AQW 20080/22-27

Ms Paula Bradshaw
Alliance Party
South Belfast

Tabled Date: 07/01/2025
Answered On Date: 16/01/2025
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister for Communities to detail any steps he is taking to improve the provision of hockey pitches in the west of Northern Ireland.

Answer:

I have recently accepted an invitation to meet with Marc Scott, Chief Executive of Ulster Hockey, and look forward to meeting him in the near future to discuss matters relating to hockey in Northern Ireland.

In terms of the provision of hockey pitches in the west of Northern Ireland, I would refer you to Article 10 of the Recreation and Youth Service (Northern Ireland) Order 1986, the statutory responsibility for the provision of facilities for recreational, sport, physical and cultural activities, including hockey pitches, lies with the relevant local authority for each area.

I understand that Sport NI, an arm’s length body of the Department, is undertaking an infrastructure review of sporting and physical activity facilities across Northern Ireland. When completed it is anticipated the results of this survey will be shared with Councils and the sports sector and may help identify areas where provision of facilities can be improved.

Finally, subject to funding, I hope to announce the reopening of the Your School Your Club initiative for 2025-2026 in the next few months. The purpose of the initiative is to promote community use of school sports facilities outside of normal school hours. Investment is disbursed to revitalise existing school sports facilities or to develop new and additional provision on school sites whilst ensuring access and use for local community users, including hockey clubs.