Intelligent Play was installed for both artificial grass pitches in July 2018 after being recommended by the Football Foundation. It is used at Rectory Park not only to monitor usage on the fields but also to help maintain the synthetic turf surfaces to ensure they will last for their estimated 10 year lifespan.
The artificial intelligence-based system is designed to reduce the manual administration and data analysis that is often needed when managing sports fields. The data collected from a pitch is displayed in an online dashboard that users have access to for their facility.
Head of commercial and operations, George, explains that: “the traffic light system for maintenance is great as it’s so clear even at a quick glance – green means pitch status is good, amber shows that the surface will soon need maintenance and red means you should be maintaining the pitch and brushing the surface.”
With a team including a centre manager, duty managers, a maintenance manager and various casual staff, having such a clear system lets them all see what needs doing to keep the pitches in top condition every day.