INDUSTRY UPDATE

A look at the latest news making waves across football at grassroots level

Innovation: non-infill synthetic surface TigerTurf has created a durable, non-infill synthetic sports surface that offers performance and player comfort. Developed with unique fibre combinations, the new Pure PT surface is soft to the touch without compromising player stability, ball roll or grip.

The fibre density, shape and length of the yarn guarantee a longer lifespan compared to traditional football surfaces. One of the first installations of Pure PT has now been completed in Norway.

“We’re excited to share that Pure PT is now in use at sports club Fet IL in Norway,” a spokesperson for TigerTurf said. “Pure PT is a 100% non-infill turf and is designed to offer exceptional player comfort while demonstrating remarkable durability and playability.”

Atle Søgård, General Manager of Fet IL, added: “We are very satisfied with our new non-infill football pitch. The players think the pitch feels very similar to good quality natural grass and the ball behaves very well.”

Mark Harrod offers FA-affiliated football clubs up to 20% discounts on goals Mark Harrod Limited has been at the forefront of football goal and sports equipment manufacturing in the UK for nearly two decades. Catering to sports clubs, equipment buyers and coaches, the company offers wide range of products – from target goals and stadium goals to training equipment and team shelters – tailored to meet the needs of any club, from grassroots to the Premier League.

A Made in Britain member, SAPCA member and a Football Foundation-approved supplier, the company is now offering FA-affiliated clubs discounts of up to 20% on selected goals. For more info, visit [https://www.markharrod.com/](https://www.markharrod.com/)

Could cork infills be the future of 3G pitches? As the sports industry shifts toward sustainability, Amorim Sports, a company from the Amorim Group, is leading the charge with cork-based infills, a natural, renewable, and recyclable alternative that meets the highest standards of performance and safety. Cork, harvested from the bark of cork oak trees without harming them, offers a range of benefits over synthetic options. Not only is it 100% natural and freeof microplastics, but it also contributes to reducing the environmental footprint of artificial turf systems.

Cork’s natural properties provide excellent thermal insulation, minimizing heat retention on the field and reducing the need for water and energy to maintain optimal conditions. Amorim Sports cork-based infills have already been successfully implemented in various sports facilities worldwide, from professional football, rugby, and baseball stadiums to school sports fields.

Rap star Stormzy opens #MerkyFC to tackle racial inequality in football jobs

One of Britain’s biggest rap stars, Stormzy, is on a mission to shine a spotlight on jobs in football off the pitch and to address the racial inequality in the industry.

To follow his #Merky music label Stormzy has launched #Merky FC – with the “FC” standing for “football careers”. The musician recently opened the brand new #MerkyFC HQ in Croydon, south London. The facility combines a football pitch, recording studio and gaming centre built in partnership with sports good and apparel giant, Adidas.

Speaking at the launch, Stormzy said: “You’ll see plenty of black players but you see much fewer black referees and black commentators or managers. I’ve always thought, no, we’re so much more than that. If we had the avenues to become all those other things, I’m sure we’ll be able to do that.” Adidas’s Steve Marks added that young people from across London will be able to use it to take part in football and “explore creative passions in music, content creation and esports”.

SIS Pitches partners with Cumberland FA as grass pitch maintenance provider

SAPCA member, SIS Pitches, has secured a new partnership with Cumberland FA providing Cumberland Clubs with access to natural grass maintenance services.

The collaboration provides Cumberland FA with a pathway to support its local clubs with access to knowledge, advice and services from an established maintenance company. Clubs will benefit from access to services such as verti draining, overseeding and sanding.

Cumberland FA’s Craig Lewis said “We are extremely excited to announce SIS Pitches as our grass pitch maintenance provider. The opportunity to work with such an internationally renowned organisation is something we are extremely proud to be able to do. As a company based in our county, we hope to provide our clubs with access to a service which can be tailored to their needs and delivered by experts on our doorstep.”