INTRODUCTORY GUIDANCE FOR ENGLAND HOCKEY ARTIFICIAL GRASS PITCHES

Transcription

1 INTRODUCTORY GUIDANCE FOR ENGLAND HOCKEY ARTIFICIAL GRASS PITCHES

2 Contents 1. Introduction 1. Introduction 2. Types of Hockey AGPs 3. Hockey Pitch Construction 4. Hockey Pitch Location 5. Pitch & Goal Dimensions 6. Which Surface 7. FIH 8. AGP Costs Over the years the game of hockey has developed into a much faster and technical game, to some extent, this is a result of the game moving from the traditional natural grass pitches to Artificial Grass Pitches (AGPs). There are now approximately 1000 sand-filled or sand-dressed AGPs and a further 65+ water-based hockey pitches in England. To assist asset owning hockey clubs and AGP facility providers England Hockey has produced these guidance notes as a general introduction to the development of new and refurbishment of existing hockey AGPs. The guide will also offer information and specification on types of AGP surfaces, floodlighting, fencing and pitch dimensions. 9. Resurfacing AGPs 10. Maintenance 11. Floodlighting 12. Fencing 13. Acoustics 14. Project Management 15. Financial Management 16. Summary 2 ARTIFICIAL GRASS PITCHES

3 2. Types of Hockey Artificial Grass Pitches England Hockey categorise their AGP surfaces, as follows: CATEGORY SURFACE ESSENTIAL DESIRABLE England Hockey Category 1 Water based surfaces approved within the FIH for Global and National parameters International Hockey- Training and matches Domestic National Premier competition Higher levels of EH Player Pathway Performance Centres and upwards England Hockey Category 2 Sand Dressed surfaces approved within the FIH for Global and National parameters Domestic National Premier competition Higher levels of player pathway Academy Centres and Upwards All adult and junior League Hockey Intermediate or advanced School Hockey EH competitions for clubs and schools (excluding domestic national league) England Hockey Category 3 Sand-filled (sand-based) surfaces within the FIH Regional parameters All adult and junior club training and league Hockey EH competitions for clubs and schools Intermediate or advanced schools hockey England Hockey Category 4 All long pile (3G) surfaces None Lower level hockey (Introductory level) when no category 1-3 surface is available 3 ARTIFICIAL GRASS PITCHES

4 3. Hockey Pitch Construction A typical synthetic grass hockey pitch is constructed from a free draining, frostfree sub-base, one or two tarmac layers, a 15mm shockpad and an artificial grass carpet, either sand-filled, sand-dressed or water-based. Drainage: The purpose of pitch drainage is to remove surface water from the hockey pitch to prevent flooding and make sure that no excess water builds-up within the sub-base which can potentially damage the structure. Lateral drainage is common under the pitch, connecting into drains outside the perimeter which, in turn, discharge into storm water sewers, soak-a-ways or watercourses. Water-based pitches use sprinkler systems (water cannons) or a pop-up watering system, to keep the pitch irrigated and requires particular attention to ensure adequate drainage. Sub-base: This is constructed from unbound, graded, loose-laid aggregate to give an inert, stable, frost-free and free-draining base on which to build the pitch. The importance of the sub-base cannot be over-estimated. Materials and workmanship should be of the highest quality in order to ensure maximum structural integrity of the pitch. Tarmac (engineered) Base: Adding one or two bound (engineered) layers of open textured (porous) tarmac minimises the risk of localised movement of the subbase. The rigidity of the tarmac usually necessitates the use of a shockpad in order for the artificial grass carpet to achieve the required levels of dynamic performance. Pitch contractors generally lay the top layer of sub-base aggregate through a laser machine in order that only one layer of tarmac is necessary to meet the required tolerances for surface regularity. However, on sites with poor ground conditions, two layers of tarmac will provide greater stability. Shockpad: A shockpad is used for stability and cushioning. It enables the use of shorter pile carpets and less infill which in turn reduces maintenance. Insitu pads are rubber mixes laid by machine usually 15mm for hockey and football and 25mm for rugby. Other options are rubber or polyethylene panels or rolls and the new Notts Sport Shockwave & Shockwave EcoBase System. A high quality shockpad can extend the life of a pitch and, in some instances, can outlast the carpet and be reused under a similar replacement. Carpet: Artificial grass carpets for hockey typically have a polyethylene, monofilament yarn, sometimes with a secondary backing, a pile height of 12mm to 23mm and a pile weight of between 1000g /m2 and 1700g / m2. Generally speaking, the higher the pile weight the better quality the carpet. 4 ARTIFICIAL GRASS PITCHES

