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4 Reasons Why Schools Have Artificial Grass

Posted on May 23, 2024 by Elliot

Artificial grass has quickly become hot property for schools and sports centres. But why is this? Does artificial grass look and perform just as well as natural grass? Won’t it cost extra to install and maintain? Not necessarily!

If you’re interested in redeveloping a school playground or sports surface with artificial grass or turf, there are plenty of great reasons why you should start looking at options right away. Here are four brilliant reasons why schools have artificial grass – and why yours should, too!

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1. Less Maintenance Compared with Natural Grass

Natural grass surfacing may be cheap to grow and easy to keep short, but it is still painstaking to make sure it is safe to use. Natural grass needs to be cut on a weekly basis depending on what you are using it for.

Uneven grass, divots and soil could all cause accidents and injuries, too. While some schools may see real grass as cost-effective, it can be very inefficient in lots of other ways.

Artificial grass for schools is built to be safe, solid and easy to maintain. Unlike natural grass, you’ll never have to cut it or have to make sure it’s free from slippy mud or soil. It can be left to its own devices from season to season! Of course, it’s a good idea to keep it clean – but you’ll save so much time and so many resources.

2. Synthetic Grass is Suitable for All-Weather

Real grass may be nice and soft, but when the rain starts pouring down, it can be hazardous. What’s more, flat grass surfaces can spoil and become waterlogged. This can result in games and matches being called off completely. What’s more, leaving a grass field or surface to air out after a downpour can be a massive drain on your time.

Synthetic grass for schools and other artificial turf standards are weather-resistant. Come rain or shine, kids will be able to head out and play sports and games without fear of slipping or getting too wet underfoot.

Weather resistance is absolutely crucial when it comes to modern play equipment and sporting facilities. Artificial grass lawn solutions are immediately more reliable than real grass for that reason alone.

3. Creates More Opportunities for Outdoor Play

Synthetic grass can help to really encourage kids to get out and play. A high-quality artificial lawn will allow children to play more and do more on school fields and in playgrounds. You can mark designated play areas and zones with ease.

It’s not always so easy to do this with real grass, and you can’t always mark grassy areas in a school environment and expect them to withstand the weather.

An all-weather artificial pitch will encourage kids to head out and play whether it’s raining or fine outside. You’ll be able to host sports days and big events with more flexibility. You will also be able to host fairs and events out on an artificial field where there would otherwise be safety risks on a real grass surface.

You can get really creative with the outdoor play options you can install for your pupils – and they can get even more creative with the games they come up with. Synthetic surfacing inspires activity – it’s true!

4. Provides Safety Qualities for Playground Equipment

While we’ve already taken a look at why synthetic grass is considered a safer option for sports fields and playgrounds, we should also consider their use as part of dedicated safety surfacing. When installed with a shockpad underlayer, artificial turf and surfacing can be used to help bolster safety with playground equipment.

No matter how safe your playground equipment may be, there will always be a risk of a child falling or hurting themselves. Artificial turf and grass solutions, when built with shockpads, can help to reduce the impact of a fall or trip, and will, therefore, be kinder to kids who may otherwise be playing safely.

While it is always crucial that you make sure children in your care are safe at all times, you are also going to need to make sure that the facilities they use are built with safety in mind. The shockpad is designed to reduce the impact and prevent serious injuries. It can be specified to suit the critical fall height of equipment in the area.

Not only is fake grass and synthetic surfacing superior to real turf in the sense that slips and trips are minimised, it will also help to lessen the blow of any potential slips and falls which may occur along the way. All in all, synthetic surfacing should be considered a viable option for any school or sports club looking to better protect its users.

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School Synthetic Grass Surfacing Designs

School synthetic grass surfacing designs don’t all have to arrive in one colour. Modern synthetic surfacing can be easily marked, which means you can designate certain zones and areas for play.

Why not use synthetic grass for schools as an opportunity to encourage multi-sports? Football, tennis, hockey and more – all can be safely played on a water-resistant and hard-wearing turf which really will pay for itself after a few short uses.

Check out this video below to see one of our recent installations in Derby:

We design and install synthetic and artificial grass for schools and nurseries based on a whole host of factors. No matter your needs and requirements, we will always be happy to discuss your perfect school turf design with you. Whether you are setting up a new play area or are arranging for an old turf to be completely re-laid, our team will run through every option and choice with you to make sure you are completely happy.

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When it comes to providing the perfect playground and sports surfacing for your pupils, you’re going to need to think about safe, fun ways for them to create and explore. With durable synthetic grass, you get all the benefits of a natural grass surface, but without the maintenance, the long-term expense, and the risks to safety.

Considering installing artificial grass for your playground or sports pitch? We can help. Take a look at our previous projects or please get in touch with us to learn more. Our local installers are here to help!

Artificial Grass vs Natural Garden Lawns

Posted on May 23, 2024 by Elliot

A common debate which gardeners all have is whether to choose synthetic lawns or natural garden lawns. Both come with positives and negatives, but people seem to always choose one over the other. In this blog, we will be having a look at what the actual difference is and which one you should choose.

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What is Artificial Garden Turf?

Artificial turf is a surface that is made up of millions of synthetic blades which are made to replicate the look and feel of grass. However, these turfs are obviously fake, meaning that they are man-made and do not grow or require the same levels of care. Find out more about leisure grass if you are interested in the different products.

Synthetic grass is usually produced out of factories and is created in rolls, meaning that you can just roll the synthetic turf over the surface you wish to cover and not having to place a bunch of tiles or pads down.

