Five Things to Look for When Choosing a Sports Pitch Manufacturer

Sports pitches are a major investment. It’s the same for any organisation – universities, clubs, leisure centres and professional teams all need to know the surface they’ve chosen will perform as advertised and provide lasting return.

Striking a balance between performance, safety and longevity is critical. The trouble is there are hundreds of manufacturers on the market, each with their own range of surfaces, choice of materials and approach.

It’s difficult to invest wisely when there’s such a broad range of options to choose from, but there are key differences to look for when choosing a partner. In this article, we break down those differences and suggest some questions to ask your shortlist of manufacturers. In doing so, you’ll have a better idea of what separates the best from the rest.

There’s a difference between a product and a solution – and manufacturers that emphasise the latter will typically offer a better, more effective product than those who don’t.

This distinction can be difficult to recognise – after all, product benefits and features have been designed to solve a problem, or they should at least. Surely all manufacturers are the same in this respect?

Not exactly. Some products, for instance, will use inferior yarns that are manufactured with lower-grade polymers or geometries that won’t hold up over time. While workable for a period, these products will degrade much quicker when exposed to sunlight and heavy usage, eventually wearing down and falling flat.

This is a common ‘pain point’ end users discover some time after an install. Given most outdoor pitches are both heavily used and exposed to the elements – especially those in the Middle East –  this cost-cutting measure can quickly become a false economy, requiring more frequent and intensive maintenance than surfaces fitted with UV protection first time.

Ask: Is the yarn you’re using for our installation UV-resistant and what polymers and additives are being used? 

Selecting the right materials is especially important for high-impact sports, like hockey, rugby and football, as performance and safety are of paramount importance.

Turf system type and construction, infill and shockpad (if applicable) all work together to provide the perfect balance, so it’s vital that these are interrogated during the selection process. Further, quality of installation must not be overlooked.

Take secondary backing (also referred to as the coating) as an example. As the base support structure underneath the playing surface, it’s often overlooked during the selection process. However, it’s equally as important as the other components when it comes to maximising your investment. Good quality backing will promote pitch integrity, prolonging the life of a pitch by ensuring tuft retention and product stability.

Latex is commonly used for installations, though polyurethane or ‘PU backing’ is preferable for its strong bonding properties that keep fibres in place. PU is also more resistant to wear and tear, lighter and often easier to install than more common latex-based alternatives.

Ask: What backing material do you recommend for our pitch and why?

The manufacturer of your sports pitch isn’t necessarily the same company that will install it.

This is where it pays to work with a ‘single-source’ manufacturer that has factories and installers working together as part of the same company. SIS Pitches operates this way, which helps to keep projects on time and within budget, even in remote regions. We also manufacture carpets bespoke to order, unlike others who buy ‘off the shelf’, so a customer’s priorities are always reflected in the type of surface that’s eventually installed.

Delivery is more streamlined but a manufacturer will also know what a quality install looks like, with teams benefitting from a familiarity and knowledge of the product they’re fitting.

Whether you’re working with a single-source contractor or an installer, it’s also worth taking the time to understand what will happen to your old surface once it’s removed. Instead of relying on empty promises or vague assurances about recycling, ask for specific details how the material will be recycled, who is responsible, and where it will be processed. You are likely paying for the removal and processing of your outgoing surface, so make sure that it is actually happening and following the waste hierachy process.

Ask: Will your own team be installing the pitch I’ve ordered, or will you be subcontracting the installation to another supplier?

It’s natural to want the best possible sports surface for your site, especially if you’re spending a lot of money.

A FIFA Quality Pro certified installation is a common request in this respect, as they represent the gold standard for hosting football competitions. While clearly a minimum requirement for certain stadia, this level of specification is likely excessive for the vast majority of situations – often a FIFA Quality certified installation is more applicable for community-led projects.

Ask your shortlist of manufacturers for their opinion of what’s actually necessary. Some may go for the most expensive install regardless of whether it’s actually needed. In this case, you can get a feel for who’s advising in your best interests.

Ask: How important is it for my sports pitch to be approved by a governing body and what standards should I certify my pitch to?

Price is probably top of your checklist but be sure to check the company’s testing credentials and certifications, as well as manufacturing and quality standards e.g. ISO before making a final decision.

Shock attenuation is critical for player safety, as well as tests for compaction, drainage, stability, evenness and material certifications. All these factors should adhere to the governing body standards such as FIFA, World Rugby, GAA, FIH, and EN.

It’s strongly advised to reconsider your investment if a company is unable to produce a valid test result for the points above – not least because you could be liable in the event of serious injury. Granted, it’s difficult to track down this information if a company does not host certificates on its website or is hard to reach, but you can get a feel for those going the extra mile.

It can be helpful to find out if there are any local installations using the manufacturer’s products, offering a chance to see them in a live environment. This gives you the opportunity to assess how the product has held up over time and even hear feedback from the owners.

SIS Pitches, for instance, conducts its own research into materials to remain at the cutting edge of what’s possible from today’s sports surfaces. Our products are also tested by independent sporting labs, to demonstrate compliance in key areas, such as quality, performance and safety. Without this level of care, it’s difficult for a surface provider to guarantee a similar level of performance with any sense of certainty.

Ask: Do you have valid testing certificates for this product?