Goulburn’s new hockey turf is open for competition

March 28, 2022

The first competition games have been held on the new water based synthetic fields at the Goulburn Regional Hockey Complex, following an official opening on Saturday morning.

Along with the two synthetic fields, the new complex contains national championship quality lighting and a new expanded car park that now comes straight off Finlay Road. Council will award a tender for the amenities upgrade in the coming months, which will complete the project.

A water-based field is considered one of the best for the game, as it provides a smoother surface for players and reduces the risk of injury.

Goulburn District Hockey Association president Sharney Fleming said Goulburn had been a proud hockey town for many years and the new field was designed to revive that reputation.

“When our other field was damaged by birds, which was about six or seven years ago, we’d been playing on one field, so we’re hoping now with the new water-based field and getting new facilities around there, we can increase our numbers again in hockey,” she said.

“You lose numbers when you don’t have the right facility for people to play on and it caused a struggle for us with one turf to get all teams training and everything onto that one turf.”

Mayor Peter Walker notes “the new blue turf can’t be missed, and provides an excellent fast surface for our players. Combined with the lighting and soon to be upgraded amenities buildings we will now be able to attract and host state and potentially even national hockey championship events.”

NSW Minister for Local Government and Member for Goulburn, Wendy Tuckerman said the facilities upgrade to championship event standard benefits local players and will attracts visitors to the region.

“Goulburn has a proud history when it comes to professional and social hockey participation and the upgrade secures the future of hockey in Goulburn and surrounds.”

Following the official opening and speeches, Goulburn Hockey Association held a come and try day, before Goulburn’s three Canberra Capital League teams played their opening round matches.

The NSW Government provided $3.872 million towards this project, Council contributed just over $3 million to purchase the facility and Goulburn District Hockey Association also contributed $200,000.

Mayor Peter Walker, Minister Wendy Tuckerman and Sharney Fleming President of Goulburn District Hockey officially opened the field. Also in attendance were NSW Minister for Industry, Energy and Emissions Reduction, Angus Taylor and Kate Pulbrook of Hockey NSW along with a number of committee members and hockey representatives from around the region.

Image courtesy Goulburn Mulwaree Council

18th December 2021 - Upgraded Goulburn facilities attract several major sporting events for 2022

7th December 2021 - Open day to display near completed Stage 1 redevelopment of the Goulburn Aquatic and Leisure Centre

12th February 2021 - Goulburn builds on its reputation as a premier sporting event destination in regional NSW

18th November 2020 - Goulburn Mulwaree Council welcomes representative cricket returning to regional NSW

20th November 2019 - Goulburn named host of major Netball NSW event

7th November 2018 - Goulburn’s Veolia Arena to host Indoor Hockey State Championships for another three years

13th February 2017 - Masters Indoor Hockey played out in Goulburn

19th October 2016 - NSW Hockey Championships set to deliver economic boost to Goulburn

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