Zenit Saint Petersburg and others
Background
Managing grass in extremely cold climates is a professional interest and speciality of Richard Hayden with experience dating back to 2007, with the development of novel techniques for growing grass in -25oC in Shaktar Donetsk stadium, Eastern Ukraine.
During the UEFA EURO 2012 project these techniques were further developed and refined. Two state-of-the-art pitches were installed in FC Metalist and NSK Kiev, Ukraine.
Such experience has led to Richard’s direct appointment as a retained consultant in FC Zenit, Saint Petersburg, Russia. Richard travels to Russia on a regular basis to deliver and manage many pitches including the new state of the art moving pitch in Gazprom Arena for the Russia 2018 World Cup™.
Solutions
The involvement of Richard Hayden has provided Zenit Saint Petersburg with the confidence and know-how to manage natural grass pitches all year round in climates that can range between -25oC and +35oC.
Specialist technical solutions have been developed and established in St Petersburg including unique rootzone reinforcements, bespoke nutrient management plans and plant stress management techniques.
Result
The pitches in Zenit Saint Petersburg are amongst the best in Russia and Richard continues to be retained as a regular consultant. The Zenit natural turf pitches are a benchmark for Russia and in 2016 the ‘‘Zenit Standard’’ was developed with groundstaff as the benchmark for the upcoming FIFA World Cup™.
Other Extreme Climate Projects Led by Richard Hayden:
- 2016 Poland Stadium Review (16 Stadia)
- 2014 FC Dnipro Dnipropetrovsk, Ukraine
- 2014 FC Anjii, Moscow
- 2014 FC Anjii Stadium, Rep of Dagestan
- 2012 Lviv Stadium, Ukraine
- UEFA EURO 2012 Poland and Ukraine™ 35 pitches
- 2011 Hutnik Stadium, Poland
- 2011 FC Metalist, Ukraine
- Gamla Ullevi Gothenburg Sweden
- 2008 Shaktar Donetsk, Ukraine
- FC Krasnador, Russia 2018 World Cup™ Stadium
Zenit Saint Petersburg
