21st May 2021
We are delighted that following testing by Labosport, Salesian College’s 3G Pitch has successfully retained its World Rugby Regulation 22 Certification, four years after the pitch’s construction in 2017.
The 3G artificial turf pitch was constructed by S&C Slatter and completed in March 2017 and also features fencing, floodlighting, a spectator area and equipment for rugby and football, all delivered by our in-house teams.
Salesian College is an independent Catholic grammar school for boys aged 11-18 with a co-educational sixth form. The school’s extra-curricular programme is an important part of its offering, with all newcomers to the school enjoying one games afternoon (the equivalent of two lessons) and one dedicated PE lesson per week as part of the year 7 curriculum.
With a busy programme of sports both within the curriculum and as part of the school’s extra-curricular offering, the school required an all-weather pitch that could handle both rugby and football, delivering consistent safety and performance standards throughout the year.
The 3G artificial turf pitch was constructed to World Rugby Regulation 22 performance standard in 2017, featuring a cutting-edge artificial turf system from our exclusive World Rugby and FIFA Preferred turf producer partners FieldTurf.
Named in honour of the school’s former headmaster, Patrick Wilson, the pitch was officially opened by Mr Wilson and former All-Blacks legend Sean Fitzpatrick in a ceremony followed by a match which saw the school’s First XV continue their unbeaten run in a fitting victory over Halliford School.
Re-tested in March 2021 by Labosport, the pitch encountered no issues during performance testing, passing with flying colours. The report confirms that the pitch continues to perform to World Rugby Regulation 22 standards, a certification it will now hold until 2023 when it will be re-tested again.
Salesian College’s 3G Pitch is just one of many World Rugby Regulation 22 Certified rugby pitches we have constructed, in exclusive partnership with World Rugby Preferred Turf Producer‘s FieldTurf.
You can see a selection of additional World Rugby Regulation 22 pitches we have constructed below:
One of a handful of Preferred Turf Producers, FieldTurf were selected by World Rugby as a company who “practice the highest possible standards of manufacturing in rugby turf”, “to assist facilities to identify to highest possible player welfare and performance standards”.
It’s not just about the surface, however. As with any true partnership, it takes the combination of our 30 years’ expertise in sports construction, with FieldTurf’s innovative artificial turf technology, to produce pitches built to World Rugby Regulation 22 certification, that continue to perform to that same standard year after year.
World Rugby Regulation 22 was introduced in 2003 to ensure that 3G artificial turf pitches are built to replicate the performance and safety of good quality natural grass, with sufficient durability. Most recently revised in 2020, the Rugby Turf Performance Specification produced by World Rugby is a “rigorous testing programme for artificial turf” that assesses safety, performance and durability and encourages the continual improvement of rugby turf.
2017 flashback as this magnificent pitch, the Wilson Pitch is created by @SCSlatter @SalesianFboro SalesianFboro @SalesianFboroPE as they say where the magic happens! pic.twitter.com/G0SE1aPPJy
— Salesian Fboro PE (@SalesianFboroPE) January 12, 2021
With the school’s fantastic approach to social media and video streaming, it’s been wonderful to see the Wilson Pitch be put through a rigorous testing of its own by pupils and the local community, with inter-house and inter-school tournaments for rugby and football held on the pitch alongside regular PE lessons, with Salesian College’s teams achieving fantastic results over the years.
We’re thrilled that the 3G Pitch has once again passed World Rugby’s testing programme, remaining World Rugby Regulation 22 compliant until 2023 when we’ll be excited to see the pitch re-tested once more!
S&C Slatter works exclusively with World Rugby preferred turf supplier FieldTurf to construct first-class rugby pitches for schools, universities and rugby clubs, including the Championship’s first-ever 3G Pitch at Coventry RFC.
Work with us to ensure your pitch is constructed to the highest standards of performance, safety and durability.
With in-house expertise across design, planning, construction and maintenance, get in touch now to discuss your rugby needs.
Call 01635 34521 or email info@sandcslatter.com
