The Press and Journal (Inverness, Highlands, and Islands)
Hockey heroine backs pitch battle
A campaign for a hockey pitch in central Shetland is gaining momentum – with support from the Olympic medal-winning GB team captain, Kate RichardsonWalsh.
The popularity of hockey in the northern isles is growing, but there is only one multi-purpose outdoor playing surface available, located in Brae on the northern mainland.
This leaves many players, particularly those living at the south end of Shetland, having to travel more than 100 miles for a game. A petition has been launched on the change.org website by Shetland Ladies Hockey Club player Ashley Burgess, and has attracted more than 1,000 supporters.
It includes Kate Richardson Walsh, who tweeted: “If you’ve got a couple of minutes spare and want to help our hockey family in Shetland please sign this petition.”
The Olympic gold and bronze medallist was captain of the British hockey squad in last year’s Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro.
Ashley Burgess welcomed support from play- ers throughout the country, saying it was a real boost to the campaign by Shetland Hockey Association for a pitch in Lerwick.
She added: “Shetland Ladies Hockey has progressed so much these past few years. There is now, more than ever, a huge pool of players interested and playing the sport.
“With the game having progressed to the point where grass is no longer suitable, we only have one facility in mainland Shetland, being the Midway Pitch in Brae.
“We are extremely grateful to have this great facility, but it does mean players making endless trips to Brae for both competitive matches and training sessions costing a lot of money, time and effort to get there.
“A particular concern of ours is potential players living in the South Mainland who require even more of an effort to make the trip to and from Brae, with many coming back to us saying they just cannot commit to making the 100-mile journey to and from the Midway Pitch.”
Lerwick would be an ideal area for an additional pitch, she said, given its easy access to public transport – unlike Brae.
She pointed out that there is an excellent allweather rugby pitch in Lerwick, along with several football pitches.
There is also a running track, bowls hall, swimming pool, indoor sports centre, squash courts and the new 60:40 artificial surface.
She added: “One thing is obviously missing – a hockey facility.”
“There is now, more than ever, a huge pool of players”