5 4. Hockey Pitch Location 5. Pitch & Goal Dimensions The design and cost of a new Hockey Artificial Grass Pitch will be greatly influenced by the site on which it is to be built and it should be recognised that some sites are not cost effective to develop. Factors that will influence the construction costs include topography, access, drainage, availability of an adequate power supply (for lighting) and ground conditions. Before commencing the design of the pitch, the project team will require as much information as possible about the site and its surroundings. It is therefore essential that adequate resources are budgeted for at an early stage of a project as this greatly reduces the risk of unforeseen problems (and increased costs), during construction or even later. Of greatest importance is an understanding of the ground conditions, as the largest risk of unforeseen problems and additional cost normally occurs here. A specialist geotechnical survey should be undertaken where boreholes or trial pits are excavated to allow a detailed examination of the substrata across the proposed site. When considering the location for a pitch the following should be considered: Pitch size, ground levels and any adjustments required Surface water drainage proposals Possible future developments, other pitch locations, pitch layouts and safety margins Existing trees and shrubs New tree planting and landscaping Ecological and environmental issues Relationships with clubhouse, including viewing and access to changing facilities Paved access for spectators and people with disabilities Other sports users activities Player and spectator shelters Maintenance access paved access routes for machinery and maintenance equipment storage The pitch comprises of a playing enclosure, run-offs and hard standing spectator areas, where required. All parts of the playing area should be surfaced with the same quality of Artificial Grass Pitch surface as the playing area. The dimensions for an 11-a-side pitch are as follows: metres in length and 55 metres wide, the playing surface must continue to create run-off areas for 2 metres at the back-lines and 1 metre at the side-lines, with an additional unobstructed 1 metre area in both cases of hard standing in each case, making a total area outside of the playing area of 2 metres at the side-lines and 3 metres at the back-lines. However these are the minimum acceptable requirements, with the recommended areas being 3 plus 2 metres back-lines and 3 plus 1 metre side-lines (that being a total of 5 metres at the back-lines and 4 metres at the side-lines. See appendix for pitch layouts and dimensions. Goals are generally made of a metal structure with a netting of no more than 50mm 60mm in diameter. A full range of hockey goals and equipment can be sourced through our Official Equipment Supplier Harrod Sport at For further enquiries please harrodsport@ englandhockey.co.uk 5 ARTIFICIAL GRASS PITCHES

6 6. Which surface is best for my project? The choice of carpet is very important and specialist knowledge is required to ensure that the yarn used is the best option for the type and level of sport to be played. For pitch surface guidance Click Here. England Hockey Category 1 - Water-based: A very high density carpet with no infill which requires irrigation via a sprinkler system to maintain a layer of water on the pitch, these pitches are extensively used for International Global Hockey matches and training. Although water-based surfaces are widely regarded as giving the best England Hockey Category 2 - Sand-Dressed: Is the most commonly used surface for hockey up to and including National Level. The carpet generally has an 18-22mm pile height and sufficient sand infill to keep the fibres upright (60-80% of the pile height). In general, the denser the yarn the higher the quality of the carpet (more stable and England Hockey Category 3 - Sand-filled: A low density durable carpet, 20-26mm pile height, with sand infill to just below the pile for stability, these pitches are recommended for lower league hockey and more of a multi sports use rather than higher competitive hockey use. England Hockey Category 4-3G surface: Where hockey is the secondary sport or part of a multi-sport requirement, the game can be played on all long pile 3G surfaces. 3G surfaces are in-filled with a sand and rubber mix and will be adequate for school and introductory hockey but not competitive league hockey. playing characteristics, manufacturers are developing excellent sand-based carpets with hydroscopic (water-retaining) properties which mimic water-based play and are less costly to install. longer lasting) and manufacturers are continuously experimenting with different combinations of curled and straight yarns to further improve the playing characteristics of their turf. For further details please refer to the EH Artificial Grass Playing Surface Policy 6 ARTIFICIAL GRASS PITCHES

