GreenFields has been awarded the prestigious Preferred Turf Producer status by the International Rugby Board (IRB) in recognition of their proven quality and global track record in manufacturing, installing and maintaining artificial turf. The IRB has launched the One Turf programme, a ground breaking initiative to regulate and standardise the development performance and maintenance of artificial turf worldwide. With its global reach and exacting quality standards, GreenFields was the natural choice as one of the key Preferred Turf Producers.

IRB Chairman Bernard Lapasset says: “The One Turf programme is a significant step forward for our sport with far reaching benefits. The vision of IRB is to grow the Game in developed and emerging Rugby markets around the world over the next 10 years and we have a tremendous opportunity to do so with three Rugby World Cups and two Olympic Games within the period. There is little doubt that this programme will boost participation while having distinct benefits for other sports. The One Turf programme will deliver a unified framework for standards of production, installation and maintenance of artificial turf that will pave the way for Rugby matches from the community level up to the Test arena to be played on the surface, which has numerous benefits in countries where there are challenges with growing conditions or access to facilities is difficult.”

Rugby and football are meeting global standards

GreenFields has worked with rugby clubs around the world to develop and install the highest quality artificial turf, giving them a deep insight into the specific requirements of the sport. Gaining Preferred Producer status by the IRB gives clubs the confidence that the artificial turf systems installed by GreenFields meet the global standards for the sport and guarantees that the surface can be used for competitions, training and community activities. Recognition by the IRB as a Preferred Turf Producer builds on GreenFields existing status as Preferred Producer for FIFA, which GreenFields received in 2009.

Hugo de Vries, co-founder of GreenFields comments: “The One Turf programme of the International Rugby Board will help to regulate and raise the quality of artificial turf in Rugby, ensuring that the highest possible player welfare and performance standards are achieved. We are very proud to be recognised as one of the key global partners capable of helping the IRB deliver this programme. Clubs can now be confident that choosing artificial turf systems of GreenFields means that they are installing a surface produced to a globally recognised specification”.