Sports Minister visits new 3G pitch at Arena

COOKSTOWN District Council has just completed work on the first full size artificial 3G GAA/Rugby pitch at Mid Ulster Sports Arena in Cookstown. The pitch, which is designed specifically for playing Gaelic Football, Camogie, Hurling and Rugby, and also can be used for playing soccer, has been independently tested and meets the requirements of the GAA and the International Rugby Board.
By The Newsroom
Published 1st Apr 2012, 11:25 BST

Inspecting the new 3G pitch on her recent visit to MUSA, Sports Minister Carál Ní Chuilín said, “This new 3G pitch is a great asset to the already successful Mid-Ulster Sports Arena. Young people get an opportunity to observe and participate in sports they may not have experienced before. The facility champions how sport can bring communities together.”

Commenting on the completion the Chairman of Cookstown District Council, Cllr Sean Clarke said, “This is a tremendous asset for the Cookstown District Council area and compliments the already existing high quality facilities at the Sports Arena, the new pitch will provide an excellent venue for training and matches during the winter months.”

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Cllr Trevor Wilson Chairman of the Councils’ Sport & Leisure Committee added, “The Mid Ulster Sports Arena has established itself as one of the premier sporting locations and this new development will further enhance its already glowing reputation.”

Initial feedback from users has been extremely positive with all commenting on the superb surface, evenness of the bounce and the forgiving nature of the artificial surface. Uniquely for pitches of this kind the preferred footwear is normal studded boots to ensure that the rubber under the surface retains its bounce. The floodlights and all weather capabilities of the pitch will make it ideal for rugby training, but importantly it can be used for soccer and meets all standards. The durability of the surface means that matches can be played concurrently one after the other and could provide a solution to all those matches that are postponed during wet weather. It is not just wet weather the pitch in beneficial for as in summer grass pitches harden, which increases the risk of injury whilst a 3G pitch retains its impact absorbency.

These new 3G pitches are the latest revolution in providing ‘all weather’ playing facilities with an artificial playing surface that feels like grass, looks like grass and plays like grass. It provides a more natural bounce than sand-filled Astroturf pitches and provides players with a better grip, resulting in a safer and more enjoyable playing experience.

Anyone requiring more information or to make a booking should contact MUSA 028 8676 7135, email [email protected] or log onto our new website: www.midulstersportsarena.com

Related topics:Sports Minister