Benefits of Synthetic Lawns

Synthetic lawns come with a huge amount of benefits which will not only affect one factor like most things but multiple! These include:

Little to no maintenance – with the surface being artificial, the synthetic surface does not require any watering, mowing, pesticide or fertilizer. This means the amount of time dedicated to keeping your lawn clean and looking great is greatly decreased, giving you more time to get along with.
Customisation – a lot of people try and get natural grass to look a certain way but struggle to get it to spot on. Colours are hard to promote, and patterns become a nightmare to replicate.
Synthetic grass eliminates this problem immediately by allowing the user to choose what patterns and colours they want on their lawn without any stress whatsoever.
Perfect for struggling areas – sometimes people may have a shaded part on their lawn which stops the blades from growing at the same rate and stops it from turning the right colour or they may have high traffic areas which a lot of people damage the turf by walking across it. Artificial grass can handle these issues since shade won’t affect it and it isn’t as easily damaged as real surfacing.
Small areas are perfect for turf – with synthetic turf being incredibly flexible with placement, small spaces which might be hard to place turf on can easily be done with synthetic turf. Plus, this again, allows you to spend less time on maintaining areas that might not be too important. These are often good options for outdoor nursery surfacing.
Types of synthetic turf – one of the best perks about synthetic grass is how you can acquire a wide variety of different types. For example, if you have kids who will be playing on the surface for a while, then you can have shock pads installed underneath, you can have pet resistant turfs installed which eliminate the chance of the pet tearing up the artificial lawn.

Overall, synthetic turf comes with a huge number of benefits that can help you maintain a perfect garden in which you can be proud. Find out more about synthetic turf installation to see how the process works. If you are interested in the sound of it then make sure you enquire today with Soft Surfaces so we can help you through the process of everything.

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Natural Grass Garden Surfacing

Natural grass garden surfacing is made up of organic grass blades and has soil attached to it. Due to this, it requires a lot of care and attention and during transportation; it is usually handled with care due to its brittle nature. Check out this post to see more about the different types of the garden surfacing available.

Coming in rolls, the natural surface is presented in the same manner as synthetic turf but the two are easily distinguishable since natural grass has soil underneath it. Natural surfacing will also have a softer feel to it but will be a lot weaker compared to synthetic turf.

Benefits of Real Grass for Gardens

Real grass may not seem like it, but it does have a lot of benefits just like artificial turf. Some of these benefits include:

Better for the environment – Real grass benefits the environment in an amazing way. Just 2,500 square feet of grass produces enough oxygen for a family of four to breathe. If everyone understood this statistic, then a lot more grass would be planted and kept.
Improvement of wellness and stress – Natural surfacing carries a lot of positives for a person as it has been shown to increase levels of wellness and decrease stress. This is due to the chemicals grass lets off which impact the body positively.
Cheaper – Even though an artificial lawn will save you money over time, the first installation of it is a lot more expensive than normal grass. If you are on a tight budget, then real turf will be the best option to fulfil that requirement.

Even though many people say organic grass isn’t that good, it does carry a lot of very useful benefits and can really help a lot of different factors in your life.

Which One Should You Choose?

When it comes to picking one or the other, it’s important that you know what your budget is, how big the area is and if you’re the type of person who wants to maintain their garden. I would recommend artificial grass if your budget is high, whatever size you want and if you don’t wish to maintain the garden. However, if you’re the opposite (low budget, medium/small area and you want to maintain) then definitely go for the natural option.

In the video below you can see our team installing the artificial lawn surfacing for a garden in Surrey:

Personally, I prefer synthetic turf due to how it pays itself back over the years since you are not spending much money on maintenance compared to if you got natural grass. But, the choice is up to you. If you are looking for advice on the situation or are wanting one of the services then send us, at soft surfaces, a message and we’ll get right back to you!

Astro Turf Sports Pitch Contractors

Posted on May 23, 2024 by Elliot

There are many sports pitch contractors in the UK who can install 3G all-weather synthetic turf sports facilities but we are premium contractors who help with all aspects of the project ranging from specification, design, pricing, costing, budgets and full installation.

Synthetic All Weather Pitch

Astroturf multi-use games area pitches are designed to be used in all weather conditions and with the addition of sports fencing and sports floodlighting, the surfacing can be used all year round and in the evenings – increasing revenue from the facility. Artificial grass surfaces can be installed by sports pitch contractors in a range of different specifications and designs which each provide excellent playing characteristics for a multitude of sports. Some examples of the synthetic grass sports surfacing options we install include:

2G Sand Filled/Sand Dressed Synthetic Turf – This has a layer of sand infill installed within the artificial turf fibres to help provide a stable playing surface. 2G surfacing is ideal for hockey and football as it allows the ball to glide smoothly across the surface of the pitch.
3G Artificial Grass – The most advanced synthetic turf sport surfacing specification. When we carry out 3G pitch construction, our 3G surfacing is infilled with rubber particles by sports pitch contractors to provide natural playing characteristics. It is designed for sports like football, rugby and hockey as the surfacing is normally a minimum of 40mm thick, can take a stud and is designed to look and feel like playing on natural grass.
Needlepunch Artificial Turf – This has become increasingly popular for multi-use games areas and athletics tracks and can be installed in a range of colours. The fibre bonded material creates a durable and long-lasting sports facility for schools and sports clubs.

As sports pitch contractors, we can help you customise every aspect of the installation process for your new sports facility. You can choose from a range of surfacing specifications to ensure you get the perfect performance characteristics for the primary sports you want to play. The type of sports pitch can also be designed and constructed to suit most area sizes and dimensions to fit in with the existing space you have available. You can also choose to have extra equipment installed like floodlighting and fencing to keep your new sports facility secure and to give you the opportunity to rent it out at weekends and in the evenings for training and matches.

