Sports Surface Consultants
Delivering Sustainable Sports Facilities with a Positive Impact
EcoSport Innovations is trusted by
Why EcoSport Innovations
We know Our Stuff & Can Show It
25+ years across the full supply chain from project management to manufacturing to design and installation. Nothing gets missed and no contractor or manufacturer can hide behind jargon.
Sustainability is more than a Tickbox
Every project’s design priority is a carbon-neutral target, biodiversity net gain, recycled and sustainable polymers, and bio-retention or bio-basin water management. The question is always whether we can do better.
From grassroots to high-level sports
Clients range from village clubs to internationally recognised facilities. The same standard of care, the same depth of expertise, applied wherever the project is.
We cover the following sports
Indoor & Outdoor Sports
Synthetic surfaces inside sports halls and centres
contact sports
World Rugby Regulation 22, American Football, men's Lacrosse, RFL Stadium and Community
Hockey
Water-based, sand-dressed, dry innovation pitches; FIH approved
Natural & synthetic football pitches
FIFA Quality & Quality Pro surface selection. hybrid and natural turf
MUGA
Multi-use games areas, BS EN 15330 & FIFA Basic compliant
Athletics
World Athletics / UKAA Class 1 and Class 2 tracks & field event equipment
Cricket
Non-turf surfaces, nets, ECB standards
GAA
Pitch & hurling wall construction for ROI and NI clubs
This is who we serve
Clubs
Funding pathways, Section 106 agreement, pitch relocations, upgrades and renovations
Schools & MATs
Capital cost, lifecycle planning, multi-sport facilities, indoor options
Local Authorities
Framework procurement, social value, sustainability targets
Private education sector
Estate management, conservation and environmentally sensitive areas, full design and project management suite
Universities
Master planning, condition surveys and strategic planning, performance led approach for all sports
Governing Bodies
Standards compliance, technical specifications, framework agreements
Objectives
Sport without the Footprint
Every sports facility we touch leaves the environment in a better state than we found it. That is not an aspiration. It is a design principle we apply to every decision, on every project.
EcoSport Innovation’s objectives are aligned with and actively support the delivery of these national strategies.
- Net zero operations by 2030
- Net positive environmental impact by 2040
- NGBs required to develop sustainability action plans
- 50% carbon reduction by 2030
- Net zero by 2040
- Sustainability plans required from funded NGBs by 2027
Case Studies
Articles
Read about the industry's latest
Contact Us
get youR project off the ground
“Every project starts with a conversation with me. No account managers, no handoffs, no being passed to a junior. If we’re a good fit for your project, you’ll know within the first call.” – Nick Rickerby
Principal Consultant
Environmental Consultant
Frequently Asked Questions
EcoSport Innovations strive to be as transparent and informative as possible. If you don’t see your question answered below, drop us an email!
What does EcoSport Innovations do?
Why should I hire an independent sports pitch consultant?
An independent consultant has no product to sell. Unlike manufacturers and contractors, who have commercial incentives to recommend their own systems, an independent consultant evaluates all available options and recommends the best fit for your specific needs and budget. This typically saves money across the project by designing out risks, creating a genuinely competitive tendering process, and controlling additional spend during the build. EcoSport’s experience across the full supply chain means we spot issues that others miss.
What sports surfaces does EcoSport work with?
What is the 2031 rubber crumb ban and how does it affect my pitch?
The EU REACH Regulation (2023/2055) prohibits the marketing of rubber crumb infill from 17 October 2031. Northern Ireland is directly bound by this regulation. Great Britain is running a parallel review through the Health and Safety Executive. Every facility with a 3G pitch will need a transition plan before this date. EcoSport specialises in helping owners navigate this transition, including specifying sustainable alternative infill systems.
What makes EcoSport Innovations different from other pitch consultants?
Three things. First, our founder has 25+ years of experience across the full supply chain which means nothing gets missed. Second, we are the UK’s most experienced consultancy in organic and sustainable infill systems. Third, we embed sustainability into every decision including biodiversity net gain, bio-retention water management, and carbon-neutral targets.
Does EcoSport work across the UK and Ireland?
Yes. We work across England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, and the Republic of Ireland. We have direct experience of the regulatory differences across all five jurisdictions, including familiarity with sportscotland, Sport NI, Sport Ireland, the IFA, GAA, and the different funding and planning frameworks in each region.
Can EcoSport help me get funding for my pitch?
Yes. We have direct experience of successful funding applications across all major UK and Irish funding bodies, including Sport Scotland’s Sport Facilities Fund, Sport NI, the IFA, Sport Ireland’s Sports Capital Programme, and local authority and community funding schemes. Our feasibility studies are specifically structured to support funding applications, and we can advise on which routes are most likely to succeed for your project.
What is a feasibility study and do I need one?
A feasibility study answers the fundamental questions before you commit to a project: is a new surface viable, what type should it be, what will it cost, who can fund it, and what does success look like? Most funding bodies require a feasibility study as part of the application, and even privately funded projects benefit from one. It prevents you from committing to a project that won’t work or a specification that doesn’t match your needs. EcoSport’s feasibility studies cover site assessment, drainage analysis, sport-specific requirements, budget estimation, and funding pathway mapping.
How do I get started with EcoSport?
Every project starts with a conversation. Contact Nick directly through our website, by phone, or by email. There is no obligation and no fee for an initial discussion. We will listen to what you are trying to achieve, give you an honest assessment of whether we can help, and if we are the right fit, outline what the next steps would look like. If we are not the right consultancy for your project, we will tell you and point you toward someone who is.