PITCH MANAGEMENT
SPECIALIST CONTRACTORS FOR SPECIALIST TRAINING
The key to all sports is the training that takes place for
them. A well turned out team may look the part but
without training they will not be prepared, be fit or
have developed the skills to succeed.
T
herefore, training facilities rainfall and greater usage during the
have fast become a vital winter months where poaching can be a
spoke in the wheel of all major issue. This means that
professional football, rugby and construction must be of a superior
cricket clubs, but also increasingly standard, starting with the original
for those in non or semi professional groundworks, something that Grassform
circles too. Essex based sportsfield pride themselves in. Often, training
and landscape contractors pitches will be built on an area next to a
Grassform Ltd. specialise in playing club that has previously been wasteland
Rugby pitch training grounds get the Grassform treatment too. Southend RFC utilised
and training pitch construction, and this is where a keen eye for knowing their skills to provide a drainage system on their main practice area.
identifying the key aspects of each soil types, their characteristics and their
site depending on use, layout and uses is vital during construction. This ensures that irrigation is needed need of a full renovation, and Grassform
position. Identifying where and how these soils less frequently due to its long, wide set to work on the site in 2007 by
A variety of approaches to the are useable saves you time and budget spreading roots and high drought removing the existing grass surface
problem expenditure. resistance. Other grasses with high wear using a Koro Fieldtopmaker machine,
Whether removing the original Turning wasteland into practice tolerance were specified too, ensuring which ensured a level base to work
surface and then re-shaping and ground that the cover remains throughout the from. The site was reseeded and fully
reseeding, or starting from scratch with a Grassform recently completed a year despite usage by many teams in a drained to leave the Hammers' youth
blank canvas, it is vital to take into Football Foundation assisted project at week. Knowledge of which grass works setup with a multi aspect training area.
consideration how much a surface will Thurrock FC's training ground alongside best where is how Grassform can help Although high level clients use
be used. Training pitches are generally the M25 in south Essex. A previously you, using their years of expertise to Grassform's skills, funding is often
only used for the purpose of training. barren wasteland alongside the provide solutions to your problem. available for lower level projects,
However, they must remain true, level motorway and A13 trunk road, the 10 Drainage is usually a key aspect especially in football and rugby clubs
and as similar to the actual playing acre (4 hectare) site is due to host the 1st Depending on the client and budget through the Football Foundation and
surface as possible. A training surface XI training for the Blue Square South (which does tend to dictate most aspects RFU schemes.
must, of course, be even more tolerant to side and also a wide range of youth of any project), drainage can also play Commonsense approach needed
football training and matches. an important part in a correctly In summary, training pitch
Grassform commenced work on the site functioning training pitch. A full construction requires a commonsense
with dozers to provide a level drainage system including mains, approach. The architect, agronomist and
preliminary base before introducing laterals and sand slits may not always be contractors (such as Grassform) must
several hundred tonnes of top soil and required but Grassform can offer advice build an area to withstand both harsh
sand to give a foundation from which to on any site where this may be needed. winter usage and barren summer spells.
establish the pitches. Laser grading For training pitch sites with a particular The grass mix chosen must be varied to
ensured a level surface into which a wet area, then a main drain and a few gain both root depth and coverage of
triple mixture of grasses was seeded, laterals may suffice, depending on the canopy, but also offer an excellent wear
including RTF (rhizomatous tall fescue). soil type. Other areas that have a full resistance. Construction itself should
Grassform converted wasteland into 10
acres of training facility for Thurrock FC.
system but are experiencing poaching, involve good understanding of the
may benefit from a series of sand slits or available soil type with introduction of
work with a verti drain. Both will help to topsoil and sand. Implementation of
remove surface water and allow it to practices such as laser levelling and
percolate into the drainage system rolling should be used to ensure that a
below. An example of this could be firm surface is provided prior to seeding.
around a goal mouth. Grassform offers a Whether it is for football or rugby, any
wide range of drainage and renovation surface must withstand studded foot
solutions - a quick call or email could traffic and a firm, well established
save you money and ensure a quality training area is vital to ensure quality of
pitch for years to come. play, technique enhancement and safety
High quality clients choose Grassform of players. FSA
Training pitches at the other end of
the budget scale have also been part of Give Grassform a call on 01277
Grassform's portfolio in recent times 355500 or email fsa@grassform.co.uk
too. Both West Ham United and for more information, a free quotation
Charlton Athletic have called upon the or to arrange a no obligation site
company to carry out work on their visit… it could just save you money but
training facility pitches. West Ham provide you with a fantastic facility to
West Ham United's Little Heath training ground gets a full drainage system United's Little Heath ground was in dire nurture your current and future talents.
September/October 2008 | FOOTBALL & SPORTS ARENA | 35
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