7 7. International Hockey Federation (FIH) 8. AGP Current Estimated Costs The FIH is the International Governing Body for Hockey whose purpose is to raise the global status and popularity of Hockey, the Strategy (A Hockey Revolution) Our Ambition A Global Game That Inspires the Next Generation. Information and guidance on the construction of a new or refurbished hockey AGP can be supported with the FIH Quality Programme for Hockey Turf. For more information on the quality turf program and the benefits please visit: link will also provide details on how to get your pitch certified by the FIH. The FIH is also responsible for the incorporation of rules for hockey, pitch dimensions and equipment. The following cost estimates for the development of hockey AGPs are based on providing good quality sports facilities. These rounded costs are based on typical schemes funded by England Hockey from 2017 onwards. New hockey pitch (Water Based, Fenced, Sports Lighting) (101.4m x 63m - including runoffs) in the region of 550,000 plus VAT Resurfacing of existing water based AGP including shock pad in the region of 250,000 plus VAT New hockey pitch (18mm Sand Dressed, Fenced, Sports Lighting) (101.4m x 63m - including runoffs) in the region of 500,000 plus VAT Resurfacing of existing sand dressed AGP including shock pad in the region of 200,000 plus VAT New hockey pitch (23mm Sand Filled, Fenced, Sports Lighting) (101.4m x 63m - including runoffs) in the region of 450,000 plus VAT Resurfacing of existing sand filled AGP including shock pad in the region of 160,000 plus VAT Please note the estimated costs given above are a guide only and should not be accepted as an exact final cost. 7 ARTIFICIAL GRASS PITCHES

8 9. Resurfacing Artificial Grass Hockey Pitches 10. Maintenance AGPs are usually guaranteed for five to eight years, providing, maintenance schedules are being adhered to and recorded. (This is something that you should check with the contractors and manufacturers through the tendering process). Many pitches last much longer than this life span and it is dependent on a number of factors, including amount of use. However, sooner or later, your surface will start to show signs of wear, initially at the points of heaviest usage. However it may be that the pitch just requires rejuvenation (see maintenance section). There are a number of options that can be considered to minimise cost and improve your playing surface. A worn carpet doesn t necessarily mean a new build pitch, and sometimes the stabilising and shock absorbing layers are in good enough condition for a replacement carpet simply to be laid. Maintenance of an artificial pitch is vital in order to maximise the life of the pitch and retain acceptable performance. Carpet manufacturers will often specify maintenance requirements in order for any guarantee (typically 8-10 years) to be valid (a pitch may not be certified to the required FIH standard if maintenance training, equipment and programming has not been taken into consideration.) Maintenance costs should be considered at the outset of any project and maintenance logs should be kept. A structured maintenance programme should include the following pro-active procedures: Drag Brushing: Equipment needed: powered drive unit (eg. small tractor) and sturdy drag mat Frequency: minimum once per week all year round Purpose: To evenly redistribute the infill and agitate/lift the carpet fibres Litter & Leaf Removal: Equipment needed: blower, leaf collector, drag mat and brush Frequency: Ideally daily (particularly in autumn) or minimum weekly Purpose: To ensure the surface is kept clean and safe and to reduce potential contamination Before After 8 ARTIFICIAL GRASS PITCHES

