Four sports have come together with Sport
England and the Football Foundation to agree a new strategic
approach to selecting artificial grass pitches.
New guidance drawn up by the sports bodies
will ensure the right surfaces are installed in the right places,
delivering maximum value for investment in pitches.
The last decade has seen an explosion in the
number and type of artificial pitches. But, with some surfaces only
suitable for certain sports, some of these pitches did not have the
most appropriate surface to meet the needs of local sporting
communities.
The national governing bodies of hockey,
football, rugby union and rugby league have all committed to using
the new guidance for selecting the most appropriate artificial
grass pitch.
Sport England is recommending that all
planners, schools, universities, clubs and local authorities that
are considering installing an artificial grass pitch also follow
the new guidance.
The
guidance document sets out which types of artificial pitch
are appropriate for each of the four sports – and at what
level.
A simple four-step guide explains how to
select the right type of artificial grass pitch to meet local
demand.
Minister for Sport and the Olympics Hugh
Robertson said:
“Getting as many people as possible to give
sport a try is one of my top priorities so it’s important that new
facilities are multi-use and accessible. As a keen hockey player
and a fan of football and rugby I’m pleased to see them all working
together to ensure that, where appropriate, artificial pitches are
more versatile.”
Sport England’s Chair, Richard Lewis,
said:
“Sport is at its strongest when partners
tackle issues jointly. This guidance will help our stakeholders to
make the right choice for their local sporting community when
investing in artificial grass pitches.”
ENDS
Notes to Editors
This new
guidance and policy statement for selecting the appropriate
artificial sport surface has been jointly developed by:
- England Hockey Board
- Football Association
- Football Foundation
- Rugby Football Union
- Rugby Football League
- Sport England.
Sport England invests National Lottery and
Exchequer funding in organisations and projects that will grow and
sustain participation in grassroots sport and create opportunities
for people to excel at their chosen sport.
Sport England is committed to creating a
world-leading community sport system, and has set specific and
measurable targets to achieve by 2012/13:
- One million people doing more sport
- A 25% reduction in the number of 16- to 18-year-olds who drop
out of at least five key sports
- Improved talent development systems in at least 25 sports
- A measurable increase in people’s satisfaction with their
experience of sport
- A major contribution to the delivery of the five hour
sports offer for children and young people.