In a historic step toward enhancing grassroots and educational sports infrastructure, the International Hockey Federation (FIH) and the FIFA Innovation Programme have collaborated to publish a comprehensive guide on DualSport pitches – synthetic turf fields engineered to support both football and hockey.The joint publication, titled “DualSport Pitches for Football and Hockey: Performance and Construction Guidelines,” comes at a time when demand for multi-use sports facilities is growing, especially in community and school environments where space and funding are limited.Follow our WhatsApp channel for more newsAll set for SOYA’s 21st anniversary on ThursdayThe guide offers a structured framework for developing synthetic turf pitches capable of meeting the basic requirements of both sports, opening new possibilities for player development and community participation.Synthetic turf has long been valued for its durability and ability to accommodate frequent use across varying weather conditions.While top-tier football and hockey competitions typically use sport-specific surfaces, the new guide emphasizes the viability of hybrid-use pitches for grassroots, school, and community-level games.##NAJAVA_MECA_8860012##“For many, a synthetic turf sports field is now the preferred or only way of meeting the sporting needs of their communities,” the guide states. “But at community and educational levels of play, there is often a need to play more than one sport on a single field.”The FIFA Basic quality mark and the FIH Multi-Sport Category form the foundation for performance benchmarks in the guide.These standards ensure that DualSport pitches can maintain consistency in player safety, ball behavior, and durability, while accommodating the unique requirements of both football and hockey.Vijago backs battle-ready Starlets for Cameroon clashSmart Design for Shared UseA key highlight of the guide is its detailed construction and layout specifications. The recommended pitch size for full-sized fields is 91.4m x 55m—dimensions that satisfy both The IFAB’s Laws of the Game for football and the FIH’s Rules of Hockey. Shared side and end lines minimize the need for excessive line markings, reducing player confusion and improving game flow.For smaller formats such as five-a-side football and Hockey5s, a 40m x 23.76m field layout is proposed, with proper run-offs and optional rebound boards for Hockey5s.Designing a turf that performs adequately for both sports involves a delicate compromise. Football typically requires longer-pile turf to replicate the feel of natural grass, while hockey demands shorter, denser turf for speed and ball control.DualSport surfaces strike a balance with pile heights ranging from 30mm to 45mm, combining curly and straight yarns to maintain playability.2021 New York City Marathon champion pulls out of Boston MarathonTo ensure quality and consistency, the turf must undergo rigorous laboratory and field testing. While the FIFA Basic mark does not guarantee product quality pre-installation, FIH-certified surfaces undergo stricter assessments, including product identification tests and simulations of long-term wear.While the guide acknowledges that DualSport fields may not meet elite competition standards, it offers an important solution for expanding access to both sports. Communities with limited resources can now develop multipurpose facilities that promote inclusivity and encourage broader participation.##NAJAVA_MECA_8860005##This initiative aligns with global efforts to create more sustainable and accessible sports infrastructure. By enabling shared use of high-quality fields, FIH and FIFA are setting a new standard for community-based sport development.The full guide is available through FIFA’s Technical Resource Hub and the FIH Quality Programme portal, marking a significant milestone in multi-sport collaboration and innovation.
