NEWI ready to host the Hockey Celtic Cup
29 May 2007
NEWI is looking forward to hosting the Hockey Celtic Cup (Saturday 21st – Monday 23rd July 2007) at the recently completed North Wales Hockey Stadium, which is being officially opened with a Wales v England Men’s International on 30th June 2007.
Senior Men and Women’s Celtic Cup Teams from Wales, Scotland, France & Ireland will play in Wrexham on the new water based artificial turf pitch which has been funded by Sport@NEWI and Sportlot, Sports Council for Wales. The pitch which took £1million to build, boasts the latest designed international hockey goals, team and official dug outs and a 200 seated covered spectator’s stand.
The facility is adjacent to the Sport & Exercises Sciences’ Human Performance Laboratory which will assist in future international team sports science support and match analysis needs.
In addition Sports@NEWI, Flintshire County Council and the Welsh Hockey Union have employed a regional hockey development officer which has received a positive response from local and neighbouring counties and the Welsh Hockey Union. David Bickley, the Regional Hockey Development Officer co-ordinates hockey provision throughout North East Wales in Wrexham, Flintshire and Denbighshire. This includes school provision through to regional selection, squad training and international fixture organisation.
“As a Regional Development Officer I work closely with the Welsh Hockey Union and Welsh Hockey Union North Region to assist with school hockey development and community club links across the counties of Wrexham and Flintshire” he said. “I’m really enjoying my new job. The new water-based hockey pitch is a great asset for North Wales. I’m looking forward to seeing international hockey games there and to promoting hockey throughout the region.”
Sports@NEWI have already hosted Great British regional squad training, Welsh International training and Welsh Cup competitions on the new pitch. This new emphasis on hockey has led to the 07-08 launch of a Hockey Performance Centre between NEWI and further education partner Yale College. This mirrors the successful Performance Centres NEWI has in partnership with Yale College and Wrexham Football Club in both men’s and women’s football.
If you wish to purchase tickets for the Celtic Cup or are interested in our student sport scholarship packages please visit www.newi.ac.uk or telephone Anna Marie Brown, Sports Facilities Manager on 01978 293275