Awesome Astro officially opened

The spell of afternoon rain which fell during the opening occasion did little to dampen the spirits of the numerous hockey players, who enjoyed short 20-minute matches on the region’s new artificial turf.

From schoolboy and schoolgirl hockey to the experienced heads of the master hockey player, all enjoyed a fun-filled day of stick-swinging action.

Various individuals, who had vital roles in ensuring the construction of the AstroTurf, and VIPs were also in attendance, including Marjorie Letoaba of the National Lottery Distribution Trust Fund, Vivian Lottering (chairman of the Ekurhuleni Sports Council) and Mike du Plessis (president of the South African Hockey Association).