Guidance for artificial pitches

New guidance on artificial surfaces, drawn up by Sport England and the Football Foundation, will ensure that 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 some are only suitable for certain sports, and some fail 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 clubs considering installing an artificial grass pitch also follow the new four-step guidance (available from Sport England) that sets out what types of artificial pitch are appropriate for each of the four sports - and at what level.

Minister for Sport and the Olympics, Hugh Robertson, said it was 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,” he said.

Sport England ‘s Chair, Richard Lewis, said that sport was at its strongest when partners tackle issues jointly, adding that the new guidance would help the organisation’s stakeholders to make the right choice for their local sporting community.