subject: Fake It At Your Local Sports Club [print this page] Roy Hodgson and his England squad have endured a long couple of days after their qualifier in Poland was delayed 24 hours following a waterlogged pitch, the first time an England international has been postponed since 1979. Conditions on Tuesday night were deemed unplayable by the referee after Polish officials failed to close the roof of the stadium on time.
It is remarkable that such an instance can occur in 2012 but this is one of the major problems you face when torrential rain comes into contact with traditional grass and drainage systems are unable to cope with the deluge.
Sports clubs across the UK are certain to face similar problems over the next few months as not only can we expect prolonged periods of rain, but we will also have to contend with snow and extremely cold temperatures. This will lead to a string of postponements and a whole host of rearranged games, unless you decide to ditch natural grass and lay down astro turf in its place.
The words astro turf will be viewed in a negative light by many as they recollect the old astro turf for gardens of the 70s and 80s which used to feel coarse and was a poor imitation of the real thing. But technology has advanced hugely since those days. Synthetic grass of the 21st Century both looks and feels like traditional grass and provides a surface that you can utilise in any type of weather.
When it comes into contact with heavy rain it will not begin to cut up, become bogged down and allow water to sit on the surface, nor when it freezes will it become solid under foot and potentially injure competitors. It can see off all of this and continuously provide you with a soft and bouncy exterior you can rely on for years to come.
Another major advantage fake grass holds over real grass is that it needs no looking after. No mowing will ever be necessary so all your groundsman or woman will have to do is brush away any leaves that rest on top. Water bills can also be reduced as no watering is required to keep it dense and easy-going.
Any investment made into fake grass will result in long-term financial reward. It will ensure that you never have to experience a postponement and can always look ahead to those all-important weekend games.
