A hockey club's goal of raising $150,000 for new lights at its recently relayed turf pitch is off to a slow start.
In fact, the massive funding target for the new LED lights has barely been scratched, with just $150 raised in the first month.
Hockey Marlborough set up the Givealittle page at the end of December last year, but had received just four donations as of Monday.
Hockey Marlborough's goal to fundraise $150,000 for new LED lights is off to a slow start.
Hockey Marlborough board member Andrew Nation said they had ordered the new lights, "it's just a matter of getting the funds to pay for them".
The current lights were about 20-years-old, and while they worked, they were inefficient and not up to standard for international games.
Hockey Marlborough board member Andrew Nation hopes to have the lights funded before the start of the winter hockey season.
Last year, the hockey season was delayed due to earthquake damage making the playing surface uneven. The turf had to be pulled up to have the sub-base levelled.
Nation said they were hoping to have the lights funded before the start of the winter hockey season this year, but it wouldn't delay this year's season.
"The LED lights are much more efficient and able to be a lot more focused on where they shine their light," Nation said.
In 2015, the New Zealand Women Black Sticks played an International Test against Argentina at Marlborough's College Park. New Zealand won 3-2.
Nation said Hockey Marlborough had approached the Marlborough District Council and the Lion Foundation, and the New Zealand Racing Board had pledged money towards the cause.
The club had about $20,000 saved, already raised by the hockey community, with another $30,000 lined up to come through shortly, Nation said.
"This will top it off and make it a great facility," he said.
The International Test against Argentina drew a massive crowd to the Blenheim turf.
"We're giving it everything. The first step is getting it out there," he said.
The new lights would allow night games to be played at an international level, Nation said.
In 2015, The New Zealand Women Black Sticks played an International Test against Argentina at College Park. New Zealand won 3-2.
Earlier this year, Hockey Marlborough announced another international game at the Marlborough turf, but "for various reasons it unfortunately did not eventuate", a Hockey Marlborough spokesperson said.
Nation said hockey was doing well in Marlborough.
"Numbers are strong and I think they're growing. There's a good development programme getting kids and schools involved."
Nation said hockey's popularity was helped by current international coverage.
This year, Auckland and Christchurch would host 16 international hockey games between the Vantage Black Sticks men and women and the world during the FIH Pro League.