July 2024 Getting to grips with turf
Landmark report examines future climate change impacts on rugby World Rugby has published a landmark report looking at the projected impacts of climate change on the sport of rugby in an effort to raise awareness of the issue that is already affecting the game as whole. With the world heating up and likely heading towards a 1.5-degree increase in global average temperatures by 2026, the study demonstrates that consequences on rugby’s practice and ecosystems are significant and will continue to deteriorate in the coming decades. Heat waves will continue to affect athlete performance and spectator health. Droughts will more frequently affect turf pitches, while submersions from flooding and/or sealevel rise will increasingly impact infrastructure. World Rugby has therefore used climate projections from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC),
interviews with experts and data from 10 of its member unions to compile the “Rugby and climate change” report, a study looking at six main climate hazards that impact both directly and indirectly the sport, its athletes, spectators, infrastructure, and pitches to evaluate the likely implications for rugby. While varying from one climate region to another, the projected consequences of a world with +2°C involve overall: • Surge in number of extreme heat days (temperatures exceeding 35°C) per year in all nations studied with 60% of them having ten or more additional days when rugby can’t be played. • Increase in frequency and intensity of droughts for half the nations studied. • Rise in both the occurrence and severity of heavy rainfall and flash floods for 80% of countries analysed. • One in 10 of the major stadiums researched
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worldwide will be exposed to an annual submersion risk. One third of the stadiums investigated (111 venues) are in cyclone zones and will face amplifications of wind and cyclone activity. Most climate regions considered will experience periods of increased humidity, at levels that will cause additional heat-related suffering for athletes, offi cials and spectators.
To go further, authors have also undertaken an in-depth analysis of impacts for 10 countries representative of World Rugby’s membership including Argentina, Australia (Rugby World Cups 2027 & 29 hosts), England (RWC 2025), Fiji, France, India, Japan, New Zealand, South Africa, and USA (RWCs 2031 & 33). For each nation, the main consequences are highlighted per climate region(s) with projected repercussions in
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a +2°C and +3°C scenario. This endeavour falls into World Rugby’s Environmental Sustainability Plan 2030 and its fourth pillar committing to
promote sustainability in rugby through education, advocacy and knowledge sharing. World Rugby
Turf Maintenance creating the best surfaces Pages 16-23
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It’s GKB for GBB As the team at GBB Services look to extend their operation to include the maintenance and cleaning of synthetic surfaces, it’s a Deep Clean from GKB Machines trusted with the task at hand. The Harrogate-based sports turf contractors purchased the unit in early 2024 having identified a number of 3G and 4G installations in their local area and have already seen dramatic improvements in pitch presentation and playability in as little as a one pass.
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Family-run GBB Services offer a wide range of landscaping and groundwork services for commercial and domestic customers across North Yorkshire. For sports surfaces, owner George Booth along with business partner Iain Bullock and their small team can offer the full complement of maintenance operations – including those for synthetic turf with their recent purchase from GKB. “We know a number of facilities locally, particularly schools, that conduct regular brushing
but maybe don’t have the time or resources to carry out the more thorough cleaning that’s required,” George explains. The GKB Deep Clean quickly and effectively screens and clean-out contaminants from a synthetic surface in a single pass. The combination of a vibrating screen and vacuum unit removes dirt, dust and other detritus returning clean, de-compacted infill to the surface for optimal visual and play performance.
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Aerators
For more information or a no obligation demonstration call 01332 824777 or visit dennisuk.com or sisis.com
Scarifiers
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new technology and old favourites
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