St Theresa's School in Windsor has opened what SmartGrass says is New Zealand's first FIFA-certified TriPlay 27 pitch — a multi-sport surface that also comes with a running track and a nine-hole mini golf course where each hole represents a different culture from the school community.
The school officially opened the facility at midday (12pm) on Monday October 12 at St Theresa's School, 161 King Street, Windsor, Invercargill, with students, families and the wider community there to celebrate.
Principal Julian Ineson said the new space was exciting "for the whole school and the whole community".
"It's been a big project for some time now… to have something now that's available for the kids to use all year round, you can already see the smiles," Ineson said.
The school's previous field was often out of action in wet weather. The new field is a big boost for the school's PE programme, "instead of relying purely on the hall when it's available", and a welcome chance for students to get outside. "The fact they can get out there and enjoy the sunshine, that's fantastic," Ineson said.
The SmartGrass TriPlay 27 turf is FIFA-certified and also carries markings for cricket and futsal, with other sport markings able to be added. "It's a real multi-use facility that exposes them to different sports," Ineson said. A custom running track circles the field, and the putting course sits alongside it.
The project took four months of design and 12 weeks to build. Ineson credited the project team and the school's caretaker for a field "that's high quality and will be used for years to come". Kerry Forde, General Manager at SmartGrass, said the school led the way: "The school did a great job in the design, we just provided guidance." Ground preparation was completed by a local Southland firm. "We love working with local business where we can," Forde said.
Forde, who grew up in Invercargill, saw the chance to upgrade the field to FIFA-certified turf and give the school "a taste of an international pitch down in Invercargill". The result is "a real beacon as you fly into Invercargill", he said. "Our ethos is about creating spaces for people to be and enjoy, and what we're seeing right now is just awesome."
When the turf eventually reaches the end of its life, it will be recycled.
The St Theresa's pitch is a school project and opens ahead of six FIFA mini-pitches SmartGrass is installing around New Zealand from October 2026 for FIFA and local football associations, as part of FIFA's global initiative to install 1,000 mini-pitches worldwide. "It gives young people places to play, form connections, and enjoy themselves," Forde said.
More on SmartGrass projects is at smartgrass.co.nz/projects.
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