Madras Hockey Campaigners Say Fife Council is Avoiding the Issue

The organisers of a petition calling for a 2G hockey pitch to be installed at Madras College say Fife Council is avoiding meeting with them.

The 38 Degrees petition was set up by North East Fife MSP Willie Rennie after the council's decision to construct two 3G pitches at the school.

Rugby and football can be played on the 3G surface but it is too long for competitive hockey, which requires a 2G pitch.

Kingdom FM News previously reported that Active Schools statistics revealed that more extracurricular hockey is played at the school than both rugby and football combined.

Madras FP Hockey Club secretary Jade Milne said: "Most pupils at the school playing hockey are female, so we believe that this decision will disproportionately affect the female pupils of the school, which is unacceptable."

Willie Rennie said: "All I want is for this decision to be made, and be made correctly, and that's why we need an independent review with an expert who is looking at the decision that's been made to make sure we have the right mixture of pitches and facilities to meet everyone at the school and the wider community."

Shelagh McLean, the head of education at Fife Council, said “For Madras College the proposal is to provide one specialist rugby pitch and one all-weather pitch similar to that installed in other secondary schools.  The school and Community Use teams strongly feel that this combination will address most of their needs and will ensure maximum use of the pitches.

“In addition, the school will have access to a grass pitch on the adjacent university playing fields and will similarly be able to access areas for field sports, as required. Station park will remain and will be available for use by schools, local community and other users, as it is presently. Overall, this combination will enable the school curriculum to be delivered.

“With regards to hockey, the planned 3G pitch is suitable for recreational training and school use up to S3 level, as per the Sportscotland data sheet. Station Park will continue to be utilised by the PE department for field hockey provision and, in addition, the new sports hall can accommodate indoor hockey provision.

“In terms of the Fife pitch strategy for hockey, St Andrews University is the designated east Fife facility. Therefore there is provision, within the immediate area, at the University of St Andrews.

"The artificial pitches which are being installed at Madras are multi-functional to give the broadest access to a range of sports. Madras is a Community Use school and we will welcome the community to continue to use the facilities in the usual way."