England Hockey Captain Sam Ward Opens Bedford Hockey Club’s Newly Resurfaced Pitches
England and Great Britain international Sam Ward, who also serves as the Hockey Ambassador for Notts Sport, officially opened Bedford Hockey Club’s newly resurfaced, FIH-compliant pitches at a special celebration event that brought together players, families, and dignitaries. To mark the occasion, Sam lead an engaging training session with the club’s junior players, giving them the chance to learn directly from one of the sport’s most prolific forwards.
The resurfacing project began back in 2021, when Bedford Hockey Club took advantage of Notts Sport’s free Pitch Condition Survey. The survey revealed that, while the club had carefully maintained its surface over many years, the carpets overall playing performance was in decline as it neared the end of its natural life. Although the base remained in reasonable condition, some remedial work was required to repair the perimeter edge of the macadam base before the installation of a brand new shockpad, followed by Polytan’s Poligras SuperPlay surface.
With Notts Sport’s advice, the club explored funding options and created a plan to secure a new surface. The project, managed by Notts Sport and installed by A S Sports, ran on time across a 12-week programme. In addition to the pitch resurfacing, the works also included the installation of new fencing and a lighting upgrade to modern LED systems, further enhancing the club’s facilities for both players and spectators.
The opening day itself was a fitting reflection of the club’s size and spirit. Bedford Hockey Club, which now boasts well over 500 members across its thriving junior and senior sections, staged a programme of matches and activities to mark the occasion. Players from all seven men’s and eight women’s senior squads came together for a mixed seven-a-side tournament, while the Men’s and Ladies’ 1st XIs showcased their talent in competitive exhibition matches. The juniors, from under-5s through to under-18s, took part in fun coaching sessions, with an Allstars match staged for school players who may not usually get the chance to play club hockey. Inclusivity was further celebrated with a walking hockey demonstration and a Masters mixed match, demonstrating the club’s commitment to providing opportunities for players of all ages and abilities.
The day also featured a drag flick masterclass from Sam Ward, before the new pitches were officially opened in front of members, sponsors, trustees, and local dignitaries. A commemorative plaque was unveiled to mark the milestone and ensure the event will be remembered for years to come.
Reflecting on the occasion, Sam Ward said: "It’s a real privilege to be here at Bedford Sports and Hockey Club to officially open these newly resurfaced pitches. As someone who came through the grassroots system, I know how crucial it is for clubs to have access to high-quality facilities — it’s where passion is born, skills are developed, and lifelong memories are made. The work done here, with the support of Notts Sport and A S Sports, has delivered a surface that not only meets the highest playing standards but also shows real ambition from the club to grow the game in the local community. This isn’t just an upgrade — it’s an investment in the future of hockey in Bedford. I’ve no doubt this pitch will play a huge role in inspiring the next generation of players, and I’m excited to see the impact it will have in the years to come."
Club Chair Brendan McNulty added: "We first spoke to Notts Sport some 4 years before we managed to get to site, and over that period built a very productive project team including Simon Clare of Notts Sport.
Throughout the process, Notts Sport was extremely helpful in agreeing scope and arrangement of the two artificial surface pitches, keeping us fully informed at all stages throughout the planning stage. Tender process was equally well managed, with clear and concise analysis of returns – essential in our own reporting to our major funders. Tweaks to the scheme were managed effectively, and cost control was very well managed also.
In project delivery, Notts Sport was supremely professional, carrying out pre-start, contractor safety information vetting and key stage progress inspections all within a timely manner such that the project could be delivered to programme. Weekly inspections and interim valuations were all handled regularly so that we could, in turn, keep stakeholders and funders informed.
The club are lucky to have used Notts Sport, who brought quality, cost and programme control to the entire process; and we are now enjoying first class facilities the envy of the region.
I would have no hesitation recommending Notts Sport to visiting clubs or any facility considering engaging a Sports Project Consultant, and indeed, we are already talking with Simon Clare progressing to stage 2 cage and pitch extensions."
This investment in new facilities is a major milestone for Bedford Hockey Club and will ensure it continues to serve as a hub for hockey in Bedfordshire. The new pitches will benefit not only the hundreds of members who train and play weekly but also local schools, community groups, and generations of hockey players still to come.
