On July 10, 2025, Brad of IGFH joined a group of turf professionals at Loughborough University for this year’s SIS Pitches Grounds Management Forum. Hosted by the SIS team, the day brought together grounds staff, coaches, and turf specialists from cricket, football, rugby, and education, all keen to see the latest in hybrid surface development.
The day opened with an overview of how SIS is evolving its structure. Attendees got a look behind the curtain at how the company splits its operations—maintenance, construction, stitching, and more—and how each feeds into the delivery of high-performance pitches. The team gave a good breakdown of how they’re using new materials and methods, including a biodegradable synthetic that’s designed to break down in the profile rather than be removed or recycled.
The morning continued with a live demo of SIS’s newest hybrid grass machine on a cricket square, followed by a full tour of Loughborough’s world-class facilities. The group visited two artificial pitches and the main stitched stadium surface, a natural grass field reinforced with 5% synthetic fibre. This is a familiar technique in elite sport that surfaces added strength without losing the natural feel players prefer.
After lunch, the group attended a panel session featuring Keith Kent, former Head Groundsman for the RFU and Manchester United; Charles Baxter, Head Coach at Loughborough; and Andy Mackay, ECB’s Pitches and Grounds Advisor. The discussion covered some familiar ground, including sustainability, performance, and pitch wear, but also looked at the challenge of keeping coaches and groundstaff on the same page. Charles offered a coaching perspective, stressing the importance of understanding what hybrid systems can and can’t handle. Just because the pitch can take more matches, he said, doesn’t mean you can play a game on it every day. You still need a realistic schedule, with a maintenance routine that reflects the level of use.
One of the big takeaways from the day was the growing importance of communication between departments. Coaches want reliable pitches, and grounds teams need time to deliver that reliability. New tech can support both sides, but only if everyone’s clear on expectations.
The event was also a good chance to catch up with familiar faces, including Greg Smith from the University of Nottingham and David Newall from Reading FC, plus plenty of the SIS team including Alan Thomson, Dean Gilasbey, and Toby Clarke.
For IGFH, attending events like these helps us keep informed with the direction sports turf is heading and gives us a chance to stay connected to the people and ideas shaping its future.