NSW's Deputy Premier, Paul Toole, summed it up brilliantly when visiting Parkes on Monday to announce $2.28 million for a new turf at Stephen Davis Field.

Mr Toole was on hand with Sam Farraway MLC, Parkes Shire Mayor, Cr Ken Keith OAM and Parkes' golden girl - Hockeyroo and Olympian Mariah Williams - to announce the huge funding injection.

Mr Farraway said it was a 'very exciting announcement' to be able to make.

"The NSW Government, through Round 8 of the Resources for Regions program, will be delivering $2.28 million to the Parkes Shire Council to go towards a $3 million project here at Turf 1 for a complete re-development - which will include a complete resurfacing," he said at Monday's press conference.

"This is quite exciting for Parkes, it has a very strong hockey community and this will allow Parkes to continue to host not only higher level hockey carnivals and championships but encourage the next generation of players.

"For the next wave of hockey players you've got to have the facilities," Mr Farraway said.

Hockey players in Parkes need to look no further than Williams, current Kookaburra Kurt Lovett and Olympian legend Stephen Davies when it comes to what you can achieve growing up in Parkes.

Williams said a new surface for Turf 1 will allow that next generation to develop hockey skills that will stand them in good stead at the next level.

"Growing up here, I played on the grass fields and it really helps your hand-eye coordination, but these days hockey is a sport internationally on water-based pitches so to have two in Parkes will just develop the skills of the young players," she said.

"This is a great opportunity for Parkes hockey...hockey in Parkes is a very loving community.

"So to have not just one high quality hockey turf but two...hopefully that brings some more tournaments to Parkes," said Williams.

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Cr Keith said the money is 'so vital' to improve the turf.

"This surface, although it looks nice, has got bounces and bumps in it and you can't have that for high level hockey and high level skills," he said on Monday.

"The hockey fraternity raise a lot of money...and they have put almost $500,000 over the last four years into the Mariah Williams Field, so they are really putting their hands in their pockets and are a great example to other sporting communities in Parkes."

For the 600 plus members that are involved in Parkes hockey, and indeed the wider region, this is an exciting time to be involved in hockey - and it's all looking up for young and old.

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