Poor hockey grounds bring criticism

Press, 26 January 1979, Page 4

Poor hockey grounds bring criticism

The poor condition of hockey fields in Christchurch is a major topic of discussion in the Canterbury’s Hockey Association’s annual report. Grounds received criticism from the perside nt (Dr R. R. Bailey), the chairman (Mr C. W. Walklin), and the competitions sub-committee in their repoit. Many grades ended in chaos because of cancellations brought about by . wet weather - , and when games were played, the fields were more suited to water polo or moto-cross said the competitions report. The disaster did nothing to promote hockey or encourage people to play the game. Dr Bailey was more specific. Porritt Park, the headquarters for men’s hockey in Christchurch. would never be a suitable venue he said, and he was greatly concerned at the condition of grounds lower grade players were being asked to play on. In his two years as president

■ Dr Bailey has suggested that a < • way to overcome the problem' 1 was to move hockey indoors in | i the mid-winter months. He ex- ; presses the hope that a sub- i i committee will be formed to ex- s . plore the feasability of such a s . move, 1 On days when competition I games were able to be played i ; the urgent need for improved | drainage and work on the play- ; ! ing surfaces became painfully ; ‘ obvious said Mr Walklin. it was difficult to believe that : - the ChristcTiurch City’ Council. ; I which was talking about arti i • ficial surfaces after the Montreal ’ y Olympics, administered a policy ' that had contributed largely to . the present situation. » Porritt Park surfaces empha- - sised the hockey association’s - problems. Last season the head 5 quarters were able to be used • for about 50 per cent of the • season. If the grounds were not underwater, they were often unl playable because of Jong grass

or lack of rolling said Mr Wa j lin. , Some clubs are improving grounds at their headquarters bui it was a most unsatisfactory situation when chibs had to subsidise the upgrading of council properly, particularly in light of the laige increases in ground rentals last year. The t H.A pays 46 cents in each dollar oi affiliafTon fees in ground rent* als The competition format thit year will be changed to inclodu an under-19 grade. The competitions committee believes thi'J will give a natural progression to provincial <ohs and senior club levels, and fill a gap that has existed between the under--17 grade, and colts and semoi status For thetr own survival club'must become more actively in volved in Ihe 14 to 19 years age groups and to achieve this closet co-operation must exist between clubs and schools, said th« competitions committee report.