3G Pitch for Newcastle Falcons
Law firm Sintons has provided the legal support for Newcastle Falcons to become the first professional sports club in the North East and only the second in their league to install a 3G synthetic pitch as their main surface.
The traditional grass pitch at Kingston Park is now being replaced with an innovative artificial rugby turf, and will be ready in time for the start of the Falcons’ new 2014-15 season in the Aviva Premiership.
The pitch is one of the first of its kind in the North East region, and the Falcons are only the second Premiership team to install a 3G surface, after Saracens’ Allianz Park.
It has been replaced after the grass surface at Kingston Park experienced a number of issues over recent season. With the installation of the artificial turf which is being carried out by Cumbrian artificial pitch specialists SIS Pitches it is hoped the pitch can now be made available for community use on and around match days. The old turf will now be used to resurface the training pitch at the Stadium.
Specialist construction solicitor Alex Rayner at Newcastle based Sintons handled the building contract for the project, with Iona Sims head of Sintons’ specialist sports division overseeing all commercial work.
Sintons has a long standing relationship with the Falcons, and is its legal advisor as well as being one of the main club sponsors. Sintons also sponsors Will Welch, Captain of the Falcons, as well as Falcons Academy and England Under-18s star Sean Brown.
Mick Hogan, Managing Director of Newcastle Falcons, said: “The new pitch will provide a consistent and high quality surface for our players to perform on throughout the season. It will transform matchdays at Kingston Park and we are grateful to Sintons for their legal expertise in making this project happen. There will be community use prior to the main game, and then the opportunity for supporters to come onto the pitch post-match and re-create some of the action themselves!”
Alex Rayner said: “We are very pleased to have been involved in this exciting project. This pitch is the most up to date of its kind in the region and as well as providing a better surface for rugby to be played it will greatly benefit sport in the North East, particularly at a grassroots level through increased community use.”
Iona Sims said: “Through our specialist sports division, we are able to offer legal support on a full range of issues to sporting clubs, organisations and individuals of all levels. The construction of the Falcons’ new pitch is an ambitious project, but one which looks to deliver many benefits to both the club and for the local community too. We wish them the best of luck for the season ahead.”
