Barbados hockey has often been accused of lagging in the background compared to other sports. However, the President of the Barbados Hockey Federation Mark St. Hill is determined to develop and expand with news they intend to build a Pavilion at the AstroTurf, Wildey.
In a Press Release Mark highlighted their plans…
“This ground-breaking represents the beginning of a major enhancement to our hockey infrastructure and by extension of our hockey product. Our new pavilion will not only position us to provide modern facilities for our players, officials and spectators, but also enhance our ability to stage major games such as our Barbados Hockey Festival –a major contributor to the island’s sports tourism product.”
Great news indeed.
In their heyday the August Festival was renowned over the world as the fun party, with competitive hockey. Hockey always stops for the festival, and many overseas teams come to party with a hockey theme. The week-long party starts from the outset and finishes with a grand finale. In between the teams play hockey on a wide range of pitches, but it would be fair to say that the demise of the AstroTurf several years ago was the death-knell to festival hockey. The AstroTurf remained derelict for several years until it was repaired.
Thankfully the AstroTurf, with its excellent surface, has been restored to its glory, but there was another problem trying to attract overseas visitors… the absence of a Pavilion. Yes, everyone wanted to party in the Caribbean, but both local and overseas visitors wanted competitive hockey with better facilities as well. Now the BHF is getting their act together, and it promises to be an exciting time for the sport.
Once the Pavilion has been completed in the next few months, Barbados Hockey plan to host International tournaments and attract more touring teams in addition to the festival.
The project has been supported from the Barbados Olympic Association (BOA), The National Sports Council, the Tourism Development Corporation (BTC), and The International Hockey Federation, in addition to the Barbados Hockey Federation. (BHF).
During the pandemic the BHF has efficiently handled Covid-19, especially when the Festival took place in August. Mark St. Hill complimented the key components involved…”We couldn’t have done it without the overwhelming support we received from clubs, players and officials.”
Barbados hockey is moving in the right direction now!
