New turf big goal for local hockey	with kind permission from
25 May 2004 By SIMON EARLE Installation of a new water-base hockey turf is likely to begin in Rotorua early next year and could be in use by the autumn. The availability of a new playing surface alongside the Bay of Plenty Hockey Association's existing sand-base pitch at Smallbone Park will enable national tournaments and international matches to be played in Rotorua. Realisation of the $1.2 million project is subject to funding and an initial application has already been made to the Rotorua District Council. Under current policy council's Community Facilities Fund is able to offer a one third grant to a maximum of $300,000 or a two-thirds interest free loan over 15 years. The association has 1200 registered senior and junior players who use the existing turf between 3.45pm and 10pm from Monday to Friday plus on weekends. "Due to the extensive use of the existing turf teams find it very difficult to find time to practice," BOPHA president Dave Warburton said. Two international matches between New Zealand and Great Britain were played in Tauranga earlier this year and Rotorua is likely to be looked on favourably as a test venue when a water base turf is laid. "The prospects are good for series' to be played within the Bay of Plenty using Tauranga, Rotorua, Taupo and Whakatane if one is also installed there," Mr Warburton said. The present sand-base turf was laid in 1992 at a cost of $700,000 and is attributed as the reason for both a big increase in the numbers of local players and improvement in quality of local play. Local players Hoete Mitai-Ngatai (boys) and Ashlee Phillips (girls) are both members of national under-16 squads which Mr Warburton said would not have occurred if hockey was still played on grass. Association patron Glenys Searancke said a water-based turf "is not a luxury - it is essential" if the sport is to progress and hopes her Rotorua District Council colleagues will look favourably at hockey?s case. "I believe hockey warrants special consideration because of the high costs involved," she said. Hockey is believed to be the most expensive team sport to play in Rotorua. The combination of registration and turf fees sees each senior player required to pay $250 a season. Player-safety is another reason why the BOPHA is anxious to install a water-base turf over the less expensive sand-base option. "A lot of ankle and knee injuries are suffered by players on sand-base turfs," vice president Marilyn Downey said, "so water base pitches are recognised as being a lot safer."