Basingstoke’s Carbon Zero Olympic Hockey Turf
Forward-thinking UK Hockey Club embraces a more sustainable future for the game.
Basingstoke Hockey Club is making waves with its innovative and world-leading hockey turf, identical to the one set to provide the sport’s biggest stage at the upcoming Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
Poligras Paris GT zero turf is the world’s first and only carbon zero hockey turf and has also been FIH Innovation-certified for dry hockey.
This state-of-the-art surface (the world’s greenest synthetic turf) marks a significant milestone in sustainable sports infrastructure, putting Basingstoke Hockey Club at the forefront of hockey innovation.
The UK’s first dry hockey pitch installation
Basingstoke Hockey Club has made history by being the first in the UK to install a Poligras Paris GT zero turf from Polytan.
The club could have replaced their old sand-dressed turf with another one but saw the performance benefits of the new ‘play wet / play dry’ crossover performance of the Poligras Paris turf.
The new technology means when dry, the Paris turf plays better-than-sand, but when there is atmospheric moisture, such as light rain or dew on a cool night, the turf transforms to Olympic level performance.
The Paris turf also retains moisture for an extended time, so during the hockey season with cool temperatures, cloudy days and consistent moisture, the Basingstoke teams will regularly be playing on an Olympic quality surface.
From grassroots to Team GB
Founded in the early 1950s, Basingstoke Hockey Club is home to nearly 500 members, fielding six women’s teams, six men’s teams, five youth teams and a mixed team.
The new playing surface has already begun transforming the experience for players of all ages, from six to over 60 years. The club prides itself on its thriving junior section, supported by strong links with local schools, dedicated coaching and top-notch facilities. The addition of the Poligras Paris GT zero turf propels this forward-thinking club into an exciting new era.
The club recently hosted the Team GB men’s hockey team for a training day in early May, giving the squad a good idea of what to expect from the Paris 2024 pitch at Stade Yves-du-Manoir in Colombes, Paris.
Basingstoke Hockey Club vice-chair Claire Bowman said it had been an "absolute privilege" to welcome the GB Men's Hockey Team. "To have the Great Britain men's hockey team train at our club is a testament to the quality of our facilities and the warm hospitality of our community.”
A milestone with a broad reach and certifications to match
The transformation of Basingstoke's hockey pitch began in January, replacing the old artificial surface owned by Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council at Down Grange Sports Complex.
The installation of the new Poligras Paris GT zero turf, designed by Polytan in conjunction with consultant Wes Bugg from Surfacing Standards Limited, and completed by AS Sports, was a meticulous process.
The turf now meets the National Category 3 certification required for National League hockey, and the FIH Innovation standards for dry hockey.
Basingstoke & Dean Borough Council said: “We have replaced the old artificial pitch with a brand-new playing surface that is the first of its kind in the country and will be used for hockey at the Paris Olympics this year.”
“To have the Great Britain men’s hockey team train at our club is a testament to the quality of our facilities and the warm hospitality of our community.”
A celebration of innovation and community
To inaugurate this ground-breaking pitch, Basingstoke Hockey Club hosted a Pitch Party (with a quintessentially English combo of gin, bingo and a BBQ) on the weekend of March 23. This event celebrated the completion of the UK’s first ‘dry’ hockey pitch and marked a significant moment for the local community.
Ashley Appleby, International Sales Manager at Polytan, commented:
“The Poligras Paris GT zero turf is a true effort of pioneering work across Sport Group and Polytan and we’re delighted to see it in action from local club level to the world’s biggest hockey tournaments. Delivering the UK’s first ‘dry’ hockey pitch is a step forward for the sport in these environmentally conscious times and making sure the players have the best surface possible is a key part of it.”
The Poligras Paris GT zero turf is a ground-breaking combination of modern engineering and environmental innovation. Developed by Sport Group's chemists and engineers this revolutionary turf is the world's first carbon-zero hockey turf. Its creation aligns with the Paris 2024 Olympic Games' ambition to be carbon-neutral and reflects a broader commitment within the global hockey community to adopt sustainable practices.