9 10. Maintenance/cont Localised Infill Top-up: Equipment needed: sand, spreader and brush Frequency: As required, but check weekly. Purpose: to support and protect the carpet pile particularly in the highwear areas (penalty spots, short corners and top of D) REVIVE Specialist Cleaning: Equipment needed: powered drive unit with rotary brush, wet/dry filter and vacuum Frequency: four to six times per year Purpose: To remove the surface debris, and de-compact and clean the infill/ free pile Moss & Weed Treatment: Equipment needed: knapsack sprayer, spade and brush Frequency: two to four times per year Purpose: To reduce and restrict the growth of moss and weeds around the pitch. As the carpet pile wears, dirt and debris inevitably become trapped in the infill. Contaminated infill can compact, which will give a harder playing surface and problems with drainage leading to flooding. Contaminated infill should therefore be replaced before such problems occur. It is suggested that this takes place between five and six years after the pitch has been laid. REPLAY Maintenance is the Official Pitch Maintenance Partner to England Hockey. REPLAY conduct regular surface inspections to identify areas that require maintenance as well as creating maintenance programmes. Working closely with the Clubs and Facilities team at England Hockey REPLAY maintenance offer support and educational services to clubs around the country in conjunction with England Hockey regional teams. The full range of REPLAY Maintenance services can be found at For further enquiries please replaymaintenance@englandhockey.co.uk 11. Floodlighting It is important that projects involving the development of an Artificial Grass Pitch construction for hockey will incorporate floodlights in order to maximise community use. The addition of floodlights clearly enhances the potential for the AGP to generate revenue. Floodlighting can be an expensive part of a pitch construction project (sometimes as much as a quarter of the cost) and should be properly researched. Planning permission is required and applications should incorporate contingencies for minimising glare, light pollution, floodlighting time constraints, it is advised that you contact the Local Authority Planning Department for a pre-planning application meeting to discuss this. Lux levels (Level of Illumination) The current Lux level requirements for National League are 500 Lux, any level below National League is 350 Lux. It is important to determine the level of hockey you are aspiring to play at the facility to ensure the appropriate Lux Level lighting is incorporated into the lighting design plan. England Hockey have guidance on what Lux and Uniformity levels should be used at the different levels of competition. Please refer to the England Hockey/FIH Lighting Design document which can be found here. Many league and cup competitions specify the minimum level of lighting they require, and artificial grass pitches designed for multi-sport should ensure that their proposed lighting considers the needs of all the various sports to be played. The minimum levels of performance should be in accordance with England Hockey recommendations. Care must be taken to ensure that the lighting design produces uniformity of the required illumination and that glare and light pollution are minimised. Lighting of full size pitches is normally achieved by two or three lamps mounted 9 ARTIFICIAL GRASS PITCHES

10 11. Floodlighting/cont onto a six or eight column system (15m or 16m high). which are positioned along the side of the pitch outside the fence-line. Columns may be hinged for lowering to make ease of maintenance. A unit is required to house the controls and a 3-phase supply may be required. To minimise running costs and for flexibility of use, the lighting system should allow part illumination of the pitch (half pitch and/or thirds.). There are various options for floodlighting systems, these can include LED and traditional metal halide systems, and it is strongly recommended that a specialist sports floodlighting company is appointed to give professional advice on this. As the client you should ask about the initial outlay cost differences and evidence of long term cost saving. It should also be considered when upgrading floodlighting on existing columns that the columns and wiring should be surveyed and tested. Halliday Lighting is the Official Floodlighting Partner of England Hockey and can offer professional specialist advice and support in floodlighting provision for your Hockey Artificial Grass Pitch. Halliday Lighting offer a full design and specification for a new or existing pitch to match your needs. In addition, maintenance advice and support, including a discount in the testing of existing floodlighting systems is also available. Please visit for further enquires please hallidaylighting@englandhockey.co.uk 10 ARTIFICIAL GRASS PITCHES

