TO the untrained eye, the turf at the ANZ Stadium is just grass.
But according to Fiji Sports Council (FSC) Grounds Superintendent Permal Swamy, it is much more than this.
“It takes time, energy, and attention to ensure that the high maintenance hybrid turf is free of disease, to ensure that it is chemically balanced, and mowed consistently through to game day,” said Mr Swamy, who is an expert at turf cultivation and maintenance.
The grass is called AgriDark Couch, a hybrid from New Zealand, and has been grown locally by the Fiji Sports Council since the ANZ Stadium was renovated in 2013.
Under Mr Swamy’s supervision, a team of six groundsmen is permanently assigned to keep the turf at the 10,200 square metre ANZ Stadium trimmed to the ideal height of 35mm when not actively in use, down to 30mm in anticipation of soccer matches and up to 40mm-50mm for rugby games.
“We’re mowing three times a week, sometimes daily. It takes two and a half hours to do the first cut and another two and a half to perform the second cut,” Mr Swamy said.
The investment in the turf and drainage system at the stadium means that a strict schedule for usage is followed, to ensure that the turf is not overused and has time to recover for peak sports seasons.
“Treatment is provided on to required areas each week to boost colour, sometimes twice in one week and the momentum increases when a major event is on the calendar. The groundsmen must all ensure that the nitrogen, potassium and phosphorous are well applied to the turf to produce healthy growth as well as herbicide to eradicate weeds,” he said.
Similar mowing and fertilising programmes take place at the Council’s two open-air turf nurseries; the 300 square metre plot at Buckhurst Park in Laucala and the 800 square metre nursery at the Council’s facility in Veivadravadra in Sigatoka. While the turf grown in the nursery at Veivadravadra is prioritised for commercial purposes, as the Council is the licensed distributor, the nursery at Laucala is reserved solely for replacing the damaged turf at the ANZ Stadium.
“Fiji’s tropical weather is perfect for AgriDark Couch grass because the heat allows it to recover fast. After game day, the damaged turf is raked, the gaps are refilled with sand and re-patched with new turf,” Mr Swamy said.
Noting the extensive maintenance works required to ensure world-class performance of the ANZ Stadium pitch, time is of the essence in ensuring consistency of pitch presentation for all matches hosted.
Therefore, FSC’s current booking schedule requires at least a three-week gap between major events to allow for pitch recovery to ensure every event is hosted in pitch-perfect conditions
