Hockey is a growing sport as highlighted by England Hockey in the new Playing Pitch Strategy and the loss of two out of just three hockey suitable surfaces in Crawley would pose an existential threat to the future of Horley Hockey Club and our 100+ adult and junior members. A 3G artificial pitch is not a true multi-sport suitable surface.

The impact on our juniors will be particularly pronounced as we remain one of the only local clubs with over 95% of our current members from a state school background. If hockey is removed as a viable sport for junior members and partner schools in the local area this will further exacerbate the challenges of dealing with the problems of obesity and mental health among younger people. 

Given that the new Crawley Borough Council’s Playing Pitch Strategy makes the provision of maintaining sufficient multi-sport artificial pitches suitable for hockey in the Crawley area, the hammer blow this would deal to Horley Hockey Club, its members, other local clubs, schools and community users would be disastrous and I hope this decision can be reversed in favour of at least one hockey suitable playing artificial surface at either Ifield Community College or Oriel School. Please help us overturn this decision by signing this petition. Thank you.