Polymer pitch is star signing as rugby season gets underway

Welsh rugby team, the Cardiff Blues, has started its 2013/14 season playing on a plastic pitch.

The club decided to install an artificial playing surface at Cardiff Arms Park after excessively muddy conditions on the existing grass pitch were considered to be affecting the team’s performance. The new surface is designed so that water can drain through the system.

The pitch is made from FieldTurf Optimum polyethylene fibre, a soft, strong monofilament fibre that is said to provide a highly durable and long-lasting playing surface with a grass-like feel and resilience.

The polyethylene used in the fibres is specifically engineered to offer players a safe and comfortable surface. It is manufactured by extrusion to maintain the durability properties of each fibre.

Cardiff Blues Chief Executive Richard Holland said: “This is very exciting news for all Cardiff Blues supporters and indeed players in the region. The new surface will allow games to go ahead no matter the weather and hopefully enable us to play a more expansive and attractive game for supporters to enjoy.

“There is also the wider community to consider and our aim is to make the pitch available for teams in the Blues region to play and train on. We’ve put a great amount of effort into researching the different surfaces available and I have no doubt that the new artificial pitch of FieldTurf will be a hit with players and supporters alike.”