Welcome to Turf TiPS, where your host Alex Glasgow, Technical Director Agronomy, NZSTI discusses current turf management problems with our technical staff and industry experts.

https://www.youtube.com/@NZSportsTurf/podcasts

If you’d like to speak with us, please visit our CONTACT US page.

The post Turf Tips appeared first on Labosport.

The post Labosport’s 2025 Strategy Seminar appeared first on Labosport.

In this context of excellence, the Paris 2024 Olympic Games Organising Committee (COJOP 2024) called upon the expertise of LABOSPORT France to ensure the quality and safety of the playing surfaces, thereby contributing to the optimisation of athletic performance and spectator satisfaction.

Excellence in service of major sports venues
Starting in 2022, LABOSPORT was fully engaged in preparing several iconic sites, ensuring that each venue provided optimal conditions for competitions. As a key player in the compliance of sports surfaces, we brought our expertise to a variety of fields.

At the Yves du Manoir Stadium in Colombes, our involvement began in June 2023 with the compliance monitoring of three synthetic turf hockey pitches. Our mission was to provide rigorous technical support in accordance with the French construction standards for large synthetic turf pitches (NF P90-112) and the requirements of the International Hockey Federation (FIH). Thanks to our accredited technicians, we ensured that each pitch met federal standards, providing a safe and high-performance environment for the athletes.

Simultaneously, LABOSPORT also conducted audits and inspections on thirteen natural grass training pitches across France, intended for football and rugby tournaments. These audits ensured that the playing conditions on these pitches were similar to those at the competition sites, in compliance with FIFA, FFF, and World Rugby standards.

The importance of indoor surfaces
Our expertise is not limited to outdoor pitches. At Arena Paris Sud, located in the Parc des Expositions, we supervised the inspection of two surfaces designated for weightlifting, table tennis, handball, and volleyball events. These inspections ensured ideal conditions for competitions, strictly adhering to the corresponding international standards.

Moreover, at Arena Bercy, we performed vertical basketball rebound tests in accordance with the EN 12235 standard, as well as surface flatness checks according to the EN 13036-7 standard. These inspections guaranteed that each match was played under the best possible conditions.

Finally, at the Adidas Arena in Porte de la Chapelle, our involvement included controlling the flatness of concrete slabs for badminton and rhythmic gymnastics events, ensuring perfect compliance of the surfaces.

Athletics at the heart of our expertise
At the Stade de France, on the exceptional purple athletics track, our team first monitored the implementation of the asphalt layers on which the track was laid. Verifying this material is essential before the track is installed. LABOSPORT France has world-renowned experience in monitoring the installation of hot-mix asphalt. LABOSPORT then carried out laboratory and on-site tests according to the standards of the International Athletics Federation (World Athletics: WA) and the NF P90-100 standard to deliver a track that was perfectly compliant and high-performing. The track was thus classified for this Category I competition.

A total commitment to successful Olympic Games
These Paris 2024 Olympic Games were also made possible by the French excellence in sports pitch construction. LABOSPORT’s involvement in the preparation of these pitches was largely based on French and European normative references developed and published by the French standardisation commission AFNOR/P90G (Sports Halls – Substrates for sports flooring). These references require the expertise of the LABOSPORT group’s teams. Benoit BOSSUET, Technical Manager at LABOSPORT France, is the President of the AFNOR P90G commission, a mirror committee that ensures follow-up and participation in the work of the Technical Committee TC-217 of the European Committee for Standardisation for sports surfaces (CEN/TC 217) “Sports Floors,” chaired by Roberto ARMENI, General Manager of LABOSPORT Italia.

By applying this knowledge of the standards (International and federal) in service of COJOP 2024, we contributed to creating ideal training and competition conditions for the athletes, allowing them to fully focus on their performances.

The beauty and success of these Olympic Games were recognised by the global audience, and LABOSPORT is proud to have played a key role in this achievement, demonstrating our commitment and passion for sporting excellence.

The post Labosport’s Expertise Shines at Paris 2024 appeared first on Labosport.

We currently have a job opening for an Accounts Administrator (Bookkeeper). Click on the job below to download the detailed job description. If you have any questions, please contact David Rigby at da*********@*******rt.com 

Accounts Administrator (Bookkeeper) Job Advert

The post Labosport UK is Hiring an Accounts Administrator (Bookkeeper) appeared first on Labosport.

We currently have two job openings. Click to download the detailed job descriptions for each. If you have any questions, please contact David Rigby at da*********@*******rt.com 

Laboratory Technician Job Advert
Junior Laboratory Technician Job Advert

The post Labosport UK is Hiring Laboratory Technicians appeared first on Labosport.

Recently, Labosport UK’s Phil Keeley and Bob Froud were honored at the 60th anniversary celebration of the Crystal Palace National Sports Centre. The main exhibition highlighted their remarkable journey from the early GLC days to their current involvement with Labosport.

