About EcoSport Innovation
The independent experts behind every project
Principle Consultant
Nick Rickerby
Nick Rickerby oversees client engagement and leads project design, guiding sports facility developments from initial concept through planning and delivery.
He began his career as a contracts manager with a leading sports facility contractor, before being recruited by a major sports pitch consultancy. As Principal Consultant, Nick delivered facilities for a wide range of public and private sector clients, including the Football Foundation.
He later became Football Foundation Framework Manager for a leading synthetic turf manufacturer, gaining over fifteen years of experience across the synthetic and hybrid turf sector. This has given him a rare, end-to-end understanding of facility development, spanning design, construction, and long-term operation.
In recent years, Nick has focused on sustainable sports pitch technology, delivering Scotland’s first cork-filled 3G pitch and England’s first stadium installation using organic infill. Working closely with the industry, he continues to engage with the latest environmentally responsible innovations .
Ian Stoneman
Environmental Consultant
BSc Hons Surveying & BTEC National Diploma Construction Studies
InfoDrainage and AutoCAD
Environmental Consultant
Ian Stoneman
Why EcoSport Innovations
Helping Local Clubs to Olympic-level projects
Full-chain expertise
Expand on what working across the supply chain means in practice. Why a feasibility study from someone who has installed surfaces is different from one written by someone who hasn't. Concrete examples of issues spotted that others would have missed.
Sustainability with substance
This is the philosophy section. The kick-off notes describe Nick's approach as 'pausing at every decision point to ask: can we do better?' This section explains what that looks like: bio-basin and bio-retention water management, biodiversity net gain incorporated into facility design, recycled and sustainable polymer specification, carbon-neutral targets. Specific, technical, no greenwashing.
Authority through association
Range of projects — grassroots to Olympic-level. This section can carry a short client list (named where permitted), or a logo wall, or both. Specific project mentions where appropriate.
Accreditations & Memberships
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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
Sustainable Sports Facilities
Our commitment to sustainability
“Beware of false knowledge; it is more dangerous than ignorance” – George Bernhard Shaw
We want to provide our clients with the most sustainable sports facility the industry can provide whilst respecting limited budgets through innovative, bespoke design and life cycle costing.
In recent years, we have focused on sustainable sports pitch technology, delivering Scotland’s first cork-filled 3G pitch and England’s first stadium installation using organic infill.
Working closely with the industry, we continue to engage with the latest environmentally responsible innovations .
Got a Project in Mind?
Every project starts with a conversation. Tell us what you’re thinking and we’ll tell you whether we’re the right person to help.
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!
Who is behind EcoSport Innovations?
EcoSport Innovations was founded by Nick Rickerby, a sports surface specialist with 15+ years of experience across the full supply chain from raw material chemistry and polymer selection through manufacturing, design, specification, installation, and project management. Nick has worked at every stage of the sports surface lifecycle, which gives him a perspective that most consultants, who typically know only one part of the chain, cannot match.
What does 'independent' mean in the context of sports pitch consultancy?
Independent means we have no financial relationship with any surface manufacturer, contractor, or installer. We do not receive commission, referral fees, or incentives from any supplier. When we recommend a surface system or a contractor, that recommendation is based solely on what is best for your project. This independence is the foundation of our value. It is what allows us to give genuinely unbiased advice.
Why does EcoSport focus on sustainability?
Synthetic sports surfaces have historically worked in conflict with the environment. Rubber crumb infill releases microplastics, conventional drainage uses non-recyclable plastic attenuation, and end-of-life disposal is a growing problem. EcoSport was founded on the belief that sports facilities can be delivered sustainably without compromising performance or increasing cost. The 2031 microplastics transition means sustainability is no longer optional. It is a business reality that every facility owner must now address.
What is EcoSport's approach to environmental design?
We take a proactive approach at every decision point: can we do better? This means specifying organic or recycled infill materials instead of rubber crumb, replacing plastic egg-crate water attenuation with bio-basins and bio-retention systems, incorporating biodiversity net gain into planning applications, evaluating carbon-neutral design options, and promoting off-grid electrical systems to reduce long-term running costs. We aim to eliminate environmental harm rather than mitigate it after the fact.
Has EcoSport worked with Premier League or professional clubs?
Yes. We have provided surface consultancy to six English Premier League clubs including AFC Bournemouth, Crystal Palace, Aston Villa, Brighton and Hove Albion, Nottingham Forest, and Southampton. We have also consulted on every synthetic pitch in the Northern Ireland Premiership. The same depth of expertise we bring to professional football is available to every client, regardless of the level of sport.
What is EcoSport's track record with sustainable infill?
We have the most extensive experience of organic infill systems of any independent consultancy in the UK. We were involved in the delivery of England’s first cork-infill stadium pitch at Newmarket Town FC in 2016, which has held FIFA Quality certification since installation. In 2021, we delivered Scotland’s first cork-infill pitch at Monifieth Athletic FC. Both pitches continue to perform strongly under heavy use, providing years of real-world evidence that sustainable infill works.
Does EcoSport only work on large projects?
No. We work on projects of all sizes, from community club pitches and school MUGAs to Premier League training facilities and multi-pitch sports hubs. The consultancy approach is the same regardless of scale: understand the client’s needs, specify the right system, manage the process, and ensure quality. Many smaller projects actually benefit more from independent consultancy, because the margin for error is smaller when the budget is tight.
Can EcoSport help with natural grass pitches as well as synthetic?
Yes. While our primary specialism is synthetic and hybrid surfaces, we have deep expertise in natural turf, agronomy, and hybrid natural/synthetic systems. We have delivered hybrid pitches for Premier League clubs (including a 16,000m² hybrid surface for AFC Bournemouth) and can advise on the relative merits of natural, synthetic, and hybrid solutions for your specific project.
How does EcoSport stay current with industry developments?
We actively track regulatory changes (including the EU REACH microplastics restriction and the UK HSE review), attend industry events, maintain relationships with governing bodies and funding organisations, and continuously evaluate new surface technologies and materials as they enter the market. Our involvement in pioneering projects, such as the UK’s first cork-infill pitches, means we are often at the leading edge of industry innovation rather than following it.