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TigerTurf launches a new video channel at TigerTurf.tv

This month sees TigerTurf launch a new online video site, TigerTurf.tv, giving customers, consultants, architects and others interested in artificial grass an easy to access reference website for videos of TigerTurf projects.

As well as the website, TigerTurf.tv is also available as a free iPad app and can be downloaded here or through AppStore on your tablet.

TigerTurf.tv contains five different sections: Sports, Landscape, Projects, Partners, and TenCate. Each section contains video content relevant to the heading.

  • Sports – TigerTurf videos showing sports pitch installations, interviews with sports facilities’ staff and other sport-specific clips.
  • Landscape – TigerTurf videos showing guidance for landscape installation and maintenance as well as other landscape-specific clips.
  • Projects – Videos featuring TigerTurf facilities.
  • Partners – Videos made by TigerTurf Partners.
  • TenCate – Videos made by our parent company, TenCate.

Across the five sections, TigerTurf will regularly add new video content to provide viewers with interesting and informative clips about our products and projects and the great work our Partners do.

If you have a TigerTurf video that you would like to see added to TigerTurf.tv, please email it to UKmarketing@tigerturf.com.

Hybrid system XtraGrass™ at the Ricoh Arena is a success

The hybrid system from TenCate, called XtraGrass™ is proven to be a success at different stadiums in the Netherlands and the UK where the pitch is used for soccer and/or rugby. After its first season at The Ricoh Arena,  XtraGrass™ has proved a hit with both players and staff at Wasps RFC and is more than ready for another exhilarating season of sports.

We visited The Ricoh for the last match of the season and filmed Wasps V London Irish to see for ourselves how the pitch had held up with dual sports plus a number of events that have taken place on it. We were very pleased with how it looked! Due to the strength and increased durability of -XtraGrass™ it can withstand dual sports play as well as single sports providing a 100% natural grass feeling and a green looking pitch all year round!Curious to see the hybrid pitch after a rugby match? Click here to watch the video

The XtraGrass™ pitch received some fantastic comments from Wasps:

“The pitch is very durable and very flexible, it’s a good, hard playing surface” David Armstrong, Wasps Group CEO

“Its always a nice surface to play on, we can play good attacking rugby on it” Jake Cooper-Woolley, Wasps Prop

“It suits our style of play, it’s a beautiful pitch” Dan Baugh, Head of Strength & Conditioning

With – XtraGrass™ already installed at a number of high profile venues including The Ricoh Arena, The Kassam Stadium and Vitesse (Netherlands) and installations taking place currently at The Lensbury Hotel and PSV, the hybrid pitch is proving itself to be an optimum playing surface in the world of professional sports.

 

 

 

 

 

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Field in a box™ ready for the Olympic Experience in Scheveningen

With the start of the Olympics 2016 ahead of us, NOC*NSF organized an Olympic Experience for all Dutch people that would like to experience the Olympics close to home. The goal of the event is to bring people together at one location where they can experience the Olympics but also practice the different Olympic sports.

TenCate has installed a Field in a box™ at the beach with a hockey pitch in front of  the container so all visitors can come and play hockey on the pitch. No need to bring your own gear as hockey sticks and other attributes are all taken care of! Are you curious to see how the Field in a box™ container was made? How did we manage to get it on the beach? Please watch the full video here:  box? Please Click here to watch the making of Field in a box. If you would like to know more about the Field in a box concept  Please visit our website.

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Artificial Turf Sports Development Engineer – KTP Associate, Technical Surfaces & School of Civil and Building Engineering, Loughborough University

An enthusiastic, innovative and self-motivated person is required for a Knowledge Transfer Partnership between Loughborough University and Technical Surfaces Ltd. The project involves development of a total pitch surface maintenance system, incorporating tests to measure the effectiveness of current sports pitch maintenance techniques on a range of synthetic surfaces, and support the development of future technologies.

A generous training budget is available to enhance the career profile of the successful candidate. The successful candidate will be employed by the University, but based at Technical Surfaces Ltd, Leicester.

You should have either Masters in Engineering or Materials Science, minimum 2.1 degree in Engineering or Materials Science or a closely allied discipline. Some experience of artificial surfaces, the sports service industry or similar areas is highly desirable.

The post is for 30 months and you will gain experience of a commercial research and development environment and may have the opportunity to register for a higher degree.

Informal enquiries should be made to Jon Gunn, Technical Director by email at jon.gunn@technicalsurfaces.co.uk, or by telephone on 08702 400 700. Or to Dr Paul Fleming, Sport Surfaces Research Group Leader by email at p.r.fleming@lboro.ac.uk, or by telephone on 01509 222616.

