First target reached! Stretch target: £45,000
The Pitch will cost over £300,000 so the stretch target will make a big difference i...
Bowdon Club Astro Pitch Fund
Altrincham, Greater Manchester, United Kingdom
Closing soon
Don't miss your chance to donate
Aim
Please help us replace our artificial grass pitch so we can continue to provide playing facilities for our members and the wider community
Why are we crowdfunding?
The astro turf at Bowdon Sports Club was laid 25 years ago and despite careful maintenance, is now at the end of its life.
It is a crucial multi-sport, multi-user community facility, used 7 days a week for hockey matches, training and taster sessions for juniors and adults, as well as by Hale United Junior Football Club. Local primary and secondary schools also use the pitch for lessons and activities, including hockey. Multi-sports holiday camps are held during school holidays and it also used for fitness sessions.
The new pitch will mean that all of the above teams and community groups can continue to play their sport safely and locally for years to come. It is one of only a handful of pitches of its kind in the area.
Who are we?
Bowdon Club is a multi-sport community sports club established in 1887, serving Bowdon, Hale, Altrincham and the wider Greater Manchester and Cheshire area. It offers hockey, cricket, squash and racquetball as well as football and other sports and wellbeing activities. We pride ourselves on being an inclusive family club.
The hockey section has 9 men's teams and 8 women's teams playing league hockey from national league to regional and Cheshire leagues. We have over 450 players ranging from under 8 to over 80. Our junior section has representation from U8 to U18, and at the other end of the membership we have Masters hockey from O35 to O55, as well as mixed hockey in the summer. We also have multiple indoor hockey teams. As an England Hockey Talent Centre and Club Mark accredited club, we are dedicated to continuing to fly the flag for hockey in the North West and expand opportunities for individuals of all ages to play across our community.
Our Community Impact
Bowdon Club is a vibrant family club with a strong community base which we hope to build further. The Club also offers Cricket, Squash and Racquetball, and is also home to Hale United Junior Football club with over 250 children playing at Bowdon Club each week. We have strong links to neighbouring primary and secondary schools who use the facilities for multiple sports activities.
The pitch is used 7 days a week, and we have a vision to see its use broaden making the use of all daylight hours to benefit community sport and activity of all kinds.
As well as providing specific access to members and local schools, we also offer PAYG 'Just Play' hockey sessions, including provision of free hockey sticks for those doing for taster sessions. In addition, connections with church and community groups enable people in assisted living to participate in accessible sport on the pitch.
What are we fundraising for?
The total cost of a full pitch replacement, including the warm-up area is expected to be in the region of £250 - £300,000. This will include both the carpet and the underlying shockpad and meet England Hockey standards for elite hockey.
We have raised funds for most of this already, but still need to raise at least £30,000 via this Crowdfunding appeal. Thanks to Sport England's Movement Fund, this appeal will benefit from matched funding. This means that for every £1 you donate, the appeal will receive £2.
How can you play your part?
In any one of four simple ways!
1. Make a pledge: please don't delay as momentum is key to our success. Remember that every donation will benefit from a matched funding donation too.
2. Spread the word: share our project on your social media pages so we can get the community and wider connections to get behind us.
3. Offer rewards: if you are a local business and can donate anything we can offer our supporters, please get in touch. We will give you a shout out!
4. Fundraise for us. If you want to run your own fundraiser – maybe a sponsored activity or similar – use the 'contact project' button at the top of our page to let us know. Setting up your own page only takes a few minutes and you won’t need any bank details.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT!
Sport England - Movement Fund has provided £15,000 of match funding
Funding method
Keep what you raise – this project will receive all pledges made by 9th June 2026 at 10:27pm