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Artificial Turf

05 December 2012 | SAPCA

A World First in Turf for Desso and the Vikings

The playing field at the Stobart Stadium Halton, home of Super League Rugby side Widnes Vikings, has become the first ever artificial pitch to pass field tests for the highest playing performance standards to Rugby League (RFL Stadium Standard), Rugby Union (IRB Regulation 22) and Football (FIFA 2*) - all in the one facility.

First rugby league stadium with artificial turf

The Stobart Stadium became the first rugby league stadium field in the UK to adopt artificial turf earlier this year when installing Desso iDNA artificial grass.

The clubs re-admission to Super League in 2012 meant they were looking to install a top level playing surface to attract high profile players who would be able to play and train on the same facility. But as well as top level performance for Rugby League, Widnes'' were also committed to offering other sports to the local community as part of their new business plan for the stadium.

Steve O''Connor, Widnes Vikings Chairman commented "Our primary aim was to create a top level field for Rugby League but we were also keen to be able to offer as many sports as possible for the community to benefit from."

Accredited for Rugby League, Rugby Union and Football

"Once the pitch was installed, the on-site testing proved we had achieved our primary goal," Mr O''Connor states. "However, we also knew that a number of other sports could be played to a high level. The recent modification to Rugby Union (IRB) and Football (FIFA) field testing criteria means that those results can be made official."

"To have the only artificial turf pitch in the world that meets the highest possible playing standards for Rugby League, Rugby Union and Football at our disposal is something we are very proud of. We believe it will greatly assist us in acquiring and developing Super League players, whilst we can also offer a state of the art facility to the community."

The pitch was constructed in January 2012 and includes the new top level Desso iDNA artificial turf system, laid on top of a unique shock absorbing layer. Mr O''Connor continues: "A lot of credit must go to Desso Sports who developed this exceptional and unique system in such a short space of time."

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