Birmingham University pioneer new TigerTurf rugby system

Students and user groups of University of Birmingham can now enjoy the latest technology sports surfacing has to offer. The revolutionary Tigerturf system utilises the Brock shock pad and rubber granulate infill for maximum absorption during impact, and is the only system in the market to be approved by the RFU and IRB that achieves a critical fall height of over 2 meters in both wet and dry conditions.

Birmingham enjoys some of the best sports facilities of any redbrick University in the country. The new rugby all weather system joins the impressive list including a floodlit Athletics track, Tennis courts, 2 floodlit water-based synthetic pitches and a full size floodlit rugby pitch.

TigerTurf's Rugby65 product is a sand and rubber dressed system with a low abrasive yarn type and extra backing strength. What makes the surface so impressive is that its safe enough to absorb the impact of a second row landing awkwardly from a line out, or protect the front rows in a collapsed scrum, but also provides enough resistance for players to sprint, step and swerve just like on the best maintained natural surface. Combined with the ability to play in any weather condition including frost and with no specialist footwear required the new system will be of immense benefit in player development. This new system is in the process of being rolled out throughout the country with professional cubs and rugby academies already placing orders, and in the last month the RFU have announced 6 full sized pitches to be completed all specifying the TigerTurf System.

Darsh Puri, first XV captain for the University of Birmingham is already reaping the benefit of the new facility. "We are finding our new TigerTurf rubber crumb pitch to be very useful for training in wet and dry conditions. It provides an excellent firm surface that helps us to train with greater intensity and speed. We are also grateful for not having to clean our boots anymore!"

The all weather surface is located on campus and will be widely used by students in a range of sport and exercise courses offered by the University. The pitch is available for bookings most evenings by contacting the university's Munrow Sports Centre for sports clubs and private use. This surface will provide an extra form of income for the University and will be used throughout the winter when the natural turf and water based pitches are sometimes unplayable.