The Disability Discrimination Act specifically requires that sport
construction does not in any way impede a person with a disability from
enjoying their training.
Manufacturer of synthetic surfaces Playrite know that the need to specify
the right products for sporting facilities is seen as crucial if a whole swathe
of the disabled community is to be fully included in UK sport.
Playrite provide the highest quality of sport surfacing products for
everyone, from grassroots community sport centres up to elite sporting
facilities.
In particular they are keen to ensure their products are suitable for all
users, in particular those who use wheelchairs in grass-based sports.
To guarantee that their products will serve the next generation sporting
greats Playrite submitted their Matchplay 2 surface for testing to determine
the coefficient of friction when the surface is in use by wheelchairs.
Surfaces require coefficient of friction between 0.75 μ – 1.0 μ to be deemed
suitable for wheelchair sports. Tests conducted by Labosport determined that
Matchplay 2 had a rating of 0.96μ which deems it safe for wheelchair users and
suitable for a number of sports including: tennis, hockey, football, netball
and basketball.
Chris Pickles, Sales Director, Playrite Ltd, commented, “We have had a large
increase in demand from the wheelchair sporting sector for our Matchplay 2
synthetic grass surface. It seemed more than prudent to have our Matchplay 2
product tested by a recognised body.
“It’s crucial that sports surfaces meet the required friction ratings for
wheelchair users. The Labosport report quite clearly shows that Matchplay 2 is
more than fit for purpose in this sector.”