Phil and Bob, long-time contributors to London’s athletics scene, began their journey in the late 1970s with the GLC Scientific Services Branch. During their tenure, which lasted until the GLC’s abolition in 1986, they were responsible for maintaining and overseeing numerous tracks across London, including West London Stadium, Parliament Hill Fields, Barnet Copthall, New River, Mile End Park, Battersea Park, and the prestigious Crystal Palace track.

Their connection to Crystal Palace extends even further back. Their former boss was instrumental in the installation of the original Tartan track at Crystal Palace in 1968. Tartan, a pioneering brand of rubberized synthetic athletics surfaces, marked a significant shift away from traditional ‘all-weather’ tracks, which were typically made of cinder and stone.

After leaving the GLC, Phil and Bob continued their work in consultancy. Today, they continue their legacy with Labosport, with Phil recently overseeing the latest round of repairs.

Phil and Bob, the recent 60th anniversary celebration at Crystal Palace was a wonderful reminder of your remarkable journey, and it’s clear that your contributions have had a lasting impact.

From all of us at Labosport Group, congratulations on all your achievements.

The post Phil Keeley & Bob Froud Honored at Crystal Palace appeared first on Labosport.

Labosport UK Celebrates 20 Years in the United Kingdom!

The post Labosport UK Celebrates 20 Years in the United Kingdom appeared first on Labosport.

Professor David James, CEO of Labosport Group, is a Director and Fellow of the (ISEA) International Sports Engineering Association and has been continuously involved with the organization since 2002.

This year’s ISEA conference, in its 15th year, reaffirmed its status as the premier global gathering for sports engineering research, attracting top academic researchers, industry leaders, and representatives from prestigious sports federations such as FIFA, World Rugby, International Hockey Federation (FIH) and the International Tennis Federation .

The focus on sport surfaces was a highlight of the conference where David James chaired several sessions, showcasing groundbreaking research. Notably, the collaborative work between Loughborough University and Labosport on the rotational traction test for synthetic turf, led by Harry McGowen, was presented. This innovative research promises to enhance the safety and efficiency of sports surfaces.

Professor David James and Professor Paul Fleming also presented a paper on their work with the FIH regarding the step change to using ‘dry’ turf for elite level play in field hockey. David Rigby and Carolyn Webb, both with Labosport UK, were also in attendance, taking advantage of the opportunity to engage with the latest advancements and networking with leading experts in the field.

For those interested in exploring the research further, full peer-reviewed papers are available here:
Springer Link: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s12283-023-00426-4
Nature: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-023-48134-0

The post Labosport Presents at the 15th ISEA Conference appeared first on Labosport.

European Turfgrass Laboratories (ETL) is a physical soil testing facility headquartered in Scotland, renowned for its comprehensive analysis of natural surfaces including golf courses, football pitches, racecourses, and beyond. We take pride in announcing the expansion of our laboratory to enhance client service and satisfaction.

The post ETL Expands its Laboratory appeared first on Labosport.

FIFA Pitch Research Field Day United States

FIFA organized a gathering in Tennessee as a component of one of its multi-year initiatives. Labosport was delighted to send staff to participate in the FIFA Pitch Research Field Day, including Keith Mcauliffe with Labosport Australia, Craig Parry and Darren Symonds with PSD/TGMS UK and, Dr. Baoxin Chang with Thomas Turf Services, USA.

The event began with a comprehensive series of seminars covering topics vital for the success of World Cup events.

Seminar 1 provided insights into the preparations for the 1994 World Cup, emphasizing the innovative use of indoor low-light facilities and the management of turf under such conditions. The upcoming World Cup in 2026 was highlighted for its unprecedented scale and the challenges posed by ensuring uniformity and consistency across multiple venues. Specific standards for stadium construction were outlined, including requirements for natural grass surfaces, integrated irrigation systems, and advanced pitch technologies.

Seminar 2 focused on disease scouting, emphasizing the importance of understanding the disease triangle and implementing effective management strategies to minimize disease presence. Key pathogens for different grass species were identified, along with cultural and chemical control practices.

Seminar 3 addressed herbicides and plant growth regulators (PGRs), emphasizing the importance of selecting appropriate chemicals for turf management while avoiding those that may inhibit turf establishment or cause long-term damage.

Seminar 4 delved into irrigation and sustainability practices, showcasing FIFA’s efforts to promote water conservation and encourage better irrigation techniques within the industry. Various irrigation auditing and scheduling techniques were discussed, along with the benefits and challenges of using recycled water for irrigation.

The day concluded with a series of practical demonstrations and discussions at a research facility, covering topics such as ball-surface interactions, hybrid carpet systems, flex testing, and the concept of shallow root profiles. The following day was intended to include a tour of Neyland Stadium but was impacted by rain, leading to more networking opportunities and roundtable discussions on World Cup organization, field testing, and carpet systems.

The event provided valuable insights into the latest research and best practices in turf management, highlighting the ongoing efforts to enhance the quality and sustainability of playing surfaces for FIFA tournaments.

The post FIFA Pitch Research Field Day appeared first on Labosport.