# Football

The rise of artificial turf football and rugby pitches for community sports and in schools and public parks provides more access to more people all year round.

The rise of artificial turf football and rugby pitches for community sports and in schools and public parks provides more access to more people all year round.

## Faqs
What type of turf is ideal for football fields?

In football, there are multiple types of turf options available, depending upon yarn shape, pile height, density, stitch rate and similar. Usually, for products with infill of sand and rubber, a pile height of 40mm to 60mm is used. However, there are new generation fields that only have a small dressing of sand and here pile heights between 30mm and 40mm is sufficient, owing to a much thicker density of yarn that has a thatch as well, again using yarn. Conscious manufacturers like TigerTurf, with best-in-class R&D facilitates, have developed turf with even more superior performance, longer usage and durability. The XP yarn, a patented technology of TenCate and a TigerTurf product, gives you an unlimited yarn durability warranty and one of its unique features is that play is possible non-stop, 24 hours a day. It is also all footwear friendly (save metal spikes/studs). Care should be taken to verify the origin of the product and manufacturer and confirm that the material is heavy metal and lead free. A critical factor would also be the type and thickness of yarn and equally important would be the credibility of the company supplying/installing and a check to be maintained of individual level of thickness of both the stabilizing infill as well as performance infill. One should also read the fine print of the warranty terms and conditions as to the actual number of playing hours covered under the warranty.

How does artificial turf compare to natural grass for football?

Even though natural grass is the conventional surface for football fields, artificial turf has evolved as a viable alternative option providing many advantages compared to natural grass fields. TigerTurf does not need watering making it an environmentally conscious product. Artificial turf from TigerTurf also gives extended hours of play as compared to natural grass fields that are actually only used for matches and rarely for training. In the long run, turf from a reputed manufacturer and installed as per norm, is a cheaper option compared to natural grass.

What certifications or standards does the football turf meet?

The most common certification is FIFA Quality/Quality Pro though it is a combination of many parameters that should tick the box when it comes to sustained, high quality play. You need to start with the sub-base that needs to have the required tolerance with optimal drainage, amongst many factors. Next is not just the selection of turf, but also the workmanship and correct level of infill, where required, using the right materials. A documented maintenance regime needs to be followed as well, for anything is only as good as how you keep it, and use it for the purpose that it is intended for.

What is the process for installing the turf on a football field?

The process for installing the turf on a football field, assuming one has prepared the sub-base along with the drainage system, is simple. You need to unroll the turf as per pre-prepared roll-layout plan. This is followed by seaming the rolls using specialised glue and tape. Then you have those line markings that have not been tufted in the manufacturing process and have to be cut in. Depending upon the product, you have the infill of sand and then SBR. Once these are done, you install the goals and corner flags, and then clean and handover to client.

Is turf suitable for professional, amateur and school-level football fields?

Yes, turf is definitely suitable and actually meant for professional, amateur and school level football fields. Where water is scarce, or it is difficult for grass to grow, and thrive, turf is the only alternative. In fact, the world-over, turf is the only go to when it comes to training and practice and even matches. Play is possible even when wet, or right after rains. The turf is impervious to extremes of temperature and weather. The right quality turf from a conscious manufacturer and installed for purpose ensures value for money.

Can the turf be customized for different field dimensions or logos?

Yes, turf is usually customized as per field dimensions to ensure minimal wastage. Logos of any type and colour can be made and it uses the same yarn and type as the football field thus preventing any trip hazards. .

Do you offer solutions for indoor football facilities?

While turf can be used both indoors and outdoors without any worry, there are other surfaces also on which football is possible, in case there is a requirement.

Are there options for shock-absorption layers for player safety?

Shock absorption layers usually come in the form of pre-formed rubber rolls or pads poviding a high level of cushioning and can be simply rolled over the sub-base. These pre-formed pads usually also last 2 life cycles of the turf on top, thus proving to be very cost effective.
There is also the additional option of TenCate Sine pads that are made of cross-linked closed cell polyethylene foam enhanced by a unique woven construction. It not only provides shock absorption, but also has excellent drainage properties in vertical and horizontal directions.

