WETT Hockey Turf a hit at Wanganui Collegiate

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The Wanganui Chronicle reports on the new synthetic WETT Hockey Turf at Wanganui Collegiate School.  The article begins “Every teacher has a pet.  Wanganui Collegiate’s Master of Hockey, Craig Ritani, has his favorite – the school’s new Astroturf pitch” 

After more than two years of extensive fund raising, the new WETT pitch was opened for play in early May 2010.  Craig Ritani “gives top marks to the $700,000 sporting facility, which has already been worn in by the school’s hockey teams.” 

Wanganui Collegiate is one of New Zealand’s leading independent schools and has a very strong sporting culture.  The school was aware of the benefits other New Zealand schools had experienced from installing TigerTurf water turf facilities, with the school’s website reporting that “the impact has not only been at school grade but also through the club and rep grades, creating a pathway for hockey players to succeed”. 

The school’s board of trustees had a clear vision for the new pitch.  Firstly to create a superior facility enabling Wanganui Collegiate students to develop their skills within the code of hockey, therefore increasing both the caliber of the school team and creating pride within the school community.  Secondly to increase the hockey facilities within the Wanganui/Manawatu region to ensure that strong pathways would be created for youth to excel. 

Support for the new turf has been championed from the top down with Hockey New Zealand endorsing the initiative along with a huge fundraising effort from parents, staff and friends of the school.  Hockey New Zealand reports that “An international-standard hockey surface of this nature allows hockey players within the whole Wanganui region to develop a higher level of hockey skills and techniques.  Coaching clinics and Hockey New Zealand Coaching courses can also become a reality in the city.  A centre with two artificial surfaces also attracts a greater number and higher level of national tournaments.”