Selecting the Right Artificial Surface for Hockey, Football, Rugby League and Rugby Union

Foreword

This new guidance and policy statement for planners and consultants, to schools and selecting the appropriate artificial sport surface universities as well as clubs and local authorities. has been jointly developed by the national In particular, the group is aware of the investment governing bodies (NGBs) of Hockey, Football, opportunities provided by major education-led Rugby Union and Rugby League in conjunction capital programmes and believe that this guidance with the Football Foundation and Sport England. will help ensure that the correct surfaces are selected and that maximum benefit is achieved especially Following the publication in August 2009 of where there is any loss of playing fields 4. England Hockey Board’s updated policy 1 on the 2 use of long pile 3G pitches , which allowed This new guidance is fully supported by all accredited long pile turf pitches to be used for members of the working group who intend to some competitive games, there was a real continue to work together to ensure that this opportunity for the National Governing Bodies guidance is used when any decisions are made (NGBs) to come together to develop joint guidance. with regard to selecting artificial surfaces for new This should ensure that any available investment pitches or replacing the playing surface of existing for artificial grass pitches is used in the most facilities. effective and strategic way to meet the needs of The members of the ‘AGP Working Group’ are: their sports. All the governing bodies agreed that the playing surfaces of artificial grass pitches England Hockey Board (EHB) (AGPs) 3 should be selected on the basis of clearly Football Association (FA) articulated needs and a strong evidence base. A joint working group was set up consisting of the Football Foundation (FF) NGBs, the Football Foundation and Sport England, to develop this guidance. Rugby Football Union (RFU) The group believes that this guidance should be Rugby Football League (RFL) used by everyone involved with AGPs from Sport England (SE)

Getting as many people as possible to give sport a try “ is one of my top priorities so it’s 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.

Hugh Robertson” MP Minister for Sport and the Olympics

1 England Hockey Policy Long Pile Turf Pitches (3G), 1 August 2009. http://www.englandhockey.co.uk/page.asp?section=75§ionTitle=Facilities

2 Third Generation (3G) Pitches consist of long synthetic fibres infilled with a combination of rubber and / or sand granules specific to the performance characteristics required for individual sports.

3 Note: To avoid the current confusion in terminology, the members of the working group have agreed to use in the future the consistent term Artificial Grass Pitch or AGP to describe the range of facilities often also described as Artificial Turf Pitch (ATP) or Synthetic Turf Pitch (STP). For consistency the terms AGP and ‘artificial’ are used throughout this document.

4 For further information on the potential loss of playing fields please refer to: A Sporting Future for the Playing Fields of England Policy on planning applications for development on playing fields. http://www.sportengland.org/playingfields

Contents

1. Introduction • Why is the guidance required? • Who should use this guidance? • Relationship to other technical guidance • Relationship to other strategic planning guidance • Strategic planning tools.

2. Methodology • How should this guidance be used? • What questions need to be asked? The 4 Step Process • Who can help with providing the answers? • What surface choices are available? • Prioritisation: The decision.

3. Conclusion

4. Appendices

Appendix 1: Categories of Artificial Grass Pitches Appendix 2: Glossary of terms Appendix 3: References

