Pitch Together celebrates its first year with almost £1m invested in hockey clubs 

A year on from launch, the Pitch Together Fund has provided almost £1m of investment into six hockey facility projects and there are still more opportunities for other clubs to receive vital support. 

The Fund was set up by Sporting Assets and England Hockey, with support from Sport England and Triodos Bank, to help clubs improve, replace and protect their facilities still has £3million available for clubs until October 2027. 

Twelve months in, here’s what that looks like so far, the projects we’ve backed, the difference they’re starting to make, and what’s coming next. 

The projects we've funded 

The Fund offers affordable loans alongside grant funding and hands-on support, and six projects have been approved so far. Four are complete, one is under way and one is due to start next summer. Between them they cover three pitch refurbishments, a floodlighting upgrade, a new spectator stand, and new changing rooms and a clubhouse. 

Old Loughtonians replaced two pitches first laid for London 2012. Gillingham Anchorians swapped a failing floodlight system for energy-efficient LEDs, keeping the pitch open for evening and winter hockey. Nottingham Hockey Centre’s new covered stand is designed to bring more families, schools and supporters to the venue, and to generate income it can put back into programmes like Back to Hockey.   

Hear more directly from clubs that have received vital support and see what it has meant for their club. 

David Griffiths, Nottingham Hockey Centre, said: “The loan has helped us massively in getting the project off the ground and turning what was a really exciting idea into a reality.  

“Without the support, it would have been much more difficult for us to move the project forward, so it has made a huge difference to the club.  

“The whole process was also really quick and straightforward. From the initial conversations through to getting everything in place, the team were brilliant and really helpful, supportive and easy to deal with. It meant we could focus on getting on with the project rather than spending a long time worrying about the finance side of things.  

“We’re really hoping that having a proper covered stand will help us grow our audiences, create a better match-day atmosphere and give the club a platform to continue developing. It has already created a real sense of excitement around the club and the wider community at NHCL.  

“There’s a real feeling that this is an important step forward for us, and it’s been great to see how much interest and enthusiasm there has been around the project. Ultimately, we see the stand as much more than just a new facility. It’s an investment in the future of the club, helping us create a better environment for players, supporters and the wider community, while hopefully bringing more people into hockey and encouraging them to get involved. We’re really excited to see the finished project and the impact it will have over the coming years.”

What's coming up 

There are more application that are being processed which means more development for clubs across England. There are more support sessions planned and we still have £3m left to invest.  

If you have a project in mind but need help with something specific, Upcoming webinars and drop-in sessions are listed on the Pitch Together Fund page and the What Makes a Great Club page. Here are a few coming up: 

• Pitch Together Fund drop-in session: Thursday 5 November, 12.30pm Register here 
• Crowdfunder webinar: Wednesday 18 November, 12pm Register here 

The Fund is currently open to applications until October 2027. If you’re thinking about a pitch, floodlights or another facility project, submit an Expression of Interest and we’ll be in touch.