Artificial Surfaces Allianz Park
One year on the game has changed
It has been one year since Saracens became the first top flight rugby team to install a synthetic pitch at their Allianz Park stadium. The anniversary of the move was marked last month, when Saracens beat Newcastle Falcons in the LV=Cup. A year which started with the club’s first victory on the surface over Cardiff Blues, saw the team finish top of the table
shifting in favour of artificial grass as a viable alternative following its subsequent installation at Arms Park, home of the Cardiff Blues. Speaking on how the surface has silenced
F
doubters, Allianz Park Stadium Director, Gordon Banks, said; “the most obvious endorsement of our judgement was the team finishing top of the league last year. Clearly that isn’t entirely
or a long time, debate existed on the value of artificial turf in rugby, with concerns surrounding the scrum, safety and performance. At present, it appears opinion is
down to the turf, by any means, but it completely negates any argument that the surface would adversely affect play”. “From a financial standpoint, other
professional clubs will spend up to £150,000 per season on pitch maintenance so, within four years, we would have saved significantly on the investment.” “Whilst I am pleased, more importantly,
the team is very happy with the turf and my board is delighted with what it has done for the club’s profit and loss.” The financial benefits of going synthetic
are arguably the greatest incentives for clubs mulling over the decision. Now that the turf has been proven to tick boxes of performance, play and safety, there are grounds to expect even more clubs, across a multitude of sports, to follow suit. The ability of artificial turf to generate
additional revenue is substantial, with some pitches helping to bring in over £200,000 per year in new
74 I PC APRIL/MAY 2014
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