With the grassed fields, indoor stadium, ablution and changing amenities, Clareville is one of the best and most complete facilities in New Zealand. Before the artificial surface, other provinces would not come to Wairarapa to play representative matches. As a consequence, Wairarapa hockey had to adopt Palmerston North as its home ground and travel to Manawatu for all rep matches. Since the construction of the turf, hockey in Wairarapa has changed dramatically and to the benefit of everyone. Hockey is now played seven days a week, not just on Saturdays as it was on grass, and up until 9.30pm some days.
All players have the opportunity to practise on the surface.
Home representative games can now be scheduled for Friday evening, Saturday afternoon or evening or Sunday afternoon to suit spectators, without conflicting with other sports. Wairarapa now has home and away representative matches at all levels, from schoolgirls to seniors, and is now on the tournament circuit for regional and national tournaments. Our schoolboys and schoolgirls through to under-18s all do exceptionally well and rank with Canterbury, Auckland and Wellington.