Plans to upgrade King George V Playing Fields in Bloxwich head to Walsall Council’s planning committee tonight. A historic sports club strongly opposes the proposals, alleging misleading assurances about a dedicated multi-use pitch.
Club’s Long History and Relocation Challenges
Bloxwich Hockey Club, established in 1903, originally operated from the Stafford Road park. League rules from England Hockey mandated Astroturf surfaces, prompting an agreement with Walsall Council to use the pitch at Sneyd School on Vernon Way for three weekly training sessions.
In 2021, assessments revealed the Sneyd Astroturf needed resurfacing. Club chair Katie Yeoman states the group learned the pitch would not be renewed. Instead, officials promised a multi-use facility at King George V Playing Fields.
Concerns Over Pitch Specifications
Yeoman contends the current plans specify a football-only artificial surface, lacking the Gen 2 layers required for hockey, tennis, rugby, netball, and more. “It appears the artificial surface at King George V Playing Fields targets football exclusively,” she said. “Numerous football facilities already exist in the borough. A Gen 2 surface would support hockey, tennis, rugby, football, and netball.”
The proposals earn a recommendation for approval, despite 29 public objections, primarily from club affiliates.
Club Growth Amid Facility Struggles
Over six years, Bloxwich Hockey Club has engaged local schools, sparking a junior section boom to 150 children. The area grapples with some of the nation’s highest obesity rates.
Success includes five men’s teams, five women’s teams, two mixed teams, and youth squads from under-8s to under-18s. Yet, the deteriorating Sneyd pitch has hindered progress for five years. Yeoman pursued support from MPs and was directed toward the levelling up scheme for King George V. “We were led to believe the Sneyd pitch would not resurface, but a new one awaited at King George V Playing Fields,” she added.
