CEREDIGION County Council’s decision to replace the Cardigan astro turf pitch with a 3G surface will effectively spell the end of hockey in the Teifi Valley, it was claimed today.

That is the angry response of Clwb Hoci Emlyn – the only club in the area – who have described the local authority’s planned upgrade of the facility as a blatant act of discrimination against local sportswomen as 3G is unsuitable for their sport.

The hockey players contend the pitch at Cardigan Leisure Centre should be resurfaced appropriately for hockey and football and other users, at a far lower cost.

County Hall, however, maintain the pitch is more widely used by football players, adding that the hockey club alone - out of 14 sports clubs - will not be able to continue to play at Cardigan.

They also insist alternative facilities are available at Lampeter, Crymych or Llandysul and that the use of the sports hall in Cardigan has also been offered for indoor hockey.

Serena Davies, who founded Clwb Hoci Emlyn almost 20 years ago ‘with the main aim of giving local women a chance to participate in sport’, said the club had gone from strength to strength and now had almost ninety members.

“As competitive hockey cannot be played on 3G, we will be without a pitch from this summer onwards,” she told the Tivy-Side.

“In addition, Cardigan Secondary School, who use the astro daily, will also be unable to play hockey fixtures.

“Whilst we are very happy that the surface is to be upgraded, opting for 3G means that many groups are being discriminated against.

“In particular, we are very concerned about our female members, who will now have almost no sports provision whatsoever in the area.

“Attracting girls to sport is tough enough in itself, but we have proven that we have a system that works, and it is a pleasure to see so many girls participate in hockey on a weekly basis.”

Club coach Sarah Brazier said the Cardigan pitch could only cater for rugby and football training, while its size meant it could stage actual hockey fixtures.

“This is a much wider issue that Clwb Hoci Emlyn because this decision would also exclude school pupils from our sport,” she added.

“The suggestion that we could use the Cardigan sports hall really makes my blood boil – how could 70 juniors safely play hockey in an arena one-third the size of the outdoor pitch?

“Hockey is an outdoor sport with myriad health benefits and the council are just clutching at straws.”

A Ceredigion Council spokesperson confirmed the local authority had been awarded £500,000 of grant aid towards the creation of 3G pitches at Cardigan and Synod Inn as well as the provision of a new 2G carpet in Lampeter.

She added that the total cost of the projects would not be known until a tendering process and that the provision of a 3G surface would provide an ‘enhanced experience’ for current and new users.

“Development work will be undertaken to increase current usage levels and also to introduce new activities and opportunities for people of all ages to be physically active,” she added.

“The proposed 3G will therefore make a positive contribution to the Wellbeing of Future Generations Act.

“It also meets Sport Wales strategic provision of facilities, hence the grant offer from the ATP Collaboration group.”