Specialist Sports Pitch Contractors

Our aim is to provide top qualities sports facilities for schools, colleges, clubs and leisure centres throughout the UK to help promote healthy lifestyles and get kids into a variety of different sports. As specialist sports pitch contractors we are committed to offering the best quality products and services at great value prices which can be tailored to fit different budget requirements for each project.

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We have a wealth of knowledge and experience in the sport surfacing installation industry and we have carried out projects at schools, clubs and leisure centres all over the UK. Our friendly staff will be happy to help you with any sport surfacing enquiries you may have regarding specifications, construction and maintenance so please fill in our contact form if you would like to discuss this in more detail. For more information about all the products and services, we have to offer, visit our website where you can find details of our previous work.

Did you think this post was interesting? What would be your primary sports if you were going to install a new all-weather facility?

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Synthetic Turf Football Field Installers

Posted on May 23, 2024 by Elliot

Synthetic turf football field surfaces and multi use games area pitches can be designed for multiple sports including rugby and hockey as well as football. These artificial grass sports surfaces are now becoming common facilities at schools, colleges and leisure centres in the UK.

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Turf Football Field Specification

The synthetic turf football field systems are perfect for schools, local authorities and sports clubs that are looking for a long term, durable safe surface that is an upgrade to their existing old grass surfacing. The most advanced artificial grass specification for football pitches is 3G synthetic turf, this also provides ideal playing characteristics for rugby. The 3G multi purpose sports surface has a layer of rubber crumb installed within the artificial fibres to keep them stable. Turf football field surfacing can be installed for most area sizes as there is no set specification or design in terms of the dimensions.

3G Sports Pitch Installation

The construction for a synthetic turf football field is generally done through a similar process by most sport surfacing installers, starting with the groundworks and foundations. Before anything can be installed, the existing grass or soil area needs to be excavated down to the required depth. Next a layer of porous stones is laid down as a sub base, these stones will all fit together to create a solid foundation for the rest of the surfacing to be installed onto. A macadam layer is then applied onto the stones to give a smooth base so the final sports pitch surface is even and performs well. A shockpad will then be installed before the synthetic grass surface, the shockpad helps to keep players safe by absorbing impact and cushioning muscles and joints. The 3G turf football field surfacing is then applied on top of the shockpad layer, it is rolled out like a carpet and each piece is joined together with glue at the seams. Sand and rubber infill will then be applied within the artificial turf fibres to improve stability and keep the grass upright. Multi purpose line markings can then be applied to the turf football field surface for full sized football, 5 a side football and rugby.

Football Field Equipment

Once the construction of the sports pitch itself is complete, the facility can then have extras installed like sports floodlighting and sports fencing in a range of specifications. These accessories can be used to increase long term revenue into the facility by keeping it secure and allowing it to be rented out to other teams and clubs in the evenings. The astroturf football field surface is designed to take a stud from a boot along with looking and playing like a natural grass pitch as the surfacing is normally a minimum of 40mm thick. Maintenance equipment and services can also be provided to help you look after your synthetic turf football field once the construction project is complete. These maintenance services could include chemical treatments to stop moss contamination, drag brushing, infill top up and rejuvenation and removal of dirt and debris.

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We are experienced contractors specialising in the installation of artificial sports pitches, tennis courts, athletics facilities and play areas. If you would like to send us an enquiry for a project, please fill in our contact form with your details and one of our staff members will be able to offer you some helpful advice in regards to quotes and specifications. You can find out more about our products and services by visiting our website at http://softsurfaces.co.uk/ which has details of our previous work and the projects we carry out.

Please don’t forget to leave us a comment below if you have any questions about synthetic turf football fields, and share this post if you found it helpful!

5-a-Side Football Pitch 3g Artificial Grass Surfacing in Liverpool

Posted on May 23, 2024 by Elliot

At Soft Surfaces, we’re a specialist installer on 5-a-side football pitches in Liverpool, and are able to fit this surface nationwide.

In addition to installation, our team can offer 5-a-side football pitch repair services for existing 5-a-side football pitches within this location, so if you have currently got a 5-a-side football pitch surface that needs either rejuvenating or resurfacing, feel free to get in touch with us today.

For this particular blog post, we show off one of our 5-a-Side Football Pitch installations that we carried out in Liverpool.

Below you can see the specific information for this install, as well as the video transcript describing the job in detail.

As always, if you are interested in any of our 5-a-side football pitch services we offer throughout Liverpool or the entire Merseyside area, feel free to get in touch with us for a free, no obligation quote today.

One of our recent projects was the installation of a 5-a-side football pitch at a football and tennis sports centre in Liverpool. The existing area was a tennis court facility inside an outdoor sports structure, however the sand filled synthetic grass tennis court surface had become worn out and the carpet was starting to rip.

This meant that the surface was potentially dangerous and could not be used to its full potential so the sports centre decided to upgrade the court and transform it into a brand new 5-a-side football pitch facility.

5-a-side Football Pitch Construction

Many clubs choose to have a 5-a-side football pitch or full sized sports pitch installed to replace natural grass surfaces which can be difficult to manage and become waterlogged in wet weather. The advantages of 3G synthetic turf are that they require much less maintenance than real grass and they can be played on throughout the year during all weather conditions (excluding snow).

Professional football clubs often use 3G pitches for training and lower league teams even resurface their main pitch in 3G grass to save money on maintenance and generate extra income by renting the facility out to others. Some leisure centres and clubs install 3G surfacing to upgrade an existing 2G facility which has become worn out, just like this project.