How long does it take to install a football field turf?

If we are talking of the time to install the turf, a full-sized football field will take between 2 to 3 weeks of clear weather to install. Smaller futsal fields, of course, will take a much lesser time. This also depends upon the type of product and infill standards, where applicable.

Can the turf be installed over existing natural grass or concrete surfaces?

Synthetic turf should not be installed over an existing natural field. Grass has roots and other organic matter that can grow through the turf and this will affect play and decrease the longevity of the turf. Further, natural fields become wet and muddy and will not provide a firm underlay for the turf to be laid on and this leaves to a safety hazard. Football fields using turf require an inexpensive dynamic base (crushed rock) along with sub-soil drainage and there also a strong possibility of rain water harvesting. Smaller fields can be installed on a concrete surface and one has to ensure that the surface has the necessary slope for the water to drain off and that the planarity is maintained so that there are no wavy lines or risk to injury owing to an uneven surface.

What is the cost of installing a football turf?

The cost of installing a football turf depends on the size of the field, the location of the field and also the type of product being used. If we are talking only of the installation cost of turf for football, the range will vary from Rs. 40 per sqft to Rs. 60 per sqft.

Does the turf come with a warranty? If so, what does it cover?

Yes, all turf should normally come with a warranty but one has to be very careful of the fine print and the warranty terms as laid down in the document provided by the manufacturer. TigerTurf products are unique as there are some that come with an unlimited yarn durability warranty and this means that you can literally play 24 hours a day – something that no other manufacturer provides.

Are there long-term cost savings compared to maintaining natural grass?

A proper football turf from a manufacturer using the right raw material offers long term cost savings compared to maintaining natural grass. For one, there is no watering or fertilisers required to maintain turf and neither is there any need of sunlight. The number of hours of consistent play that turf provides is also multiple times that which is possible on natural grass. So, if you work out the cost of ownership and compare the number of hours of play, turf works out to be far more economical than natural grass and that too without any stoppage time. And if you are using the unlimited yarn durability products from TigerTurf, then there can no other viable cost saving option, that turf. Plus, there is the ecological impact of water savings and doing away with chemicals and pesticides.

Are all football turf all-footwear friendly?

TigerTurf football products, using XP yarn, have a warranty that extends to all footwear being used on the football turf (except metal studs/spikes). The unique construction of this fibrillated yarn ensures that the tips do not split and hence the high degree of continuous play and the excessively long warranty.

Is it necessary for all football turf to have infill?

Conventional turf has a stabilising infill of sand and performance infill of rubber, new generation turf has emerged and leading manufacturers like TigerTurf have non-filled turf systems that conform to all playing conditions that the game requires without compromising on player safety. Further, this is also much cheaper on maintenance.

Do you have football turf on which one can play 24 hours a day without impacting the warranty?

Only TigerTurf, with its patented XP yarn technology, comes with a 5 years unlimited yarn durability warranty which allows you to use the turf non-stop, 24 hours a day! TigerTurf fields in India have lasted over 12 years with the same high consistency of play as when the field was installed on day one!

Do you have football turf that is free from micro-plastics?

While there are products that are free from micro-plastics, especially the new generation non-infill products, you know that you are using a truly environmentally conscious and “green” product when you are playing on TigerTurf.

