Celebrating EXCELLENCE

The SAPCA Annual Conference and Awards Dinner 2026 will be held at the home of rugby, Allianz Stadium, Twickenham in February. It is the first time ever that the one-day conference will be held in London. With a packed educational programme, it promises to be a bumper event and will be followed by the SAPCA Awards Dinner

SAPCA members can now book their place at the SAPCA Annual Conference and Awards Dinner 2026, which will take place on Thursday 26 February 2026 at Allianz Stadium, Twickenham in London. It is a new venue for the event and offers delegates the opportunity to experience the “home of rugby” in an entirely new way. The one-day Conference, for SAPCA members only, will feature an exciting range of high- profile speakers and a highly topical educational programme, as well as plenty of networking opportunities. The conference keynote speaker will be John Mitchell, the England rugby women’s team coach, who led Red Roses to victory in the Women’s Rugby World Cup earlier this year. Gail Emms MBE, will return as our event host.

The topics covered in the conference programme session cover subject matters that are important to SAPCA members and to the sports facility sector as a whole. For more information on the programme, visit: [sapca.org.uk/events/sapca-annual-conference-awards-dinner-2026](https://sapca.org.uk/events/sapca-annual-conference-awards-dinner-2026).

SAPCA Awards Dinner 2026

The Conference will be followed by pre-dinner drinks and the SAPCA Awards Dinner later in the evening, both of which will take place at the same venue. The dinner provides a great opportunity for networking and for celebrating the quality and excellence of SAPCA members and their work while enjoying an evening of great food and wine.

Launched in 2015, the awards have grown from a single award to six categories, highlighting the high standards and positive impact of the work of SAPCA members. This year’s 12 finalists include a wide range of projects, products and people showcasing the expertise of the 270+ SAPCA members.

SAPCA CEO, Richard Shaw, said: “As well as technical excellence and overall quality, the awards also highlight the positive impact that SAPCA members, through high-quality sports and play construction projects, products and services, have on those who benefit from it the most – the people and communities who are the end users.”

The 12 finalists for the SAPCA Awards 2026

YOUNG PERSON OF THE YEAR

● Ewan McMullen, Chemique Adhesives At just 26, Ewan has demonstrated exceptional leadership and impact within the international artificial turf industry at a remarkably early stage in his career. He has spearheaded the conception, development and commercialisation of the Turftak brand, a comprehensive range of artificial turf adhesives engineered for residential, commercial and elite sports pitch applications.

● Liam Wilson, Surftech Surfaces Liam joined Surftech in 2019 when it opened its first manufacturing unit in Stanton, Bury St Edmunds. Since then, Surftech’s production and warehousing facility has grown from one factory space of 200sq m to six units covering 1,200sq m – with the design and structure having been overseen by Liam. In 2024 Liam’s hardwork and dedication was rewarded when he was made operations director at the age of 27.

SAPCA PERSON OF THE YEAR

● Patrick Daly, Kingfisher Lighting Patrick has made an exceptional, sector-wide impact on sports lighting in the past year. As Business Development Manager at Kingfisher, he has not only expanded opportunities for his own organisation but has strengthened the entire SAPCA community through collaboration, education, and leadership. He has actively supported numerous SAPCA members and his ability to build trust, share expertise and guide partners through complex lighting requirements has enabled the companies to enhance the quality and consistency of their installations, directly benefiting facilities and athletes nationwide.

● Tony Aitchison – Replay Maintenance Tony graduated from Nottingham Trent University in 1994 with an HND in Civil Engineering and went straight into a management scheme with the Charles Lawrence Group. He has worked in the industry for more than 30 years and has played a crucial role in the growth of Replay Maintenance and its journey – growing from a small division of Charles Lawrence Surfaces to a market leader with nearly 800 clients.

Event preview

AWARD FINALISTS

SMALL PROJECT OF THE YEAR

● Play Innovation – Two community MUGAs in Westminster, London Play Innovation has completed the full refurbishment of two MUGAs at Kennet House and Johnsons Place in Westminster. Delivered in one of the area’s most deprived and densely populated neighbourhoods, the projects prove that world-class outcomes do not require large budgets – they require thoughtful engineering, community-centred design and innovative play solutions. The inclusive facilities encourage participation and have created huge social value.

● Blakedown Sport and Play – Brighton Basketball Court Renovation Blakedown Sport & Play was appointed by Brighton & Hove City Council, in partnership with the Hoopsfix Foundation, to refurbish the iconic Brighton Beach Basketball Court — one of the most recognisable outdoor basketball spaces in the UK. The project demonstrates how a relatively small-scale refurbishment can deliver exceptional technical quality, strong partnership working, cultural importance and national impact.

PRODUCT OF THE YEAR

● Jupiter Play & Leisure – BoxUp

BoxUp is a modular, solar-powered equipment locker system that transforms public spaces into active play and sports environments. Designed to remove financial and accessibility barriers, BoxUp enables users to borrow a wide range of equipment such as footballs, rackets, skateboards and cornhole for free via the app, without membership or ownership costs. BoxUp’s integrated platform provides real-time data on usage, wear, and community impact, helping accurately inform return on investment.

● EnviroStik – Eco-Fix

Eco-Fix is an adhesive for synthetic grass sports and landscaping surfaces – and the first product of its type on the market to be produced from end-of-life synthetic grass carpets. Not only does this make it a more environmentally-friendly choice, but one which also gives a massive performance benefit. Its innovative recycled content formula meets or exceeds all governing body standards, such as FIFA.

SUSTAINABILITY AWARD

● Mapei UK Ltd – Mapecoat TNS Race Track Zero Mapecoat TNS Race Track Zero is a coloured acrylic resin for motorsport circuits, launched in June 2025. It is an easy-to-apply liquid resin, to be sprayed for circuit line marking, including the run-off areas. Mapei’s innovative Zero technology means the residual CO2 emissions of the product are fully offset.

● Notts Sport – CocoTurf

CocoTurf is the world’s first non-plastic artificial grass for play and sport, made entirely from natural, renewable, and recyclable materials. Using fibres derived from coconut husks bonded with natural rubber latex, CocoTurf replaces petrochemical plastics and eliminates microplastic pollution. Every square metre reuses fibres from ten coconuts, transforming agricultural waste into durable play surfacing.

LARGE SPORTS OR PLAY PROJECT OF THE YEAR

● S&C Slatter – The Arc, Burgess Hill, Sussex The Arc is a new outdoor sports hub for Burgess Hill, consist of a full-size 3G football pitch, full-size artificial turf rugby pitch, full-size natural turf football pitch, three small-size natural turf football pitches and an artificial cricket wicket with natural turf outfield. The Arc demonstrates technical excellence and is transforming sport within the community, with 22 local clubs - including five women’s teams - actively using the site. The project fulfils a long-held ambition of Mid Sussex District Council to address the area’s need for high-quality, year-round sports provision.

● Smith Construction (Heckington) Ltd – Bluecoats Sports Expansion at Christ’s Hospital School, Horsham, West Sussex The Bluecoats project included four panoramic Padel courts, a 400m six-lane athletics track with full field event facilities and the UK’s first “Get Active” outdoor exercise adventure trail. The development is a flagship example of innovation, sustainability, and community impact in modern sports facility design. This transformative development has created a vibrant multi-sport hub that celebrates inclusivity, environmental responsibility, and active living.