With the first competitive games of the season a month away work is progressing to schedule on the laying of a new world class water based pitch at our home, HMS Temeraire. The below is taken from the Team Portsmouth News Centre! (PS - Did we mention it will be blue?!)

"This summer, work started to replace HMS Temeraire's hockey pitch. The project commenced in early July and is on track to complete in time for the first game of the new season in September.

Situated in the far North West corner of the naval sports complex opposite Gunwharf Quays, the new water-based hockey pitch will consist of a very dense, short synthetic fibre carpet, with a shock pad underneath designed to protect players from stress to the knees and ankles, reducing the risk of injury. Below the shock pad is an engineered layer to maintain surface quality and water drainage from the pitch, comprised of a base of permeable Tarmac. Water cannons spray onto the pitch for a period of time prior to each match to lubricate the pitch, reducing friction and allowing for quicker, smoother play, giving the ball a true and uniform roll.

The work is being carried out by Bryburn Ltd and specialist sports pitch installer, McArdle Sport-Tec Ltd on behalf of the Ministry of Defence. So far, the project has involved building a temporary access road across the existing sand-based pitch to enable vehicular access to the site without damaging the adjacent pitch, and securing the site to allow for the majority of the pitches to remain in use over the summer – taking into consideration the sports days and summer clubs running for young people.

BAE Systems' Chris Goldfinch, who is project managing the work, said: “In undertaking this project we have tried to think about the environment and ways we can reduce waste. As such, the existing playing carpet has been rolled up and removed from site to be 100% reused as trackways for agriculture, festivals and events, along with the rubber shock pad underlay which will be recycled into equestrian arena grounds."

Edging stones and gripper rails around the perimeter of the pitch have also been installed and the existing Tarmac surface is being repaired and levelled. Additional works to the project include repairs to the sprinkler system which are currently being undertaken, alongside new spectator fencing and ball-stop netting.

BAE Systems' Gina Edney, a fourth year Project Management Degree Apprentice who has assisted with the project, said: “The new pitch will have a fresh look because it will be blue with a red border, rather than green. The pitch lines will be sewn in to reduce maintenance, and the design incorporates a pitch name and emblem."

The aim is for the pitch to achieve International Hockey Federation certification."