ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½

Thursday 19 July 2007
By Naomi Weston

A new, unique and versatile Astroturf hockey pitch has been unveiled at Harlington Sports Ground which is to be used by both ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½ and Queen’s Park Rangers Football Club.

Players from QPR FC and their Manager, John Gregory, along with representatives of the pitch supplier, McArdle’s, and members of Sport Imperial attended a launch event on Tuesday 17 July.

The new pitch is the first of its kind to be installed anywhere in the UK. The Tiger Turf WETT system is designed to offer hockey players the perfect surface to perform their skills. The dense fibres, with inbuilt 'wet feel', provides a durable playing surface, which can be used in wet or dry conditions. This surface, the most advanced in world hockey, meets the International Hockey Federation’s highest test standards and can also be used for other sports including football and tennis.

Imperial’s partnership with QPR FC is going from strength to strength and the team train at Harlington and coach all seven of Imperial’s student football teams.

John Gregory, Manager of QPR FC, commented: "I am delighted with the new pitch here, it is a fantastic facility for us. We have a great relationship with Imperial and I hope it continues for many years to come." He added: "Our partnership with the College started two years ago and our agreement lasts another three years, hopefully we will be in the Premiership by then!"

QPR FC Youth Coach, Steve Brown said about the new Astroturf pitch: "This is a wonderful surface to play on, once winter comes, the club will always have a facility to play on whatever the weather." He added: "It is great that we work with Imperial College ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½. I really enjoy coaching all the age groups from the under sevens right through to the College ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½."

Neil Mosley, Head of Sport Imperial, added: "We are delighted with our new pitch. The quality of this advanced pitch system demonstrates our commitment to developing our facilities for the benefit of our ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½ and the local community, as well as strengthening our partnership with QPR. The partnership with QPR is developing well and has tremendous benefits for both parties. We are excited about the start of the new academic year when our ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½ return and can make use of this new facility."