Artificial Hockey Pitch Construction
Competitive hockey has been played on synthetic pitches for many years at international, national, and club level.
Initially a costly outlay, a synthetic hockey pitch can provide invaluable investment returns to your establishment. We offer an extensive choice of surfaces, ranging from the elite water-based surfaces to sand-dressed hockey pitches.
McArdle Sport Tec are proud to be FIH Field Builder certified.
Installers must meet strict criteria set by the Fédération Internationale de Hockey (otherwise known as FIH), the official governing body for hockey, to achieve FIH Field Builder status.
Only reputable installation companies that have proven consistent and dependable industry standards, with the compulsory technical skills, recognised quality, reliability, and exemplary project record, achieve the FIH Field Builder accreditation.
Considering resurfacing your existing hockey pitch or a new synthetic hockey pitch installation, contact our knowledgeable team to find out more, including a non-obligatory quotation for refurbishment or installation costs.
SURFACE CHOICES FOR HOCKEY
Water-Based
Water-based hockey pitches are the elite hockey surface and highest specification recognised by FIH.
Infill: High density carpet which does not need any silica sand or infill material but requires application of water prior to play via an irrigation system or water sprinkler. Application of water improves playing characteristics, provides shock absorption, and reduces friction.
Field Certification: FIH Category 1 or Category 2 (Previously known as FIH Global Elite or FIH Global)
England Hockey: EH Category 1
Intended Use: International Tier 1 televised hockey (Cat. 1) or National & Tier 2 International competitions and training (Cat. 2)
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Certification: Stringent testing by an FIH approved test institute. Water-based hockey pitches can be certified to either FIH Category 1 or Category 2.
FIH Category 1: Certified fields satisfy competition requirements of the FIH International Tier One hockey events. The accreditation is valid for a period of 2 years before retesting is mandatory to maintain the FIH Category 1 Status. Note: Category 1 Certification is not usually administered to pitches over 5 years old due to the fact that they generally will not meet the aesthetic requirements for a Tier 1 televised event.
FIH Category 2: Certified fields satisfy FIH requirements for International and top-level national competitions. The accreditation is valid for a period of 2 years before retesting is mandatory to maintain the FIH Category 2 status.
To read the new FIH Hockey Turf & Field Standards, click here
Sand-Dressed
Sand-dressed hockey pitches are the most common and widely used type of artificial hockey surface.
Infill:The synthetic turf is typically 18–22mm in depth and partially filled with silica sand, leaving around 25% of the carpet pile exposed. The silica sand stabilises and supports the surface, while the visible carpet fibres give sand-dressed pitches a greener appearance compared to fully sand-filled options.
Field Certification: FIH Category 3 (Previously known as FIH National – Class 1)
England Hockey: EH Category 2
Intended Use: National & local competitions
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Certification: Stringent testing by an FIH approved test institute. Sand-dressed pitches can be certified to FIH Category 3.
FIH Category 3: Hockey pitch fields meet the FIH requirements for lower level, national, regional and club play. Pitch certification provides validity for a period of 2 years before retesting is mandatory to maintain the FIH Category 3 status.
To read the new FIH Hockey Turf & Field Standards, click here
Sand-Filled
Although sand-filled hockey surfaces are still in use, sand-dressed pitches have become more popular.
Infill: Sand-filled pitches have a longer carpet pile than sand-dressed or water-based surfaces. The pile is almost completely filled with silica sand, up to the top of the carpet, resulting in a denser playing surface.
Field Certification: FIH Category 4 (Previously known as FIH National – Class 2)
England Hockey: EH Category 3
Intended Use: Community and education sector competitions, and training
Continue Reading:
Certification: Stringent testing by an FIH approved test institute. Sand-filled pitches can be certified to Category 4.
FIH Category 4: Hockey pitch fields meet the FIH requirements for lower level, national, regional and club play. Pitch certification provides validity for a period of 2 years before retesting is mandatory to maintain the FIH Category 4 status.
To read the new FIH Hockey Turf & Field Standards, click here
CASE STUDIES
Find out more about our recent projects …
“Our aim was to install a first-class hockey facility and McArdle’s have delivered”
“We have been delighted to work with McArdle Sport Tec on the refurbishment of our main hockey pitch. Our aim was to install a first-class hockey facility and McArdle’s have delivered.”
Rob Deacock
“The surface looks amazing, especially using a different colour run-offs”
“Hazelwick School was pleased to have partnered with McArdle Sport Tec on the renewal and upgrade of our all-weather hockey pitch. The project was well managed and ran to time, despite the poor weather, meaning they anticipated the bad weather rather well! The surface looks amazing, especially using a different colour run-offs, and we even have the school crest logo’s embedded into the surround.”
