Yorkshire turf specialist ensures World Cup pitches are in safe hands
AN educational support programme by a Yorkshire turf specialist has ensured that South Africa’s FIFA World Cup pitches are in top shape.
Endorsed by FIFA and the Local Organising Committee (LOC), Bingley-based Sports Turf Research Institute (STRI) has overseen the preparation of 10 showpiece stadium pitches, 32 training camps and 15 venue specific training sites in South Africa.
With four consultants and four technicians based in South Africa in the lead up to and during the tournament, STRI has provided guidance to more than 100 local consultants, contractors and ground staff to maintain premium playing surfaces in future.
Support from STRI in the lead up to the tournament also included an audit of machinery requirements and guidance of the growing materials needed.
Representatives from STRI will be attending every World Cup fixture under the leadership of director of operations, Richard Hayden.
Mr Hayden said: “STRI’s brief from FIFA and the LOC was not only to deliver world class playing surfaces for the World Cup itself but to ensure the maintenance knowledge was in place locally to last well beyond 2010.
“There was a notable experience and knowledge gap to quickly address. We have learnt that while the local consultants are well versed in rugby pitch preparation there was not sufficient knowledge in terms of football pitch care.”
He added: “With a diverse climate across the country, part of our remit has been to convey that no two pitches are the same and each surface requires a bespoke maintenance programme.
“An additional challenge our training programme has addressed is that some of the stadia will be utilised for multi-sport use after the tournament itself and additional training is being provided on the different maintenance programmes required to prepare the pitches for each individual sport.”
STRI’s other clients include UEFA, Aviva Stadium, Lords Cricket Ground, Royal Ascot, St Andrews, The R&A and Wimbledon.