The first stage of work was to remove the existing sand filled tennis court carpet which had become damaged and ripped over time through heavy use. Once the worn out artificial grass surfacing had been ripped up, the macadam sub base underneath was still suitable for use with the new layer of surfacing. An engineered macadam sub base is preferred for sports pitch installations because it creates a smooth and even foundations which are extremely durable and long lasting.

The next step was to install the new 3G 5-a-side football pitch flooring onto the macadam sub base. This was done by rolling out the 3G grass carpet in separate pieces and then joining the pieces together with a specialised glue at the seams and the edges to secure it in place.

Inlaid football line markings were then applied in white to create a professional finish and accurate scoring for matches. The final part of the 5-a-side football pitch construction was to put sand and rubber infill within the grass fibres, this helps to keep the fake grass pile upright and improves the playing qualities for a good sporting experience.

Completed 3G Football Surface

The final result of this 5-a-side football pitch construction was a brand new top quality synthetic sports surface in the best technology of artificial turf. The 3G football pitch can be used all year round and even gives the sports centre the opportunity to rent it out to gain some extra revenue.

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We are specialists in installing synthetic sports surfaces such as 3G pitches and multi use games areas for schools, clubs and public sports facilities in the UK. You can find out more about the products and services we specialise in by looking at our website at http://softsurfaces.co.uk/. If you’re in need of a quote for a project similar to this one or for another sports surface installation, get in touch with us.

We can give you professional advice in regards to costs and specifications for the sports pitch surfacing and any extra features you might need. Send us over the area size, post code and a rough idea of the works you’re looking to carry out and we’ll give you a price estimate for the project.

Don’t forget to leave a comment in the box below if you’ve got a question and feel free to share this article with your friends if you enjoyed it!

Why Choose Us?

At Soft Surfaces we have over 25 years of experience installing 5 a Side Football Pitches in Liverpool, as well as across Merseyside in general.

The team pride themselves on only using the highest quality materials for our works, and our hard working installers will work relentlessly to ensure your Liverpool 5 a Side Football Pitch looks brilliant no matter the specification you desire.

Additionally, our team can take care of the maintenance of your surface post installation too, making the process of caring for your new 5 a Side Football Pitch a breeze. Feel free to get in touch with us if this is something you would be interested in, and a member of our team will get back to you right away.

Other Merseyside Areas we Install 5 a Side Football Pitches

At Soft Surfaces, we’re able to install 5 a Side Football Pitches throughout the Merseyside area, including the following areas:

5 a Side Football Pitch Installation in Southport
5 a Side Football Pitch Installation in Birkenhead
5 a Side Football Pitch Installation in Formby
5 a Side Football Pitch Installation in St Helens
5 a Side Football Pitch Installation in Maghull

and any other surrounding area.

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If you would like a 5 a Side Football Pitch installed in Liverpool, please make sure to speak to us using the contact form provided.

We can offer more information on designs, colours and prices along with in depth advice on preparation works and more.

Thank you for taking the time to have a look at our case study, and for any more questions, please get in touch with us today.

Cooperative Play Ideas for Kids

Posted on May 23, 2024May 23, 2024 by Elliot

When it comes to playing, there are 6 main stages that occur as a child grows up, and their play becomes a lot more advanced. These involve children being able to cooperate with others and work together in class and on the playground.

Today, we’ll be having a brief look at some cooperative play ideas for kids as well as the different stages to look out for.

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What is Cooperative Play?

Cooperative play is defined as being an organised form of activity that involves the equal distribution of efforts and responsibilities among the children to reach a common goal. Knowing the cooperative play definition, many people see these activities as being incredibly important in development through childhood.

It’s good for children to spend time working with others, so they develop important social skills as they move through nursery and school.

Some examples of cooperative play games could include building dens and putting on performances using a stage with props. These things encourage children to share ideas, work together and come up with stories. This can also incorporate independent learning which is another key part of early childhood development.

Playing is a great tool for helping kids learn at such a young age. It combines fun and education which young pupils need to pay attention to and go away learning something new. It develops their physical, mental, social and emotional skills which are vital at this point.

Through this type of play as well, roles like leader and follower are clearer to see amongst the class. It allows those who suit a certain role to build upon it, whilst giving them a chance to experience the other role and understand what it involves. This is a key part of cooperative play child development during nursery and school.

These games can involve as few as two children up to bigger groups of five or more. It’s all about encouraging kids to have fun together and improve their cooperation skills.

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Cooperative Play Examples

Here are a few cooperative play examples you could encourage kids to try at your school:

Treasure Hunt
Puzzles
Building Dens
Relay Races
Team Games
Making Up a Dance
Board Games

These are all activities that encourage children to play together and cooperate on a specific task. They will begin to learn how to interact with others, follow instructions and prepare themselves for the next stages of education.

6 Stages of Play

Children will encounter six different stages of play leading up to cooperative activities with others. Each stage will help with the development of certain skills and overall lead to a child who can take part in social activities without causing any problems. Below are the different stages a child will go through (keep in mind: these different stages don’t necessarily happen in the order given):

Unoccupied Play – The child is mainly exploring their environment. No rules or structure to it, it’s mostly random exploration. The learning is done through personal interaction with the objects/people they will encounter.
Onlooker Play – Taking a more of a spectator role, the child will watch other children playing and interacting with objects BUT not interact with them. Social interaction is learnt through observation.
Solitary Play – Children will choose to bring their own toys near other children but not interact with others. Practically, they will play by themselves but feel the feeling of the company.
Parallel Play – Linking closely to Solitary Play, children will still be playing in proximity with others and not interacting with each other. However, they will be given the same type of toys in
Parallel Play, e.g. building blocks, to create a sense of common ground.
Associative Play – Slowly introducing social interaction, children are put in groups for a mutual activity that has no common goal to work towards. This might be painting, building, throwing and catching a ball or messing around with sensory materials.
Cooperative play – At this point, this is where children start to work together towards a common goal, such as creating something. This can also be known as collaborative play. A good example is an art project. Some children may collect the supplies and design what the project will be whilst the other half may be the ones who carry out the instructions.

