Statements have recently been made that require clarification with regard to the future home of Reading Hockey Club. For some time it has been an imperative for the Hockey Section to have a second, and possibly, third Astroturf pitch in order to preserve its current position in English and European Hockey.Significant progress has been made during the last year to address this issue. Attention has focused on the need to significantly increase membership both internally and in partnership with organizations who share the Section’s aspiration because of the high capital cost and the need to generate finances for future replacement. One proposition explored was a partnership with Reading University based at the University Campus. However negotiations have faltered and it is unlikely that this proposition will proceed.
Other options are being considered which include a possible relocation of the Hockey Section from Sonning Lane but this is not in prospect for the foreseeable future.
Geoff Ash
Club Chairman
News, Frontpage, Noticeboard
2 comments
Hows does the current situation with Sonning HC sit with us? I was under the impression that there astro is going down very soon and will pretty much be next to ours ?!
We are fully supportive of the Sonning situation – but from where we started with them – a jv of 2 hockey pitches one for each club (blocked by Wokingham) to 2 pitches, one with a football orientated surface not approved by FIH for hockey and currently banned for competitive hockey by the London League (unless the surface gets changed), any usage we can get is going to be very occasional (on a Saturday) and possibly a bit better on Sunday for colts.
In short, the Sonning situation looks unlikely to provide any major solution to our Saturday pitch shortage – although there may yet be some twists and turns to come.
Jo Newman