ANDOVER Hockey Club kicked off their new season with a friendly tournament on their newly re-surfaced astroturf pitch which was officially opened last weekend.

The club unveiled their refurbished £150k facility at John Hanson School on Saturday with Mayor of Test Valley, cllr Iris Andersen, cutting the ribbon to commemorate the resurfaced pitch and kick-start Andover’s new season.

Also in attendance were officials from the various bodies who had contributed to the project including Hampshire County Council, Test Valley Borough Council and the English Hockey Association.

The club also took the opportunity to thank sponsors Simply Health and Anton Vets for their contributions as well as John Hanson School for their support and partnership in the project.

Karen Page, business manager at John Hanson Community School, was one of those to comment on the opening.

She said: “On behalf on John Hanson School we would like to thank everybody involved for their commitment to the project and the school looks forward to an ever closer relationship with the hockey club and hope we remain the home of Andover Hockey Club for many years to come.”

There was also a special mention for long term supporters of Andover Hockey Club, Clint Dickie and his family, who backed the venture financially.

Club chairman John PriestlyCooper described Mr Dickie’s act as: “a reminder of the strong virtues of honesty and respect and enjoyment that Clint had encouraged when he was playing for the club.”

Mr Priestly-Cooper then handed over to cllr Andersen who after making a statement revealed a plague to commemorate the opening of the new pitch as well as the ties between the Clint Dickie family and Andover Hockey Club.

Ribbons were then cut by the mayor and representatives of John Hanson School and the Hockey Club to officially open the new pitch which was put in to immediate use as children from the club’s junior section enjoyed their first training session.

In the afternoon, the club held their annual Clint Dickie inter-club tournament with almost 70 players taking part including some new potential members.

A number of fundraising events took place throughout the day which led to almost a £1000 being raised for the club.

The tournament winners were eventually decided in the final game with the “Simazing” team taking the honours.

Andover Hockey Club have already begun using the pitch for training sessions with the Men’s team training on a Tuesday night from 7.30pm till 9pm.

Meanwhile the Ladies team will train on a Wednesday, also 7.30pm till 9pm.

The Juniors will be returning to their training sessions taking place on the Charlton Astropitch from this Saturday morning.

For more information visit: andoverhockeyclub.co.uk.