Lewes Hockey Club formally turned on its new floodlights on Saturday (24th February) with a special switch on event attended by some of the leading lights of Sussex Hockey.

Scores of Lewes players turned up for the opening ceremony which re-affirmed the club’s continuing investment in its facilities, to the benefit of its players and the wider Sussex hockey community.

The lights enable the club to play senior matches in the evenings which could not be played under the old lights and make the sport safer for players and umpires during the dark winter months.

Simon Faulkner, former England and GB under 21, winner of the 2018 Jaffa Men's Super 6s indoor trophy, and captain of Sussex Men, attended Saturday’s switch on.

He said: “It is great to see the fantastic facilities being put into a club like Lewes. It has such a rich history and lots of great juniors coming up. The addition of the lights is great for Lewes and the County and great for hockey in the local area as well. I wish you all the best.”

The new floodlights are a major investment by the Southdown Sports Club of which the hockey club is a section. They were part funded with a grant from LOCASE (Low Carbon Across The South East) and installed by Halliday Lighting.

The hockey section has nine adult teams (five men’s and four ladies). Lewes Men’s first team is playing in the Sussex and Kent Division One. The club also has a thriving junior section with more than 200 junior members aged from just five-years-old.

Lewes Hockey Club co-chair Robert Heinzl says of the new lights: "This is a major commitment to the hockey section which is thriving in all areas, from the hugely successful junior attendance on Sunday mornings up to the senior men’s and ladies’ leagues on Saturdays.

"This is a much needed improvement and makes the training and matches a great deal safer and easier to umpire.

“We do have the best facilities, being one of the few clubs in Sussex to have the club house and pitch on the same premises and we enjoy being part of the wider Southdown Club, which also has Tennis and Squash sections, and our own gym facilities.”

Mike Acott, president of the Sussex Hockey Association, said: “I remember the days before the hockey astro pitch was here at Lewes. What a big asset it is for Lewes and how wonderful it is that these facilities have brought young players who play right through the club. The lights will help to develop all at Lewes and we at Sussex Hockey wish Lewes all the success with their new lights.”