FOOTBALL clubs from all over the country attended last week’s 3G pitches workshop arranged by Sports Construction Specialists, S&C Slatter. With delegates travelling from as far away as Tyne and Wear, the conference room at Sutton United’s Borough Sports Ground was full with club officials eager to learn more about 3G football turf. The majority of clubs came from Step 1 to Step 4 of the Non-League Pyramid although there were representatives from both lower and higher levels.
Organised in conjunction with the World’s leading artificial turf manufacturer, FieldTurf, S&C Slatter had invited an expert panel of presenters to talk about their particular area of specialisation. Each contributed an individual presentation and then joined in an extremely interesting and expansive ‘Question and Answer’ session which was enjoyed by all present.
Extensive range of topics
Among the topics covered during the day was 3G football turf technology, stadium pitch design and construction, the FIFA Quality Programme, creating a successful business plan, funding and of course maintenance/aftercare.
Maidstone United and Sutton United both discussed their particular experiences in converting their stadium pitches to 3G football turf. It was very interesting to learn just how strong a commercial case can be made for making the switch, particularly if it incorporates a greater engagement with the local sporting community.
Delegates of course had the chance to view first hand Sutton United’s own 3G football turf stadium pitch which has attracted universal praise since it was installed by S&C Slatter last summer. Fortunately the club’s first team were holding a training session at the time so it was an ideal opportunity to see just how well the pitch plays.
Sutton United’s 3G pitch impressed the delegates
Many of the visitors commented on the consistent and ‘natural’ ball performance, and how evident it was that skills can be exploited to maximum effect. All the players were so confident in their ‘work’.
Later in the day, the pitch was taken through its quarterly specialist maintenance programme by S&C Slatter’s Pitch Maintenance Division so the relevant techniques and machinery could also be inspected and questions asked. Regular maintenance and aftercare is done by the club itself using the equipment and training provided as part of the original pitch contract.
S&C Slatter is now busy responding to requests from a number of attending clubs to help them explore the feasibility of installing a 3G Stadium Pitch or indeed training facility at their ground.
S&C Slatter have been Sports Construction Specialists for over twenty five years, operating
throughout England and Wales on artificial pitch projects of all sizes and complexities for Football, Hockey, Rugby, Lacrosse, Tennis, Cricket and Multi-use Games (MUGA).
And in partnership with FieldTurf, S&C Slatter is also currently working on a number of pitches under the Football Association, Football Foundation, Rugby Football Union, Sport England, English Hockey Framework.
