Sports Turf Research Institute

STRI, formerly the Sports Turf Research Institute, is a global design and consultancy specialist for the development of elite standard sports surfaces, based in St Ives, Bingley, West Yorkshire, England. Providing advice and expertise on the research, design, construction and management of both natural and artificial sports fields of play across the world.

STRI
Sports Turf Research Institute
One of the fields used by the Sports Turf Research Institute
Formation1929
Founded atBingley, West Yorkshire, England
Legal statusCompany
PurposeTurf research
HeadquartersBingley, England
Location
Coordinates53.8475°N 1.8577°W / 53.8475; -1.8577
Chief Executive Officer (CEO)
Mark Godfrey[1]
Staff (2013)
75

History

STRI was established in the UK in 1929 in response to The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews wanting improved greens.[2] Originally, the new outfit rented rooms in St Ives mansion, before moving out into new buildings on the same estate.[3] The institute now operates globally out of three research and design hubs in United Kingdom, Qatar and the Redlands Research Station in Queensland, Australia, servicing over 2,000 clients annually.[4] STRI clients include sports venues, international tournaments, sports governing bodies, sports club owners and facilities managers, local authorities and schools. They provide advice and consultancy to the All England Club for each years Wimbledon championships,[5] and have historically been advisors to the FIFA football World Cup.[6]

In June 1961, Prince Philip became the patron of the institute.[7]

STRI capabilities include R&D, design, consultancy and sustainability disciplines. The headquarters of the STRI is in St Ives, near to Bingley in West Yorkshire,[8] where they have 10 hectares (25 acres) dedicated to turf research.[2] In 2019, a new office was opened in Hong Kong, which is tied into the Chinese governments' drive to build 60,000 sports pitches.[9]

Specialities

Research & Development, Sports Surfaces Design & Construction, Product Testing & Material Analysis, Stadia Pitch Design and Management,[10] Agronomy & Ecology, Sportsturf Consultancy, Planning, Drainage & Irrigation, Aviation, Environment, Green Spaces, Training.

From 2014 through to 2018, the STRI advised the Commonwealth War Graves Commission on turf related matters in the run up to the 100 year commemorations of the First World War. This included over 23,000 locations in 153 countries.[4]

Notable sporting events

References
  1. Shand, Alistair (19 May 2016). "New chief at Harden-based STRI". Keighley News. Retrieved 19 May 2020.
  2. Barnett, David (1 July 2017). "The grass connoisseurs shaping our sporting landscapes". The Independent. Retrieved 19 May 2020.
  3. Bishop, Greg (24 June 2012). "Wimbledon's Guardians of Grass Face a Challenging Summer". The New York Times. Retrieved 19 May 2020.
  4. Holland, Chris (22 April 2014). "Bingley turf experts land war graveyard honour". Bradford Telegraph and Argus. Retrieved 19 May 2020.
  5. Ahmed, Murad (7 July 2018). "Wimbledon aims to be a cut above despite the heatwave". Financial Times. Retrieved 19 May 2020.
  6. "Bingley's World Cup turf research". BBC News. 7 June 2010. Retrieved 19 May 2020.
  7. Murray, Amanda (2006). All the kings' horses : a celebration of royal horses from 1066 to the present day. London: Robson. p. 258. ISBN 1-86105-930-2.
  8. Holland, Chris (5 September 2014). "Conference to be held at Bingley's Sports Turf Research Institute". Telegraph and Argus. Retrieved 29 March 2016.
  9. Meek, Natasha (12 July 2019). "Bingley born STRI takes on new turf in China". Bradford Telegraph and Argus. Retrieved 19 May 2020.
  10. "Bingley firm installs pitch at Premiership football club". Bradford Telegraph and Argus. 10 August 2018. Retrieved 19 May 2020.
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