Notts Sport Delivers New Hockey Pitch for English Martyrs Catholic High School

Notts Sport, the leading specialist in surfacing design and supply, has completed the successful resurfacing of the hockey pitch at English Martyrs Catholic High School in Hartlepool, part of the Bishop Hogarth Catholic Education Trust.

The project marks the third collaboration between Notts Sport, the Trust, and project managers Thornton-Firkin LLP, extending a strong working relationship that has already delivered several high-quality sports facilities across the North East.
The previous sand-filled synthetic surface at English Martyrs had reached the end of its life, prompting the Trust to invest in a modern and durable replacement that would meet the performance standards required for hockey and wider school use. Notts Sport was engaged through England Hockey, Hartlepool Caledonians, and Billingham Hockey Club to conduct detailed site surveys in the summer of 2024, before being appointed to supply the new system.
This latest scheme builds on Notts Sport’s established partnership with the Bishop Hogarth Catholic Education Trust, following the successful delivery of the new-build 3G artificial grass pitch and multi-use games area at St Michael’s Catholic Academy in Billingham. The resurfacing works at English Martyrs were managed by Thornton-Firkin LLP, who hold a framework agreement with the Trust to oversee construction projects and have previously worked with Notts Sport on several pitch refurbishments in Cumbria.
Installation of the new surface was expertly carried out by ADSUM Sports Surfaces, ensuring the highest standards of quality and attention to detail throughout the six-week construction period. The completed facility now features a Polytan sand-dressed artificial grass surface, laid over a 15mm in-situ shockpad designed to meet Gen2 performance standards, providing excellent play characteristics, durability, and comfort for both school and community use.
The project was funded directly by the Bishop Hogarth Catholic Education Trust and represents an important investment in the long-term development of sport at English Martyrs. The upgraded pitch offers a modern, safe, and high-performing environment that will benefit students and local hockey clubs for years to come.
"We’re delighted to continue our partnership with Bishop Hogarth Catholic Education Trust and to support their ongoing investment in first-class sports facilities," said Duncan Bennett CEO of Notts Sport. "Working alongside Thornton-Firkin LLP and ADSUM Sports Surfaces, we’ve delivered a surface that meets the highest standards for hockey while offering lasting value and versatility for the school and its wider community."