11 12. Fencing Fencing should be a minimum of three metres in height at the sides of the hockey pitch and five metres in height, directly behind the goals. However if small sided cross field hockey is to be played then a five metre fence height is required directly behind the goals to the sides of the pitch. There are various types of fencing you can use, see examples below: Chain link: This is the cheapest option and is often adequate for primary school areas where strength of impact is not an issue and rebound is not required, however consideration must be taken for any hockey clubs using the pitch for match play. Rebound mesh: This offers good strength and rebound and is ideal for hockey pitches. Kickboards surrounding the inner playing area are used on Hockey pitches for additional strength and are generally constructed from 22mm thick timber to a height of 200mm, and will very often be covered in soundproofing by way of additional carpeting. Gates: Single gates should be installed for pedestrians and double gates enable maintenance and emergency vehicles to gain access to the playing area. Spectator areas: Spectator viewing areas can be fenced off in different ways using specific spectator rails, commonly to 1.2m high, or using existing perimeter fencing at varying heights. Divisional Netting: Dividing netting can be used to separate full size pitches into smaller pitch areas for small sided games and sectional training sessions. Netting is suspended from tensioned steel cables hung above the pitch and supported by portable intermediate posts. Overhead netting can be used for ball stop purposes i.e. on pitches close to roads or other hazards. Provision should be made to avoid climbing to retrieve lost balls. In the interests of health and safety you should ensure there is appropriate pitch signage in all instances. 11 ARTIFICIAL GRASS PITCHES

12 13. AGP Acoustics (noise reduction) A major concern for hockey AGPs developed in built up areas is the potential noise disturbance to neighbours, so it is important that a noise assessment is undertaken prior to any new planning application being submitted to the Local Authorities Environmental Health Officer, where housing or commercial developments are currently sited or will be developed in the future. Some simple steps can be taken to help reduce the noise coming from, mainly hockey ball impact on perimeter fencing back boards and goals. Side & backboards and goal boards should be covered with noise absorbing rubber padding or strips of carpet continuing from the pitch run-off areas. Noise reduction foam covered PVC strips for hockey goals, can be fitted inside goals to reduce noise impact when striking the ball. Fencing panels should be securely clamped with resilient fixings to avoid noise vibrations. Lightweight dugouts should be sited within pitch recesses where possible to avoid further ball noise when hit. Acoustic barriers should be built outside the perimeter fencing so they are protected from being hit by balls. In many situations it will be necessary to appoint an acoustic consultant to undertake a site specific noise assessment in order to provide advice on suitable noise mitigation measures. Where site noise measurements are required these should be undertaken at a location representative of the nearby noise sensitive residential properties and at the most sensitive time the AGP is proposed to operate. Noise measurements should be undertaken in accordance with British Standard :2003. Acoustic consultancy companies can be found on the Association of Noise Consultants website ( With suitable noise mitigation measures, it is considered that acceptable noise levels can be achieved for the majority of AGP sites and will operate without adversely affecting neighbouring residential properties. Noise management is an ongoing process and includes maintenance of the noise control measures as well as managing the use and operation of the pitch. Good practice should be applied to the operation of AGPs and maintaining long-term relationships with neighbours. Reacting to problems effectively is often as important as the actual noise levels in play and helpful in avoiding disputes that could threaten the continued operation of the facility. Acoustic Planning Implications (New Guidance for 2015) Click here. 12 ARTIFICIAL GRASS PITCHES

