At SPORTENG, our commitment to "doing better" extends beyond providing exceptional sports field designs; it encompasses our dedication to sustainability and environmental responsibility.

Our mission is to integrate sustainable solutions into every aspect of our designs, ensuring that the sports fields we create not only meet the needs of today but also protect the environment for future generations. Here’s how we’re achieving this:

Pushing sustainable solutions

One of the cornerstones of our approach is advising clients on sustainable practices. We believe that the sports industry should be a model of environmental stewardship. By incorporating sustainable materials and practices into our designs, we help clients create sports facilities that are not only high-performing but also environmentally friendly.

At the Knox Hockey Facility, we achieved high sustainability standards by implementing eco-friendly solutions.

We used a dry sand-filled artificial grass system to eliminate irrigation and reduce water and energy usage. The stormwater management system, with a vegetated swale drain, bio-infiltration basin, and Raingarden, effectively reduced pollutants in runoff.

We repurposed excess spoil for a hydroseeded viewing mound and used recycled crushed concrete for 90% of the paving. A detention basin was designed to manage stormwater discharge, ensuring no increase in runoff volumes post-development.

Knox Hockey Facility, VIC

Read more about Knox Hockey Facility.

Efficient waste management

Effective waste management is crucial for reducing environmental impact and costs. At SPORTENG, we advise our clients on the best practices for minimising waste during the construction and maintenance of sports fields. By focusing on recycling and reusing materials, we help reduce the amount of waste that ends up in landfills, thus lowering the overall carbon footprint of our projects.

Our design for the Waverley Netball Centre focuses on sustainability and waste management at its core. This project won third place in the 2021 Sports Environment Alliance Changer Award, showcasing that sports and sustainability can go hand in hand. We achieved this by testing elements, conducting site assessments, and designing with the local environment in mind.

We implemented waste management strategies that utilised existing pavement material in the proposed pavement, which reduced costs and minimized environmental impact. While it's common to clear a site completely when redeveloping or building new sports fields, we aim to lead in sustainability by promoting resourceful, easy, and affordable solutions.

Waverley Netball Centre, VIC

Read more about Waverley Netball Centre.

Waste-Not Want-Not

SPORTENG’s "waste not, want not" approach is evident in their projects for the West Coast Eagles and the Sam Kerr Football Centre.

In the West Coast Eagles project, SPORTENG reused natural sand from the existing oval by sieving and testing it for quality, repurposing it as a growing medium for the new ovals. This reduced the need for new materials and minimised waste.

West Coast Eagles Training Centre, WA

At the Sam Kerr Football Centre, local sands were similarly tested and used for the soccer pitches, cutting down on the need for external sand and transport, thus aligning with sustainable practices.

Sam Kerr Football Centre, WA

Both projects faced challenges that required flexible solutions. The West Coast Eagles project integrated existing site materials effectively, while the Sam Kerr Football Centre adjusted its turf strategy to ensure readiness for the FIFA Women’s World Cup by using ryegrass instead of the originally planned couch grass.

These projects demonstrate SPORTENG’s commitment to sustainability: efficiently repurposing materials and adapting to ensure high-quality outcomes while minimizing waste.

Read more about the West Coast Eagles training ground.

Read more about the Sam Kerr Football Centre.

Building New Over Old

SPORTENG excels in transforming existing sites into modern, functional facilities by skillfully building new structures over old ones.

Our capability to develop new facilities on previously used sites involves several key strategies:

• Efficient use of existing materials: by repurposing and integrating existing site materials, we minimise waste and reduce the carbon footprint of new constructions.
• Innovative solutions for existing issues: we offer creative and practical solutions to challenges related to old infrastructure, such as drainage and material degradation.
• Sustainable practices: our designs incorporate sustainable practices, ensuring that new developments meet modern standards while respecting the site's historical context.

A prime example is the redevelopment of the Frankston Tennis Club. When the original site was acquired for hospital expansion, SPORTENG redeveloped a new facility at Centenary Park.

This $4.2 million project, completed in late 2019, created a high-quality tennis hub while effectively utilizing and upgrading the old site.

Centenary Park Regional Tennis Centre

Read more about the Centenary Park Regional Tennis Centre.

Innovative research and development

We’re committed to continuous improvement through research and innovation. Our team is actively involved in groundbreaking projects that explore new ways to enhance sustainability in sports field design. One such project is our recycled glass trial, where we investigate the use of recycled glass sand as a growing medium for natural turf. This innovative approach not only recycles waste glass but also has the potential to improve the performance and sustainability of sports fields.

Read more about the Recycled Glass Trial Project.

At SPORTENG, "doing better" means going beyond excellence in design to actively promote sustainability and environmental stewardship. By pushing sustainable solutions, improving waste management, and enhancing drainage systems, we are helping our clients create sports fields that are better for the environment and more cost-effective to maintain. Our investment in innovative research ensures that we remain at the forefront of sustainable sports field design, continuously finding new ways to reduce our environmental impact.

Together, we can create sports facilities that are not only world-class but also kind to our planet. Join us in our mission to "do better" for the environment.

For more information about our projects and sustainable design practices, contact us now.