Playing Pitch Strategy: Appendix C - Assessment of Need Report Hockey

The findings of the assessment of needs for hockey facilities in Brighton & Hove are summarised in this appendix of the main Playing Pitch Strategy.

There is two main Hockey clubs based in the area – Brighton & Hove HC and Brighton Rogues HC. Both clubs have contributed information and their views on hockey facility needs via online survey returns and in liaison with England Hockey.

Since the last assessment in 2016, there has been a change in supply with a loss of a sand dressed pitch at Portslade Sports Centre, which has been converted to 3G. There has been an additional pitch developed in the area at Roedean School in 2018, however it is not available for community use.

1.1 Hockey pitches in Brighton & Hove

There is currently four full sized floodlit sand based artificial grass pitches (AGP) in the area currently available for community hockey

• Blatchington Mill School x2, home site for Brighton & Hove HC
• Stanley Deason Leisure Centre, occasional use by Brighton Rogues HC
• University of Sussex, home site for University of Sussex and Brighton Rogues HC.

There are a further two full sized (or near full sized) pitches, on education sites in the area but these are almost exclusively used by the schools with no or very little community use (Brighton Girls School - Radinden Site, which is not floodlit and Roedean School), as well as small sided pitches on education sites not suitable for match provision.

The pitches were quality-assessed during the 2023/24 season on the basis of site visits and informed by consultation surveys with the user clubs and insight from England Hockey. Figure 1.1 details the situation at each site.

The availability of the pitches for community hockey use are usually dependant on bookings by other sports (e.g., football, touch rugby, lacrosse, tennis). For each site, this is noted in column headed estimated use in peak hours.

The Red, Amber, Green (RAG) rating refers to whether, in the peak period in a typical week in the main hockey season, there is considered to be:

• Unused capacity for hockey matches - Green
• The available peak slots for hockey matches are used close to capacity - Amber
• The available peak slots for hockey matches are at capacity - Red

Indoor hockey

Brighton & Hove HC have an indoor men’s team, who train at University of Sussex, Falmer Sports Centre.

Figure 1.1: Situation at individual sites available for community use

Blatchington Mill School, BN3 7BW

Council 8-year lease, managed by the school.

Poor quality changing facilities and clubhouse. Club rate 2/5

Stanley Deason Leisure Centre, BN2 5PB

Secured council facility. Council site Freedom Leisure operator.

Changing facilities.

University of Brighton, BN1 9PL

Education, Unaware of any CUA. Managed by the university.

Changing available. Club rate 4/5.

1.2 Distribution of hockey AGP sites

Figure 1.2 shows the distribution of full-sized (or near full sized) hockey AGP sites available for community use in Brighton & Hove. The distribution of sand based AGP sites is relatively well spread across the city, with at least one pitch in each analysis area, although the pitch at the University of Sussex is on the very edge of the borough.

1. Blatchington Mill School
2. Stanley Deason Leisure Centre
3. University of Sussex
4. Steyning Grammar School
5. Southdown Sports Club

1.3 Hockey AGP’s in neighbouring boroughs

The nearest alternative full size floodlit hockey pitch in the neighbouring boroughs within a 20-minute drive (5-mile catchment area) based on review of the Active Places Power data is at Southdown Sports Club (Lewes DC) to the East and Steyning Grammer School (Horsham DC) to the Northwest. The nearest Hockey clubs between 20-30 minutes’ drive away are Lewes Hockey Club (Lewes DC) to the East, Mid Sussex HC (Mid Sussex DC) to the North, Southwick HC (Horsham DC) and Phoenix HC (Adur DC and Worthing BC) to the West.

Generally, hockey players (and parents of junior players) are prepared to travel some distance to access good quality facilities, coaching and standards of match play, but Sport England and England Hockey recommend facilities should be within a 20-minute drive at peak time.

1.4 Ownership, operation, quality and access

Brighton & Hove HC have security on the site at Blatchington Mill School with the pitches being co-owned by the club and a lease in place which has 8 years remaining. The University of Sussex have their own facilities at Falmer Sports Ground. Only Brighton Rogues HC has no long-term security and annually hires facilities.

The pitch at Blatchington Mill School is in a standard condition with the facility, having had 8 years of regular use, there is currently no damage to the surface carpet, but it is likely to need replacing in the next 2-3 years. England Hockey would recommend an independent assessment of the facility to confirm its condition and the timescales for resurface. The school have a sinking fund in place for a resurface of both pitches and the floodlights have been upgraded with LED lights for the 24/25 season.

The pitch at the University of Sussex is in standard condition and is also likely to need resurfacing in the next few years based on the age of the pitch.

The pitch at Stanley Deason Leisure Centre needs replacing urgently. The pitch was independently assessed in August 2023 and the report concluded that the carpet had 12-18 months life left with some of the seams starting to lift and patch repairs already in place. It was also highlighted that the fencing needs replacing. The floodlights for the facility were upgraded to LED in 2023. Whilst the facility has limited club use it is used significantly during the day by Brighton College.

