AFC Bournemouth breaks new ground with SIS Pitches

In a rare move for the industry, work to transform the pitch was carried out with the season well underway and was completed in just 10 days this November.

British company SIS Pitches installed the revolutionary SISGrass system into the existing turf surface. It will make the Cherries the first side in the top flight to use the latest hybrid pitch technology for competitive fixtures.

AFC Bournemouth isn’t alone in using SISGrass technology. As well as the Luzhniki Stadium, other stadium installations in 2016 include the Ta’Qali National Stadium in Malta and the Vodafone Arena, home to BeÅŸiktaÅŸ J.K.

The laser-guided installation boasts 95% natural turf alongside 5% specially designed PE yarn, stitched into ground. The new SISGrass pitch will offer increased pitch stability and delivers considerably more playing hours than a natural grass surface.

AFC Bournemouth’s Head Groundsman Robin Wilcox commented: “The new pitch looks great and feels fantastic underfoot.

“A good playing surface is crucial when it comes to performance and preventing injuries and I’m sure the squad will reap the benefits as we head into the second half of the season.”

SIS Pitches UK Project Director, Phil Blackwell, echoed Robin’s sentiment, adding: “We’re delighted to be making Premier League history with AFC Bournemouth by providing them with a new hybrid pitch.

“Any pitch installation takes time and with such a tight deadline, we knew we had to rise to the challenge to ensure that the pitch would be ready for the team ahead of Sunday’s game.

“Both sides have lots to play for going into the busy schedule over the festive period and into the New Year and we are very pleased to have completed the installation without any disruption to fixtures.”

SIS Pitches has many years experience in delivering natural turf pitches and synthetic turf pitches to some of the greatest names in sport as well as to schools, colleges, universities, sports clubs and local authorities. SIS Pitches has offices in the UK, Ireland, Turkey, Holland, Middle East and Angola.

SISGrass has also been installed at the training grounds of Chelsea, Hull City, Fulham, Derby County, Athletic Bilbao, FC Barcelona and the National Football Centre at St George’s Park, home of the English FA.