HG Sports Turf take on Desso Sports Systems
HG Sports Turf has announced its distributorship of Desso Sports Systems' artificial turf and reinforced natural grass products.
Belgium-based Desso Sports Systems design and develop reinforced and artificial turf playing surfaces for football, Australian Rules football, rugby, hockey, tennis and cricket.
In just a few weeks, their Desso GrassMaster system will make history at two match venues hosting the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa. The reinforced grass system, installed at the Peter Mokaba Stadium at Polokwane in the Limpopo Province and at the Mbombela Stadium in the city of Nelspruit (where Australia will play Serbia on 23rd June) will mark the first time that FIFA World Cup matches will be played on partially artificial grass pitches. The Desso GrassMaster system is a 100% natural grass surface, with artificial grass fibres injected into it enabling the roots of the natural grass to intertwine with the artificial fibres and anchor the field in order to create a stable and level grass surface.
Desso Sports Systems are also a leader in artificial sports turf being one of only five global manufacturers designated as a FIFA Preferred Producer. In March 2010 HG Sports Turf, installed two Desso 'Ambition' artificial turf football pitches at the Australian National University (ANU).
As ANU Project Manager Jeffrey Albrecht explains "the new artificial turf surface exceeds the University's expectations in terms of providing a very competent multi-purpose playing surface and addressing environmental concerns associated with traditional artificial turf. The environmental benefits of the new playing surface over earlier generations of artificial turf include: odorless, non-toxic and significantly cooler - for heat absorption and radiant heat.
"The Ambition system provides exceptional value for money when you consider the shock pad and infill material can be used for two innovations of artificial turf and this also enhances the product's environmental credentials.
"Desso's local partner, HG Sports Turf who undertook the work provided exemplary service and ongoing support; working around the many site constraints and delivering the project to a high standard on time."
The artificial turf replaced two natural turf pitches and has increased the playing hours of each pitch from 500 hours to 2,000 hours per year. The new artificial turf pitches have passed all relevant artificial turf standards (FIFA, IATS, IRB, FIH, AFL, Cricket) and accommodate all levels of competition and training, including Premier League Football. One pitch was recently certified FIFA 2 Star â a world first for the Ambition system.
The playing characteristics of Ambition are likened to those of a well kept natural grass pitch â players find it consistent and comfortable to play on. Desso artificial grass is soft to slide on and Envirofill infill and ProPlay shock pad are forgiving under-foot. Envirofill has many benefits over traditional infill products - less heat, smell, splash, instability and compaction. With Envirofill and ProPlay, the performance and playing characteristics of each pitch will be preserved. Envirofill and ProPlay have a life expectancy greater than 20 years, or generally speaking two artificial turf installations.
The project incorporates a 500 kilolitre underground water storage system which harvests rainwater from the pitches for reuse in the surrounding landscape. Based on Canberra's rainfall this Stormtech system is capable of recycling 5ML of water per annum. The Stormtech system removes 85% of total suspended solids and over 49% of phosphorus and other pollutants ensuring that high quality water is available for reuse. Due to the artificial pitch conversion, 15 millilitres of water previously used to irrigate the old natural grass pitches will now be saved.
HG Sports Turf can be contacted on emai: info@hgsportsturf.com.au, www.hgsportsturf.com.au
