The Sunshine Coast Hockey Association will be scooping at an international level with a new world-class field now available after Sunshine Coast Council and the Queensland Government completed a major $489,000 upgrade.
In November last year, the existing turf was pulled up at the Ballinger Road, Buderim clubhouse to make way for the installation of state-of-the-art synthetic turf.
Sunshine Coast Council Mayor Mark Jamieson said projects like this allowed our rising stars to access the very best of facilities.
"It's great to see a place where our up and coming hockey players and elite athletes can play on top quality fields," Mayor Jamieson said.
"Having sporting facilities like these in place affords opportunities for more people to participate in their chosen sport as well as improving our capacity to attract high calibre sporting events to our region."
Divisional Councillor Ted Hungerford couldn't agree more and said the facility would support and service the entire Sunshine Coast community and beyond.
"This field will provide benefits to the Sunshine Coast community and to teams from Caboolture through to Gympie," Cr Hungerford said.
"It's an outstanding place to play. Who knows – we could be harbouring the next Olympic competitors right here.
"Hockey is a sport that is played by a broad cross section of our community with both male and female participation, along with all ages from as young as five through to 80 and older."
Sunshine Coast Hockey Association President Warren Flower said the new surface was a real shot in the arm for hockey on the Sunshine Coast.
"We have made the decision to name the field after our most decorated and successful player, that being dual Olympian and medal winner Jodie Kenny," Mr Flower said.
"The ground will be known as the 'Jodie Kenny (née Schulz) Field' in recognition of her achievements."
Former Sunshine Coast Hockey Association president Scott Brennan championed the upgrades during his term as president and said he was excited that local players would have the opportunity to play on the same surface being used at the upcoming Tokyo Olympic Games.
"What a great way to commence our 2021 season with a state-of-the-art turf and brand new underlay to play on," Mr Brennan said.
"The new surface allows our members to experience the exact same surface that will be used at the Olympics later this year.
"All of our players who have been fortunate enough to play on the new surface have been amazed at the quality."
The Sunshine Coast Hockey Association funded $39,000 towards the cost of the project.
Assistant Minister for Local Government Nikki Boyd said the Queensland Government had contributed $450,000 toward field upgrade through the government's COVID-19 Works for Queensland Program.
"The COVID-19 Works for Queensland Program is helping the Sunshine Coast's economic recovery, with projects like this creating more jobs and improving community infrastructure," Ms Boyd said.
"The upgraded fields are giving local aspiring Hockyroos and Kookaburras the best facilities to play and practice on."
Sunshine Coast Council in partnership with the State Government's COVID-19 Works for Queensland Program has also funded Buderim Wanderers' new LED Field Lighting Upgrade at the Ballinger Road sports complex.
Works on safety upgrades to the main switchboard, electrical upgrades and replacing halogen field lights with new LED lights on the eastern training field wrapped up in February. The installation has improved playing condition and reduced power costs for the club.
FAST FACTS – Hockey Field:
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Synthetic field is Australian made and manufactured
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Poligras Tokyo GT is the first synthetic hockey turf which features filaments made from over 60 percent re-growable raw materials
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The rubber underlay, or shock pad underneath the surface, uses recycled tyre rubber supplied from Ipswich
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Polytan's CoolPlus technology ensures that the turf stays pleasantly cool even on hot days
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Sunshine Coast Hockey Association donated some of the used synthetic surface to local clubs, schools and sporting groups.