13 14. Project Management 15. Financial Management: It is highly advisable to make sure you have specialist project management support when replacing an existing AGP and floodlighting refurbishment and developing a totally new AGP facility. The National AGP Framework, to which England Hockey is a Framework Partner, offers support on planning, procurement, design, manufacture, installation & maintenance of a new or replacement AGP. The Framework is available to hockey clubs, Local Authorities, Education Bodies, Leisure Trusts and National Sports Centres. Alternatively hockey clubs, Local Authorities, Education Bodies and Leisure Trusts can access the project management services of Notts Sport, Official Facilities Partner to England Hockey at Notts Sport Ltd offer free pitch condition surveys and intial advice on replacing or development of existing and new hockey AGP s. For further enquires please nottssport@englandhockey.co.uk To enable clubs to have a viable and financially sustainable facility, England Hockey in partnership with FMC Consulting has developed a financial model that will enable clubs to plan for the future, Click Here to view it. The model allows clubs to populate income and expenditure sheets that will generate a summary profit and loss account. The model caters for clubs that own and manage their own AGP and for clubs that hire AGPs. In both cases the model incorporates sinking funds as these are critical to the financing the ongoing sustainability of AGPs. Please contact the Clubs and Facilities team for further information and support in utilising this tool. AGP Summary Artificial Grass Hockey Pitches were first introduced in the 1970s, which provided a more viable alternative to natural grass hockey pitches for training and match play. The introduction of AGPs has significantly increased the speed of the game and supported the change in the shape of hockey sticks to allow for different skills and techniques. Although the introduction of hockey AGPs has improved and helped to increase participation, it should be noted that a high quality approach to the procurement, installation, management and maintenance of these facilities is crucial in the future development and retention of AGPs for hockey use. The development of this document will hopefully provide initial guidance to clubs and facility providers in relaying and developing new AGP facilities. 13 ARTIFICIAL GRASS PITCHES

14 Appendix - Pitch layout 11-a-side - Pitch layout 11 aside NOTES / KEY: SURFACE DETAILS: Synthetic Turf Pitch (STP) - [101.40m x 63.00m] [2no recesses each 10.00m x 3.00m] LINE MARKING DETAILS: Full size hockey - White 75mm wide (Markings comply with FIH rules of hockey) 10000mm 3000mm 6475mm R14630mm 3000mm 300mm 3660mm 3660mm 4975mm 9975mm mm 63000mm Project name: England Hockey Layout (Full size hockey) Project type: Synthetic Turf Pitch (STP) Development Drawing: Line Marking Plan Referance: NSEHL002 Revision: B 4000mm Date: Drawn by: 02/03/18 JP 14630mm Scale / Size: 1:500 / A4 (DO NOT SCALE: All dimensions must be confirmed on site) 22900mm 45700mm 91400mm mm Head Office: Innovation House, Magna Park, Lutterworth, Leicestershire, LE17 4XH, England Copyright Notts Sport Limited. All rights reserved. No part of this work may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system of any nature, or transmitted, in any form or by any means including photocopying and recording, without the prior written permission of Notts Sport Limited, the copyright owner. If any unauthorised acts are carried out in relation to this copyright work, a civil claim for damages may be made and/or a criminal prosecution may result. 14 ARTIFICIAL GRASS PITCHES

15 Appendix - Pitch layout - Pitch 11 aside / In2Hockey layout 11-a-side/In2hockey NOTES / KEY: SURFACE DETAILS: Synthetic Turf Pitch (STP) - [101.40m x 63.00m] [2no recesses each 10.00m x 3.00m] LINE MARKING DETAILS: Full size hockey - White 75mm wide (Markings comply with FIH rules of hockey) In2Hockey - Yellow 75mm wide 10000mm 3000mm 6475mm R14630mm 3000mm 300mm 3660mm 3660mm 4975mm 9975mm mm 63000mm R14630mm Project name: England Hockey Layout (Full size hockey) (In2Hockey) Project type: Synthetic Turf Pitch (STP) Development Drawing: Line Marking Plan Referance: NSEHL mm 4000mm Revision: Date: Drawn by: B 02/03/18 JP 14630mm 3660mm 4975mm Scale / Size: 1:500 / A4 (DO NOT SCALE: All dimensions must be confirmed on site) 22900mm 9975mm 45700mm 43000mm 91400mm mm Head Office: Innovation House, Magna Park, Lutterworth, Leicestershire, LE17 4XH, England Copyright Notts Sport Limited. All rights reserved. No part of this work may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system of any nature, or transmitted, in any form or by any means including photocopying and recording, without the prior written permission of Notts Sport Limited, the copyright owner. If any unauthorised acts are carried out in relation to this copyright work, a civil claim for damages may be made and/or a criminal prosecution may result. 15 ARTIFICIAL GRASS PITCHES