Sticking to the task of keeping hockey alive in Blackpool

The annual Blackpool Hockey Festival was among the many events called off due to coronavirus in recent weeks, but lovers of the sport in the town face a further worry – the possible loss of Blackpool’s last hockey pitch.
The traditional Blackpool Hockey Festival at Stanley Park did not take place this EasterThe traditional Blackpool Hockey Festival at Stanley Park did not take place this Easter
The traditional Blackpool Hockey Festival at Stanley Park did not take place this Easter

The annual Blackpool Hockey Festival was among the many events called off due to coronavirus in recent weeks, but lovers of the sport in the town face a further worry – the possible loss of Blackpool’s last hockey pitch.

Last year the Football Federation gained authorisation to convert one of the two hockey pitches at Blackpool’s Stanley Park to a 3G surface, suitable for football but no longer for hockey.

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There are fears among organisers of the Blackpool Hockey Festival – the Easter spectacular staged annually at Stanley Park since 1952 – that the remaining pitch could suffer the same fate.

David Gee, secretary of the Blackpool Hockey Festival, has appealed to England Hockey to invest in the town’s final pitch and in its community hockey, rather than allowing the pitch to be converted to 3G.

The problem is that there has been no organised hockey in the town since Blackpool Hockey Club folded in 2018.

Lytham St Annes Hockey Club continues nearby, while newer clubs like Fylde HC (based at Mill Farm) and Garstang HC (where Gee coaches) have grown.

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Gee told The Gazette: “As I understand it there are no plans to convert that last hockey pitch at present and I’m happy to say that Blackpool Council want to support the pitch.

“My argument is not with Blackpool Council but with England Hockey, who should find funding for the last pitch in Blackpool. If it goes, there will be no hockey played within the boundary.

“Hockey England won’t invest unless they believe there’s a demand for hockey but there is a massive opportunity for grassroots hockey here.

“Hockey England had the opportunity to resurface our astroturf pitch but didn’t because there is no club hockey in Blackpool.

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“Instead they could have asked how they could help us to get a club up and running. They could have brought in a community coach but instead the sport is dying in our schools. The Garstang club, where I coach, is expanding because of community coaching.”

Gee believes altering the surface of the pitch would be the death knell for hockey.

He adds: “You can play multiple sports on astroturf but you can only play football on 3G and possibly touch rugby. Changing that facility to 3G would be good for football but not for other sport.

“You can play any sport on astro, including football, so by keeping the astro you are keeping a community pitch for all sports.”

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Gee, 54, is now based in Cleveleys but was born and raised in Blackpool, and he would love to see hockey survive there.

He said: “I grew up in Blackpool with a family business on the Promenade and I love the town.

“I helped to get hockey back on the sports curriculum at nine schools but it’s no longer played and there’s no money available.

“My belief is that hockey should be available to be played in the community. It should not be seen as an elitist sport which can only be played by travelling out of town.

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“It’s about providing opportunities in sport for children who otherwise wouldn’t have them.

“Children who can’t get into teams playing other sports often give hockey a try and find it gives them a more level playing field.

“It’s also one of very few sports that can be played completely mixed because girls and women can be better than boys and men.”

As for the 2020 Blackpool Hockey Festival, all hope may not yet be lost.

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Gee said: “It’s gone on for 68 years, with teams from all over the UK and Ireland, and it’s a shame .

“It may be possible to play the festival over the August Bank Holiday weekend but logistically that would be very difficult. It takes six to eight months to plan it each year.”