These 6 stages of play are crucial in the development of kids and will lead to a stronger sense of social skills. Incorporating these stages into daily activity will help the process go a lot quicker and more efficiently.

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Benefits of Cooperative Play

The cooperative play offers a number of benefits to those who fully engage with the activities that are presented to them. Some of these benefits include:

Improvement of physical, social, mental and emotional skills
Listening and speaking skills are built upon
Teamwork
Leadership
Make use of different skills
Sharing of ideas/responsibilities
Problem-solving
Work together to reach a common goal
Concept of everyone being “winners”

A key thing to keep in mind when it comes to these types of cooperative play is how everyone is a “winner”. Cooperative play doesn’t have a way to effectively “win” the challenge set for them. However, children will like the aspect of competition and try and turn it into one. Through this, many kids who fail the task set for them may think of themselves as “losers”.

The reason I bring this point up is that the task requires teamwork, and instead of trying to win something, they are trying to solve a problem and must work together. The difference being, you can’t lose at the task, so try and discourage the mentality that some of the kids may have whilst carry out this activity. With this, children learn that it’s not always about winning and losing, but working as a team.

Playing Cooperatively in Early Years

There’s no doubt that cooperative skills are important in the later years, but I would argue that it’s equally important during the Early Years. Early Years is when the mind is developing at the most effective rate and so teaching children the importance of cooperation through play is a great method to allow the learning to be absorbed into their minds. Have a look at some more outdoor play ideas for EYFS if you would like to find some more activities for your nursery.

Using simple activities can be easily incorporated into the mindset of the pupils with no problem. It’s good to teach them at this age as well because cooperative play teaches important concepts like sharing, abiding by rules and patience. Teaching these things through a game at such a young age will also benefit the pupils in the future.

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Communication Skills on the Playground

Cooperation requires a strong sense of communication for it to be effectively carried out. During the Early Years, this can be hard for young kids as communication is a skill that is built upon through previous experiences. Through performing cooperative tasks, communicating becomes a lot easier between the pupils.

A stronger understanding of how to approach people in difficult situations or how to resolve conflict can be taught through these simple activities. Keep in mind that children need to encounter these types of problems during play to develop. They will help build a general knowledge of effective communication and improve their basic understanding.

Of course, other activities may offer this benefit of developing communication, but cooperative activities put the pupils in situations that apply to everyday life and therefore the learning a lot quicker. They can relate to the situations given to them through this mean compared to just normal games.

How Do You Promote Cooperative Play?

Here are a few ideas you can use to promote cooperative play with your own children or with school and nursery pupils.

Encourage taking turns – Children should learn to share toys and games with others, ensuring everyone gets a fair turn using a piece of equipment.
Do chores and tasks at home – Get children involved in simple jobs with parents or siblings like tidying up or setting the table for a meal
Be an example of compassion – Children learn from the behaviour of adults, if you practise kindness and empathy in front of them, they are more likely to take on these qualities.
Promote free play – Having the freedom to engage in unstructured play is a great way for kids to interact with others and make their own fun.

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Cooperative Play Activities

Creating activities at first can be a bit of a challenge for someone who doesn’t know what to do. But here are a few different cooperative play activities for toddlers and children that we recommend that you try and incorporate into your teaching somehow.

A great place to start with cooperative games is with building blocks. Set a task to groups of pupils to construct a building from blocks. Sounds easy but there’s a twist. Half the group are the suppliers of the blocks, and the other half is the actual builders. By doing this, you are encouraging the kids to take turns and cooperate with each other to get the job done efficiently and effectively with no problems.

Another great activity to get pupils involved with is running a pretend shop. As this is a role-play based activity, kids can also work on their imaginative thinking, alongside social and logical thinking. Give each child a different role in the game and leave them working together to run the pretend shop for a while. The roles in these cooperative games should intertwine with one another, causing social interactions to occur. There are loads of outdoor play activities for kids which you could incorporate into break times at your school or nursery.

Remember, cooperative playground activities are a great method for improving not just social skills, but a wide range of skills. Try your best to incorporate the activities daily and try to get full engagement from everyone. If you have any other questions about cooperative play ideas for children or you want any more information then get in contact with us today!

Astro Turf MUGA Sports Pitches Rejuvenation Maintenance

Posted on May 23, 2024May 23, 2024 by Elliot

Astroturf MUGA synthetic all-weather turf and 3G / 4G artificial grass are all-purpose surfaces that are very common in the UK and these can be built, designed and specified to be almost any area dimension and specification. When these pitches become tired and start to get flooded and waterlogged, they are in need of rejuvenation, renovation and upgrading and there are a number of different avenues that this can be achieved. An ATP or STP can become poor draining, have flooding on the surface and have poor seams due to compaction and contamination within the pile which makes the system lose its porosity.

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Over time the joints or seams of the synthetic pitch can become weak and need renovation and upgrading, this can be done by a simple joint procedure. Another problem on the surface is the build-up of mud, moss and algal squidge from falling debris and grime on the surface. Algal squidge and moss can cause the system to lose its porosity and will cause the kickabout court to poorly drained. There are a few things that we can do when we renovate and rejuvenate the sports pitch and bring back the good playing qualities of the facility. The extraction and removal of the silica sand is a vital part of this maintenance as this will allow the carpet to be free of the contaminated material and will allow the carpet to drain water more efficiently. The new silica sand or rubber can then be installed to complete the renovation and upgrade.