Changing facilities across the area are varied. The provision at the University of Sussex and Stanley Deason Leisure Centre are good. The facilities used by Brighton & Hove HC consist of changing rooms at the school site and clubhouse where they serve post-match teas and hospitality at Nevill Playing Fields Pavilion. The facilities are poor and the club has ambitions to build their own clubhouse.

1.5 At risk sites

There are no current community sites known to be at risk of development.

1.6 Proposed new supply

There are no new sites proposed in the area

Findings relating to hockey pitch demand in Brighton & Hove are summarised below.

2.1 Clubs and teams

There are currently two main hockey clubs based in the area, as well as the University of Sussex, with student teams and Southwick HC, who were previously based in Brighton and are now located just outside the city.

• Brighton & Hove HC provide both adult and junior hockey provision for males and females. They have 20 adult teams (9 male, 1 male masters hockey, 8 female, 1 female veterans and 1 mixed team) and a large junior section with 11 teams, boys x5 (U10, U12, U14, U16x2), girls x5 (U10, U12, U14, U16x2) and 1 mixed U10 team. They state all of their members come from within the Brighton & Hove area. The club report a growth in membership over the last few years with an increase of 50 members.
• Brighton Rogues HC has one adult female team and offer a back to hockey programme. They state 80% of their members come from the Brighton & Hove area, with the remaining 20% from the Worthing and Lewes areas. They have had a stable number of members the last few years.
• University of Sussex has five teams made up of university students (2 male and 3 female).
• Southwick HC was previously based in Brighton at Portslade Sports Centre and relocated to Steyning Grammer School. The club has 2 adult male teams and 2 adult female teams, and it is likely the club has a number of members from the Brighton & Hove area. The club has no security of tenure on this site.

2.2 Club players - Demand trend

Player affiliation data in Figure 2.1 provided by England Hockey for this season shows demand for hockey participation totaling 653 affiliated players for the 2024/25 season a decline of 98 players since the 2023/24 season. However, through consultation, Brighton & Hove HC have reported a growth in membership in the past three years with an additional 50 players, whereas Brighton Rogues HC reports their numbers are about the same. There has been a decline in junior players, with 71% of the decline over the last year being attributed under 18 players.

2.3 Imported and displaced demand

Lewes HC use the facility at the University of Sussex on a Saturday for matches as a secondary pitch and Halisham HC also use the facility. It is likely these clubs may attract members from the East of Brighton & Hove and as mentioned in Section 2.1 Southwick HC is likely to have members from the West of Brighton & Hove.

2.4 Active Lives Survey

Adults

The most recently published findings of the national Active Lives Adult Survey4 (November 2022-2023) showed that self-reported regular participation (i.e., taken part at least twice in the last 28 days) in hockey in England by adults (aged 16+) had increased from 0.3% to 0.4% between November 2022 and November 2023.

If hockey participation in the area were at the national average (i.e., 0.4%), this would indicate around 833 adults (aged 16+) living in the area play hockey out of the 16+ adult population of approximately 208,187. This playing population considers both regular club participation and regular informal recreational play in parks and hired facilities, and Brighton & Hove residents who participate outside of the city.

With 26 adult teams currently in the city, plus an additional 2 teams (assuming 50% of the membership of Southwick HC is from Brighton & Hove), the 'adult' hockey club playing membership is close to 420 players (assuming an average of 15 squad players per team). If we then assume adult hockey participation in Brighton & Hove is in line with the national average of 0.4%, this suggests that 51% of all regular adult hockey played by residents in Brighton & Hove is either 'displaced' to venues outside of the area (e.g., at other clubs) or takes place in informal, social game formats such as Back 2 Hockey.

2.5 Club aspirations - Hockey development priorities and facility needs

The clubs in Brighton & Hove have ambitions to grow and have reported the following facility needs,

• Brighton & Hove HC are looking to grow but need access to a secondary facility to accommodate matches. The club have ambitions to build a clubhouse and state they need better changing facilities.
• Brighton Rogues HC have ambitions to grow but needs additional affordable facilities close to public transport to expand to.

3.1 Current

Since the last assessment of hockey facility needs in 2016, the main changes of relevance are the loss of a sand dressed pitch at Portslade Sports Centre in 2019 and the upgrade of floodlights to LED at Stanley Deason Leisure Centre in 2023 and at Blatchington Mill School in 2024.

The current priority facility issues facing the sport of hockey in Brighton & Hove is that the majority sites are at capacity for match use. The pitch at Stanley Deason Leisure Centre is currently used extensively by Brighton College during education hours and has capacity for clubs but needs refurbishing. The location of the pitch however is not ideal for the clubs who have identified the need for additional facilities. Through consultation, Brighton & Hove HC noted that they require a second facility within close distance to their current venue, they are currently located 5.5 miles from the leisure centre, which is not an acceptable travel time for members during peak drive times. Brighton Rogues HC have ambitions to grow but have stated a need for affordable facilities with good transport links. Although Stanley Deason Leisure Centre is serviced by a bus stop, its nearest train station is over a 50-minute walk away.

The pitches at Blatchington Mill School will require resurfacing in 2-3 years’ time and the current changing provision for Brighton & Hove HC needs improving. The club require access to new dedicated clubhouse and improved changing facilities to help generate secondary income and attract commercial revenue to make them more sustainable in the future.

