A hockey pitch is a serious investment. It’s expected to perform consistently through training sessions, fixtures and busy periods, stand up to years of use, and provide a safe, reliable surface for the people using it. And when you’re responsible for a facility, the last thing you want is to be dealing with unexpected problems six months after the work has been completed. That’s where experience really matters.
At AS Sports, we’ve installed, resurfaced and refurbished hockey pitches across the UK, working with schools, universities, clubs, local authorities and other sporting organisations. We’ve seen plenty of different sites, surfaces and challenges over the years. That means we understand that choosing a hockey pitch isn’t simply about picking a product from a list. It’s about understanding how the facility will be used, what the existing site can support, what your budget allows and what you need the pitch to achieve over its lifetime. Here’s why we’re worth talking to before you commit to a surface
Decades of Specialist Hockey Pitch Experience
There’s a difference between a contractor who’s laid a hockey pitch once or twice and one who’s built up decades of experience across sports surfacing. We’ve spent more than 40 years delivering sports surface projects, including hockey facilities at grassroots clubs, schools, universities and higher-level sporting venues. That experience gives us a much better understanding of what goes into a successful hockey pitch project. We understand that no two hockey facilities are exactly the same. A busy club facility with multiple teams using the pitch every week has different requirements to a school pitch that’s used for hockey alongside several other sports.
One project we’re particularly proud of is completing the UK’s first Hockey5s pitch at Nottingham Hockey Centre. Delivered in partnership with Nottingham Hockey Centre and Britvic, the project created a unique facility that quickly earned itself the nickname “The Pepsi Pitch”. Projects like this demonstrate the breadth of our experience, but it’s the knowledge built up across hundreds of projects that we bring to every new site.
A Surface For Every Level of Play
One of the most important decisions you’ll make is choosing the right surface. There isn’t one hockey surface that’s automatically right for every facility. The level of hockey being played, how frequently the pitch will be used, whether other sports need to be accommodated and the available budget all need to be considered.
We work with a range of hockey surface systems and can help you understand the differences between them.
Water Based Hockey Pitches
Water-based pitches are designed for high-level hockey and are commonly used for professional, international and elite-level play.
Water is applied to the surface before play, helping to reduce friction between the ball and the turf. This creates a fast, consistent playing surface and allows the ball to travel smoothly across the pitch. For facilities operating at a high level, this consistency is particularly important. The surface needs to provide predictable ball behaviour and support the pace and technical demands of the game.
Water-based pitches do, however, come with additional requirements. Water usage, irrigation systems, drainage and ongoing maintenance all need to be considered when planning the facility. That’s why it’s important to look beyond the initial installation and think about the ongoing commitment required to get the best from the surface.
Dry Hockey Pitches
Dry hockey pitches offer another option for clubs and facilities looking for a hockey surface without the need for regular watering. They can provide a consistent playing surface while reducing the water requirements associated with water-based systems, making them a practical choice for certain facilities.
A great example is our project at Down Grange Sports Complex for Basingstoke Hockey Club, where AS Sports delivered the UK’s first dry hockey pitch. The project demonstrates how advances in synthetic turf can provide alternative solutions for hockey facilities, particularly where water use and ongoing maintenance are important considerations.
As with any hockey surface, the right choice depends on how the pitch will be used, the level of play and the requirements of the facility.
Sand-dressed Hockey Pitches
Sand-dressed surfaces can be a practical option for clubs, schools and other facilities where versatility is important. They use less water than a water-based system and can provide a durable surface suitable for hockey alongside other sports, depending on the specific system and facility requirements.
For schools and multi-sport facilities in particular, this can be an important consideration. A pitch might need to accommodate hockey, football, training sessions and other activities throughout the week, so the surface needs to work for more than one purpose.
Tailored Hockey Pitch Advice, Not One Size Fits All
Every hockey pitch project starts with understanding the facility.
Before recommending a surface, there are several things worth considering: What sports will be played? How many hours of use will the pitch receive each week? What level of hockey will it need to support? Is it a dedicated hockey facility or a multi-sport space? What is the condition of the existing pitch? And, perhaps most importantly, what does the available budget look like?
For a resurfacing project, we’ll also need to understand what’s already underneath the existing turf. A tired surface doesn’t automatically mean the whole pitch needs to be replaced. Depending on its condition, elements such as the existing shockpad or base may be suitable for continued use, while other areas may need repair or improvement. Assessing what’s already there can help avoid unnecessary work and make sure the new surface is being installed onto a suitable foundation.
Our advice is tailored to the individual project rather than based on a standard package. Whether you’re a grassroots club working within a carefully managed budget, a school looking to improve its sports facilities, or a larger organisation planning a high-performance hockey facility, we’ll help you understand the options available.
It’s About More Than the Hockey Turf
When you’re looking at a hockey pitch, it’s easy to focus on the surface you can see, but there’s much more going on underneath it. The performance and longevity of a synthetic sports pitch can be influenced by the construction of the base, drainage, shockpad and surrounding infrastructure. If these elements aren’t suitable or are showing signs of deterioration, simply installing new turf won’t necessarily solve the underlying problem. That’s why the wider condition of the facility needs to be considered as part of any resurfacing project.
Drainage is particularly important for hockey pitches. Water needs to be managed effectively across the playing area, and existing drainage systems should be assessed as part of the project planning process. The same applies to the shockpad. Where one is present, its condition can have a significant impact on the performance and longevity of the new surface.
Taking this wider view is one of the benefits of working with an experienced sports surfacing contractor. We’re not just looking at what goes on top; we’re looking at the facility as a whole.
Independent, Honest Advice
We know that choosing a new sports surface can feel complicated. There are different products, specifications and manufacturers to consider, and it can be difficult to know which information is most relevant to your facility. Our approach is straightforward: understand what you need first, then look at the options.
If a particular system isn’t right for your facility, we’ll tell you. Our aim is to give you the information you need to make an informed decision about your pitch, with the long-term use of the facility at the centre of the conversation.
From the First Conversation, to the Finished Pitch
A successful hockey pitch project involves much more than the installation itself. There are surveys and assessments to consider, surface selection, project planning, preparation, installation and, ultimately, handing the finished facility back ready for use.
For clubs and schools, there’s also the practical challenge of keeping disruption to a minimum. Sports facilities are often heavily relied upon, so timing and project management matter just as much as the physical work taking place on site.
Our experienced team manages the surfacing works from start to finish, working with you to keep the project moving and ensure the finished surface meets the requirements agreed at the beginning. We’ve been doing this for more than four decades, so we know that good communication and careful planning are just as important as the quality of the finished surface.
Work With AS Sports For Your Hockey Pitch
Whether you’re looking to resurface a tired hockey pitch, upgrade an existing facility or start from scratch, we’re here to help you work out what’s right for your site.
With more than 40 years of sports surfacing experience, specialist knowledge across hockey and other sports, and a practical approach to surface selection, we can help you understand your options from the very beginning.
Get in touch with AS Sports for a free, no-obligation consultation and let’s talk about your hockey pitch project.