5. Useful Contacts

Introduction

This guidance note has been developed by Sport • Cost driven decisions where the cheapest England, the England Hockey Board, the Football installation is accepted believing that ‘it will Association, the Football Foundation, the Rugby do’ as it is artificial grass and therefore suitable Football League and the Rugby Football Union for all sports only to find that the use of the and is intended to provide a simple, consistent, pitch is significantly limited due to safety and agreed methodology and approach to selecting sport specific criteria. the right type of artificial grass surface for playing hockey, football, rugby union and rugby league. Sports facilities on school sites This guidance is not about the detailed technical The Building Schools for the Future (BSF) and requirements as these are covered in depth in the Academies programmes are making significant published guidance of the governing bodies, investment into new and upgraded AGPs, and Sport England and The Football Foundation 5. therefore the BSF investment provides a real The technological advances in artificial grass in opportunity to deliver the right AGPs in the right recent years has led to the widespread use of places. It is the intention of the working group that artificial grass surfaces for training and competitive the methodology advocated in this document is play in rugby league, football, hockey and rugby used to inform the selection of AGPs on school union. Selecting the right surface can be very sites to ensure maximum benefit is gained for the confusing as each sport has its own specific school and the community by selecting the most performance requirements and subsequent testing appropriate surfaces for the site. criteria, and the picture is further complicated by the wide range of different artificial grass products Replacement of existing natural turf pitches that have specialised playing characteristics. To comply with Sport England Playing Field Policy It is not possible to provide a surface that can meet it is necessary, whenever there is a loss of a playing the needs of all sports therefore, it is essential that pitch, to make the strategic case for the new pitch the right artificial grass surface is selected to and its surface. One important consideration is maximise the benefit from the investment and whether the current pitch is used for competitive minimise the impact of any loss of playing field games and whether the new pitch surface will be which would result from the pitch construction 6. able to continue accommodating these. The guidance in this document will help users to decide This document sets out why, when and how the and then present their case to the local planning guidance should be used and by who, as well as authority as well as to Sport England in their remit signposting users to other relevant tools and guidance as statutory consultees. that complement and support this guidance. Change of AGP playing surface Why is the guidance required? There are now many AGPs where the playing The working group have identified there is currently surface needs replacing. In some cases it may be no clear guidance or common approach to the appropriate to consider installing a different playing selection of surfaces for AGPs and this has led, in surface to meet the local and strategic need. some cases to the incorrect selection of surfaces However, it is very important that the type of in particular as a result of: playing surface is not changed without proper consideration i.e. by using this methodology. It is • A lack of understanding of the wide range and also not recommended to change a surface type relative importance of the factors that need to just to meet the requirements of a particular be considered when selecting an AGP playing funding programme, unless this methodology has surface 7 been followed and the alternative surface identified as an appropriate decision. In some cases, for • Confusing and misleading statements by a example where Sport England funding has been few suppliers and installers of AGP surfaces involved, it should be noted that it is very unlikely either in misunderstanding what is required or that funders will agree to a change in surface type in extreme cases ‘pressure selling’ of their unless this methodology has been followed and particular product the proposed surface for the AGP approved.

5 See Appendix 3

6 See Sport England Playing Field Policy E5 and Planning Bulletin 8.

7 Note: Whilst reference is made to the playing ‘surface’, this also includes the overall construction including shock pad etc required to achieve the specified performance criteria. Who should use this guidance? Relationship to other technical This guidance has been developed to help a wide guidance range of users to make decisions strategically and This document is not intended to provide technical site specific with a consistent approach and guidance as this is covered in greater detail methodology. Listed below are some examples of elsewhere. However, it is based on the assumption who might use the guidance and how: that the detailed guidance available from the 8 organisations listed below will be followed, as • The national and regional facility officers of the doing so is critical to the long term success and FA, RFU, RFL and EHB will use this safe performance of any AGP: methodology to develop and implement facility strategies with partners • England Hockey Board

• Local Authorities, Planning Authorities, Town • Football Association Councils, Parish Councils who are developing strategies and local policy and investment • Football Foundation priorities • Rugby Football League • Local authority education departments who are developing playing field strategies as part • Rugby Football Union of their ‘readiness to deliver’ for BSF or other major educational capital investment • Sport England.