For further information on how to apply see: http://www.jobs.ac.uk/job/AOF005/artificial-turf-sports-development-engineer-ktp-associate-technical-surfaces/

Technical Surfaces Ltd

Technical Surfaces’ Rejeneration® restores St. George’s Park pitch

Technical Surfaces has completed a large-scale renovation of the ‘David Beckham’ community pitch at St. George’s Park, and in the process has enabled the surface to qualify for The FA’s 3G Football Turf Pitch Register.

The pitch, one of only two outdoor artificial surfaces on site, is now around 14 years old and plays host to a wide variety of matches and training sessions.

Technical Surfaces were originally contacted by St. George’s Park’s Head Groundsman, Alan Ferguson, to advise the best course of action to remedy the problems occurring on the surface. The pitch was being maintained regularly by site staff, and although it suffered no issues with drainage, the rubber crumb had become heavily contaminated throughout, clogged with soil pollutants, dust and fibre fragments. Rubber levels were also very inconsistent across the surface, and infill was beginning to break down, trapping and flattening the turf fibres. This compacted and contaminated rubber infill created a playing surface that was hard underfoot, with rubber dust particles leaving unsightly black marks on players and footballs.

The centre’s first thought was to replace the surface. However, following discussions with Technical Surfaces, they opted instead for our patented Rejeneration® procedure – the extraction and replacement of the rubber crumb infill being the best way to deliver a consistent playing surface, whilst providing value for money and extending the life of the existing surface.

Our Rejeneration® of the pitch began with the extraction of around 200 tonnes of infill, replacing it with fresh, clean rubber to help restore and improve playing characteristics such as traction, ball roll, rebound and force reduction. A defining feature of 3G pitches is their infill levels, typically 40-60mm, compared with 20-25mm in sand-filled surfaces. We therefore utilised our patented system for this process, developed to release powerful jets of air to allow for the removal of a greater depth of rubber.

The extracted rubber was not landfilled, but rather was re-used on site to reinforce running paths and routes across the park.

The Rejeneration® created a refreshed, softer surface with improved playing characteristics. The pitch has also been tested by our Research Engineer as part of his studies with Loughborough University and Technical Surfaces into the effects of maintenance on synthetic sports surfaces. The softer playing surface was evidenced by improved readings in force reduction and vertical deformation, as well as a reduction in vertical ball rebound. Traction was also reduced, owing to the looser state of the new rubber infill. The carpet fibres that had previously been trapped beneath the infill were now recovered, and the test results confirmed an increased ‘free pile’ height, allowing for reduced ball roll.

For Alan and the staff at St. George’s Park, it was vitally important that the refurbished pitch now adhered to official performance standards: vertical ball rebound and ball roll, which had previously failed the FIFA 1 Star performance requirements prior to our Rejeneration®, now passed the criteria for this standard. Furthermore, these improvements enabled the pitch to be included on the FA 3G Football Turf Pitch Register, following a successful test report conducted by Labosport.

The work carried out by Technical Surfaces of the Beckham pitch has dramatically improved the playability and allowed us to continue to provide users with an acceptable surface“, explains Alan. “This is all the more remarkable when you consider the surface is 14 years old. It has allowed the business the time to properly plan a replacement. I would recommend the process to other users with aging surfaces.

Technical Surfaces has helped bring many 3G pitches up to standard for either FA or FIFA accreditation. To find out more about our specialist maintenance services, call our National Office on 08702 400 700 or visit www.technicalsurfaces.co.uk.

Cruyff Foundation Turns To TigerTurf For New Community Sports Facilities

The Johan Cruyff Foundation has partnered with leading artificial turf manufacturer, TigerTurf, to install up to six children’s community sports pitches throughout the UK.

Thanks to funding from the People’s Postcode Lottery, the charitable organisation founded by Dutch football legend, Johan Cruyff, to give children the opportunity to play and be active, is expected to deliver outdoor playing areas manufactured by TigerTurf to schools and community areas around the country. Each ‘Cruyff Court’ is designed with the aim of encouraging children to get active and learn vital social skills such as respect, responsibility and integration through sports.

Introduced in 1997, the Foundation’s ‘Cruyff Court’ concept is a community leisure area measuring 42m x 28m and made using artificial turf. Every one of the new courts installed during its three-year partnership with TigerTurf will boast the optimum combination of durability, high-performance and safety for users of all ages.

Initially, the agreement is set to bring Cruyff Courts to six local areas; some of which in partnership with professional football clubs as part of their community outreach programmes.

Niels Meijer, Director of the Cruyff Foundation, commented: “The partnership with TigerTurf UK allows us to expand our activities in the UK. Being active at a young age is of severe importance for the development of a child. With the establishment of at least six Cruyff Courts, we are pleased that TigerTurf partners with us to provide state-of-the-art sport facilities in the UK so that more children can be active.”

