Features Of Synthetic Sports Fields

Gone are those days when games like football, hockey, tennis, netball, basketball, and many more outdoor sports could be played only on natural grass surfaces. The advances made in the field of science and technology have redefined the playing surfaces for many of the outdoor sports. An artificial sports field is an example of the contribution of technology to sports.

An Artificial Turf or sports field is a man-made playing surface made from synthetic materials. Offering the same playing characteristics as that of natural grass playing fields, these synthetic surfaces are usable all year round. So, now whether it is a long dry summer or frozen winter or water-logged sport pitches, you will not miss your favourite match. Also, they require minimum maintenance which helps in reducing the annual outlay of the managing authorities on their maintenance.

A synthetic sports surface usually features grass-like filament made from polypropylene or polyethylene, that can be sand (or rubber) in-filled or sand-dressed. Some synthetic pitches do not use sand filled fibres, instead, they are sprayed with water and are known as “water-based” pitches. These pitches are extremely soft and offer protection to players by reducing the abrasive effect caused by the use of sand. These sports fields are ideal for playing hockey. However, it is also quite safe to play on the latest sand-dressed or sand filled sports pitches, as they feature a “shock pad” just below the top ‘grassy’ layer.

The height of the fibres and the level of the sand-fillings can differ depending on the specifications of various sports. For instance, an artificial sports field constructed for hockey should have shorter pile when compared to a synthetic soccer field. Also, some artificial pitches are used for Multi Use Games Areas, where a variety of sports can be played.

Sports Surfaces Of The 21st Century

Most of the outdoor sports have always been played on natural grass surfaces since time immemorial. However, how often have you felt frustrated when a much awaited football or hockey match was cancelled due to muddy fields or frozen pitches? It is a known fact that natural grass sports surfaces are not capable of withstanding extreme weather conditions. Also, during long summers or frozen winters, sports pitches may require extra care and maintenance to tide over the harsh weather. This adds to the overall cost of maintenance.

New artificial playing surfaces manufactured from synthetic materials, such as Artificial Grass with sand or rubber in-fill were first developed in 1965. Over the years, many outdoor sports facilities located worldwide have adopted them, as they can be used all year round, and are more economical in the long run. Even after heavy rains, drainage of the surface water is a matter of only minutes on synthetic outdoor sports surfaces.

All-weather outdoor sports surfaces can be of three types: Artificial Sport Surfaces, polymeric surfaces and macadam surfaces. Different surfaces are suitable for different sports as each offers different playing characteristics in terms of ball roll and bounce, shock absorption, slip resistance etc. Equipped with a special “shock pad” underneath the top layer, the synthetic sports surfaces prevent injury to players.

Installing outdoor sports surfaces is a specialised job requiring technical skill and expertise. This is the reason why the sports clubs and other sports facilities providers rely on professional firms for the construction of their sports facilities.

Professional Help For Sports Facilities Construction

Sports facilities construction is a specialised job requiring technical expertise and skill. This is true also because many national and international sports governing bodies have certified the use of Synthetic Grass, and other artificial sports surfaces for the outdoor and indoor sports. These man-made surfaces have precise technical specifications requiring special expertise in their installation.

It is advisable to seek professional help while constructing sports facilities-both indoor and outdoor. A reliable company in this field will take only a few weeks to complete the work of sports facilities construction. The process usually begins with the site inspection followed by excavation of the ground. The base layers are made to provide a solid and stable foundation with good drainage. A reliable sports facilities construction company also ensures that a high quality “shock pad” is installed beneath the topmost layer. Depending upon your requirements, the company may install unfilled (or water based), sand-dressed or sand-filled pitches.

Local councils and educational institutions may also opt for MUGA (Multi Use Games Area) where different sports can be played on the same pitch. In this case also, the help of a professional firm should be sought. A competent sports facilities construction company will take care of all the details such as differently coloured playing lines for the different sports for the MUGA. It will also provide other important services such as installing fences, sports equipment and floodlighting. Such a company also specialises in sports hall flooring, which are meant for indoor sports. Indoor floors are made extremely durable, depending on the choice of surface finish. Like outdoor synthetic sports surfaces, these are also easy to maintain and safe to play on.

Artificial Sports Pitches: An Ideal Choice For Many Sports

Most of the outdoor sports like football, hockey, tennis (Wimbledon), rugby, netball, and many more have always been played on natural grass surfaces. However, owing to their high cost of maintenance and also their non-adaptability to extreme weather conditions, such as frozen winters, a need was felt for a better alternative.