• PE and Sport Stakeholder Groups who are Relationship to other strategic supporting the Local Education Partnership planning guidance (LEP) and local authority with deciding where AGPs should be located and what surface This document complements the existing guidance category is the most appropriate on developing playing pitch strategies included in Sport England’s guidance ‘Towards a Level Playing 9 • Higher and Further Education (HE and FE) Field’ as well as the methodology set out in establishments who are considering ‘Assessing needs and opportunities: a companion 10 developing / improving AGPs on their sites guide to PPG17’ . Currently, both documents do not include guidance on AGPs and therefore it is • Sports clubs who are considering developing recommended that the methodology included in / improving an AGP this document is adopted when considering AGPs. • Consultants who are providing support with developing playing field, playing pitch and Strategic Planning Tools facility strategies, as well as providing advice on specific projects The NGB and Sport England’s planning tools 11 (Active Places and Active Places Power ) are • AGP suppliers and contractors who are available to help provide information on the supply advising potential customers on the most and demand for AGPs. In addition, different appropriate surface for their projects. scenarios of AGP provision can be tested by using the Facilities Planning Model 12. All of these tools • The Private Sector who are making significant are designed to help inform decision making; they investments into AGPs. are not intended to provide the answer. There are many factors that need to be considered and these are set out in the Methodology.

8 See Appendix 3

9 See http://www.sportengland.org/facilities__planning/planning_tools_and_guidance.aspx

10 http://www.sportengland.org/facilities__planning/planning_tools_and_guidance/planning_kitbag/planning_contributions/ppg17/ppg17_companion.aspx

11 http://www.activeplacespower.com/

12 See http://www.sportengland.org/facilities__planning/planning_tools_and_guidance.aspx Methodology

How should this guidance be used? being based on informed discussion and agreement between these parties. The To decide which surface is the most appropriate methodology should be used to form the basis there is a clear 4 step process to be followed. for gathering the necessary information and These steps apply whether the proposal is to enable the relative importance of each sport to consider a specific site or area wide analysis. be established at each site or sites. If the study is for a specific site, it is still essential that the analysis starts at the first step The 4 step process below in Figure 1 gives and then moves on to consider if the site has users a clear indication of the steps required been identified in any strategies as a priority for and Table 1 overleaf provides the detailed a particular sport. Once this is undertaken, it process to follow and the information required; will help inform steps 3 and 4. where the information can be found as well as who can help provide the information. All users This methodology requires formal input from are advised to consider and address all of the NGBs and other key stakeholders involved. Its questions raised in Table 1, which can be ultimate success is dependent upon decisions downloaded from Sport England’s website13.

The 4 Step Process

SUPPLY and DEMAND ISSUES What are the issues of Supply and Demand that need to be addressed? 1 (This should include considering the quality and surface of existing facilities as well as the surface type of proposed new facilities)

STRATEGIC CONSIDERATIONS Has the site or sites been identified as a priority for a specific sport? 2 For example is the site to be developed as a ‘Centre of Excellence’ for a particular sport?

TYPE / LEVEL OF USE What type of use is proposed for the pitch by each sport? 3 (Competition / Education / Training) What standard of use is proposed for the pitch by each sport? (Recreation/Inter School / Local / Regional / National / International)

HOW MUCH USE How much use will there be for each ‘Type’ and ‘Standard’ of play for each sport? 4 (Percentage use/total hours)

Figure 1: The 4 Step Process - The questions that need to be asked when gathering the information required to decide what surface type should be selected at different sites or at an individual location.

13 Table 1 can be downloaded at http://www.sportengland.org/facilities__planning/planning_tools_and_guidance.aspx Table 1: Who can help with providing the answers and where can the information be found?

STEP 1 SUPPLY AND DEMAND ISSUES?

The Question/ Key Issues to be Who can provide help Where is the task considered and support? information likely to be found?

