Horwich leisure centre under the re-development of their facilities, are changing the all-weather astro-turf pitch to a 3G football pitch.

This pitch is not suitable for hockey to be played on at any level. This would mean that Horwich Hockey club would need to relocate their home pitch, outside of Horwich and into Bolton where there are limited pitches already.

The new 3G pitch also comes with potential health risks that are currently being investigated.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/men/health/are-artificial-sports-pitches-causing-cancer/​

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-3481732/Did-artificial-football-pitch-cause-amateur-player-s-death-Family-fear-pellets-turf-led-father-two-s-fatal-cancer.html

Hockey is a growing sport which has been helped by the current success of the GB women at the Olympics in Rio and has spurred on locals to come on down and try the sport for themselves.

Horwich Hockey club is active in trying to encourage younger players to pick up the sport and welcome all ages to training on a Tuesday which takes place on the pitch in question.

HHC is an ever expanding club and has recently formed a women’s team who are currently top of the league and enjoying a healthy run in the cup. The men’s team have also shared success over the previous year’s winning the league and being promoted. 

We are urging Bolton Community Leisure Limited to change their mind and to replace the pitch with a suitable pitch that is compatible for us to continue playing Hockey.

http://www.englandhockey.co.uk/page.asp?section=2082&sectionTitle=Types+of+Surfaces

 If Horwich Hockey team where to lose their fight to save the pitch it could potentially mean the disbanding of the club and remove opportunities for local people to be involved in an every growing and progressive sport.

 http://www.theboltonnews.co.uk/news/14930041.Hockey_players_not_jolly_over_new_pitch_plans/