3.2 Future

To estimate the potential impact of population growth over the strategy period to 2041 on the need for hockey pitch capacity in the peak period, Sport England's Playing Pitch Calculator (PPC) tool has been used to determine the demand of new teams and junior training squads likely to be generated in the future based on population growth (figure 3.1)

To meet hockey demand from 12,477 additional residents (as currently forecast5) and assuming current levels of hockey demand by age group for matches and training in the peak period, the PPC indicates that the equivalent capacity of +0.15 additional sand based artificial grass pitches suitable for hockey will be needed in the area based on the need for 0.59 additional match equivalent sessions and a total of 2.03 training hours per week.

There is capacity in the area for club’s aspirations to grow and to meet future demand at Stanley Deason Leisure Centre if the facility is resurfaced. There is a need to protect the existing quantity of pitch supply in the area and look to improve club house and changing provision for Brighton & Hove HC.

3.3 Conclusion

To better meet current and likely future needs for the sport of hockey in Brighton & Hove, the strategy should seek to:

• Protect the current supply of sand based artificial pitches in the area.• Undertake an independent assessment of the pitches at Blatchington Mill School to confirm the pitch condition and timescales for resurface.
• Resurface the pitch at Stanley Deason Leisure Centre and work with England Hockey to establish a schedule of activities.
• Resurface the pitch at University of Sussex and secure the facility with a community use agreement.
• Improve the current changing provision at Nevill Playing Fields.
• Investigate the feasibility to develop a new clubhouse and changing facilities at Blatchington Mill School.
• Support Brighton & Hove Hockey Club to extend their lease in order to maintain security on their facility and enable them to seek funding opportunities.

Figure 4.1: Key findings and issues

The main characteristics of the current supply of and demand for provision

There is currently four full sized (or near full sized) floodlit sand based artificial grass pitches in the area currently available for community hockey. Since the last assessment in 2016 there has been a change in supply with the loss of one pitch at Portslade Sports Centre.

There are two main hockey clubs in the area as well as the University of Sussex, with 4/5 student teams and Southwick HC (2 male and 2 female teams), previously based in Brighton and now located just outside the city in Steyning. Brighton & Hove Hockey Club has 20 adult teams (9 male, 1 male veterans, 8 female, 1 female veteran’s and 1 mixed team) and a large junior section with 11 teams, boys x5 (U10, U12, U14, U16x2), girls x5 (U10, U12, U14, U16x2) and 1 mixed U10 team. Brighton Rogues Hockey Club have one adult female team.

Club consultation suggests participation numbers have increased slightly, with Brighton & Hove Hockey Club recording a growth in playing members, however England Hockey affiliation data reports a decline in membership across the two clubs of 114 members.

Is there enough accessible and secured community use provision to meet current demand?

No – Although there is surplus capacity at Stanley Deason Leisure Centre, the surface is in a poor condition and the location of the site does not support use by current clubs due to travel times in peak hours. Other sites in the city are at capacity for matches which requires careful scheduling to accommodate all fixtures.

Is the provision that is accessible of sufficient quality and appropriately maintained?

No - The pitches at Stanley Deason Leisure Centre and University of Sussex needs resurfacing. The pitches at Blatchington Mill School will also require resurfacing in 2-3 years’ time and should have an independent assessment now to confirm the pitch condition and timescales for resurface.

The current changing provision for Brighton & Hove HC is poor and needs improving. The club require access to new dedicated clubhouse and improved changing facilities to make them more sustainable in the future.

What are the main characteristics of the future supply and demand for provision?

Both clubs have ambitions to grow over the next 3 years. Brighton & Hove HC report requiring access to another pitch to support the growth of their club within reach of their current facility. There is capacity in at Stanley Deason Leisure Centre, however the location is not within recommended travelling times for the club and the surface needs to be replaced.

The pitches at Blatchington Mill need to be protected and maintained within the anticipated timelines to ensure continued use. An independent survey should be carried out to determine the timescale for resurfacing.

The forecast population growth to 2041 of over 12,477 additional residents is estimated to generate little demand for additional pitches in the area, however with England Hockey’s strategic focus on 5-11 year olds and the EuroHockey Championships 2027 being hosted in England further demand is likely to be generated.

Is there enough accessible and secured community use provision to meet future demand?

No - There is spare capacity at Stanley Deason Leisure Centre, but the facility needs to be resurfaced to be of sufficient quality to accommodate future demand. The location of the pitch in relation to the current clubs is not ideal but is within Sport England’s recommended minimum drive time of 20 minutes. There are no other sites within the city which have surplus match capacity, with clubs having to carefully plan schedules to meet the current level of match and training demand.

The majority of current supply is secured, Brighton & Hove Hockey Club have a lease agreement in place at Blatchington Mill School with 8 years. Stanley Deason Leisure Centre is council owned and secure, however the University of Sussex does not have a Community Use Agreement in place and this should be secured as part of any future resurface of the pitch. Southwick Hockey club also has no security of tenure on their current facility just outside of the city in Steyning, should they be displaced from this site then there would be further demand on the facilities in the area.