What are the Supply • Local Authority • Local facility registers / issues of Supply local facility audit • What pitches are oo Chief Officers and Demand that currently available and oo Planning Officers • Current facility need to be where are they located? oo Leisure Officers strategies addressed? • What type of surface • Local Sports Trust • Current sports (This should include do the pitches have? development / leisure considering the oo Sports development strategies quality and surface • What size are the team of existing facilities pitches? Do they meet oo Facility management • Recent playing pitch as well as the the recommended team strategies dimensions for the surface type of • NGB local / regional • Recent surveys proposed new relevant sports? officers • Active Places facilities) • What is the quality and • County Sports database life expectancy of these Partnerships pitches? • BSF Strategy for • PE & Sport Stakeholder Change documents. • Availability of pitches? groups • Current NGB • Local sports clubs Strategies/database Demand • Other • Club Development Plans • How are the existing oo School managers pitches currently used? • Facility Planning By who, for what and oo Local league secretaries Model National when? assessments. oo Sport England’s local • Are people having to office • Local area data - NGB travel unreasonable distances to use the pitches and why? • Will the site be a Development Area for any of the sports?

Unmet Demand

• Team generation rates • Development plans STEP 2 STRATEGIC CONSIDERATIONS?

The Question/ Key Issues to be Who can provide help Where is the task considered and support? information likely to be found?

Has the site or Sport Issues • NGB local / regional • NGB facility strategies sites been officers and NGB sub-regional • Have particular sports identified as a facility strategies / been identified as a • Local Authority officers priority for a reports priority for pitch use oo planning specific sport? and why? • Current local authority oo sports development facility strategies (For example is the • Are there any long term team site to be developed realistic plans and oo sports facility • Current sports as a ‘Centre of aspirations for the sport management team development / leisure Excellence’ for a or local clubs that need strategies particular sport?) • Local Sports Trust to be considered? • Recent playing pitch oo Sports development strategies team Site Specific Issues oo Facility management • Recent surveys • Are there particular team • FPM local scenario sites that have been • County Sports assessments identified for particular Partnerships • BSF Strategy for sports use and why? • PE & Sport Stakeholder Change documents • Are there any long term groups • Club Development realistic plans and • Local sports clubs Plans aspirations for the site / sites? • Other oo Sport England local Planning Teams STEP 3 TYPE/LEVEL OF USE?

The Question/ Key Issues to be Who can provide help Where is the task considered and support? information likely to be found?

What type of use For each sport identify the • Local Authority officers • Current local authority is proposed for type of use: oo sports development facility strategies the pitch by each • Competition team • Current sports sport? oo sports facility development / leisure • Education (Competition / management team strategies Education / • Training • Local Sports Trust • Recent surveys / Training) oo Sports development consultation What standard of For each sport identify the team • BSF Strategy for use is proposed standard of use: oo Facility management Change documents for the pitch by team • Casual/Recreational • Current NGB each sport? • NGB local/regional Strategies / reports • Inter school officers (Recreation / Inter • Club Development School / Local / • Local • County Sports Plans Regional / National / Partnerships International) • Regional • League records • National • PE & Sport Stakeholder groups • International • Other oo Local league Is a full size pitch required? secretaries STEP 4 HOW MUCH USE?

The Question/ Key Issues to be Who can provide help Where is the task considered and support? information likely to be found?

How much use • When will the sport use • Local Authority officers • League fixture will there be for above take place on oo Sports development requirements the proposed pitch/ each ‘Type’ and team • Business plans pitches? ‘Standard’ of play oo Sports facility for each sport? • What is the total management team amount of use in • Local Sports Trust hours? (Percentage use / oo Sports development total hours) team oo Facility management team • NGB local/regional officers • County Sports Partnerships • School management • Other What surface choices are there? 14 There are 6 preferred categories of AGPs recognised by the governing bodies and these are set out in Appendix 1. Users are strongly recommended to refer to further detailed information that is available from each of the NGBs on their preferred surfaces. Each of these surface categories have their own playing characteristics making them more suitable for some sports than others and in some cases not suitable at all for specific sports. The table in Appendix 1 is intended to indicate the suitability of each of the surface categories for each of the sports and where appropriate, the level of use. In addition, the table identifies the relevant performance standard that the surface must achieve. Prioritisation: The Decision Once all of the 4 steps have been completed and the information gathered, it is necessary to analyse the information and to identify which sport is the priority in terms of influencing the surface category. There is no simple mathematical formula that will provide the answer as to which is the priority sport. However, in most cases the answer can be arrived at by using common sense and discussing the case for each sport at a working group consisting of the relevant governing bodies and key stakeholders. The information gathered at Steps 3 and 4 provides the key factors in making any decision, with Step 3 being the most important i.e. a sport played at a higher competitive level will have more specific requirements for the playing surface. Where the level of use is similar, then the amount of use will be the deciding factor.

