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England Hockey Policy – Long Pile Turf Pitches The aim of this Policy Paper is to publish National Governing Body (England Hockey) guidelines relating to the suitability of long pile turf, third generation or rubber crumb sports surfaces. Background Information: There are approximately 700 sand- filled or dressed hockey pitches and 50 water- based hockey pitches in England. Most have been installed in the past decade. Many of the sand-filled or sanddressed pitches are investments representing partnerships i.e. they involve arrangements made between clubs, schools and local authorities. A considerable number of these pitches are used for multi-sport activity e.g. hockey, football and tennis etc. In recent years a ‘third generation’ of artificial turf pitch has been developed. These are known as long pile turf pitches (due to the length of the turf). They have been adopted by the football community for training, amateur play and, in some instances, professional football. The football community – the Football Association and the Football Foundation (who regularly fund this type of facility development) are promoting these long pile pitches as being suitable for hockey. The International Hockey Federation (FIH) and England Hockey have repeatedly stated that these surfaces are NOT suitable for competitive hockey. Clearly, a long pile turf will perform very differently from a traditional sand filled, sand-dressed or water-based hockey pitch - a pitch with a turf that is designed for and tailored to hockey and other sport’s needs. In 2003, England Hockey commissioned Sports Labs, a reputable test house – recognised by the FIH to write a report on suitability of long pile pitches for hockey. They tested 4 long pile pitches of different makes. Their conclusions were that none of the long pile surfaces they tested were suitable for competitive hockey*. Only one – the ‘Megagrass’ system, could be used for non competitive hockey i.e. training at a lower level of the game. In addition to the work carried out by Sports Labs, England Hockey regularly consults with the FIH so as to keep in touch with any potential change or new development/s. FIH current guidance (October 2007) remains unchanged. It is that long pile turf pitches are not suitable for hockey. For further detail on the FIH guidance, please see www.worldhockey.org England Hockey’s Policy England Hockey does not support the use of any long pile turf pitch for any competitive* hockey. It (competitive hockey) must be played on surfaces recognised by the FIH as fit for competitive hockey. We advise all clubs and organisations, inclusive of local authorities, schools, colleges and universities that all artificial pitches being built for use that includes hockey, are not surfaced with long pile turf. Furthermore, we advise that smaller multi use surfaces (MUGAs), (if of the long pile turf variety) are not a preferred option for hockey teaching / training or community use. * DEFINITION OF COMPETITIVE HOCKEY – Any 7 or 11 a-side hockey match It is noted that access to long pile turf surfaces as a flat playing surface for introducing the game to beginners would be preferable to a poor grass or tarmac surface.
APPENDIX - Sports Labs Conclusions
Long pile turf surfaces are 20-25% slower. While the player easily propelled the ball the full length on the sanddressed surface, they struggled to reach the far 23m line (3/4 of the length of the pitch). The point of deceleration on the ball’s progress on the long pile turf averaged between 28-38m after which the ball was slowed by the rubber infill of the longer pile.
Once the hockey ball came into interaction with a divot (often as high as the toe of the hockey stick), there was evidence of the ball leaving the surface of the pitch or rapidly decelerating if the deviation was in the form of a recess. While not posing much of a danger, any bobbling ball will increase the chance of injury.
Close control became notably slower as the drag of the ball was increased by the dense fill and height of fibre.
The aerial passing test was the most encouraging ironically. When the ball landed over the defensive player, there was a realistic “on bounce” not disappearing too quickly and not stopping dead. There was the opportunity of continuous play from the aerial pass.
There was a greater tendency for the player pushing the ball to drag the stick over the top of the ball “missstriking” the ball. The ‘slap’ skill was easier to apply in contrast to the orthodox push skill.
There was a good under foot feel to the surfaces, notably those with engineered bases and under pads, which displayed consistent comfort and a uniformity of flatness.
The recommendations of Sports Labs were: 1.
Type of yarn There appears to be a preference for polyethylene yarn usage in both fibrillated tape and monofilament.
2.
Maintenance Maintenance of the surface 2-3 times per week is essential. This will involve a 2 to 3 hours visit dependant on infill used.
3.
Pile height 40-45mm max for hockey A pile height of approximately 40mm - 45mm would be the maximum pile height, which would be suitable for low level hockey training. It is not suitable for any competitive play.
4.
Use of shock pads Sites where a shock pad is used are more consistent with respect to ball bounce and generally the surface regularity is better.
5.
Type of infill should be topped up and checked annually. The type of infill used should be topped up regularly and checked, top-dressed annually.
6.
‘Megagrass’ type systems These are suitable for training but are not recommended for any type of *competitive hockey. Summary: This work thus concludes that of all third generation long pile pitches tested by Sports Labs, none were suitable for competitive hockey. Only one type of third generation long pile STP, i.e. the ‘Megagrass’ system, could be used for non competitive hockey i.e. training at a lower level of the game. Published by England Hockey
November 2007
