'Stadia won't be put out to grass' (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)

Bingley turf experts aid World Cup hosts

3:25pm Monday 7th June 2010 in Business By Chris Holland

Experts from West Yorkshire have been helping officials in South Africa to ensure that the World Cup venues will remain in good nick long after the tournament has ended.

Backed by the world football body Fifa, a comprehensive educational support programme has been undertaken by Bingley-based STRI (formerly the Sports Turf Research Institute), in a bid to ensure that playing surfaces remain in good condition once the world’s football stars have departed.

The company has been working with the World Cup local organising committee to oversee the preparation of ten showpiece stadium pitches, 32 training camps and 15 training sites across South Africa.

STRI has four consultants and four technicians based in South Africa and has provided guidance to more than 100 local consultants, contractors and ground staff to help them maintain playing surfaces in future.

In the run-up to the tournament, which kicks off on Friday, the West Yorkshire specialists have delivered a comprehensive training programme, an audit of machinery requirements and guidance of the growing materials required.

Experts ran a series of lectures and produced maintenance and management materials and carried out audits of mowing, aeration and manicuring machinery being acquired by each local municipality. In addition STRI provided advice on the application of maintenance products, soils and seeds tailored for each venue.

Richard Hayden, director of operations, said: “STRI’s brief was not only to deliver world-class playing surfaces for the World Cup itself but to ensure the maintenance knowledge was in place locally to last well beyond 2010. We have learned that, while the local consultants are well versed in rugby pitch preparation, there was not sufficient knowledge in terms of football pitch care.

“Part of our remit has been to convey that no two pitches are the same and each surface requires a bespoke maintenance programme.

“Our training programme has also addressed the fact that some of the stadia will be used for a range of sports after the tournament itself and has provided advice on the different maintenance programmes required to prepare the pitches for each individual sport.

“I am confident that the local expertise is now in place to ensure the legacy of the World Cup can extend to the playing surfaces and not merely the stadia and infrastructure itself.”

STRI has worked on more than 10,000 sports facilities in 32 countries, ranging from world-renowned venues to local clubs.

It employs about 80 people and has a turnover of £3.5 million.