6 SIS Grass Hybrid pitches for the next generation of footballers

The Russian Football Union (RFU) is committed to improving football infrastructure nationwide, mainly focusing on youth development. The RFU has invested in facilities that provide high quality playing surfaces to enable the next generation of footballers.

These facilities are used for grassroots football and professional training and are part of the RFU’s vision to increase football standards in Russia and create opportunities for young players.

The Background

In 2020, SIS Grass was tasked with converting six football pitches across five key training centres and stadiums in Russia from natural grass to SIS Grass Hybrid grass surfaces. This project highlights the RFU’s commitment to improving nationwide pitch quality for youth players. The facilities include:

• Bronnitsy RFU Youth Training Centre (2 pitches)
• Strunino RFU Youth Academy (1 pitch)
• Yaroslavl RFU Youth Training Centre (1 pitch)
• Nizhny RFU Youth Training Centre (1 pitch)
• Tomsk RFU Stadium (1 pitch)

SIS Grass Hybrid technology has been used at major football tournaments, including the 2018 FIFA World Cup, and is trusted by the sport’s biggest names. This project continues to build on SIS Grass’s reputation as a provider of elite playing surfaces.

The Brief

The RFU required SIS Grass Hybrid to upgrade six pitches to hybrid grass surfaces to deliver high performance, durability, and surfaces. The pitches needed to combine the qualities of natural and synthetic turf to meet the needs of intensive usage. Despite logistical and environmental challenges, the project was to be completed in time for winter.

What We Did

Bronnitsy RFU Youth Training Centre

Bronnitsy, previously used as the home of the Argentina National Team for the 2018 World Cup, was upgraded with two reinforced stitched hybrid pitches. Over two weeks, SIS Grass installed high-performance polyethene fibres, creating two high-performance surfaces.

Strunino RFU Youth Academy

The pitch at Strunino was completed in only eight days using one stitching machine. The team’s expertise and technology ensured the installation ran smoothly and efficiently.

Yaroslavl RFU Youth Training Centre

In September 2020, the team installed SIS Grass hybrid technology at the Yaroslavl facility. The surface was stitched at 180mm depth with 2×2 spacing, ensuring long-term durability and performance.

Nizhny RFU Youth Training Centre

Famous for hosting the Uruguay National Team during the 2018 World Cup, Nizhny’s hybrid pitch was installed to allow for increased playing hours and faster recovery. The SIS Grass team worked day and night to complete the installation, delivering a surface that blends seamlessly with natural turf while being over 95% natural grass.

Tomsk Stadium

The final project was completed in October 2020 at Tomsk Stadium, home to FC Tom Tomsk, who compete in the Russian Football National League. SIS Grass hybrid technology provides professional footballers with a robust and consistent playing surface.

The Outcome

Completing this multi-pitch project has significantly upgraded football facilities across Russia, providing elite-quality surfaces for youth and professional football. Despite the challenges posed by the project scale and external conditions, all six pitches were delivered on time and to the highest standards.