Tag Archive for: STRI

STRI launches Racecourse Water Management guide

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STRI launches Racecourse Water Management guide: STRI Group has launched a new Racecourse Water Management: Best Practice Guide, providing practical, evidence-led guidance to support consistent, high-quality racing surfaces in an increasingly unpredictable climate.

The guidance was officially launched at the RCA Vets Medical Turf Management Conference on 28th January and has been developed by STRI in partnership with the Racecourse Association (RCA) and the Horse Welfare Board (HWB), with support from the RCA Ground and Going Group and funding from The Racing Foundation.

STRI launches Racecourse Water Management guide

STRI launches Racecourse Water Management guide

As historic climate trends become less reliable, racecourses face growing challenges from drought, intense rainfall and drainage pressures. The new guide supports a proactive, data-driven approach to water management, helping racecourses make informed decisions that protect surface performance and welfare.

Primarily aimed at Clerks of Course and grounds teams, the guide is also relevant for racecourse executives and decision-makers responsible for planning, investment and risk management. Designed to be accessible to both technical and non-technical audiences, it also serves as a valuable training resource for staff new to racecourse operations.

The guidance builds on STRI’s Performance Quality Standard (PQS) framework for turf horse racing, translating improved data measurement and understanding of the relationship between soil moisture and Going into clear, practical advice. It covers soil–water interaction, irrigation demand, calculating water requirements and the importance of measuring soil moisture.

Dr Christian Spring, Principal Scientist at STRI Group commented, “In sport, we can no longer rely on historic climate trends alone to guide how natural turf courses are managed. The impacts of prolonged drought, intense rainfall and poor drainage can be significant, affecting both surface performance and welfare. To meet these challenges, racecourses must be adaptive, flexible and prepared, with the right infrastructure in place and teams who can make informed, confident decisions about their tracks. The document also provides a valuable training resource for staff who are new to racing or racecourse management and at its core, the guide prioritises the welfare of horses and jockeys.”

The guide can be downloaded on STRI’s website here: https://strigroup.com/racecourse-water-management-best-practice-guide-launched-download-here/

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STRI Group Appoints Ian Lacy as Senior Consultant

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STRI Group Appoints Ian Lacy as Senior Consultant: STRI Group has strengthened its consultancy capability with the appointment of Ian Lacy as Senior Consultant, bringing more than 40 years of international experience in the design, construction, management and optimisation of sports surfaces.

Ian joins STRI with an extensive track record advising elite sports organisations, governing bodies and facilities worldwide, including FIFA, the FA, RFU, ECB and LTA. His expertise spans natural and synthetic surfaces, feasibility studies, pitch audits, sustainability strategies and the implementation of performance quality standards across a diverse range of sporting environments.

STRI Group Appoints Ian Lacy as Senior Consultant

STRI Group Appoints Ian Lacy as Senior Consultant

Throughout his career, Ian has delivered hands-on grounds management and consultancy services across Europe, North America, Africa and Asia, working with professional clubs, national associations and major sports venues to enhance playing surface performance and long-term facility resilience.

Richard Stuttard, Group Director commented, “Ian’s depth of technical knowledge and global experience within the sports turf industry will further enhance STRI’s consultancy offering. His appointment reinforces our commitment to delivering world-leading expertise to clients across football, rugby, tennis, golf and other elite sports environments.”

Ian Lacy added, “STRI Group is recognised globally for its leadership in sports surface consultancy and research. I’m excited to be working with the team to support clients with innovative, evidence-based solutions that drive performance, sustainability and long-term surface quality.”

The addition of Ian Lacy to the team highlights a continued ambition for growth as the Group continues to redefine standards for sustainable sports surface design and management.

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Dunstall Park Teams Up With STRI Group

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Dunstall Park Teams Up With STRI Group: The team that supports the Wimbledon Championships’ world-famous lawn tennis courts has been appointed to oversee the development of the UK’s first greyhound racing track in a decade.

Based in Yorkshire but operating internationally, STRI Group specialises in the design construction and management of natural turf and artificial sports surfaces with more than 96 years’ experience.

Dunstall Park Teams Up With STRI Group

Dunstall Park Teams Up With STRI Group

Its team still contributes to the management of Wimbledon’s grass courts, with other projects including the most recent FIFA World Cup in Qatar, the 2022 Commonwealth Games and 2012 London Olympics.

Now, the group will help construct the UK’s newest greyhound racing track at Dunstall Park in Wolverhampton in partnership with Arena Racing Company.