14 See Appendix 1 for the 6 preferred categories Conclusion

All the governing bodies involved in the development of this document believe that AGPs have a crucial role to play in the development of their sport and the importance of any plans being discussed with them at an early stage. This will enable them to provide appropriate guidance before any significant costs are incurred. This guidance provides the methodology for all stakeholders to research, check, challenge and be certain that the surface they choose is right for the sport and for the community. It offers the opportunity for cross functional working between NGBs, LA’s and other stakeholders which is of paramount importance if sport is to capitalise on the opportunities available. The document offers a starting point to a process which, if followed correctly, will lead to greater communication between sports and stakeholders ensuring that we can look forward to a future of the right sustainable facilities in the right places for the right reasons. Appendices

Appendix 1: Categories of Artificial Grass Pitches Appendix 2: Glossary of Terms

Appendix 3: References Long Pile 3G 65mm rubber lled arti cial grass and shock pad

Long Pile 3G Typical sublayer buildup* 65mm rubber lled arti cial grass and shock3G pad 55-60mm rubber lled Typical sublayerarti cial buildup* grass Long Pile 3G Typical sublayer buildup* 65mm rubber 3G lled arti cial grass and shock pad 55-60mm rubberDense lled Short Pile 3G arti cial grass Typical sublayer buildup* 40mm rubber lled arti - Long Pile 3G Typical sublayercial buildup* grass 65mm rubber lled arti cial 3G Typical sublayer buildup* grass and shock pad Dense Short Pile 3G 55-60mm rubber lled arti cial grass40mm rubber lled arti - Typical sublayer buildup* cial grass 25mm sand lled arti cial Typical sublayer buildup* grass and shock pad Long Pile 3G Typical sublayer buildup* 3G Typical sublayer buildup* 65mm rubber lled arti cialDense Short Pile 3G grass and shock55-60mm pad rubber lled arti cial grass40mm rubber lled arti - 25mm sand lled arti cial Appendix 1: Categories of Artificial Grass Pitches (AGPs) cial grass 25mm sand dressed arti cial Typical sublayerTypical buildup* sublayer buildup* grass and shock pad grass and shock pad Typical sublayer buildup* Pitch type Rubber crumb type Sand type TypicalWater type sublayer buildup* 1 1 1 1 1 Category Long Pile 3G Long Pile 3G Short Pile 3G Sand Filled Sand Dressed Water based Typical sublayer buildup* (65mm with shock pad) (55-60mm)Long Pile 3G(40mm)3G Dense Short Pile 3G 65mm rubber55-60mm lled arti cial rubber40mm lled rubber lled arti - grass and shockarti cial pad grasscial grass 25mm sand lled25mm arti cial sand dressed12mm waterarti cial lled arti cial grass and shockgrass pad and shockgrass pad and shock pad Typical sublayerTypical buildup* sublayer Typical buildup* sublayer Typical buildup* sublayer buildup* Comments Rugby surface suitable for Preferred football Acceptable surface for Acceptable surface for Preferred surface for High level competitive hockey on sports football surfaceTypical sublayersome competitive buildup* football competitive hockey and competitive hockey and and suitable for football Typical sublayer buildup* surfaces and hockey suitable for football training suitable for football training training if pitch irrigated Sport Dense Short Pile 3G Hockey mmmmmm mmmmmm lllmmm2 llllmm2 lllllm2 12mmllllll water2 lled arti cial 3G 25mm sand lled25mm arti cial sand dressed arti cial 3 3 40mm rubber4 lled arti 5 - 5 5 Rugby League llllmm llllmm llmmmm lmmmmm lmmmmm grasslmmmmm and shock pad 55-60mm rubbercial grass lled grass and shockgrass pad and shock pad Rugby Union llllll6 llmmmm7 lmmmmm5 lmmmmm5 lmmmmm5 lmmmmm5 arti cial grass Typical sublayer buildup* 8 8 8 9 Typical 9sublayerTypical buildup* 9sublayer buildup* Football llllll llllll llllTypicalmm sublayerlmmmmm buildup* lmmmmm lmmmmm

