Gloucester Rugby are currently installing a brand-new pitch ahead of the 2018/19 season.
The pitch, described as a “significant investment”, will be a hybrid of artificial and grass fibres to maintain a better quality surface over the course of the season.
Gloucester Rugby media manager, Duncan Wood, says making the transition to a hybrid pitch for the first time in the club’s history has many benefits.
“What we’re doing this summer is that we’re actually changing the type of surface. Up to this point we’ve always been 100% grass, whereas now we’re installing what is called a HERO Pitch which is supplied by County Turf. It is a mixture of artificial fibres and grass fibres. That’s the difference this summer, we’re going away from 100% grass and we are going to be a hybrid of natural and artificial.
“Durability is going to be the key word. Basically, this will enable us to use the pitch more so we can stage more A League, more Gloucester-Hartpury women’s games and possibly some U18’s games as well.”
Wood also admits that it will help the club overcome problems of flooding, due to the improved drainage system that lays underneath the surface, whilst reassuring fans of concerns of a hybrid pitch due to recent reports.
“Gloucester has a notoriously high water table as evidenced with the floods, and our pitch can get quite heavy quite quickly during the winter months. One of the advantages of this is actually what sits below the surface, the drainage qualities will ensure us to have a drier pitch over the season.
“We won’t be able to use it as flat out as we would a 100% artificial pitch, the likes of which Newcastle, Saracens and Worcester use because they are the most durable. Although there are some negatives [with a 100% artificial pitch] which I’m sure you’ve seen in the press this week.”
“The work has already commenced as it started a couple of weeks ago, so phase one is actually coming to a close, to remove the remaining grass which was on the surface after that training session. That’s all been removed, drainage channels have been put in and at the moment vehicles are out on the pitch putting a couple of layers of sand out there. The next stage I believe is another phase of drainage work , more levelling, more sand and then they actually start sewing the seeds.”
