In a move to raise the quality of sports facilities in the UK, the Sports and Play Construction Association (SAPCA) has launched a scheme that will see all synthetic sports pitches and athletics tracks, built by its approved contractors, registered on a quality assurance scheme.

All synthetic sports pitches and athletics tracks over 3,000sq m will be registered onto the Pitch and Track Registration Scheme by members of SAPCA’s Pitch and Track Divisions.

On a selection of these projects, SAPCA will undertake random site inspections to ensure that projects are being constructed to the standards required by the Association’s Codes of Practice. Post-project feedback will also be requested from clients to establish satisfaction levels with contractors’ performance and, in the unlikely event of any issues regarding technical quality, SAPCA can act as a mediator if required.

Chris Trickey, chief executive of SAPCA, says: “New, refurbished or resurfaced synthetic turf pitches and athletics tracks represent a significant investment by facility owners and we want to help to protect that investment. The Pitch and Track Registration Scheme will help to ensure that any scheme delivered by a specialist SAPCA-registered contractor is built to a high standard.

“The scheme will ensure that standards of sports and play facilities continue to be raised and we would urge any facility designer, buyer or operator to use only SAPCA members for the design, construction or maintenance of their projects.”

SAPCA is the recognised trade association for the sports and play construction industry in the UK. Its role is to foster excellence, professional-alism and continuous improvement throughout the industry, in order to provide high-quality facilities for sport, physical activity, recreation and play.

- More details about the new scheme are available at www.sapca.org.uk