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THE state-of-the-art artificial pitch at Bahrain Rugby Club has taken a battering in recent days … not from burly players getting to grips in a scrum but mighty machines measuring its resistance to the extreme conditions of the kingdom.
The turf has had to undergo and pass a series of intensive computerised and hands-on tests, at a cost of more than BD3,500, to receive the official blessing from sporting international bodies to allow games to continue being played on it.
Bob Phillips, the club’s facilities manager, said: “During the season it is used more than 20-hours a week and regular maintenance is fairly simple so long as we keep it clean each day and machine-brushed fortnightly.
“Sandstorms are our biggest challenge and, of course, there cannot be many places where the artificial pitches have to cope with such extreme heat and endure the same kind of exposure to ultraviolet light.”
Manmade pitches have to be bi-annually scrutinised and certificated. The club’s turf, laid to standards approved by the International Rugby Board (IRB) to provide an all-weather multi-sports playing surface, has become the envy of sporting institutions throughout the Gulf region.
It was part of a ‘significant investment’ to upgrade sporting and clubhouse facilities in the run up to the club’s 40th anniversary celebrations.
The multi-purpose artificial turf was placed over an area of 112 metres x 70 metres on land that struggled to thrive as natural grass because of playing demands on the desert ground and harsh summer weather.
The ‘next generation’ surface, believed to have cost in excess of BD100,000, was specially-developed to allow for the more physically demanding game of rugby to be played without sportsmen and women suffering burn injuries, for example, like some soccer players endured when the concept was in its infancy.
Thanks to pioneering heat reflection technology and antimicrobial chemistry the latest turfs are considered safer than ever and should remain playable for rugby, soccer, field hockey, cricket, Gaelic Football and other ball sports for around 10 years.
International expert Grant Humphreys, 52, owner and laboratory director of Acousto-Scan Pty Ltd, which is based in Australia, was called in to put the BRC facility to the test. The company is an accredited Field Test Institute for the IRB and other sporting bodies and carries out tests in the Asia-Pacific region and the Middle East.
Mr Humphreys came armed with an array of equipment including a digital laser distance meter, an anemometer and temperature probe, shock-pad and ball rebound device.
“It is of paramount importance to test fields to ensure that every artificial surface provides the same level of safety, quality and performance as any good natural turf surface,” he said.
“The (3G) Third Generation of artificial playing surface has a lower surface friction so the players can slide or rather roll on the rubber granules in the pitch, therefore no burns.
“There are other positive side effects too that the mums of younger players often mention – when their kids play on the artificial turf there is no mud or grass stains to remove from their rugby kits after a game!”
Mr Humphreys says he was impressed by his visit to Bahrain and the club appears to have passed the challenge with flying colours. Certification should follow in the next few days following the results of standard laboratory sampling tests.
“It is a harsh environment for the rubber and the fibres but like a lot of manmade things, if it lasts six months it should last 10 years!” he added.
“The fibres are in a good condition which is due to the regular maintenance (grooming) of the pitch.
“The turf has passed all the tests I have performed so far, but I still have to do some checks in Australia.”
Club chairman Mehdi Honar said: “We are delighted. At the end of the day we strive to be a centre of sporting excellence and safety is an important part of it all.”
The popular club is not resting on its laurels, however. During the summer a further BD35,000 has been invested in improving facilities, including the creation of a new lounge, patio, children’s pool, an extension to the gymnasium as well as adding new shades across the facility.
Regular sporting activities resume after the summer break this week at the club with a range of junior rugby and soccer training sessions.
