Stoke-on-trent sport and physical activity strategy 2009-2016

Synthetic Turf Pitches (STPs)Introduction132. This section considers the need for and proposals in relation to, synthetic turfpitches (STP) of all surface types. The main surface types are:• Sand-dressed or sand-filled with short pile – most suited to hockey, butusable for football. The ‘usual’ surface for school sites, and the longestestablished. These pitches usually have a turf length of 12 – 25 mm• Rubber-crumb with long-pile often known as 3 rd Generation or 3G – preferredsurface for football and rugby but, on the whole, not usable for hockey.These pitches have a longer turf length than the other pitch types.• Water-based – specialist hockey surface which can also be used for footballand rugby training. Usually have a turf length of up to 25 mm.133. Unlike sports halls and swimming pools, there is limited modelling currentlyavailable in relation to STPs, and there is no guidance as to national standards ofprovision from hockey or football. There is however a strong desire for such afacility by many schools who recognise the benefits for curriculum delivery,particularly where grass pitches are of poor quality.134. The future demand for STPs is difficult to predict as this is one of the fastestchanging‘markets’ in terms of sports, with a strong trend in adult football towardsuse of these surfaces instead of grass pitches. There is noticeable trend for thereplacement of sand-based pitches by 3G surfaces as they come forwards forrefurbishment. Regular review of provision will therefore be needed, andassessment undertaken at the local level to determine the ‘viability’ of newproposals.135. Currently the prime use of STPs, both large and small-size, is for small-sidedfootball and for football training although they are also used for other sports,notably hockey and rugby (particularly the 3G pitch type).Football136. The Football Association’s recommended dimensions for small-sided footballpitches vary for 5, 6 and 7 a-side pitches. However small-sided football is alsoprovided for on full-size STPs by sub-dividing the pitch, usually into three. SportEngland research has confirmed that the prime catchment area for large-sizepitches in urban areas is a radius of around 5 miles for football. This applies bothto 3G and sand-based pitches. Research is currently being undertaken by theNortoft Partnerships Ltd <strong>Stoke</strong>-on-Trent Page | 152Sport & Physical Activity Strategy 2009-2016October 2009