Derby County FC hybrid training area

Training goalkeepers on hybrid grass POWERgrass 

The interview of Sean Goodwin on Turf Business, Turf Matters, Pitch Care and Gazon Sport Pro h24

The Project

The project provides for the construction of a training area of 3000 square meters. The hybrid system offers a resistant and performing field with significant savings on annual maintenance costs compared to a natural grass field because no divots are formed. The hybrid pitch can be used for matches and training up to 20-25 hours per week during turf growth period.

Talbots did a successful installation

If used intensively all year round, you can expect to play on natural grass during spring, summer and autumn. During the winter, with the reduction of temperatures, the vegetation stops and the grass density is going to be reduced in those areas where foot traffic is concentrated. However, the field can also be played on synthetic fibres until the next spring when new buds sprout from the crowns of the plants, thus, within a few weeks, the field is transformed back into natural grass in the same way as it is in nature.

The hybrid system allows a longer lifespan and easy maintenance. The synthetic fibres are protected by natural grass from exposure to UV rays from the sun, which causes the plastic to age prematurely, so it lasts well over 50% longer than a fully synthetic pitch.

The hybrid system has no expiry date. Compared to a natural field, any human error, biotic or abiotic stress can be recovered with a few maintenance interventions within a few weeks and therefore does not involve any sudden risk that requires costly extraordinary maintenance interventions. Compared to a synthetic field, it does not require the reintegration of the infill or the peremptory replacement of the field within 8/10 years. The hybrid system is always renewable, even when the synthetic fibres are consumed because, over time, it becomes progressively more natural with less reinforcement from the synthetic fibres.

The hybrid field solution

Quick and easy installation 

The hybrid pitch consists of an innovative system that has taken a further step forward by integrating natural grass into a specially designed synthetic turf; natural grass becomes predominant over synthetic grass, reducing all other plastic parts (rubber, mats). This is possible thanks to a hybrid grass system with resilient fibres well bound to a specially designed backing.

The resilient synthetic fibres protrude 20-25 mm on the surface to protect the plant crowns from intensive wear. During germination, they shade the shoots against UV-B rays from the sun, preventing the seedlings from drying out.

The backing has an open, three-dimensional and uniform structure that acts as an anchorage point for the roots that penetrate it from the first period of growth. The evaporation of water under the backing is reduced and in addition offers an insulating effect to the underlying roots, protecting the most delicate part of the plant from drying and temperature changes in summer and winter.

POWERgrass hybrid system gives a new meaning to the word "hybrid field" where it can be used immediately by playing on synthetic turf because the fibres all protrude to the surface or playing on reinforced natural grass that grows vigorously right between the fibres of the synthetic turf with numerous mutual benefits.

The system combines the comfort of natural grass with the strength of synthetic turf, offering more play, more safety and a 12-year warranty.

Low maintenance with positive environmental impact

Uniform emergence balancing air and humidity

Our team has developed the HEALgreen maintenance method based on the teachings of regenerative agriculture for turf care. The method brings considerable benefits because it involves the most appropriate use of mineral nutrients and biological therapeutics and the reduction of the use of pesticides, until their complete elimination. The growth of the turf for sports use, has as its main limit the intensive foot-traffic because it compresses the porosity by altering the physical properties of the soil, binding the gas exchange between the soil and the air. However, aerating the surface and releasing the soil regularly ensures the gaseous exchange (CO2 ⇄ O2) necessary for biological processes. In the well aerated, draining substrate, microorganisms proliferate and mineralise forms of nutrients inaccessible to plants, both among those present in the soil and those supplied with fertilizers. On sunny days, by frequently mowing the natural grass and letting the clippings settle on the soil, some of the nutrients are returned to the circle through biological activity.

From an environmental point of view, there are many reasons to use the HEALgreen method, which can be summarised as follows:

1. capturing the fine dust and thus purifying the air,
2. sequester carbon from the air while it emits more oxygen,
3. reduce the air temperature through more efficient cooling,
4. prevent pollution of the underground water table by filtering rainwater,
5. reduce mosquitoes during the summer months,
6. reduce the use of chemical fertilizers and eliminate pesticides or herbicides,
7. reduce the overall cost of a healthier city life.

Only through soil regeneration can we have a positive environmental impact. The maintenance of all green spaces with regenerative agriculture is the only way to combat pollution in our cities. It is everyone's responsibility, and it pays off in health by offering a prestigious aesthetic appearance.