At this stage this is the only major carnival to be played in Taree.

However, Manning Hockey president Frank Birkefeld said the association has applied for ‘everything’ in 2011.

This includes the full State veteran women’s championships.

Manning Hockey hosted the half State last year and Mr Birkefeld said Hockey NSW officials were impressed with the amenities. These have been completed and upgraded since then.

“We were still playing on the old turf on the Allan Taylor Field then,’’ Mr Birkefeld said.

The Taylor Field now has a new surface along with other improvements. Both synethetic surface fields now have lights while the association’s clubhouse is now virtually completed.

“I’ve told Hockey NSW that anything they want to give us, we’ll take,’’ Mr Birkefeld said.

Meanwhile no date has yet been set for the official opening of the clubhouse.

Mr Birkefeld said the association will work with council on this.

It’s understood federal minister for sport, Kate Ellis, is keen to attend the opening of a number of projects completed at Taree Recreation Centre with the assistance of funding from the government. This would include the hockey complex.

“We’ll work in with council on this, although I’d imagine it would be about mid-year,’’ Mr Birkefeld said.