Astroturf MUGA sports pitches are suitable for multisports like football, futsal, rugby and netball and this is why it is vital that the area is sufficiently maintained as it is heavily used. Other maintenance requirements for sand-filled astroturf MUGA pitches can include game line repairs, patch repairs, and complete new surfacing. We are prime sport surfacing contractors and have helped to construct and maintain many of these facilities. We also do not have any minimum or maximum requirements for our maintenance and construction projects.

Astroturf MUGA pitches have been designed and built to sizes like 39m x 19m to 102m x 62m and we would be delighted to be able to help you with your maintenance needs. Prices, quotes, funding, budgets and specifications are all areas of our expertise. Please visit our website on http://softsurfaces.co.uk/ or send us the details through our contact form and we will be happy to help with your enquiry.

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Feel free to leave a comment in the box below if you’ve got any questions about astroturf MUGA surfacing or if you have a problem with your existing sports pitch and we will offer you some professional advice.

Pressure Cleaning Tennis Courts MUGA Surfaces

Posted on May 23, 2024May 23, 2024 by Elliot

Pressure cleaning of the tennis sports court is now a vital part of Multi Use Games Area maintenance and could help prolong the life of the All Weather Pitch. The affected MUGAs may have become slippery or have moss on the playing surface. This could cause injury to the players or lead to it collecting water.

Our team can offer a range of specialist services including pressure washing of these facilities. It is much better to keep on top of the maintenance rather than having to make repairs. This will help reduce costs and create less hassle for you. You can also maintain the court yourself by regularly brushing the area to remove dirt and leaves.

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Jet Washing Tennis Courts

The cleaning process of the sports surface starts with a rotary high pressure clean. This will be cleaning the tennis court whilst not damaging the top playing surface. The area will then be treated with a fungicidal wash and algae killer. The multi use games areas will then be safer due to the dirt and grime being washed away. It reduces the risk of slips and trips on the facility as well as making it look a lot better.

The sports pitch surfacing will now be ready for the replacement of the game line marking. We can apply a fresh coating of macadam anti slip paint to add colour and improve the playing qualities. Most multi use games areas have multi sports lines installed like football, netball, basketball and tennis.

This upgrade is an essential part of the process as it will restore the Tennis Court slip resistance and it will be a significant cosmetic improvement. The re-colouring of the MUGA surface cusing an acrylic coating, polyurethane finish or other sports line marking products.

Costs of Tennis Court Cleaning

The price of the procedure is dependent on the size of the MUGA and specifications. Soft Surfaces are a contractor who can provide information regarding this cleaning process or colour coating. A larger area will of course take more time to clean and require more materials. The same goes for a very dirty and contaminated area compared to one with small amounts of moss. It will take more time and be more expensive to clean the very dirty surface. We offer various types of macadam surfacing maintenance to suit individual facilities.

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Take a look at this video below to see our team cleaning and repainting an existing tarmac court. As you can see the area was covered in a lot of moss and overgrown weeds. We carried out a full jet wash of the area and applied new paint and line markings. This gave the area a completely new look and left it almost unrecognisable:

Our team can discuss this work with you and offer a quote for carrying out the tennis court pressure wash. Just get in touch with us today and tell us what you need. If you give us an idea of your budget as well that would help us make it cost effective for you.

Size of Netball Court Sports MUGAs

Posted on May 23, 2024May 23, 2024 by Elliot

Are you curious about the dimensions of a netball court or the required markings? Perhaps you’re interested in having a netball court or MUGA installed and wondering how much space you need for the installation.

Our team can install standard-sized netball courts as well as bespoke-sized courts to meet your needs and requirements.

If you are looking to have a netball court or MUGA installed at your school, college, sports club or leisure centre, please make sure to contact our team today. Soft Surfaces Limited would be happy to provide a quote for your requirements, so please do not hesitate to get in touch.

What is a Netball Court?

A netball court is a designated playing area specifically designed for the sport of netball, providing a regulated space for players to engage in matches following set dimensions and specifications.

The purpose of a netball court extends beyond just being a playing area; it serves as a crucial platform where players showcase their skills, strategies, and teamwork. The layout of the court, with distinct zones like the shooting circle and centre third, plays a vital role in ensuring fair gameplay and strategic movements.

Netball court dimensions are standardised to promote consistency across matches, with specific measurements for line markings, goalposts, and centre circle radius.

The surfacing materials are carefully chosen for durability, traction, and player safety, with options ranging from acrylic surfaces to rubberised courts. The court’s well-defined boundaries enhance player engagement, encouraging quick decision-making, agile movements, and effective communication among team members.

Standard Size of a Netball Court

The standard size of a netball court is 30.5m x 15.25m.

The World Netball Rules outline these specific dimensions, ensuring a consistent and fair playing field for all participants.

Player positioning becomes crucial in this game to maximise scoring opportunities and defensive strategies. Specific zones are dedicated to each player’s role and movements.

Adherence to these standardised court measurements not only promotes consistency in gameplay but also ensures the safety of the players by allowing ample room for quick passes and agile footwork.

The dimensions of a netball court encompass the length, width, run-off zones, and specific areas that define the playing enclosure, ensuring a standardised layout for competitive gameplay.

Standard netball courts are meticulously designed to adhere to specific measurements set by governing bodies, such as the International Netball Federation.

The run-off zones have a minimum width of 3 metres, providing ample space for players to manoeuvre along the sidelines without obstruction.

The shooting circles at each end of the court are essential components where attackers aim to score goals, further enhancing the strategic elements of netball gameplay.

What is the Recommended Surface for a Netball Court?

