HOCKEY in Wyre Forest was given a huge boost when Stourport officially opened their third Astroturf pitch.

District Council chairman Fran Oborski, Great Britain Olympic bronze medal winner Sally Walton and junior members were present at the club’s Kingsway base.

Three pitches will allow Stourport to be able to host more tournaments and offer coaching opportunities which will benefit the members, while Kidderminster Hockey Club will also be playing their home matches at Stourport Sports Club.

The pitch has been funded by a main grant of £329,000 from Wyre Forest District Council and topped up by a donation woth £150,000 from Sport England’s Places People Play programme.

This new playing area is part of the legacy funding from the London 2012 Olympics and is aimed at building on the mometum generated by the London 2012 Games.

Councillor Ian Hardiman, Wyre Forest District Council’s Cabinet Member for Community Well-being said: “It was great to be at the official opening of the new Astroturf pitch. The new facility looks fantastic.

“The district has a long history of successful hockey clubs and the development of international players.

“We want this success to continue for future generations.”

Stourport already has a host of men’s, women’s, veterans and junior teams playing on their existing artificial pitches.

The club also boasts a strong women’s section with the firsts surviving their inaugural season in the National Conference West.