Surface innovation at Perth Hockey Stadium
Leading Australian turf and artificial turf specialists HG Sports Turf has given an overview of its installation of a GreenFields TX surface at the Perth Hockey Stadium.
With client Hockey WA wanting to install a superior turf system for the Australia men's team and women's team to train and compete on (similar to surfaces used at the International Hockey Federation [FIH] World Cup or Olympic Games), HG Sports Turf were given a brief to replace the old synthetic turf surface and underlying elastic layer at Perth Hockey Stadium Field #2.
The chosen solution was the GreenFields TX turf system, the turf used at the 2014 FIH World Cup, a surface that meets all requirements that modern, fast hockey demands, specifically:
• High rolling speed of the ball
• Identical ball roll in all directions
• Low friction properties, suitable for sliding, thanks to TenCate Monoslide LSR® fibre technology
• Texturised 10-end monofilament, unparalleled density, perfect stability and footing
• Strong, flexible fibre, ensuring optimum positioning of the stick under the ball
• Rebound dampening, causing the ball to remain low to enable perfect ball control
• Maximum shock absorption, reducing risk of injury
GreenFields TX has been developed in close collaboration with technology specialist TenCate and top hockey players with a view to playing modern, fast hockey to global standards. In recent years, TX has been tested extensively by clubs playing at the highest level. Based on hockey players' experience, the TX system was further refined to create a system that has now been recognised as hockey's top surface by World Cup organisers.
TX is a unique loose laid system, meaning the synthetic turf is not directly stuck to the elastic layer. This protects the elastic layer and allows it to be re-used for future turf installations.
As constructed, TX is designed to withstand the extreme temperatures of Perth, and the fact that the turf and elastic layer are not connected (glued) to one another gives the surface a true, straight ball roll and a reduced ball bounce during play.
As noticed by players, this separation between the turf and elastic layer prevents the surface from becoming "too bouncy" as is often the case with glued systems.
TX is made with three backings, a UV stabilised primary backing, a fibreglass rotary weave backing, and a glass/polyester reinforcement backing which provide unrivalled dimensional stability in the turf.
In addition, TX is secured at the edge of the pitch, with a unique clamping system that can be reused for future turf installations.
For HG Sports Turf, the original scope of work required lifting and disposing of the old turf and elastic layer and the installation of a new elastic layer, turf and clamping system, all before Christmas and in time for the return of Australia's men's and women's teams.
However, the scope of works expanded significantly once it was determined the old elastic layer varied in depth from 40mm to 10mm to compensate for an uneven asphalt base.
In quick time, HG Sports Turf re-levelled the asphalt layer through profiling of the old asphalt, corrected with new asphalt, and paving the surface with a new DG asphalt layer using Pave-Set technology.
Click here to contact HG Sports Turf via their entry in the Australasian Leisure Management Supplier Directory.
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