A NEW hockey facility at Cwmbran Stadium was officially unveiled yesterday by Olympic gold medallist, GB and England hockey player Giselle Ansley and recent GB call-up Welsh Hockey star Dan Kyriakides.

The facility at Cwmbran Stadium has been developed to increase participation at all levels of the sport.

The Collaborative Sports Facilities Group identified Gwent as a priority zones or ‘hot spot’ for the development of artificial pitch provision and best practice guidance in the creation, funding and management of this centre.

Hockey Wales, as part of the Collaboration Group, is delighted with the project completion.

“With the advances in demand and technical specification in artificial turf pitches it was essential for a collective approach across each national governing body”, said Hockey Wales CEO David Phenis.

“The Cwmbran project is an excellent example of a true collaborative approach where the funding has provided a state of the art hockey facility for Gwent Hockey Club, in partnership with Torfaen Leisure Trust, to realise their aspirations”.

Tim Miller, Gwent Hockey Club captain, said: “As a growing club we wanted a facility that would give us the space and the security to continue to expand and to promote the sport of hockey for many years to come.

“After five years of hard work, and with the help and support of Torfaen Leisure Trust, Hockey Wales and Sport Wales, we finally have that facility.

“The relationship that has developed between Gwent Hockey Club, Torfaen Leisure Trust and Hockey Wales throughout this process shows how much can be achieved when sports clubs, leisure trusts, local authorities and governing bodies work together with a single goal in mind.”

Giselle Ansley said: “This is a fantastic facility for the region. Something like this that is available for hockey players to develop and grow can only lead to more success”.

Dan Kyriakides added: “The development of this pitch and these facilities is great for the game of hockey in Wales. The facility will hopefully create a platform to promote the sport in the region to those who haven’t thought about giving hockey a go but also, it’s a new home for Gwent Hockey which will boost the development of the club.”