International-level pitch in city

Lack of infrastructure at the school level is always pointed out when it comes to sports in India. The reason behind this is the weight that academics hold over sports. Not for St. Stanislaus High School, Bandra who unveiled their new hockey astroturf on Sunday which is now called ‘Father Donelly Astro Park’. International Federation of Hockey (FIH) approves the arena as an international standard pitch.

The Bandra school has been home to international players in the likes of Joaquim Carvalho, Viren Rasquinha, and Marcellus Gomes, who also serves as a part-time coach for his former school. They were the force behind this idea to revamp the ground, revealed Father Frazer Mascarenhas of the school.

Earlier this year in September, St. Stanislaus edged out their archrivals Don Bosco, Matunga to win U-17 and U-14 titles in the District Sports Officer (DSO) hockey tournament. The school management felt that their students deserved this upgrade for their formidable performances over the years.

“Our students have been practicing on grass and then they play on turf. Although they manage to win in those conditions as well. We started planning a year ago with our alumni to get this turf going. We sat with our ex-students, Joaquim, Marcellus Gomes and Viren Rasquinha to discuss how to go with it and the work started six months ago. If it was not for the heavy rains, the pitch would have been ready in one month,” explained Father Frazer.

“The rains that happened this week were a good test for us. The players who played have applauded the pitch,” he further added.

An Under-16 exhibition match was also played between Don Bosco High School, Matunga and St. Stanislaus High School, Bandra.  Later, a friendly exhibition match was organised between former hockey players where Viren Rasquinha, Dhanraj Pillai, Marcellus Gomes, Adrian D'Souza, Rahul Singh, Devindar Walmiki, Edgar Mascarenhas and Rajat Sharma were the players that took the pitch.

Four-time Olympian Dhanraj Pillai, who is active when it comes to the development of hockey in the city, called it “a beginning for hockey in the city”.

The turf at St. Stanislaus High School was laid keeping in mind that it can also be used for other sports like football, cricket, etc. which would be a good option for the entire community to come and play together resulting in enhancing their skills in various sports. In the second phase, the school is looking forward to installing a state- of-the-art basketball court which can be also be used for futsal and other sports.

Hockey Astroturf

Spread across 38,250 square feet, this hockey turf is designed as per international standards suited for the children and residents residing at Bandra and around Mumbai.  Through this ambitious project, St. Stanislaus Sports Complex, looks to cater to the hockey, basketball, cricket and football enthusiasts of Mumbai at large, from the age of five and above.