Sports Surface Consultants
Delivering sustainable & environmentally Suitable sports facilities
From clubs to the Olympics, we guide you towards more sustainable sports facilities though considered and innovative design principles.
EcoSport Innovations is trusted by
Why EcoSport Innovations
Helping Local Clubs to Olympic-level projects
We know Our Stuff & Can Show It
15+ years across the full supply chain from manufacturing to design and installation to project management. Nothing gets missed and no contractor or manufacturer can hide behind jargon.
Sustainability is more than a Tickbox
Every project is designed with carbon-neutral targets, 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 Olympic-level
Clients range from village clubs to internationally recognised facilities. The same standard of care, the same depth of expertise, applied wherever the project is.
Services
Feasibility & Strategy
Site assessment, viability studies, business case
Funding & Procurement
Grant applications, framework navigation, tender strategy
Design & Planning
Specification, planning permission, sustainability design
Project Management
Contractor selection, programme oversight, quality control
Quality Assurance & Testing
Post-installation testing, compliance verification
Aftercare & Maintenance Strategy
Long-term performance planning
We cover the following sports
Indoor Sports
Synthetic surfaces inside sports halls and centres
Rugby
3G pitches, World Rugby Regulation 22
Football
3G pitches, FIFA Quality Pro design
Hockey
Water-based, sand-dressed, dry pitches; FIH approved
MUGA
Multi-use games areas, BS EN 15330 compliant
Athletics
World Athletics Class 1 and Class 2 tracks
Cricket
Non-turf and natural surfaces, ECB standards
GAA
Pitch construction for ROI and NI clubs
This is who we serve
Clubs
Funding pathways, grassroots, GAA, Football Foundation grants
Schools & MATs
Capital cost, lifecycle planning, multi-sport facilities, indoor options
Local Authorities
Framework procurement, social value, sustainability targets
Governing Bodies
Standards compliance, technical specifications, framework agreements
Case Studies
successful projects & our Research
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
Principlay 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?
EcoSport Innovations is an independent sports facility consultancy specialising in the design and delivery of sustainable sports surfaces. We guide projects from initial feasibility through funding, specification, project management, quality assurance, and long-term aftercare and cover football, rugby, hockey, athletics, cricket, GAA, MUGAs, and indoor facilities across the UK and Ireland. Our focus is on environmentally responsible design that minimises the ecological footprint of every project we deliver.
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 alternatives like cork, coconut, and other organic infill systems.
What makes EcoSport different from other pitch consultants?
Three things. First, our founder has 15+ 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, having delivered Scotland’s first cork-infill pitch and England’s first cork-infill stadium pitch. 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?
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.