The Scottish and Irish women's hockey team at the new pitch

The hockey facility is the first phase of a �27.3m Sports Village project at Forthbank, to be completed by 2009.

The match between the Scottish and Irish teams was postponed due to the freezing conditions but other fixtures over the weekend will go ahead.

New third generation artificial pitches for rugby and football also opened.

The finished development will include swimming pools, a nine court sports hall, a 100-station gym, aerobics and dance studios, a climbing wall and ice rink.

The development aims to provide top class facilities for players of all abilities, including international sports teams.

Those behind the complex hope it will attract nations involved in the 2012 London Olympics and the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow for pre-event training.

The sports village will be completed in 2009

John Hendry, who chairs Active Stirling, said: "The hockey surface is the best of its kind in the UK, while the 3G pitch has 65mm pile which makes it ideal for both football and rugby use and is again a first in Scotland.

"We will be looking to attract international competitions to the Stirling Sports Village complex as well as perhaps bring some of the major nations participating in the Olympics and Commonwealth Games to the area."

Stirling Provost Margaret Brisley, who hosted the opening ceremony, said: "If we in Stirling can play a part in providing youngsters with the opportunity to test their skills on the best possible facilities then the significant investment involved will pay dividends for many years to come"