Typical sublayer buildup* 1 Key mmmmmm Not suitable for use Shockpad optional: often needed to meet appropriate performance requirements 2 Surface for modified games/training on but not suitable for Surface must comply with FIH Standard (insitu tested) lmmmmm serious training / competiton 3 RFL currently evaluating surface12mm standard water - see their website lled for latestarti cial information Surface for training/recreational use 425mm sand dressed arti cial llmmmm No full contact 5 grass and shock pad Surface forDense training and for Short some competition Pile 3G Can only be used for Tag and Touch Rugby / Handling skills lllmmm 25mm sand lledgrass arti cial and shock pad 6 Surface must comply with IRB type 22 with enhanced HIC requirement mm Surface for competition and training llll grass and shock7 pad 40mm rubber lled arti - TypicalRFU currently sublayerevaluating surface standardbuildup* - see their website for latest information m Surface for competition and training (regional / national) lllll 8 Surface must comply withTypical FIFA 1 star or IATSsublayer equivalent approval buildup* required cial grass 9 llllll Surface for high level competition/trainingTypical (national/international) sublayerSurface buildup* must comply with BSEN 15330-1 (2007)

Note: All users should refer to the individual NGB guidance, available on line, for specific information on the preferred categories Typical sublayer buildup* 12mm water lled arti cial grass and shock pad 25mm sand dressed arti cial grass and shock pad 25mm sand lled arti cial Typical sublayer buildup* grass and shockTypical pad sublayer buildup* Typical sublayer buildup* 12mm water lled arti cial grass and shock pad 25mm sand dressed arti cial grass and shockTypical pad sublayer buildup* Typical sublayer buildup*

12mm water lled arti cial grass and shock pad

Typical sublayer buildup* Appendix 2: Glossary of Terms

AGP: Artificial Grass Pitch

ATP: Artificial Turf Pitch

BSF: Building Schools for the Future

CSP: County Sports Partnership

FPM: Facilities Planning Model

MUGA: Multi-Use Games Area

NGB: National Governing Body

PPG17: Planning Policy Guidance 17: Planning for Open Space, Sport and Recreation

STP: Synthetic Turf Pitch

3G Pitch: Third Generation (3G) Pitches consist of long synthetic fibres infilled with a combination of rubber and / or sand granules specific to the performance characteristics required for individual sports. Appendix 3: References

European Standards: • BS EN 15330 Part 1 (2007) & Part 2 (2008) ‘Surfaces for Sports Areas - Synthetic turf and needle-punched surfaces primarily designed for outdoor use. (BSI online http://www.bsigroup.com/).

Hockey: • FIH Handbook of Performance Requirements for synthetic Turf Pitches • England Hockey Policy Long Pile Turf Pitches (3G), 1 August 2009

Football • FIFA Quality Concept for Football Turf Handbook of Requirements www.fifa.com

• International Turf Standard (IATS) FIFA guides to Football Turf developments http://www.fifa.com/aboutfifa/developing/pitchequipment/footballturf/documents/index.html

• FA Guidelines to AGPs FA Artificial Pitch Guideline http://www.thefa.com/GetIntoFootball/Facilities/Artificial_Pitches

• Floodlighting FIFA Guide to Artificial Lighting of Football Pitches www.fifa.com

