Pitchcare Classifieds USED MACHINERY
Used Turfcare Machinery 01283 704664
Email:
enquiriesderby@boughton.co.uk www.boughton.co.uk
The Malta National Stadium
the boatload from Rome. Local sand didn’t have the properties needed plus, as Victor explained with a knowing smile on his face, the Maltese authorities weren’t too happy with the prospect of losing their already limited number of beach areas!
I learned later that, in the early days of the stadium, the then grounds team used to make trips to the beach areas during the night to shovel sand on to a lorry, which was then used on the pitch.
The biggest challenges to the grounds team are the lack of rainfall and the very high summer temperatures they have to face. Winter temperatures hover around the 10O
C mark
but, in summer, they can be 40O
C plus.
Not surprisingly, such variance in temperatures puts the turf under great stress. The stadium has an automated irrigation system, operating perimeter and three portable sprinklers for the centre of the pitch, which can use up to 23,000 gallons of water per day at the height of summer.
However, at the moment, there is not a species of grass capable of withstanding these
temperature extremes, which is why the stadium pitch undergoes a complete re-seed twice a year. These operations take place in May and October,
with an American fescue mix used in readiness for the summer fixtures, and a four way ryegrass mix (MM60) to do the winter shift.
Apart from totally scalping the pitch in May, to give the fescue a better chance of establishing, the two renovation processes are exactly the same. The pitch is cut as low as possible, scarified and hollow tined; the cores are then broken up, with the surface levelled before the pitch is re-seeded followed by the sand dressing. The irrigation then comes into its own, especially in May, to ensure the seed germinates. From start to when the games are being played again is not normally more than four to five weeks.
It’s a very impressive turnaround from an equally impressive grounds team.
If looking after the island’s teams wasn’t enough, they also have to prepare the stadia and training area for numerous international and European club teams who use Malta as a base for their mid-winter breaks. The change in scenery, milder weather and the opportunity to savour the wonderful Maltese hospitality can give teams a timely boost for their end of season run-in.
Hmm, I wonder if they could accommodate Wolves for a few days ...
Tel: 01621 892907 Email:
upsonmowers@tiscali.co.uk WEED CONTROL
Tailormade weed control programmes
• Single application • Contract spraying • Any size area, any situation
Always a good selection of used equipment Tel: 01260 224568
Email:
info@campeyturfcare.com www.campeyturfcare.com
UPSONS RECONDITIONED MACHINERY ROLLERS • MOWERS • TRACTORS • SCARIFIERS 100’s of mowers in stock, trade prices, warranty
The Malta Football Association’s Training Ground
Advertising in this classified section costs as little as £200 a year. Telephone: 01952 898516 or email
peter@pitchcare.com
We also offer a complete maintenance and renovation programme for amateur and professional football and rugby clubs, racecourses and golf courses.
01744 885098
Mobile: 07711 004000 Email:
info@rainford.com www.rainford.eu
FEBRUARY/MARCH 2013 PC 143
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