The Lord Mayor of Dublin, James Geoghegan and the President of Hockey Ireland, John Dennis, officially opened the Republic of Ireland’s most sustainable hockey pitch at Pembroke Wanderers Hockey Club in Dublin.
Pembroke Wanderers is the first club in the country to install this new pitch technology – second only to Banbridge Hockey Club on the island of Ireland.
The pitch is made from the sport’s most sustainable surface – Poligras Paris GT zero – a unique carbon zero hockey turf specially developed for the Paris 2024 Olympics and certified by the Federation for International Hockey (FIH) for dry hockey.
This state-of-the-art pitch has already garnered international attention – the USA Womens’ Hockey Team chose the surface at Pembroke Wanderers in preparation for their Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
In front of a community of over 300 people, the ribbon was officially cut before the start of the Ken Treacy Cup – an annual tournament in memory of a valued Pembroke player. All funds raised from this tournament go to Beaumont Hospital Richmond ICU.
The new eco-friendly pitch was purchased through extensive fundraising by the club with support from the State’s Sports Capital and Equipment Scheme.
Speaking at the launch, Lord Mayor of Dublin James Geoghegan said “from hearing about Pembroke, in both its history and also its current wealth of work, it’s clear that this place is a thriving hub within this local community and within this sport. As well as significant fundraising efforts as a club, I’m proud that the state has been able to play a supporting role in making this pitch upgrade happen through the Sports Capital Grant. It is communities like this that create our future leaders, help with positive mental and physical health for our citizens and allow us all to share in something together. It’s very palpable today that this is more than just a hockey club and I am very proud, as your Lord Mayor, to officially open the pitch facilities today.”
President of Hockey Ireland, John Dennis said “The performance of our international hockey teams doesn’t happen overnight. That success can only happen when our 35,000 members in 170 Clubs who we work with, from all 32 counties on this island, are also flourishing. Success is when our members are enjoying the game of hockey and all that comes with it. As with other sports, we need facilities like this one we’re standing in today. Installing this Olympic grade pitch is testament to the necessary investment in this great sport. As it did over the summer with the USA Womens’ National team, it can only attract more hockey teams to the country and to the capital, which will in turn drive the success and enjoyment of our sport.”
Alan Giles Pembroke Hockey Club President said “this pitch, this club, this community, is about the future of the sport, it is an investment that we, the current members, make for the next generation of members of our community. Facilities like this also keep people of all ages active and involved in sport. We’re particularly passionate about the importance of sport to those in their teenage years. Hopefully with this new pitch, and the other improvements in facilities we have made over the past couple of years, members of all ages can see that the club is hopefully going from strength to strength.”