Rugby League • IRB Regulation 22

Rugby Union: • IRB Regulation 22 http://www.irb.com/mm/document/lawsregs/regulations/04/21/57/42157_pdf.pdf

SAPCA • Code of Practice for the Construction and Maintenance of Synthetic Turf Pitches. (www.sapca.org.uk)

Sport England: • Artificial Surfaces for Outdoor Sport Technical Guidance Note • Active Places

• Active Places Power

• Facilities Planning Model Useful Contacts

Organisation Contact Tel / E-mail

England Hockey Board Bisham Abbey National Sports [email protected] Centre, Marlow, Buckinghamshire SL7 1RR

Football Association Peter Kay [email protected] Wembley Stadium, PO Box 1966, Senior Facilities and London SW1P 9EQ Investment Manager

Mark Pover [email protected] National Facilities and Investment Manager

Mark Liddiard 07984 003466 East Region [email protected]

Stuart Lamb 07932 391096 South East [email protected]

Mark Coulson 07904 177858 Yorkshire And The North East [email protected]

Simon Wood 07984 003460 South West [email protected]

Eamonn Farrell 07904 266696 North West [email protected]

Dylan Evans 07903 248817 London [email protected]

Matt Bartle 07960 148357 East Midlands [email protected]

Hannah Buckley 07960 148340 West Midlands [email protected]

The Football Foundation 0845 345 4555 Whittington House, 19-30 Alfred [email protected] Place, London WC1E 7EA Organisation Contact Tel / E-mail

Rugby Football League Carol Doran 07500 898159 Red Hall, Red Hall Lane, Leeds, RFL Facilities Manager [email protected] LS17 8NB Development

Rugby Football Union Rick Bruin 07738 029211 Rugby House, Twickenham Stadium, Funding and Facilities [email protected] 200 Whitton Road, Twickenham, Manager - London and the Middlesex TW2 7BA South East

Ross Baxter 00776 4960383 Funding and Facilities [email protected] Manager – Midlands

Ted Mitchell 07738 029212 Funding and Facilities [email protected] Manager – North

Dave Stubley 07736 722387 Funding and Facilities [email protected] Manager - South & South West

The Sports and Play Construction Colin Young 024 7641 6316 Association [email protected] Federation House, Stoneleigh Park, Warwickshire CV8 2RF Alternative Languages and Formats: This document can be provided in alternative languages, or alternative formats such as large print, Braille, tape and on disk upon request. Call the Sport England switchboard on 08458 508 508 for more details Acknowledgements:

Sport England is indebted to the individuals and organisations that have contributed to this guidance note with excellent advice, information and guidance. In particular (in alphabetical order):

England Hockey Board Rugby Football League Football Association Rugby Football Union Football Foundation The Sports and Play Construction Association

Disclaimer: Amendments, alterations and updates to this document may take place from time to time. When using Sport England Guidance you should always download the documents at the time of use in order to ensure that you are referring to the most up-to-date information.

This document is for information only. Whilst every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of this Guidance Note and all information contained herein, Sport England, England Hockey, The Football Association, The Football Foundation, The Rugby Football League, The Rugby Football Union and The Sports and Play Construction Association or their agents, shall not be held responsible or liable to any party in respect of any loss, damage or costs of any nature arising directly or indirectly from reliance placed on this information. The views expressed are not intended to take away or diminish the responsibility of the user to comply with current or future legislation and if there are any conflicts between the views expressed in this document and legislation, the latter takes precedence.

Issue Tracker: 001 – Initial Publication: July 2010 002 – Minor Amendment to Appendix 1 ‘Comments on sports surfaces’ for long pile: December 2010 Sport England 3rd Floor Victoria House Bloomsbury Square London WC1B 4SE

Tel : +44 (0)8458 508 508 Fax: +44 (0)20 7383 5740 Email: [email protected]

© Sport England, December 2010 Further Information:

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