Olympic and Commonwealth Gold medalist Shona McCallin returns to Newark Hockey Club to open new pitches
Great Britain and England hockey player Shona McCallin returned to her childhood club to officially open its new pitches.
The hockey star this year added a Commonwealth Games gold to her Olympic gold and bronze medal haul.
McCallin, of Dry Doddington, cut the ribbon to officially open the new pitches at Newark Hockey Club’s home of Magnus Church of England Academy on Sunday.
Dozens of children surrounded the hockey star as she walked on to the pitch for the ceremony.
McCallin said it was great to see such a large turn out gather to witness the event.
The weather was poor, but it didn’t dampen spirits, as people crowded around the goal to witness the ribbon-cutting.
“Being here brings back a lot of fond memories, I used to come here when I was eight or nine years old,” she said.
“It is great to see hockey so strong in a town the size of Newark, I am proud to cut the ribbon today.
“I am hoping this facility will inspire the next generation of young kids to achieve their best.”
The original artificial turf surface was installed in 2001, and its underlying shock pad was replaced in the refurbishment.
New LED lighting has been installed to improve visibility and reduce operating costs.
The project included the replacement of the existing goals and the addition of team shelters.
Earlier, McCallin joined in a training session with the junior players.
She spent time conducting drills with the players and challenging the goalkeepers in goals with her shooting.
The children were excited to learn from her, and watch her as she took several shots at goal.
To mark her recent gold success, the Commonwealth Games Committee asked where McCallin would like a plaque commemorating her journey to be placed.
McCallin said there was only one place for her plaque— Newark Hockey Club.
“This club gave me so much as a junior and I would not be where I am without them,” she said.
The plaque is now inside the facility on the wall and visitors will see it when they first walk into the reception area.
McCallin posed for photographs in front of the plaque and signed autographs for young fans.
The England star recently returned from Buckingham Palace after being invited along with her Commonwealth Games-winning team-mates.
She said: “Buckingham Palace was amazing.
"We got to meet the King which was special."
The new facility for the academy students, and the wider sporting community, will enable Newark Hockey Club to deliver its development plans to increase hockey opportunities locally. McCallin said the new facility was fantastic and would help encourage growth in the sport around the Newark district.
