Nottingham Hockey Centre, in partnership with Britvic, has completed the installation of the UK’s first Hockey5s pitch, located prominently in front of the pavilion. This innovative format, introduced by the FIH, saw its inaugural World Cup in 2024 in Oman.
The project involved altering the fencing of the former cage pitch to meet the dimensions required for international Hockey5s. The new fencing has created a walkway through to the Orchard, which was planted in 2019, and will now be used as a picnic area for the summer events hosted at the hockey centre.
As a result of the fencing alterations, the viewing provision for pitch 2 has improved greatly with low level spectator fencing now in place along the side lines. On the other side of the new pitch, the area between pitch 1 and the new Hockey5s pitch has been widened to accommodate temporary seating for future events.
Nottingham Hockey Centre and Beeston HC chairman, David Griffiths, commented, “I’m absolutely thrilled to officially open the new FIH Hockey5s pitch here at Nottingham Hockey Centre. This is a monumental step forward for both our local community and the sport of hockey. A huge thank you to our incredible partners, Britvic and PepsiCo, whose support has been essential in bringing this project to life. I’d also like to extend my heartfelt gratitude to the dedicated staff at the Hockey Centre who have worked tirelessly to make this a reality. Their hard work and commitment have been crucial in delivering a world-class facility that will inspire the next generation of players and elevate the game to new heights.”
This exciting development has been made possible through a partnership with Britvic. Adam Russell, GB Licensed Director, from Britvic commented, “We are excited that Pepsi has been selected to feature as the largest artificial logo on a hockey pitch globally, installed at Nottingham Hockey Centre.” At Britvic, we pride ourselves on providing consumers with a wide choice of quality soft drinks to suit their tastes and different occasions. Promoting green credentials and encompassing sustainability into every business decision so we are delighted to be a part of this project.”
The new pitch has been lined to FIH Hockey5s international specification with space down either side of the pitch for temporary stadia for events in the future. FIH Facilities Manager, Alastair Cox said, “A key objective when developing Hockey5s was to create a game than can be played in urban areas, using a smaller field, making hockey more accessible and attractive to younger audiences. The new facility at Nottingham is an excellent example of how this can be achieved.
The installation was carried out by AS Sport Systems, who also completed the installation of the new ‘electric blue’ FIH global water base surface on pitch 1 recently. Managing Director Andy Whelan commented, “We are very excited to have been chosen to install the UK’s first Hockey5s pitch. The Pepsi logo is the largest artificial pitch logo we have ever installed, and you certainly can’t miss it!”
Nottingham Hockey Centre has set a remarkable example for sustainability and innovation in the sport with the new LED floodlighting on the Hockey5s pitch serving as a prime example. The centre’s commitment to reducing carbon emissions through the installation of LED floodlights across the site, solar panels, and most recently, electric vehicle charging bays demonstrates a proactive approach to environmental stewardship. The Centre was awarded the Sustainable Club of the Year at the recent England Hockey awards dinner. England Hockey’s Development Director, Rich Beer, commented, “It’s great to see our most innovative venue continue to push the boundaries in their provision by creating dynamic partnerships to continue to improve the centre and take the game forward. This is a huge credit to the leadership at the club, particularly David Griffiths, for moving this project and the site forward at such a pace.”
Additionally, Netherlands-based, FIKAGEAR, supplied the centre with the Hockey5s boarding, which they have recently developed. FIKAGEAR Hockey5s boarding was the first boarding approved by the International Hockey Federation (FIH) for this new format. Bart van den Acker from FIKAGEAR commented, “We are thrilled to provide our first Hockey5s boarding set in England for this remarkable project in Nottingham. We’re confident that both children and adults will be excited to play Hockey5s on such an inviting pitch. The positive feedback we’ve received from around the world about this new format of our beloved sport, as well as our high-quality boards, has been overwhelming, spanning all levels and genders.”
The new FIH Hockey 5s pitch at Nottingham Hockey Centre offers an exciting and unique opportunity for businesses to showcase their brand to a dynamic and engaged audience. With the growing popularity of hockey and the introduction of this cutting-edge facility, advertising on the boards around the pitch provides high visibility to fans, players, and visitors alike. Whether you’re targeting the local community or reaching sports enthusiasts from across the region, this is a prime location to position your brand in front of a diverse and passionate crowd. Partnering with us to advertise on these boards not only supports the growth of the sport but also offers businesses an innovative platform to enhance their visibility and connect with a dedicated audience.
