Hockey Zero - When Paris comes to Auckland
Poligras’ full-circle carbon zero turf transformation at Lloyd Elsmore Park
Poligras Paris GT zero, the next generation Olympic turf, is the latest advance in Poligras’ breakthrough Green Technology (GT), made with 80% sugar cane and green power. This game-changing turf has just had its first installation in New Zealand.
Auckland Hockey Association choose Olympic upgrade
The largest city in New Zealand, Auckland, also hosts the country’s largest hockey association. The Auckland Hockey Association (AHA) was formed in 1903 and today boasts strong clubs and 400 teams across adult, youth and junior competitions throughout the year. Lloyd Elsmore Park has been the home of Auckland Hockey since 1991 and is a top-class facility that hosts numerous national and international tournaments.
So, when it came time to upgrade the turf, they turned to Poligras.
Marginal Gains
Marginal gains (that is, the theory that it is easier to improve 100 things by 1% than it is to change one thing by 100%) has been an influence in high performance sport for some years now.
The AHA could see the benefits in having Poligras Paris GT zero turf installed in Auckland in order to give current and future New Zealand and international players the edge.
“The sport must continually improve its sustainability, so choosing hockey zero was the best decision for players and the environment.”
Manoj Daji, Auckland Hockey CEO, is convinced that Poligras Paris GT zero will give players the best hockey experience:
“As well as providing our international team with the advantage of training and playing on the Olympic surface for Paris 2024, this incredible new surface will improve the quality of play for juniors and seniors alike and will attract new players to the sport. The sport must continually improve its sustainability, so choosing hockey zero was the best decision for players and the environment.”
As an internationally experienced coach Manoj also can’t wait to host international teams at Lloyd Elsmore Park in the build up to World Cups and Olympic Games, and to include coach and player engagement at open training sessions which has previously been done with the Netherlands and Spain.
The most advanced Green Technology
Poligras Paris GT zero is hockey’s first carbon-zero turf. Highly durable and eco-friendly, it is:
Made with 80% sugarcane
Manufactured with green energy
Incorporates a new backing for better CO2 balance
Saves 73 tonnes of CO2 compared with a conventional turf by using sugarcane as a bio-raw material for the turf’s fibres
Reduced Water
Our ‘Turf Glide’ proprietary technology reduces surface friction and means that with less irrigation than normal (saving on water usage and costs) or with only atmospheric moisture (rain, mist, dew) our turf performs like a premium wet surface – fast, fluid and flat.
This is ideal for training, junior hockey and non-premier club hockey. If there’s rain in abundance (this is Auckland, after all), the turf performs at Olympic level. As a hybrid turf, it gives the best of both hockey worlds.
Sustaining hockey’s future in New Zealand and beyond
Cody Linton, General Manager of Polytan New Zealand, says:
“As well as replacing the existing surface and shockpad with our greenest turf yet, we upgraded the lighting system which will provide a 40% reduction in power use. We have committed to a long-term partnership with Auckland Hockey, so we’re proud to be playing our role in sustaining the game in New Zealand. And as someone who plays hockey at a premier club level, I’m thrilled with what this means for the game overall. It is important for us to help the sport thrive, now and in the future.”
As a major supporter of the sport of hockey, Poligras has the largest turf portfolio, covering entry-level hockey facilities right through to Olympic level facilities.
Sport Group, which includes Polytan and AstroTurf, supports the most hockey federations, associations and clubs worldwide, and our turfs have been used at 11 Olympic Games, 12 World Cups and by 70% of FIH Pro League matches. Since 1976 and the first synthetic Olympic turf in Montreal, we have been hockey’s best partner, helping the game to grow – sustainably.
Learn more about Poligras Paris GT zero turf here.