Artificial Surfaces Debate
Artificial Surfaces Debate
By Danny Thorogood
Turfgrass Scientists from around the world will be gathering in Llandudno for their 10th quadrennial conference meeting. This is the first time the International Turfgrass Society, a distinguished group of academics and extension specialists, have gathered in the UK since the inaugural meeting held in Harrogate in 1969.
Amongst the topics being discussed is the artificial pitch surfaces debate and Drs Steve Baker (Sports Turf Research Institute, Bingley) and Andy McNitt (Penn State University) will be presenting reviews of research on their use in the UK and USA respectively. In addition, two speakers from the UK sports industry will be presenting papers in this symposium. Graeme Tipp (Director of The Center for Sports Technology Ltd.) will be presenting the latest findings on Performance Standards for Synthetic Turf Sports Surfaces and Alan Penn (National Playing Fields Association) will talk on current and progressive increases in artificial pitch usage within the United Kingdom, addressing the issues facing sports managers. There will be time for questions and discussion following the talks.
The symposium will be held on Tuesday 12th July at the Llandudno Conference Centre, North Wales and will beging at 2.00pm. Lunch is provided at 12.45pm at the Centre. The total cost of attendance is £50 to include lunch and tea/coffee and biscuits. If you are interested in attending and hearing the latest views on this extremely relevant topic, please contact Russell Young (University of Wales, Aberystwyth) at ryy@aber.ac.uk.
12:45 Lunch
14:00 Chairman's Introduction
14:05 Graeme Tipp - Performance Standards for Synthetic Turf Sports Surfaces.
14:35 Alan Penn - current and progressive increase in artificial pitches within the United Kingdom.
15:05 Stephen Baker - Comparison of the playing performance of "third-generation" artificial turf surfaces with natural turf used for professional soccer.
15:30 Tea break
15:50 Andy McNitt - Synthetic turf in the United States - Trends and Issues.
16:20 Discussion