Te Aratai Hockey Turf by John Radonovich – Coach and Linwood High School Past Pupil
If you have driven down Harrow Street recently you may have seen the impressive new hockey training area behind the mesh fence and fronting the street immediately north of the rugby field at Te Aratai College.
It currently has an asphalt surface, site drainage, concrete kerb and channel surround, high mesh safety fencing, disabled access and a sealed pathway perimeter. It looks fabulous, is highly functional and we are delighted with the phase 1 completion.
A big thanks to Richard Edmundson who really believed in our dream to complete this development and helped immensely in the many steps with the Ministry of Education to make our turf happen. In later times Maria Lemalie has been very supportive and a special thanks to the Ministry of Education. Emily Whiteman has been instrumental as development coordinator for Te Aratai working with all parties involved. Finally, and most importantly, this project would never have been achieved without the support and energy of David Hazlett and Mark Roughan, two men who have put in many hours to help achieve this outcome.
As well as hockey this space will prove a valuable resource for Te Aratai, especially for the physical education department and for many other sports at the school.
An opening is planned at the start of the 2025 school year at which time our hockey program will really get underway given we now have a designated training area.
As well as creating a hockey and sports facility the turf will enable us to create a focal point where we can build a culture and a sense of belonging for Te Aratai and the wider community. We will teach life skills and allow students to achieve their potential.
Cathy Baker, John Radovonich and Scott Kyle have continued to coach our first 11 boys and girls this year with teams recording their first wins which was hugely exciting for the players, parents, coaches and all those involved. Particularly exciting for hockey this year has been Rachel Andersons involvement. Rachel is a teacher at the school who has worked with Peter Darling to coach our year 7 and 8 boys and girls. Together these two are developing our future first 11 players.
Next steps will see the Te Aratai Hockey Committee set up and further planning to complete the artificial turf surface (and shock pad) over the existing asphalt. Advertising will be sold for signs to the existing fencing to assist in fundraising to complete phase 2 of the project.
Exciting times lay ahead for Te Aratai School development and rebuilding the sport of hockey in this school which in the past, as Linwood High School, had such a proud history and produced numerous national representatives both men and women.
John Radovonich