Hockey clubs: there’s a new way to fund your pitch
by Rebecca Hughes | Sep 17, 2026 | News & Press, Stories
If your club needs to replace or develop an artificial grass pitch and the cost feels out of reach, the Pitch Together Fund could help turn your plans into reality.
Managed by Sporting Assets, delivered in partnership with England Hockey and funded by Sport England and Triodos Bank UK, Pitch Together combines affordable finance with specialist support to help hockey clubs invest in sustainable, community facilities. The fund typically offers loans of between £25,000 and £300,000, with an average loan term of 7.5yrs and a fixed interest rate of 6%.
Funding can support:
- The resurfacing or development of artificial grass pitches
- New or upgraded LED sports lighting
- Club/social spaces and changing facilities
- Other ancillary facility improvements that increase participation, community use and social impact
Pitch Together is a loan rather than a grant, so clubs must demonstrate that they can afford the repayments and that their project is financially sustainable. The funding gap is typically the difference between the total capital cost of the project and the level of borrowing the club can afford to repay. That’s precisely the gap crowdfunding fills.
Alongside the loan, clubs can access tailored support with business planning, governance and social impact plans. If a club is not yet ready to borrow, capacity building support may be available to help strengthen their plans.
How Crowdfunder fits in
A live Crowdfunder campaign running alongside a Pitch Together application does something a loan application form can’t: it shows real people putting real money behind your project. Members, parents, alumni, local supporters — their pledges are concrete evidence of community demand.
Take Bowdon Club for example, who raised £50,868 from 160 supporters to replace its artificial pitch. Alongside the funds raised through Crowdfunder, the club secured a £180,000 loan from the Pitch Together Fund. Together with member loans and the club’s own funds, this enabled Bowdon to meet the full cost of the project. The new pitch is now complete and open for the 2026/27 season.
Crowdfunding also helps clubs raise the contribution they need alongside the loan. Rather than dipping into reserves or running endless bucket collections, a well-promoted campaign can raise tens of thousands from your community in a matter of weeks.
Other hockey clubs have also shown what can be achieved through Crowdfunder in 2025, raising over £174,500.
Olton & West Warwicks Hockey Club raised £37,765 to resurface their artificial grass pitch, including £15,000 of match funding from SE Movement Fund.
Shepton Mallet Hockey Club raised £30,002 towards new modular changing facilities after the closure of their neighbouring leisure centre left the club without appropriate provision.
Both campaigns were driven by club members and local communities determined to protect and improve the place where they play.
If your club is considering a Pitch Together application, starting a Crowdfunder campaign early, before the application is submitted, gives you the strongest possible evidence of community support when it matters most.
Find out more
Learn more about Pitch Together and how to apply →