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Jess Brown-Fuller Tables Motion on Threat to Local Hockey Facilities
- 1 day ago
- 2 min read
Jess Brown-Fuller has tabled an Early Day Motion (EDM 580) in the House of Commons calling for action to protect hockey facilities amid growing concerns over the loss of suitable pitches across the country.
The motion highlights the impact of ageing astroturf pitches being replaced with 3G surfaces, which, while suitable for football and rugby, cannot be used for competitive hockey. It notes that Chichester alone is home to three hockey clubs with more than 600 competitive players, whose futures depend on continued access to appropriate playing surfaces.
The EDM calls on the Government to work with sport's governing bodies to protect existing hockey pitches and to review the financial support available to grassroots clubs seeking to maintain or replace facilities.
The motion follows Jess' visit to Chichester Centurions Hockey Club earlier this year, where she met players and heard first-hand about the pressures facing local provision. She has also written to and met with the Minister for Sport, Tourism, Civil Society and Youth, Stephanie Peacock MP, seeking clarity on what financial support is available to grassroots clubs needing to improve or replace astroturf pitches.
Clubs in Chichester have warned that the loss of pitches at sites including Chichester High School and Chichester College could place further strain on the single hockey pitch at Chichester University, already fully booked for the year, as teams compete for limited playing time.
Commenting, Jess Brown-Fuller said:
"Hockey is a lifeline for so many people in Chichester, as it builds community and gives young people a route into sport. I've tabled this motion because clubs across the district are facing a real and immediate threat to their future, simply because the pitches they rely on are disappearing.
Government needs to work with governing bodies to protect these facilities and ensure grassroots clubs get the support they need."
