Team GB Hockey marks launch of college and St. Albans Hockey Club Partnership

On Monday afternoon the college and St. Albans Hockey Club (SAHC) announced the formal confirmation of a 25 year partnership between the College and the ambitious SAHC.  Eight years in the making, and with many ups and downs, two high quality sand-dressed and flood lit hockey pitches have been built and a 25 year agreement has been signed.

The state of the art pitches will see action as early as April, along with a new sports hall, changing facilities and fitness suite which are in their final stages of construction, set for September 2012.

To mark the occasion Andy Halliday, manager of the GB Olympic hockey team, Adrian Stephenson, SAHC President and Zoe Hancock, Principal of Oaklands College took to the pitches to strike the first ball.

Andy Halliday commented: “With the Olympics just around the corner, 2012 is an exciting year for sports and for Team GB. It is encouraging to see such a positive investment into hockey in England.”

College Principal Zoe Hancock added: “Today we felt a real sense of achievement, the agreement has come at a significant time to sport and our community. With the new facilities set to be finished for September, Oaklands is proud to be an advocate for Hockey and sport participation for the wider community.”

Also present was SAHC President Adrian Stephenson, who said: “This is a huge step for SAHC, we are an ambitious club and with the support of Oaklands College we plan to increase participation levels and become the centre of excellence for Hertfordshire and North London. “

The new Oaklands Hockey Centre, which has received financial support from the England Hockey Board, the National Hockey Foundation and Lafarge Aggregates & Concrete UK, via their Landfill Communities Fund, will host its first game in April this year with the full facilities available in September.