The recommended surface for a netball court often includes polymeric or macadam surfaces.

These surfaces provide the necessary durability, traction, and visibility for players, complemented by clear line markings for accurate gameplay.

Regarding choosing between polymeric and macadam surfaces for netball courts, it’s crucial to consider the specific needs of the players and the long-term maintenance requirements.

Polymeric surfaces offer excellent shock absorption, reducing the risk of injuries during gameplay. On the other hand, macadam surfaces are known for their smooth texture and consistent ball bounce, enhancing player performance. Both options require regular upkeep, such as line repainting and surface cleaning, to ensure optimal playing conditions.

What are the Markings on a Netball Court?

The markings on a netball court mark the field of play, including key boundary lines, centre circle, goal circles, and other essential indicators that define the court dimensions and playing areas.

In a standard netball court, the sideline markings signify the boundaries within which the game is played.

Each end of the court features goal lines that mark the scoring zones and determine successful goal attempts.

The centre circle serves as a pivotal area for the initial pass-offs and restricts early player movements at the start of each quarter.

The shooting circle, surrounded by the semicircular goal circle, designates the area where only specific player roles can score, adding strategic depth to the game.

Netball courts have sports lines that are 50mm wide and are completed using a specialist sports line acrylic coating. Similar sports surfaces that can be played on these surfaces include lacrosse, Football, tennis and Basketball.

What is a MUGA?

A MUGA, or multi use games area, is a space used for multiple sports and play activities.

Utilising a MUGA maximises space efficiency, providing multiple sports options in one designated area.

Users, whether children, teens, or adults, can enjoy organised matches or casual games due to the inclusive nature of these facilities.

Benefits of a MUGA for Schools, Sports Clubs, and Leisure Centres

A MUGA offers numerous benefits for schools, sports clubs, and leisure centres, including its versatility, cost-effectiveness, space-saving design, and low maintenance requirements, making it an ideal solution for diverse recreational needs.

Versatility

The versatility of a MUGA lies in its ability to accommodate multiple sports and recreational activities within a single court facility, offering diverse playing opportunities for users of all ages and interests.

These multi-sport facilities can transform from a basketball court to a tennis court, a football pitch, or even a space for informal games like hopscotch, providing a dynamic platform for individuals to engage in a wide range of physical activities.

Such adaptability fosters inclusivity, where people can come together to play their favourite sports or try out new ones, enhancing community integration and healthy competition while promoting an active lifestyle.

Cost-Effective

The cost-effective nature of a MUGA stems from its efficient installation process, competitive pricing models, and the ability to request quotes tailored to specific sports hall requirements, ensuring affordability without compromising quality.

When considering the pricing considerations of MUGA installations, it’s important to note that the cost savings go beyond the initial investment.

The competitive pricing models offered by various providers make MUGAs an attractive option for sports facility projects.

The ability to request quotes tailored to specific requirements allows for flexibility in budgeting, ensuring that the project aligns with financial constraints.

Space-Saving

The space-saving design of a MUGA optimises land usage by incorporating efficient run-offs and court surrounds, maximising the available playing area while ensuring player safety and comfort within a compact footprint.

MUGAs make efficient use of space by strategically placing run-off zones that minimise wasted areas and provide safe boundaries for various sports activities.

The clever layout considerations of MUGAs play a crucial role in optimising space, allowing multiple courts to coexist harmoniously within a single enclosure.

The court surrounds of MUGAs are designed to be functional yet space-efficient, ensuring that the playing area is fully utilised without unnecessary gaps or unused space. This meticulous attention to detail in the layout enhances the overall playing experience while making the most out of limited space.

Low Maintenance

The low maintenance requirements of a MUGA are attributed to its durable surfacing, minimalistic design elements, and efficient lighting systems, reducing the need for intensive upkeep and ensuring sustained performance over time.

One of the key advantages of MUGAs is the use of durable surfacing materials that are specifically designed to withstand heavy foot traffic and harsh weather conditions, requiring minimal repair and replacement.

The lighting solutions implemented in MUGAs not only enhance visibility during evening hours but also contribute to improved safety and security, further reducing the chances of damage or accidents that may require maintenance.

Careful consideration of gradients in the design of MUGAs promotes efficient drainage, preventing water buildup that can deteriorate the surface and necessitate costly repairs.

Bespoke Netball Court Sizes

Soft Surfaces Ltd specialises in creating bespoke netball court sizes tailored to specific requirements. We offer customised dimensions that cater to the unique needs of players and facilities.

Whether you prefer a regulation-size netball court or require a smaller setup for a compact space, Soft Surfaces Ltd can accommodate your requests with precision and expertise.

The team at Soft Surfaces works closely with each client to understand their vision and preferences, ensuring that every aspect of the court, from the goal post positions to the playing surface material, is perfectly tailored to their needs.

With a keen eye for detail and a commitment to delivering superior quality, Soft Surfaces Ltd goes beyond standard court dimensions to create bespoke solutions that elevate the playing experience.

Whether you’re looking to upgrade an existing court or build a new facility from scratch, Soft Surfaces has the expertise to bring your netball court dreams to life.

What Factors Determine the Size of a Netball Court?

Several factors influence the size of a netball court, including player preferences, technical specifications, and regulatory guidelines that dictate the optimal dimensions for competitive play and player comfort.

Regarding player requirements, netball court sizes need to accommodate players’ agility and movement patterns, ensuring sufficient space for passing, shooting, and defending on the court.

In terms of technical standards, the length and width of the court are determined by the International Netball Federation (INF), with specific dimensions recommended to maintain fair gameplay and uphold the integrity of the sport.

