SYNTHETIC SURFACES
The range of design options
and surface choice for multi-
use games areas (MUGAs)
can be confusing. SAPCA’s
Colin Young highlights the
main considerations to
ensure the right choice for
a particular project
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t’s impossible to provide a sur-
face that will meet the preferred
requirements for every sport.
So when choosing a surface for
multi-sport use it’s likely some form of
compromise will be needed.
A multi-use games area or MUGA is
the generic term for a playing area that’s
used for a range of sports. Due to land
availability and financial considerations, suitability of different surface types for laid over a porous macadam base. Poly-
in most instances, it’s not feasible to the most commonly played sports in the meric surfaces are available in a variety
build a bespoke surface for each sport; UK. This document is under review, but of colours and specifications to suit users’
so choosing the right one is essential. the current version can be downloaded requirements. They’re commonly used for
free of charge from the SAPCA website, netball, tennis, basketball and athletics
Shock asorbency at www.sapca.org.uk training but can be used for other sports.
There are hundreds of surfaces on the Synthetic Turf
market and choosing the best one can The four main types of surface There are many types of synthetic turf
be difficult. The interactions between Open Textured Porous Macadam with a range of properties. Variables
the player, the ball and the surface all Porous macadam comes in many different include the polymer used, the cross-sec-
need to be considered. specifications and can be colour-coated tional area of the fibre, the method of
One of the most important issues to improve aesthetics and the playing turf construction, turf length, density
is the need for shock absorbency and environment. It allows water to drain and infill materials used, which can be
here there can be conflicting require- through it and as a result, can be used in sand and/or rubber.
ments between sports. On the one hand adverse weather conditions. Due to the range of options, many
there are benefits for participants in The exact specification of the mac- sports can be played on synthetic turf,
protection from injury, but too much adam will be dictated by the sport for however certain types are more suited to
cushioning can be detrimental to the which it’s designed. Sports that com- specific sports. For example, football and
performance of certain sports, such as monly use porous macadam are tennis, rugby are suited to 3G synthetic turf with
tennis, cricket, basketball and netball. netball and basketball, but other sports its long fibre length – normally in the
Governing bodies can provide guidance can also be played on the surface. region of 50-70mm, while hockey
on standards for their specific sport. Polymeric surfaces is suited to turf with a shorter fibre
Sport England and SAPCA have pro- These surfaces have a degree of inher- length – normally 10-30mm and filled
duced a detailed document outlining the ent shock absorption and are normally with sand. At elite level these surfaces
aren’t filled with any material but have
It’s important to consider the type of sports that will water applied to the surface.
be played on the surface; prioritise these sports and choose
Some systems, termed ‘hybrid’, meet
the requirements for football and hockey,
the most appropriate surface accordingly these have fibres typically 30-50mm in
Issue 3 2009 © cybertrek 2009 Read Sports Management online sportsmanagement.co.uk/digital 33
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