Lausanne, Switzerland— The International Hockey Federation (FIH) is pleased to confirm that AstroTurf has been appointed as an official FIH Preferred Supplier.
As part of the FIH Quality Programme for Hockey Turf, Preferred Suppliers manufacture hockey turf products and build hockey fields. Their service provision therefore allows customers to benefit from a one-stop approach to the construction of their new hockey field.
The Preferred Supplier designation is the highest honor in the FIH Quality Programme. In addition to meeting all the criteria of FIH Certified Manufacturers and Field Builders, AstroTurf has also demonstrated its commitment to working with the FIH around the world to provide high-quality hockey fields suitable for international, national, club and development hockey.
Only companies that are able to demonstrate their commitment to hockey are awarded this prestigious recognition. AstroTurf contributes to the development of hockey by working with the FIH to set the industry standards and build the fields needed to grow and sustain the game.
AstroTurf® has a long history of innovation and leadership in the hockey world. It’s the brand that changed the sport. It invented turf in 1965, and AstroTurf has been the standard surface for elite hockey pitches since its first use at the 1976 Montreal Olympics. Pam Hixon, former US Olympic Coach, said, “Field hockey moved off grass and onto synthetic turf 40 years ago when we first played on AstroTurf. It is no surprise that the FIH has now selected AstroTurf to be a Preferred Supplier.”
The Preferred Supplier initiative is part of the FIH Quality Programme for Hockey Turf which is aimed at ensuring good quality hockey fields are built for all levels of play, from elite level competition to community development.
This internationally recognised quality-assurance programme provides consistent and dependable industry standards for the performance, construction and durability of hockey turf installations worldwide and ensures the appropriate quality for the intended level of play. As a result it will help inspire more people to play hockey, promote player welfare and protect the investment of those funding hockey facilities.
This programme forms an integral part of the FIH’s Hockey Revolution, a 10-year strategy that aims to make hockey a global game that inspires the next generation. As part of the overall strategy a major initiative was launched to increase the degree of professionalism in hockey. The Quality Programme is one of the first results of this initiative.
For more information about this programme, visit the new on new Hockey Turf section of FIH website by clicking here.
About AstroTurf
For athletes and sport enthusiasts, AstroTurf has redefined the way the game is played. The company offers advanced, state-of-the-art, multi-sport and specialized synthetic turf systems with proprietary engineered technologies. A growing number of clubs, high schools, universities, professional sports teams and municipalities continue to select AstroTurf-branded products for their premium quality, technical superiority, and safety.
About the International Hockey Federation (FIH)
The International Hockey Federation (FIH) is the world governing body for the sport of hockey, recognized by the International Olympic Committee (IOC). Founded in 1924, FIH today has 132 member National Associations.