School to introduce hockey after new pitch funding

A secondary school is to introduce hockey to its curriculum after £350,000 in funding was secured for a full-size artificial hockey pitch.

The Astroturf pitch planned for the Grove School in Market Drayton, Shropshire, could also be used for football, tennis, netball and cricket, the council said.

The new facility, which is the first of its kind in the town, will also provide a local training ground for Market Drayton Hockey Club.

"The hope is that this will lead to the club having junior teams, as well as encouraging more adult residents of Market Drayton to join the club," said Shropshire councillor James Owen.

Currently club members have to travel to Keele, Lilleshall or Whitchurch to use a suitable full-size pitch.

The funding has come from community infrastructure levy money from developers working on building projects in the area.

It is hoped work will begin later in the year once additional funding is achieved.

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