" The turf installed by Altius Sports provides a truly world-class surface for various sports ranging from football, badminton, volleyball, cricket, athletics to kabaddi and kho kho. It serves as a giant water harvesting plant, doing great service to the community by replenishing the water table season by season. Goes without saying that it has transformed our ever balding and difficult to maintain green patch into a delightfully inviting, dust free zone that everyone rushes to given any free moment. "

Meenakshi Sahni

Principal - Modern School Vasant Vihar

" We have no doubt that their work has contributed very positively to the vision that we are at the DSK Dream City Pune have for the future of developments of sports in India. "

Brig S.K.Sharma

Director & CEO - DSK Dream City

" Altius Sports has been more than a business partner for Paro Football Club. We are deeply thankful to them for fully committing their time and resources to complete our project on time and in budget. Moreover, they have helped the club further by sponsoring the kit used by the club players. I wish them all the best in their future endeavors and have every confidence that they will keep growing because of their dedication to customer service, their willingness to go the extra mile and for always prioritizing customer satisfaction over their bottom line. "

Karma Jigme

President - Paro Football Club, Bhutan

" Congratulations to Altius Sports on completing 10 successful years! Their TigerTurf, installed at our Naval Tata Hockey Academy, Jamshedpur,is really helping our players to improve their technique and playing skills. The turf is fast and pushes the players to learn to play a fast game. Another important thing is that the pitch holds water very long, helping us conserve water and contribute our bit to the environment.Having got our FIH Global certificate renewed till 2021 recently, we are happy with the quality of the pitch and hope to continue our successful association with Altius Sports in the coming years. "

Neelam Babardesai

Head of Sports - Tata Trusts

"The American International School Dhaka contracted Altius Sports to do our renovation project on our soccer field. The timeline for completion was followed very closely and final deadlines were met. The school is very happy with the work Altius Sports did and everyone enjoys the field. The new turf meets our standards and the drainage system works much better than our previous field. We had huge storms with a great deal of rain over a 2 day period and the drainage worked beautifully as the rain water was absorbed without puddles on the field."

Steve Herrera

Superintendent - American International School Dhaka, Bangladesh

"Lincoln Schools partnership with Altius Sports has helped change the face of our campus and given our students opportunities to participate in a wealth of sports and activities on our multi-sport surfaces. Our all-weather turf football field was installed in 2016 and performs as well as it did on day one. Additionally, our multi-sport outdoor court helps students perform in sports like tennis, basketball, futsal and volleyball. In sum, the facilities have given us the freedom, flexibility and tools to help develop our students skills in a safe and highperforming environment."

Luke Davis

Director of Advancement - Athletics & Aquatics, Lincoln School, Nepal

"Altius Sports had installed TigerTurf at Jio World Garden in the year 2014 -15, which is one of the largest installations of its kind. The quality of the turf is excellent and we have hosted a lot of different types of events some even involving movement of cranes (with due protection) on the turf. The quality and workmanship of installation is excellent. We wish Altius Sports the very best"

Rajmal Nahar

Senior Executive Vice President - Reliance Industries Limited

" I would like to place on record our appreciation for the sports surfacing provided by Altius Sports for the basketball, tennis and multi courts in the campus which has ensured enthusiastic participation by the students and a good sporting atmosphere. On completion of 15 successful years by Altius Sports, we wish them great success in future endeavours and are very pleased to have been a part of their journey. "

Alok Chandra

Chief Administrative Officer - IIM Calcutta

" At the American International School Chennai (AISC), we see learning spaces as the third teacher. Since 2012, Altius Sports has been our mission-aligned partner on the re-design and renovation of gymnasiums, playgrounds, a running track, soccer pitches, turf tennis courts, and the list goes on. At AISC, we prepare students for the future and Altius Sports has helped us make that possible. "

Andrew A. Hoover

Head of School - American International School Chennai

## Testimonials

#### Ashok Rathore | Founder & Director - Oscar Foundation

Oscar Foundation is a football development non-profit organization dedicated to empowering children and youth in low-income communities in India.

#### TBC Park Aizawl, Mizoram

Set on a hilltop with a breath-taking view, this pay n play facility has encapsulated the interest of the people of Mizoram.

#### Tashi Namgyal Academy - Gangtok

Altius Sports designed synthetic turf surface for Tashi Namgyal Academy in Gangtok. The first in Sikkim to get the TigerTurf upgrade.

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