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natural or artificial? If you’re considering investing in the installation or renewal of a municipal or club sports surface, perhaps the most important decision you must make is whether to specify natural or artificial turf. Decision makers take many different factors into consideration when deciding on whether to install or renew turf pitches: these can be practical, climatic and financial, alongside public, political and personal considerations. There’s no denying that the arguments are compelling on both sides, and it may seem like a tough decision – but it isn’t. Natural turf brings a multitude of benefits, from its unbeatable environmental credentials to the commonly-held belief that ‘the beautiful game’ simply cannot be played on anything but a natural grassed football pitch. That said, football’s international governing body, FIFA itself, has lent its support to artificial turf in recent years, aiding product development and giving rise to its more accepted, widespread use. The technology has, indeed, improved, overcoming many of the problems associated with early-generation pitches. But it is also true that the natural solution has come on in great leaps and bounds. Thanks to the ongoing endeavours of plant breeders within both traditional and innovative new species, grass seed solutions have been introduced that provide key characteristics such as wear, drought and disease resistance. Maintenance regimes have also been much improved. The recent South African World Cup is a terrific illustration of this. Natural turf was the predominant playing surface across the tournament’s stadium pitches and training grounds. This, despite the fact that FIFA mooted playing on all artificial turf due to the country’s exceedingly hot and arid conditions. But, in practice, and for the most part, natural turf turned out to be the better option – a great result for grass! the natural choice With municipalities and sports clubs under increased pressure to make the most of their sports and amenity surfaces with minimal inputs and spend, many decision makers are swayed by artificial turf manufacturers’ promises of longer playing hours, less maintenance and lower costs. Do these persuasive facts and figures, together with the prevalence and approval of artificial turf’s use, prove it is the superior, more modern choice? As the voice of the European natural grass seed industry, the ESA strongly believes that this is not the case and is keen to promote the benefits of choosing natural turf wherever and whenever possible. Here, we’ll explore the advantages of choosing natural turf.

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