Artificial Sports Pitches came into the picture around 1960s when Astroturf, a Synthetic Grass turf, was installed in the newly built Astrodome in Houston, Texas.

Artificial turf is a man-made turf manufactured from synthetic materials. Over the years, numerous technological advances have been made in order to create a man-made artificial sports pitch that closely resembles the playing characteristics of grass, whilst ensuring players’ safety. Available in three varieties, namely water-bound (un-filled), sand-dressed and sand filled, these surfaces consist of a shock pad underneath the top layer which protects the players from injury. Therefore, falling and sliding on an artificial football pitch is no different from that on a natural grass surface. An artificial turf pitch may even offer an improvement on natural grass such as in the case of hockey pitches. A hockey pitch made from synthetic fibres offers increased speed to the movement of the ball and allows for different techniques like reverse stick trapping and hitting.

Known as an all-weather pitch, synthetic turf requires minimal maintenance. There are many specialist firms in the UK that install synthetic grass sports pitches, each with different playing characteristics such as ball roll and bounce, shock absorption, slip resistance, and so on. A range of surfaces is available, to suit the needs of different sports.

Forget About Muddy Football Pitches! Opt For Artificial Soccer Turf

With many football clubs in Europe looking to lower maintenance costs of football pitches and maximising match fixtures, the idea of installing artificial soccer turf is gaining popularity. Artificial sports pitches are virtually indistinguishable from natural grass when viewed from a distance. Made from Polypropylene fibres or lubricated polyethylene fibres with rubber or sand infill or water-based, a synthetic Sports Turf is ideal for sports like football or soccer, hockey, tennis, netball, and many more.

An artificial soccer turf can be used all year round. So, there is no more any reason to get disappointed due to muddy or water logged ( from melted snow or heavy rains) football pitches that often lead to cancellation of the matches. Many football clubs have already installed the new Synthetic Grass surfaces not only for playing purposes, but also for using them as an all-weather training facility. An artificial sports turf requires minimum maintenance and can tolerate all weather conditions. There is also a layer of “shock pad” just beneath the artificial grass. This helps in protecting the players from injury.

The synthetic soccer turf installed in many sports facilities makes use of the latest “third generation” artificial grass pitches, as they offer playing characteristics similar to that on natural grass. Sliding and falling on the artificial turf is just the same as on natural grass. Also, the ball rolls and bounces with the same speed as that on natural grass.

Shopping for Sports Equipment

In the U.K. sports equipment is available, from high street retailers, and specialist sports equipment companies often with out of town sales outlets. You may have seen the specialist golf store. Sports equipment is also available from exclusively online retailers as well specialist sports facilities construction companies. ‘Sports construction companies?’ you ask. These companies specialise in building a variety of Sports surfaces with different specifications, and many of them will also supply the accompanying equipment such as the badminton and tennis posts and nets, basketball backboards and hoops, goals for football and hockey, fencing around the pitch etc.
There is a considerable range of equipment available too, suitable for different age groups, different levels of play as well as to suit different budgets. Multi use games area often offer a range of sports equipment for use in the same playing area. The Sports Hall may also be used for a variety of sports. In such cases, sports equipment is often portable or retractable. Portable sports equipment is not your flimsy stuff, but is built so that it is lightweight yet durable. It must ensure safety of players too. Other equipment may be permanently installed on the field.
In the U.K. sports equipment must comply with the relevant British standards.

Choosing Sports Equipment

Is choice a good thing or a bad thing? Most people would say ‘definitely good’. The market place is crowded with so many sellers, so it would help if one had an idea of what one was looking for.
Take sports equipment for example, what should one be looking for?
Sports Equipment must be durable of course, as it takes a lot of knocks and wear. This is often reflected in the price. Furthermore, latest products made from modern materials and featuring newer, better designs are continually making their way into the market, as a result of ongoing research and development in sports. Products such as latest football boots, swim wear, rackets are often more expensive. These may be advantageous to the competitive sports person, however for the average recreational user, durability and safety would be of greater importance.
There is a considerable choice in the availability of other equipment such as goals for football and hockey, nets and posts for badminton and tennis, etc. all with different specifications. Prices vary depending on the size of the equipment, its design and durability. In the U.K. sports equipment is built to British standards to ensure minimum levels of safety for the player.