Module 8:

8.2 Planning the usage schedule

8.2.2 Pitch quality grade and pitch performance standards

1   In Module 2 we covered a range of general performance standards that might be used for helping to determine overall pitch quality. We have included just a few here along with a couple of other performance standards which are used to remind us of the measurable outcomes from maintaining a football pitch. Inputs need to be relative to the desired outcomes.

2   We have also covered the influence of soil type, construction and drainage on carrying capacity in Module 6, section 6.3.3 onwards, so refer to that for more information. We also introduced the practice of dynamic pitch management earlier in Module 2, section 2.3.8 which described how pitch quality will degrade over the playing season, so this should be taken into account when planning usage, but more importantly it would be used to explain to players and managers how this approach will affect playing performance and to therefore manage expectations.

8.2.3 Example planned usage

3   For this example, we will assume that the football season, for a grassroots club, is for 36 weeks, although there will be a two week / weekends break over Christmas and New Year, so this gives 34 weeks of planned play.

4   [From a general maintenance with usage schedule perspective, each quarterly period of 3-months has 13 weeks. The 3-months are often represented in the schedule as consisting of 4 weeks, 4 weeks and 5 weeks; or 5 weeks, 4 weeks, and 4 weeks duration. Whichever sequence is chosen, February would normally be a month with just 4 weeks in.]

5  If the pitch has an effective sand-gravel slit drainage system installed, then the carrying capacity (which is also called sustainable use) of the pitch might be 100 adult equivalent games over the full playing season, so this is enough to allow for several teams in a club, across several leagues. In general terms these types of pitches will be able to sustain 3 or 4 games per week. (Natural Turf for Sport Updated guidance for 2025, Part B: Playing fields, Sport England, p30).

So, for our 34-week playing season the 100 games average 3 games per week of planned play, with the aim being to maintain a consistent quality of grade 3 throughout the entire playing season.

6  However, during periods of high and very high growth them 4 games per week should be quite manageable, whilst still being able to maintain pitch quality and performance requirements. During the winter the maximum usage might only be 2 games per week if the desired standard is to be maintained during this period of often heavier rainfall, more moisture retentive soils and when the grass is producing very low growth potential. Growth might still be taking place, but it is weak growth due to low soil and air temperatures which is unable to counterbalance any wear that is taking place.

7   If actual planned usage is well below the theoretical carrying capacity for a pitch, then it will be much easier, assuming adequate resources have been provided, for a groundskeeper to be able to continually produce a minimum of a grade 3 quality pitch because the reduced wear that is taking place will result in a much more resilient pitch.

We will take two approaches to managing usage and pitch quality.