Their commitment to performance and student experience is highlighted not only by their multiple sports centres and gyms, but also by their constant journey to improve and build more facilities. These facilities are responsible for actively encouraging students to excel in sports. Whether it is playing socially, casually, or at the highest level, the university has a facility to accommodate.
Three new pitches at Boddington Playing Fields
In 2021, SIS Pitches, along with the Football Foundation, built three full-size 3G football pitches at the University of Leeds. The Football Foundation is a charity from the Premier League, the FA, and the government that is built to deliver outstanding grassroots facilities to allow for better games and more people playing.
The full-size pitches are installed with SISTurf Xtreme, which is known for its excellent ball speed, uniformity, and ability to provide an elite playing surface in all weathers. The playing areas are equipped with not only 11-a-side goals but also smaller side goals and pitch dividing nets throughout, in order to allow for multiple games to take place at once. The pitches allow for a much wider sporting provision, thanks to the versatility of the playing surfaces.
Weetwood receives world-class cricket pitches
The University of Leeds is known for its cricket offerings and the wealth of talent within its teams. Both men's and women’s cricket is available for students to take part in, with the men’s cricket club being one of the strongest teams in the Northern Premier division, boasting internationals, ex-pros, and national championship-winning players.
The university is one of six national cricket centres of excellence, which is supported through the MCCU programme. This partnership has allowed the university to be a feeder club for Leeds Bradford MCCU, allowing the next generation of cricketers to access an elite level of training and match play, while still furthering their education.
Installing SISGrass cricket wickets has allowed the university to have one of the best playing surfaces in the country for students to thrive.
SISGrass is a hybrid playing surface made up of 95% natural turf and 5% synthetic fibres and is widely regarded as the best hybrid playing surface on the market. This is backed up by the surface being used at the country's most prestigious grounds: Lord’s, Edgbaston, The Oval and Old Trafford.
The university opted for two new 10-foot match pitches and a 7-foot practice pitch, which shows an astounding investment in the university's cricket teams. For them to be able to play on a world-class surface, much like the best in the country, is incredible for both their growth and performance.
To see SIS Pitches' full offering and to keep up to date with their new projects this summer, head over to their website.
