Current Challenges
- Access to programs at all ages is sometimes limited by availability of facilities.
- Facility scheduling does not always allocate time adequately.
- There is an increasing supply of artificial field turf facilities across Canada, but access to high-quality facilities remains limited for many small and remote communities (e.g. field turf, indoor, regular fields).
- Long-term strategy for infrastructure development does not exist and facility needs are not prioritized.
- Sponsorship and funding is significantly less per capita than other field hockey countries.
- No field hockey venues meeting international criteria currently exist.
- Cost prevents many youth programs from accessing quality facilities.
- Private sector partnerships for facilities development are under-developed
LTHD Vision
- More municipal playing facilities are available for community field hockey programs.
- Existing municipal facilities are upgraded.
- More facilities are owned by field hockey entities.
- More field hockey-specific stadiums exist.
- More artificial turf fields and facilities developed (indoor and outdoor), as these are well-suited to the challenges of the Canadian climate.
- More public-private partnerships exist to support investment in field hockey-owned facilities.
- More partnerships between FHC and universities & colleges exist for development and use of facilities.
Implementation
- Develop agreements between FHC, provinces, clubs, and governments at national, provincial, and municipal levels for facility development, including indoor considerations.
- Identify a “preferred supplier” for the playing surface.
- Use facilities appropriately to create correct game experience (e.g. gym training).
- Create marketing strategies to offset operational costs.
- Generate relationships with municipalities to develop indoor and outdoor facilities.
- Create partnerships with communities, universities, with other sports, etc.
- Lobby government and corporate groups to create more field hockey-specific stadia.
