Widnes Vikings set to do Battle in Super League on Artificial Turf

ABINGDON, England, February 2, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --

- Widnes Vikings choose new Desso 'i-pitch' grass technology

This Friday, Widnes Vikings kick off the Super League season against Wakefield on their brand new pitch. Last month, the Stobart Stadium was transformed with Desso iDNA artificial grass being installed as their new playing surface. The club and fans immediately embraced the concept - naming it as their 'i-pitch' (intelligent pitch).

Steve O'Connor, Widnes Vikings Chairman: "This is a first, not just for the Vikings or rugby league but for sport as a whole. The i-pitch at Stobart Stadium Halton will modernise the game and create a fantastic match day experience. Our members and visitors will be able to see more games, it will create a pathway for our young players and it will be utilised as a community resource." (WidnesVikings.co.uk)

Play and train in the stadium

Thanks to the new pitch, the Vikings will be able to play and train in the stadium. The Desso pitch can offer intense usage without losing pitch quality, regardless of the weather conditions.

Coach Denis Betts: "(…) there's not a single puddle or muddy patch in sight and the i-pitch will always look like that, regardless of the weather conditions which will only benefit our training schedule." (WidnesVikings.co.uk, Jan 10)

Shaun Briscoe, vice-captain Widnes Vikings: "I must admit at first I was pretty sceptical, after previous similar pitches I've played on, and I wasn't looking forward to it. But, once you start trying it out, it goes out of your mind and it feels like a normal surface. When you land on it and or slide on it, it reacts the same as grass."(Skysports.co.uk, Jan 30)

Thanks to its durable characteristics, the pitch will not only be home to the Widnes Vikings, but will also be used by the local community as the stadium will offer a range of unique sports and leisure opportunities.

Widnes kick off the start of Super League 2012 from the Stobart Stadium Halton against Wakefield Wildcats. The game is live this Friday on SKY Sports 1 at 7.30pm

Teamwork

Through the intensive collaboration of the club, the experienced sportsturf contractor J. Mallinson (Omskirk) Ltd and artificial grass expert Desso Sports Systems, the whole project was finalized in record time.

The Vikings have now had final approval to play their matches on Desso artificial grass as the pitch earned the new RFL "Stadium Standard" when field tested. Thanks to the unique fibre technology, developed by Desso, the club can use the system for several sports at the highest level.

About Desso Sports Systems

Desso Sports Systems is the international leader in innovative sports fields for football, rugby and hockey pitches as well as tennis courts and multifunctional fields. Over time, the company has installed more than 50 million m² of artificial turf at both amateur and professional clubs all over the world.

The Desso GrassMaster system is in place at some 450 stadia and training centers worldwide, including Wembley and ten Premier League football clubs in the UK. The company is a FIFA Preferred Producer for football turf.

Desso Sports Systems is part of Desso, which manufactures contract carpeting and carpet tiles for offices, public buildings, schools, hospitals and airlines. Sustainability (Cradle to Cradle) and creativity are important key values.

http://www.dessosports.com

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