Keeping Your Pitch In Good Order
The demand for good quality grass pitches has become vitally important to the development of rugby union. Well maintained playing surfaces are not only important in improving the quality and quantity of rugby football played at a site, but it can reduce injuries to players.
The RFU has produced a Maintenance of Grass Pitches Guidance Document (PDF 108kB), outlining the basics of looking after after your grass.
Aeration of rugby pitches is crucial to maintaining good playing surfaces throughout the season and to help clubs with this the RFU has a number of tractors and soil reliever units across the country. For details on how to hire this equipment and further information, please visit the RFU tractors page.
There is also an informal Pitches Guide (MS Word DOC 59kB) with initial adivce on how to look after your playing surface.
Information on maintenance is important for ground staff to develop their maintenance programme, but can also illustrate to managers, coaches and club secretaries the work that goes into the production of a good pitch.
