University of Birmingham Commonwealth Games

McArdle Sport Tec sets the gold standard for elite hockey pitch facilities.

2022 will be remembered within the sports industry for hosting the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham; McArdle and partners TigerTurf, will remember 2022 for a whole different reason.

In the Spotlight:

We were honored to be involved in our second Commonwealth Games sports facility project.

McArdle installed the athletics track for the Manchester 2002 Commonwealth Games with Laing O’Rourke. In 2021, the University of Birmingham appointed McArdle Sport Tec with partners TigerTurf to extend and refurbish the existing water-based hockey pitches at Bournbrook in preparation for the 2022 Commonwealth Games. The elite water-based hockey pitches hosted the televised competition matches throughout the whole games.

McArdle & partners TigerTurf originally reconstructed the water-based hockey pitches in 2018, alongside the installation of ten new tennis courts and a World Rugby Regulation artificial grass pitch. Although the existing water-based surfaces were still in fantastic condition, slight adaptations were required to permit the facilities to host the games, involving extension of the run-off areas and changing the existing run-offs from red to blue to meet with FIH Category 2 standards.

Victorious in the finals, England Women’s hockey team defeated Australia bringing home a first-ever Commonwealth Games Gold medal with the England Men’s team winning Bronze against South Africa.

Built for success:

The FIH Global accredited TigerTurf WETT Pro Reflex Blue surface was specifically selected to ensure not only the carpet provided the optimum competition playing conditions, but the surface provided a better contrast against the ball for the televised games ensuring minimal glare and reflection.

WETT Pro is an elite water-based hockey system manufactured by TigerTurf in Kidderminster, just fifteen miles from the University. WETT Pro offers unparalleled performance and durability

McArdle Sport Tec was incredibly excited not only be working with long-standing clients The University of Birmingham, but to have our projects featured within world-renowned Commonwealth Games is an honor and a project which we will be proud to showcase for years to come.

Timeline:

2009: McArdle refurbish existing facilities to provide 2Nr water-based hockey pitches.

2017: McArdle & TigerTurf appointed to reconstruct and reorientate 2nr water-based hockey pitches, installation of 1nr World Rugby Reg 22 Artificial Grass Pitch and 10nr Tennis Courts

2017: McArdle appointed to construct a new 8-lane porous athletics track with natural turf infield

2021: McArdle & TigerTurf appointed to resurface and extend the existing water-based hockey pitches in preparation for the 2022 Commonwealth Games