Cumberland FA are delighted to confirm a BRAND-NEW partnership with SIS Pitches, providing Cumberland Clubs with access to natural grass maintenance services.

The exciting partnership provides a clear pathway for Cumberland FA to support local Clubs with access to knowledge, advice and services from an internationally recognised, industry leading company based within our own County! Clubs will benefit from the new partnership with access to services such as verti draining, overseeding, sanding and other services relating to maintaining Grass Pitches.

Cumberland FA’s Craig Lewis said “We are extremely excited to announce SIS Pitches as our Grass Pitch Maintenance Provider. The opportunity to work with such an internationally renowned organisation is something we are extremely proud to be able to do. As a company based in our County, we hope to provide our clubs with access to a service which can be tailored to their needs and delivered by experts on our doorstep.

"Grass Pitches continue to be the backbone of grassroots football in the County and our aim is to try and improve as many as we can over the next four years whilst building on the success of the sixty pitches improved during the last four years.

"The importance of maintaining our grass pitches has never been more relevant as we continue to be challenged by wet conditions during large parts of the traditional season. By focusing more on the essential maintenance items throughout the year, we hope our grass pitches can become more resilient to our unique Cumberland climate.

"We also want to try and assist those who are looking after our grass pitches in the County with a local service which can help them to improve their own sites and increase the amount of pitches gaining access to the support available through the Football Foundation’s Grass Pitch Maintenance Funding which will assist with the costs to undertake the tasks needed.

"This partnership offers a fantastic opportunity for our County, and we are eager to get started with SIS Pitches right away to help clubs prepare for the Autumn/Winter period so please do get in touch with us to discuss how we may be able to help.

"I’d also like to thank Will Brockbank from SIS Pitches for being so proactive as well as the invaluable support and guidance already provided.”

WHO ARE SIS PITCHES?

SIS Pitches are sports surface experts based in Maryport, Cumbria, with operations worldwide and additional offices in the Netherlands, Ireland, Türkiye, Georgia, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, and Nottingham.

Their work in grassroots sports across Cumbria has focused on building and maintaining high-quality, accessible infrastructure for the local community. By partnering with local clubs and organisations, they've successfully increased the number of facilities available for people to access sport. Their sports surfaces are designed to provide lasting benefits for both grassroots and professional sports, while strengthening the future of sports in the region.

Will Brockbank, SIS Pitches UK Natural Pitch Director commented: “We take pride in managing the entire sports surface project, from design and planning to manufacturing, construction, installation, and maintenance. Our core offering is natural, hybrid and synthetic sports surfaces, as well as courts, tracks and ice surfaces.”

#PoweringMorePlay perfectly encapsulates SIS Pitches. Whether SIS Pitches are installing a 5-a-side pitch at a local school or constructing and maintaining pitches for the FIFA World Cup, their goal is to promote more sport for all ages, abilities, and genders.

Will continues: “At SIS Pitches, we focus on more than just the surface. We are proud to be the first and only B-Corp in the sports surface industry, meeting the highest standards of social and environmental performance, transparency, and accountability. Our people are what makes SIS Pitches so successful and we recognise this.” 

Recent SIS Pitches clients and milestones include:

• Carlisle United Under 21 Training Pitch, Creighton Rugby Club, Whitehaven AFC, Workington Reds, Workington Town Ladies
• Manchester City, Chelsea, Aston Villa, Barcelona, Juventus
• 2023 Rugby World Cup Final Pitch (Stade de France)
• Pitches constructed and installed for the 2018 (6 pitches) and 2022 (6 pitches) FIFA World Cups

As well as natural pitch works, SIS Pitches also manufacture all their synthetic surfaces at their facility in Maryport, further supporting the region and UK manufacturing.

HOW DO CLUBS GET INVOLVED?

Any Cumberland Club interested in utilising the benefits of this partnership should email info@CumberlandFA.com with an initial enquiry. 

Cumberland FA’s Football Development Manager and Lead on Facilities, Craig Lewis will then be in touch to get more details and initiate discussions.

For any Cumberland Clubs utilising the partnership please tag us in your social media with #PoweringMorePlay #CumberlandFootball sharing your pitch stories.