Working Group - International Association for Sports Surface Sciences

ISSS role in assisting UEFA in drafting its Manual for Artificial Turf Surfaces for
UEFA Competitions
Establishment of the working group
UEFA, at the 2001 ISSS AGM, asked the ISSS if it would be willing to assist UEFA in
the drafting of test methods for inclusion in the specification it was in the process of
preparing for artificial turf surfaces for use in UEFA competitions.
The ISSS Chair tabled a motion, which was passed at the AGM, that the ISSS
establish a small working group to work with UEFA and that the group comprise:
Dominique Boisnard of Labosport SARL, France (Scientific Member and member of
CEN Technical Committee TC 217)
Alastair Cox of Centre for Sports Technology, United Kingdom (Scientific Member
and member of CEN Technical Committee TC 217)
Juan Dura of Institut de Biomechanica de Valencia, Spain (Scientific Member and
member of CEN Technical Committee TC 217)
Hans-Jorg Kolitzus of Institut für Sportbodentechnik, Switzerland (Scientific Member
and member of ISSS board)
Preparation of the UEFA manual – role of the ISSS
Prior to approaching the ISSS UEFA, and their consultant Rolf Hediger of STS
Sportfloor Technology Service (ISSS Individual Member) had commissioned a series
of tests on natural turf and artificial turf surfaces. These tests were undertaken by
several Scientific Members of the ISSS and the data generated by them forms the
basis of the UEFA requirements for artificial grass surfaces. The task of the ISSS
working group was therefore to prepare scientifically precise test methods that would
ensure levels of reproducibility and repeatability that are appropriate for the
properties being measured and the intended use of the artificial turf surfaces at the
highest levels of professional club football. The working group’s role did not include
the establishment of UEFA’s requirements or the selection of the parameters to be
measured.
During 2002 the working group met three times, once by itself and twice with UEFA.
All other discussions took place electronically. Initial draft test methods for each
parameter selected by UEFA were prepared and following review and approval by
the working group these were submitted to UEFA for comment. Following review by
UEFA and a meeting with the ISSS working group UEFA, via their consultant,
incorporated the tests methods into the UEFA draft manual as Part 2 Section 2. The
entire draft manual was then issued by UEFA for comment to all interested bodies
that had previously expressed an interest to UEFA in their work. The bodies
consulted included ISSS scientific members, national football associations,
manufacturers and contractors.
All comments relating to test methods were collated by UEFA and referred to the
ISSS working group for review and assessment. The ISSS working group prepared
a paper detailing its appraisal of each comment and presented these at a meeting
with UEFA to allow UEFA to assess the validity or otherwise of the comment / ISSS
view.
Following review the final draft of the UEFA manual was prepared and circulated for
editorial approval. The first edition of the manual was published by UEFA in

November 2002 and presented to the sports surfacing industry at the 2002 ISSS
technical conference held at UEFA’s headquarters at Nyon, Switzerland.
The UEFA manual may be downloaded from UEFA’s website at
http://www.uefa.com/Uefa/index.html
Conclusion of ISSS – UEFA working group
The publication of the manual concluded the role of the ISSS working group and
UEFA formally notified its members of its thanks for the work undertaken and the
positive outcome of the partnership between UEFA and the ISSS. UEFA also stated
that whilst it would wish to retain a close relationship with the ISSS it was
establishing an UEFA Expert’s Panel for artificial turf surfaces, to advise the UEFA
Executive Committee during its two year programme of monitoring artificial turf
pitches, including the five pilot pitches part funded by UEFA.
UEFA Expert’s Panel
The size of an UEFA Expert’s Panel is limited by UEFA’s constitution to up to eleven
members, all of whom have to be endorsed by the national football association of the
country in which the member is based. The UEFA Expert’s Panel for Artificial Turf
comprises representatives from national football associations and clubs (5), UEFA’s
Medical Committee (2) sports bio-mechanics (1), sports surface test houses (2) and
UEFA’s external consultant. Four of the members are also members of the ISSS
helping to ensure the link between UEFA and the ISSS is maintained.
Assessment of the role of the ISSS in working with UEFA
Overall the role of the ISSS and its working group can be seen as very positive;
UEFA has established a set of detailed test procedures in less than twelve months,
whereas CEN has failed to achieve a similar goal in twelve years; the publication of
detailed test procedures has been welcomed by a number of national football
associations who have adopted them for use in the own national standards for
community use artificial grass football pitches; manufacturers are generally happy
that there is finally a set of test methods that avoid discrepancies between
laboratories; an ongoing relationship has been established between UEFA, one of
the worlds most influential and powerful sports governing bodies and the ISSS; the
ISSS profile within the sports surfacing industry has been raised.
Whilst a small number of ISSS members may feel they were placed at a commercial
disadvantage by not having prior knowledge of the final document prior to
publication, this is almost inevitable when a working group is established. To try and
minimise such concerns it is recommended that any future ISSS working groups post
updates of its work on the ISSS web site (members only section to retain
confidentiality of the ISSS partner). It should, however, be noted that the members of
the working group undertook their work at no cost to the ISSS and the ISSS made no
charge to UEFA. Whilst possibly creating greater transparency within the ISSS the
organisation needs to be careful that it does not impose unrealistic demands on the
time and resources of the members agreeing to represent it, or budget for
remunerating members for their time and expenses.
Alastair L Cox
CST

7 th January 2004