BROMSGROVE Hockey Club has launched a fund-raising campaign to generate £500,000 to secure its long-term future.
The family-friendly club prides itself on offering opportunities to everyone, regardless of age and level of fitness and includes those managing a disability.
The club has its own astroturf pitch complete with floodlights, clubhouse and is part of Bromsgrove Cricket, Hockey and Tennis Club.
The average life of hockey pitch surface is 12 years and the club has started its journey to raise funds for the renewal of the astroturf carpet which a detailed survey estimates, with rising costs and an allowance for ‘unknowns and contingency plans’ will be around £500,000.
To date, the club has raised £66k and has some exciting plans to engage with the community and local businesses to continue its fund-raising.
The club has allowed itself five years to raise the funds so the work can be undertaken no later than 2028.
Andrew Wensley, the chairman of Bromsgrove Hockey Club, said: “If the funding is not secured, the likelihood will be the surface will be deemed unsafe and the pitch will be closed which would be a devastating blow to Bromsgrove and the community after all that has been achieved.”
Teams and activities
The club has five men’s teams, six ladies and a Badger side – juniors progressing to seniors.
Around 230 junior members also play with ages ranging from four to 16.
The training and competitive matches for juniors include under eights, u10s, u12s, u14s and u16s.
Bromsgrove Hockey Club is also rightly proud of being home to the world’s first Walking Hockey Club and the hub, created as part of that project, has gone on to pioneer other walking sports.
The club has also established return to hockey for those who used to play and beginners sessions. And Bromsgrove Hockey Club has plans to develop the facilities to introduce sessions for disabled and disadvantaged people.
The facilities allow players to play the popular game all year round, providing the community with a venue to keep fit, make new friends and to learn new skills.
Fund-raising plans
The club hopes people will join it on its fund-raising journey, organising events to help raise the cash as well as donating.
The help of Gary Stokes, who spearheaded the fund-raising to save St Michael and All Angels Church, Stoke Prior, from closing, has been enlisted.
He said: “The journey of fund-raising also took five years, during which good times were had.
“The community engagement to achieve this was overwhelming.
“I will forever be grateful for the help we received.”
Visit bromsgrovehockey.org.uk for more on the campaign and how to get involved.
