A Second World Class Pitch for Cannock Hockey

Cannock Hockey Club in Staffordshire has become the most successful National Premier League hockey club in the country, having won the title seven times in the last 12 years. They are proud of their home grown talent, producing world class players who go on to play for England and Great Britain. To build on this success and to prove their dedication to the sport they have recently installed a second world class standard TigerTurf WETT surface, with contractors AMB Sports.

David Lindord, President of the Cannock Hockey Club said,
‘We are delighted to unveil our second international standard TigerTurf hockey pitch and are extremely grateful to everyone who has helped to turn the club’s ambitions into a reality. We were recently selected as a potential training facility for the visiting international hockey squads during the 2012 Olympics and it is testament to the high standards at Cannock and a real honour for everyone at the club. With our enhanced facilities we are now even better placed to continue supporting grass roots hockey in the community as well as this country’s elite sports men and women.’

The pitch was officially opened by local MP Sir Patrick Cormack on Saturday 4 October. Cannock then played their rivals Bowdon in a spirited match on a very windy afternoon, which, to the hosts delight, they won 7-1.

The funding for the pitch was from Sport England and England Hockey. Cannock Hockey club then matched the grant from the National Sports Foundation with kind donations from the Staffordshire Playing Field Association, The Fred Linford Charitable Trust and Cannock member donations.

The new pitch will host matches and training for the Young National League Squad, Junior Development Academy and the Junior Performance Centre. Cannock Hockey club hope to continue to stage national and international tournaments and have been nominated as one of the 2012 Olympic pre game training camps.

TigerTurf’s WETT (Water Efficient TigerTurf) surface is so called because it uses significantly less water than traditional water based products whilst still performing to FIH accredited standards. In addition to the environmental considerations, WETT has been specifically designed with the requirements of the hockey player in mind.

Assisting with the design was Great Britain and England hockey star Jennie Bimson, who joined TigerTurf as a hockey surface consultant. The tightly curled monofilament fibre, exclusive to TigerTurf, creates a surface on which players can practise close control over the ball and have complete command over the speed and direction of passes. The extra strength in the fibres ensures maximum surface recovery every time.

Sir Patrick Cormack said
‘Cannock Hockey club has worked tirelessly to create this wonderful new facility purely due to their love of the sport and their dedication to the community. The spirit of dedication to this club and the willingness to teach the young and incite them to play hockey shines through. It will be a great contribution to the life of the local community and it is absolutely fitting that Cannock will have a proper role to play in the pre training camps for 2012’.

TigerTurf continues to sponsor Cannock Hockey and will be supporting the club throughout the season.