How SIS Pitches Future-Proofed Sport Ireland's National Sports Campus

The National Sports Campus in Abbotstown, Ireland, is home to pitches used for commercial five, seven and nine-a-side football, Gaelic games and rugby. Before the start of summer, SIS Pitches completed the refurbishment of the 3G pitches at the campus, replacing ageing SBR-infilled surfaces with an organic infill system.

The Background

The pitches were nearing the end of their lifespan, with performance from the original SBR infill having diminished significantly over the previous two to three years. With the EU ban on microplastics approaching in 2031, organic infill was the logical replacement.

The Brief

• To deliver a leading, cutting-edge organic-infilled 3G pitch suitable for commercial soccer, Gaelic games and rugby.
• Meet the highest performance standards for elite and commercial use, able to withstand 50 to 60 hours of play a week.
• Keep the facility operational and revenue-generating throughout the works.

Organic Infill Built for Irish Conditions

We specified Brockfill as the organic infill – a timber by-product selected for its suitability to Irish and UK climates. Unlike some organic infills, it resists breakdown from moisture and retains its weight when dry, reducing migration and blow-out across the surface. Key stages of the refurbishment included:

• Full base check and refurbishments to meet FIFA, GAA and World Rugby standards.
• Installing new shock pad, designed to work with both organic and traditional infill systems, ensuring Sport Ireland won’t need to replace it when the surface is next renewed in 10 to 15 years.
• The installation of SIS GRASS Synthetic Hybrid playing surface, a dual-fibre system combining a fibrillated fibre that holds the organic infill in place with an upright monofilament fibre for durability and performance.

The Brief

• To deliver a leading, cutting-edge organic-infilled 3G pitch suitable for commercial soccer, Gaelic games and rugby.
• Meet the highest performance standards for elite and commercial use, able to withstand 50 to 60 hours of play a week.
• Keep the facility operational and revenue-generating throughout the works.

Organic Infill Built for Irish Conditions

We specified Brockfill as the organic infill – a timber by-product selected for its suitability to Irish and UK climates. Unlike some organic infills, it resists breakdown from moisture and retains its weight when dry, reducing migration and blow-out across the surface. Key stages of the refurbishment included:

• Full base check and refurbishments to meet FIFA, GAA and World Rugby standards.
• Installing new shock pad, designed to work with both organic and traditional infill systems, ensuring Sport Ireland won’t need to replace it when the surface is next renewed in 10 to 15 years.
• The installation of SIS GRASS Synthetic Hybrid playing surface, a dual-fibre system combining a fibrillated fibre that holds the organic infill in place with an upright monofilament fibre for durability and performance.

Due to the pitches generating significant revenue for Sport Ireland, the facility needed to remain accessible throughout, so we decided to phased the works – refurbishing one pitch at a time while keeping the rest of the facility open to users.

The Outcome

• Ahead of schedule: The 13-week programme was completed in 12 by our in-house installation crews.
• Zero downtime: The facility stayed open to users throughout, with works phased pitch by pitch.
• Future-proofed: A shock pad compatible with organic and traditional infill means no replacement needed at the next resurfacing, in 10 to 15 years.

This project reinforces our organic infill credentials at elite and commercial level, ahead of wider industry moves away from SBR rubber infill. Clubs interested in exploring organic infill options can arrange a site visit with the SIS Pitches team to see the system in action.