter.

EHB Category 4Approx 40 mm long pile (3G) surfaces that are categorised by FIH as satisfying their ‘National’ performance parameter. These pitches are subject to in situ testing post installation



Capital InvestmentEHB will be looking to invest in, and endorse clubs and hockey providers who have a sound understanding of the following:

Single SystemClubs and providers have good knowledge of the Single System and its principles, and are appropriately placed to support the delivery.

ClubsFirst Accreditation Clubs achieving ClubsFirst accreditation are recognised as providing a safe, effective and child friendly hockey environment. They also receive the Sport England generic CLUBMARK award. County Sports Partnerships and Funding agencies are increasingly recognising these clubs and choosing to work with them as a priority. Hockey providers should be working with at least one accredited club.

SustainabilityClubs and hockey providers have an approved development plan in place, showing their commitment to developing hockey, retaining members, and providing an insight into longer term goals. They will need to have secured appropriate tenure.

What are EHB looking for from facility providers?Clubs and hockey providers are urged to ensure that they meet the requirements if they are considering applying for funding or developing a facility:

The club or hockey provider:Will have scoped and secured partnership funding Will have notif ied their England Hockey Board Relationship ManagerWill have notif ied the CSP and any other relevant organisationsCan demonstrate sound financial historyCan demonstrate how the investment will benefit the target audienceThe facility will (if appropriate):Improve the quality or quantity of pitchesImprove the quality or quantity of f loodlightingSupport the development of multi sport sitesHelp to support a safe hockey environment


The Right Pitches In The Right PlacesAppendicies

Attract and Retain More People into the SportEngland Hockey Board wish to attract and retain more people into the sport, in particular by retaining club members, and increasing new membership by 10,000 adults, and 32,500 children.

This will not be possible without the correct facility provision, to accommodate the increase in participants. Investment has been made into the provision of resource to further develop our clubs.

EHB provides a range of support materials for clubs, which will include business support, ClubsFirst Accreditation support, funding guidance and many other forms of club related development products. It will be fundamental that clubs are aware of the support on offer from EHB and its partners, and are fully engaged and committed to longer term development.

A key area to consider in not only attracting new participants, but retaining those already involved in the sport is ensuring a quality experience.

During 2009, Ipsos Mori, on behalf of Sport England conducted a satisfaction survey across all funded sports. England Hockey Board scored well in the survey, and intends to use the results to raise awareness of any facility related issues through this strategy.

A summary of the key results are shown below:

•57% of the participants of hockey were satisfied with the surfaces they played on, 28% were neutral

•61% of participants were satisfied with the level of lighting at their facility. 6% were dissatisfied.

•59% of participants were satisfied with the quality of the surroundings in which they play hockey.

Overall, 46% of participants were satisfied with the facility and equipment provision, with 45% stating that they had a neutral opinion.

The full breakdown of these statistics can be found on the England Hockey Board website, and should be taken into consideration if planning a new or refurbished facility. The views of the end users are of significant importance in facility planning.Advancements in understanding the customer has lead EHB to develop a small sided game for adults, Rush Hockey. Rush Hockey can be played on a variety of surfaces from indoor halls, to netball courts, to commercial MUGA providers. Whilst this format of the game is important to hockey in terms of participation, it has been purposefully designed to be used by alternative facilit ies so as not to add to participant congestion in high density hockey areas. Hom e page | EHB | Spor t England | Funding | Te chnical | Site M ap | Contact Us


Help Our Clubs and Associations to Develop and ThrivePart of delivering this key objective is to ensure our club structure is equipped to ensure a quality experience for the participant. This objective will be looking at facility provision outside of the Single System. It will t ie in with init iatives from our partners, such as Women’s Sport and Fitness Foundation, looking into the barriers to hockey for women and girls, and the English Federation of Disability Sport, to name but a few.

England Hockey Board is also keen to support the development of our clubs and providers who are already, or may in the future, form part of the delivery system to host domestic and international events. Hockey as a sport is becoming more and more widely accessible, with a variety of clubs, with a good geographical spread, hosting events including domestic finals, and world class international tournaments such as the Champions Trophy and Europeans.

A large factor in this strategy will be looking into resurfacing cycles, to identify age of pitches and to guide facility providers as to when they need to start to think about replacing their surface. It is thought that there are over 400 sand filled pitches still in use, which are over 15 years old. It is imperative that alongside developing new facilit ies, we are ensuring that existing facilit ies receive appropriate maintenance.

This document will use the Single System and relevant sections from EHB strategy, to influence its direction, and to ensure that hockey has the right pitches in the right places.

There are approximately 100,000 hockey participants in England currently accommodated in affiliated hockey clubs. Club hockey numbers are rising, and participation targets will see these numbers continue to rise. Further information can be found from your EHB Relationship Manager.



Embed the Single SystemHockey in England has evolved over many years and has many historical boundaries, systems and competit ions that make the hockey landscape a complicated one. In the past, the pathway varied enormously, not only between boys and girls, but also from region to region and county to county. The purpose of the Single System is to make opportunities for participants fair, equitable and consistent. It is to ensure that a suitable level of coaching and competit ion is offered for people at the appropriate stage of their development and to maximise the chance they have of fulf illing their potential whether that potential is as a club or international player, coach or official. All levels of hockey rely whole heartedly upon the correct provision of facilit ies, and delivering a Single System would not be possible without capital investment.

In England the competit ive league structure is divided into 4 predominant levels

•National Leagues •Regional Leagues•County Leagues •Junior Leagues

The estimated total number of facilit ies involved in servicing competit ive hockey is in excess of 1000.The Single System alone accesses over 2,000 hours of pitch use per year.

Each level, as identif ied above, has strict guidelines as to the surface hockey should be played upon. Please refer to the 3G policy for hockey and Selecting the Right Artif icial Surface for further guidance. (Both documents are available at www.englandhockey.co.uk/facilit ies)

There are two parts to the pathway within the Single System, part one concerns under 18’s, and part two the over 18 pathway

Each stage of the Single System requires the correct facility provision, This requires strategic planning as to where facility upgrades are needed, and in some cases, where new investment will be crucial to delivery.

The Single System pathway consists of club and school activity feeding into the centres (detailed in the diagram below) It is imperative that Single System activity is taken into account when looking at facility provision in an area. It can take up a large number of training and competit ion hours both evenings and weekends. We advise that EHBs Relationship Managers are consulted with to establish Single System Use.



Maximise the Opportunities of 2012A rare opportunity for hockey exists around the opportunities which arise as part of the London 2012 Olympics.

Eton Manor will see two Olympic pitches, a multi sport clubhouse, spectator seating as a lasting legacy from 2012. This offers a unique opportunity for clubs in the local area to come together to share a world class facility.

With around 15 hockey playing nations competing at 2012, LOCOG are heavily promoting training camps at existing Brit ish sites. This offers a fantastic opportunity for clubs to offer their facilit ies as training venues for the most prestigious sporting event in the world.

Along side this new facility, hockey utilise the National Performance Centre sites at Bisham Abbey and Lilleshall. It is important to note that access to these sites are greatly reduced to the public use and should be considered carefully when looking at facility provision in an area..