Safety considerations also play a crucial role, with court boundaries, goalpost placement, and run-off areas carefully planned to minimise the risk of injury during intense matches.

Benefits of a Bespoke Netball Court

A custom netball court offers numerous benefits, including tailored dimensions for player comfort, specialised features for enhanced gameplay, and the versatility to accommodate diverse sporting activities in a personalised setting.

When opting for a custom netball court, players can enjoy the luxury of having dimensions custom-fit to their needs, ensuring optimal space to manoeuvre and play at their best.

The specialised features incorporated into the court design elevate the playing experience by catering to specific player requirements, such as advanced flooring for reduced impact and improved traction.

The multi-sport capabilities of a custom netball court open up endless possibilities for hosting various sporting events, fostering a dynamic and engaging environment that promotes active lifestyles.

What Other Sports Can Be Played on a MUGA?

A MUGA can accommodate various sports, such as basketball, tennis, and other recreational activities, in addition to netball.

Thus, it provides a versatile platform for diverse sports enthusiasts to engage in different games within the same facility.

These Multi-Use Games Areas (MUGAs) are becoming increasingly popular due to their flexibility in hosting multiple sports on a single court.

Imagine a group of friends switching between a competitive basketball match to a friendly game of tennis without needing to move to different locations.

The beauty of MUGAs lies in their adaptability to cater to various skill levels and interests, making them ideal for communities looking to promote inclusivity and physical activity.

Contact Us

Our team would be happy to discuss your netball or MUGA in more detail if required.

Find Out More

For anymore information, specifications or costs please contact soft surfaces on 01625 445760 or visit http://softsurfaces.co.uk/.

Why Choose Artificial Grass for Your Garden?

Posted on May 23, 2024May 23, 2024 by Elliot

Many people would say that the garden is one of the main factors in how appealing a house is. When you have a garden with muddy puddles, holes, torn grass, different shades of colour and dints, it can scare people off.

If these problems are common for you then a synthetic grass garden might be the perfect solution!

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Artificial Grass Garden Designs

When it comes to creating your artificial grass garden, there are so many different designs you can go with. Ranging from minimalistic to post-modernistic, create the atmosphere that you wish to give people when they enter your garden.

Patterns can be placed on the fake turf, allowing for certain styles (like a cut lawn) to be noted by people. Not all the turfs have to be the exact same as each other and can really vary from each person and their tastes.

Benefits of Artificial Turf

Artificial turf has a wide amount of benefits over natural surfacing. With recent improvements in technology, the synthetic grass has become even better than it was a few years ago. Some of these improvements include:

SuDS compliant – Means that the surfacing is not going to hold water or flood.
UV resistant – Stops the surface of the artificial turf losing its colour from sun exposure.
Looks – The turf now has had an improvement in colour to look even more realistic.

Even though there are going to be many new improvements, there are some benefits which will always be around for synthetic surfacing. A lot of people usually overlook some of these factors and believe that natural grass is just better, but once you know the facts you’ll be able to make an informed decision. These benefits include:

Low maintenance required – Lawnmowers are a thing of the past once you get artificial turfing done. The grass will not have to be cut and therefore you don’t have to worry about it getting too long and looking scruffy.
It can suit all your needs – Whether you have a pet which won’t stop tearing up your grass or kids who love to play football on your lawn but take a few tumbles, artificial lawn carpet will be tailored for your specific needs to make sure that you get the most use out of it as possible.
Perfect for outdoor spaces where grass isn’t working – Sometimes you may have a grassy area which people just keep walking over, or a small patch of turf covered by shade. Artificial carpet can make this common problem less of an issue, resulting in less stress for you.
Customisable – Real turf is annoying when it comes to designing a unique garden. However, having an artificial grass garden eliminates that annoyance by quite a mile. It’s a lot easier to design compared with the naturally growing turf as you are not relying on even growth.
Eliminates use of harmful pesticides, fertilisers, herbicides and fungicides – Natural grass usually requires a lot of harmful chemicals to keep it healthy and to avoid problems. With synthetic surfacing, this risk is eliminated completely as the fake turf doesn’t require such harmful chemicals.
Save water – Watering a natural lawn can be such a long and tedious task, especially in the summer. In addition to this, it can waste a lot of water. Artificial turf doesn’t need watering and therefore, you can save a lot of water.

As you can see, artificial turf is incredibly resourceful and beneficial for almost any type of situation. Not only can it be installed in domestic gardens, but it can also be used for school play facilities, sports clubs and commercial facilities. The best thing about it is that over time, the grass will start to pay for itself through the savings on maintenance costs.

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Fake Grass for Garden Lawns

After noticing the benefits and the recent improvements synthetic turfs have had, people start to notice them as a more valid option than just a regular lawn, especially in the UK. With the weather being rainy and dull, synthetic grass can handle it a lot better than just organic turf meaning you can rest assured that not even the British weather can ruin your garden.

Synthetic lawns aren’t just durable, but they’re attractive too. With a recent improvement in technology and aesthetics, fake grass can look even better than a regular lawn. In addition, hardly any care must be taken to keep it looking good, so you’ll never have to worry about getting out that lawn mower again. If you do want to clean it though, all it takes is a brush and you’ll be fine.

Installing a Synthetic Turf Lawn

When it comes to installing your synthetic lawn, there are no better people to call than Soft Surfaces. We’ve had over 20 years of experience of doing installations and done so many ranging from gardens to sports facilities. See this post for more advantages and disadvantages of synthetic garden lawns.

Just send us an enquiry with what you want and one of our team will get back to you as quick as possible and will start to talk you through the process of making your design become a reality. Unlike many installers, we will try our hardest to stick with your design and make sure that the project is completed to the highest standards.