A SUCCESSFUL sports turf consultancy based in the Bradford district has entered into a strategic alliance to help create international-quality football facilities throughout China.

STRI Group, based on the St Ives Estate, in Harden, Bingley, has signed an agreement with Wanda’s Cultural Tourism Planning & Design Institute (CTI), the subsidiary company of Wanda Cultural Industry Group, which is China’s largest cultural enterprise.

The cooperation has been described as an exciting step forward for the Chinese football industry, as both parties – recognised as leaders in their respective fields – will create elite-quality football facilities across China.

Building on the regional success already realised in China by STRI and Wanda, the cooperation will firstly set new industry standards for football surfaces, then see the development of an elite R&D facility and design hub, supported by a new education offering.

STRI will support Wanda as their local design and project management company as they roll out ambitious plans for numerous football venues throughout the country.

The R&D centre will invite select industry stakeholders to have their products and systems positioned for validation and demonstration purposes, showcasing the very best in football pitch infrastructure and ongoing maintenance.

STRI’s design capabilities will be supported locally by their construction partner Tizan Turf Science.

Andrew Brooker, Company Director at STRI Group said: "The cooperation is an exciting step forward for the development of new stadium and training venues in China, enabling facilities to compete on an international level."

Mr Brooker added: "STRI Group are very pleased to have formed the cooperation with Wanda, who are now the world’s leading commercial real estate and sports company."

The parties intend to engage architects and engineers to collaborate on the exciting projects already identified as future developments, bringing in the best multidisciplinary teams to deliver world class venues.

Wanda CTI is excited for the future of Chinese football venues and is very happy to have partnered with STRI Group, a global leader in the sports infrastructure industry.

They are also very pleased that STRI’s teams can bring environmentally sustainable design ethics to the collaboration.

STRI was established in the UK in 1929 and now operates globally out of its three research and design hubs in Europe, the Middle East and Asia-Pacific.