Paul Langford, Managing Director at TigerTurf UK, added: “The Cruyff Foundation does a truly excellent job in encouraging children to stay active and healthy while learning vital social skills through sport. We’re honoured to have been approached to play our part in bringing some interactive spaces to schools and communities around the country.”

For more information on TigerTurf UK and its industry leading portfolio of synthetic turf, visit www.tigerturf.com.

Field in a box™ part of the Olympic Experience in Scheveningen

During the 2016 Olympic Experience on the beach of Scheveningen, the Netherlands, Field in a box™ will be shown to the visiting public as the Box full of hopes & dreams©. A temporary mini hockey court of 20 x 40 meters is constructed for the Dutch Olympic Committee NOC*NSF, and the Royal Dutch Hockey Association KNHB. Anyone that wants to experience the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro the best but has no ability to travel to Brazil this year, is welcome on the beach of Scheveningen, near The Hague. During daytime a variety of sports can be played under the guidance of more than 20 different Dutch sports associations, such as the KNHB. In the afternoon and evening, the 2016 Olympic Games in Brazil can be followed live on large screens, and can be enjoyed during media commentaries, other entertainment and the presence of former athletes and former Olympians.

The event takes place from 6 to 21 August and is intended for sports fans, families and other interested parties who want to experience the best of the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro from the Netherlands. TenCate organizes four special days for selected stakeholders and TenCate relations interested in the Field in a box™ concept.

Learn more about Field in a box™ op: www.fieldinabox.com

Learn more about the 2016 Olympic Experience: http://denhaag.com/en/event/40096/olympic-experience

Cruyff court installed at the UN head office in New York

Together with former Dutch soccer legends the UN ambassadors have played a tournament in June on the temporarily installed Cruyff Court. Even Dutch Minister Bert Koenders was there and participated during the soccer tournament.

“Sport, and especially football, brings people and communities together by emphasizing similarities and building bridges between different views, cultures and people. Football opens doors and makes things negotiable,” according to Minister Bert Koenders. The aim of the event was to raise awareness for the important role of sport in promoting peace, development, health and education. “On this day the unifying power of football symbolizes that the Netherlands is a partner for peace and development,” said Mr Koenders. The Cruyff Foundation and the KNVB WorldCoaches are joining forces to provide children from all over the world with opportunities to exercise. “That fits perfectly with the commitment of the UN to make sport part of programs for development and peace.”

TenCate Grass has been a longstanding partner of the Cruyff Foundation and produces the artificial grass fibers for the Cruyff Courts. There are now more than 200 courts worldwide constructed and this number will continue to rise in the coming months. Sport connects people and the Cruyff Foundation is aimed at inspiring young people so they can exercise together and develop themselves.

Continued Partnership for TenCate Grass and KNHB

The Royal Dutch Hockey Association and turf producer TenCate Grass will continue their successful partnership, which began a few years ago at the World Cup Hockey in The Hague. As part of the collaboration, the artificial turf hockey pitch for the new Wagener stadium by TenCate Grass will be equipped with the latest GreenFields® TX surface. This pitch will be built in time for the 2017 European Field Hockey Championships.

The state-of-the-art GreenFields® TX artificial turf pitch, is being developed in close collaboration with elite hockey players and will focus on the optimum properties for player performanceat top international hockey level.

Leading hockey System

Ton Raaphorst, Managing Director of TenCate Grass EMEA, is enthusiastic about the ongoing collaboration: “We are delighted that our excellent relationship will be continued with the KNHB. Along with the KNHB we strive for further sustainable development of our GreenFields hockey systems , aimed at optimum playability opportunities for both elite athletes and grassroots hockey in theNetherlands.”

A renewed partnership

Erik Gerritsen, Director of the KNHB, also welcomed the continued collaboration with TenCate Grass: “The KNHB strives to build long-term relationships with its partners, sponsors and suppliers. We are proud that TenCate Grass in the coming years will remain with us. The extended collaboration also assures us a good playing field for the European Championships in 2017 in Amstelveen.”

We will be at Sapca’s Sports Surface Symposium

We are pleased to announce that Recticel will be exhibiting at The Sports Surface Symposium, presenting re-bounce® shock pads. Our shock pads provide long lasting shock absorption, are tailored to outdoor sports surfaces to enhance player performance whilst at the same time providing comfort and safety.

We hope to meet you at this SAPCA symposium, a special one-day event that comprises a series of informative and educational seminars together with an exhibition featuring specialists in the design, construction and maintenance of sports facilities.

For more information and the full programme visit:
http://www.sapca.org.uk/events-exhibitions/more/27700/sports-surfaces-symposium