Hockey Wales has praised the “crucial” investment into facilities in Wales to support the improvement and development of sport and leisure facilities.
The Welsh government is to invest £4.5m and will contribute to the ambition “for every person in Wales to have access to a range of high-quality facilities”.
Of the £4.5m, £1.2m will be allocated to collaborative artificial pitch projects between hockey, football and rugby, creating several new 3G and Astroturf pitches across Wales.
£1.5m has been earmarked to individual capital projects from multiple sports identified across the country.
Ria Burrage-Male, Hockey Wales’ chief executive, said on Twitter: “Delighted to see this ongoing investment. Facilities are crucial to our nations physical and mental well being & sporting potential.
“I look forward to our continued work of strategically placing pitches in Wales with colleagues at Wales’ football and rugby federations.”
Brian Davies, Sport Wales Acting Chief Executive said: “Without available facilities, there is no way that we can achieve our aim of giving every person in Wales the opportunity to be physically active, which is why we’re delighted to have received this additional funding from Welsh Government.
“All of the investment has been earmarked following an expression of interest process that took place at the end of last year, which demonstrated a need for the additional money and has allowed us to identify priority projects.
“We’ve worked with the sector to ensure a geographical spread and that a range of sports and activities are to be supported. Careful consideration has also been given in attempting to ensure that the investment will benefit those communities who need it most.”
