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Four sports have come together with Sport England and the Football Foundation to agree a new strategic approach to selecting artificial grass pitches.

New guidance drawn up by the sports bodies will ensure the right surfaces are installed in the right places, delivering maximum value for investment in pitches.

The last decade has seen an explosion in the number and type of artificial pitches. But, with some surfaces only suitable for certain sports, some of these pitches did not have the most appropriate surface to meet the needs of local sporting communities.

The national governing bodies of hockey, football, rugby union and rugby league have all committed to using the new guidance for selecting the most appropriate artificial grass pitch.

Sport England is recommending that all planners, schools, universities, clubs and local authorities that are considering installing an artificial grass pitch also follow the new guidance.

The guidance document sets out which types of artificial pitch are appropriate for each of the four sports – and at what level.

A simple four-step guide explains how to select the right type of artificial grass pitch to meet local demand.

Minister for Sport and the Olympics Hugh Robertson said:

“Getting as many people as possible to give sport a try is one of my top priorities so it’s important that new facilities are multi-use and accessible. As a keen hockey player and a fan of football and rugby I’m pleased to see them all working together to ensure that, where appropriate, artificial pitches are more versatile.”

Sport England’s Chair, Richard Lewis, said:

“Sport is at its strongest when partners tackle issues jointly. This guidance will help our stakeholders to make the right choice for their local sporting community when investing in artificial grass pitches.”

Notes to Editors

This new guidance and policy statement for selecting the appropriate artificial sport surface has been jointly developed by:

Sport England invests National Lottery and Exchequer funding in organisations and projects that will grow and sustain participation in grassroots sport and create opportunities for people to excel at their chosen sport.

Sport England is committed to creating a world-leading community sport system, and has set specific and measurable targets to achieve by 2012/13:

• One million people doing more sport
• A 25% reduction in the number of 16- to 18-year-olds who drop out of at least five key sports
• Improved talent development systems in at least 25 sports
• A measurable increase in people’s satisfaction with their experience of sport
• A major contribution to the delivery of the five hour sports offer for children and young people.