The new track is being developed using the latest welfare driven evidence and sustainability practices ahead of a planned autumn launch. It will feature 75-metre straights, with a bend radius of 47-metres and width of 5.6 metres and sit inside the venue’s horse racing track in full view of its 25,000 capacity grandstand.

Dr Christian Spring, STRI Group Principal Scientist, joined in 2005 and has been working closely with the greyhound racing industry for seven years.

“Our understanding of greyhound racing tracks and how they can operate to the best of their ability on a consistent level has shifted significantly in recent years,” said Dr Spring.

“We factor in all aspects when striving to deliver the highest quality welfare driven racing surfaces, from weather patterns to bend widths and radius plus camber and the sand we use.

“Dunstall Park will deliver the blueprint for an optimal greyhound racing surface designed to host several weekly fixtures under the widest possible range of conditions.”

Once open, Dunstall Park will host four weekly fixtures and operate as one of five greyhound stadia under the management of Arena Racing Company – the UK’s largest racecourse operator.

As part of ARC’s existing partnership with STRI Group, Dunstall Park’s grounds team will work closely with Dr Spring and his team to ensure year-round best practice is applied using the latest evidence-driven track maintenance guidance.

The new track will also be capable of recycling 700,000 litres of water through a purpose-built attenuation tank which will capture disused water and rainfall to minimise the impact on the environment.

Dr Spring added: “Greyhound racing stadiums were typically built decades ago when weather patterns we experience were very different and more seasonal.

“We’re far more susceptible to prolonged periods of wet and dry weather, as this year has proven. It’s prompted everyone to consider how we source water when preparing tracks for racing so stadiums can be resilient to the weather.

“It might sound basic, but the attenuation tank has been designed using cutting-edge technology so water loss to evaporation and soil absorption is minimised and provides the grounds team with enough water to operate for days, enhancing the tracks water resilience.

“We’re turning a pipe dream into reality, and it’s an exciting project for the team to help deliver.”

An opening date for Dunstall Park Greyhound Stadium will be confirmed in the coming weeks.

The track will host its first major competition on Friday, October 24, with the 93rd renewal of the £20,000 Premier Greyhound Racing Oaks. To celebrate the track’s first Category One final, free admission will be available to all racegoers.

Additional information will be released nearer the time.

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A new era for Melbourne’s STRI Australia

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A new era for Melbourne’s STRI Australia: STRI Australia, a leader in sports surface design, research, and consultancy services in Melbourne is transforming its brand to align with its globally dominant parent Group.

Established in 2013, STRI Australia has been committed to helping clients to enhance sports surfaces for a range of sports from grassroots to elite level.

A new era for Melbourne’s STRI Australia

A new era for Melbourne’s STRI Australia

From golf to rugby, AFL, cricket and every sport in between, the services are underpinned by years of scientific research. As part of STRI Group, STRI Australia works on domestic and global projects and supports clients such as FIFA, UEFA, the R&A and the Jockey Club of Saudi Arabia.

Sam Myott, General Manager said, “It’s an exciting time for STRI Australia as we continue to grow and the rebrand reflects the developments of the past 12 years. It’s important for us to be recognised as a core part of the Group which offers end-to-end services in sports and environmental engineering.”

So, what’s new?

  • A new logo has been created with a bespoke identity for STRI Australia, and a direct visual connection to the Group
  • An enhanced website with new content – take a look here: https://striaustralia.com.au/

Sam Myott continued, “Our new logo is a fresh, modern take on our brand and the new updated website is consistent with our reputation and credibility.”

STRI Australia will continue to enhance pitches, facilities, courses, tournaments and events, and to lead world class research in Australia and across the world.  For more information about the services and how they can help, reach out on: info@striaustralia.com.au

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STRI Group welcomes Sarah Hosmer

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STRI Group welcomes Sarah Hosmer: STRI Group is pleased to announce Sarah Hosmer will be joining the business as Principal Consultant.

Bringing her wealth of expertise to the role, Sarah will help to maintain and enhance STRI’s position as leaders in major sports surface design projects across the globe.  With a reputation for her work within the equestrian sector, Sarah will be an integral part of delivering support to new and existing equine clients, as well as working closely with the design and engineering team to develop design techniques from internal research.

STRI Group welcomes Sarah Hosmer

STRI Group welcomes Sarah Hosmer

Tina Jessop, Head of Brand, People and Client Experience commented, “We are delighted to welcome Sarah to the Group, her technical expertise and strategic leadership will be invaluable as we continue to grow and develop our services within the UK and internationally. Sarah is a tremendous asset to the Group, and we look forward to welcoming her to the team.”

For more information about the services STRI Group offers, or to enquire please visit www.strigroup.com or email enquiries@strigroup.com

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