As a traditional school challenge, nothing beats the gloriously freezing cold mud and slippery hills of the cross country running lesson or competition. It’s character-building stuff and something many of us have learned to both dread and love as students. It is a rite of passage and nostalgic story for the grandchildren.
However, the very same mud and torturous conditions do not need to apply to every sport or PE lesson. Things have moved on for the better; better for the athletes, better for the grounds, better for the budget.
Yes, investing in a Multi-Use Games Area (MUGA) is a major undertaking, financially and practically but, oh my goodness, the benefits once installed make any difficulties pale into insignificance.
Football is called the beautiful game for a reason but all too often grassroots footballers are held back by poorly maintained, uneven, and even waterlogged pitches. The increase in Artificial Turf Pitches (ATPs) has been a godsend to amateur footballers everywhere. Better pitches mean a level playing field (literally and metaphorically) for players across the board.
No more pot-holed/mossy tarmac courts and baked-hard/ice-smooth pitches to face for all your sports in summer and winter. Now your students will race out enthusiastically as the vibrant colours and comfort of the MUGA markings and surfacing calls to them.
For that is the very first thing to notice about a MUGA – it looks darn good!
There is literally a rainbow of colours to choose from so that you can make your MUGA as vivid or as discreet as you wish. Not only does this add to the appeal of the initial appearance but it can make the playing space so much more effective as players are guided by clear line markings and block coloured areas to suit each game.
Using clever colour ‘coding’, a variety of games can be played on the same sand-filled, engineered base space. Three different sports in one area is usually a sensible number. For example, especially at Primary school level, you might choose permanent cut in white lines for Football, yellow guides for Netball and red markings for Basketball. Pupils and students very quickly learn to recognise the different markings for each sport and it means a fast changeover for lessons as Basketball can follow on immediately from Netball – or you could even switch games mid-lesson!
Thanks to its versatility and inviting appearance, the installation of a MUGA really can give the smallest of sports areas a gigantic lift and make more spacious venues look and feel impressively professional.
Beyond the immediate eye-catching vibrancy and chic of a MUGA, the actual surface type is, of course, key to a satisfying and safe play experience. Now you need to think very carefully about which sports you expect will be in greatest demand on your site. At this point, it is essential to glean advice from the professionals as they can advise on materials and care to ensure you achieve a truly multi-use and long-term installation. What is more, professional support means that you can be sure your players’ physical well-being is also properly catered for – appropriate surfacing is a crucial part of avoiding joint and ligament strain or even bone splints and fractures. You need a surface that gives optimum performance with minimum impact.
Again, discussion with a MUGA installation specialist (such as Sportsafe) is vital but here is a quick run down of some of the main surface options:
- 2G (Second Generation) – short pile, dense surfaces with a pile height that is usually 24mm or less for high-speed action. Think Hockey. Discuss sand-filled, sand-dressed and needle punch effects with you advisor.
- 3G (Third Generation) – with a longer pile height (generally 40-65mm), with sand and rubber infill. Think Rugby. As an all-weather surface, it is not prone to becoming waterlogged and it tolerates wear and tear better than natural grass.
- Tarmacadam – porous and very durable. Usual components are crushed stone, sand and tar. Think Basketball, Tennis, Netball. Discuss slip-resistant coatings and maintenance procedures for longevity.
- Polymeric – extra safety and comfort. Bonded granulated rubber provides greater shock-absorbancy. Think versatility – Hockey, Football, Netball – all-weather and low maintenance.
The next thing to think about is lighting, fencing, storage and spectators. After all, if you have invested in a beautiful, multi-purpose sports area then you are going to want to use it as much as possible. No more restrictions to keep to school timetable lessons only! MUGAs are superb for after-school training sessions and weekend community club use as they provide durable, all-weather facilities that are useable anytime and, even if smaller than full-size pitches, are ideal for honing skills and hosting mini-matches.
The Sportsafe MUGA engineers and support team have extensive knowledge and experience in how to ensure your much-loved MUGA investment stays accessible but safe and secure at all times, even if used outside normal school hours. For example, you may like to consider a surrounding high Weld Mesh fence with rebound layer, a double or single gate, and beautifully laid, linking pathway to the main playground. If your facilities are welcoming, well-cared for, properly maintained, safe and secure, then the message is that you expect visiting players to use them with respect, for their own benefit as well as yours. Such beautiful, and adaptable sports and games provision is also a great advert for your school!
It is also worthwhile to consider storage options, changing facilities and spectator shelters. Whilst it is lovely for parents to spend their weekends cheerleading from the sidelines, they too need a bit of TLC to keep them supportive and engaged.
The following can make all the difference:
- Sheltered area – even just a simple canopy or sail shade can beat the summer sun or April showers to make watching the game more comfortable.
- Fencing – this is so important for the safety and security of facilities, players and spectators alike. Not only does it elevate the appearance of your MUGA but is also protects it from damage or vandalism, protects the athletes on the court or pitch, provides a strong but flexible boundary, and keeps spectators safely spectating in their designated zones. There are so many fencing types, gate design and security measures on offer. Do contact the Sportsafe team to find out what is best for your site and your budget.
- Storage – what a let down if you have a beautiful, action-filled MUGA but your players have to use broken equipment or, worse still, can’t even find some of the resources they need! Prevent this by investing in secure, sturdy and attractive storage provision, both indoors and outdoors. Visiting teams can concentrate on the game, knowing their possessions are safe, and all equipment can be stored properly for safety and longevity.
- Boot scraper and outdoor foot mats – don’t let your fabulous MUGA surface be dirtied or damaged by unnecessarily muddy, scratchy footwear. Make sure there is no excuse for players to be wearing this at any time, and certainly not on your MUGA. Just a few strong, durable outdoor foot mats and scrapers around your site can make all the difference, even if just to make users stop and think about care of the facilities!
And there you have it! Keep the mud and puddles and slipping and sliding to the traditional cross-country run. In the meantime, enjoy all-year, all-weather, colourful, clear, comfortable, safe and secure multi-sports on your MUGA!
