At the end of the 2024/25 rugby season, Harlequins Rugby Club made the decision to invest in the playing surface at the club’s stadium, The Stoop. White Horse Contractors, alongside hybrid turf specialists GrassMaster Solutions, were selected to deliver a new hybrid playing surface.

The existing surface was sprayed off ahead of our dedicated in-house renovation team arriving on site to remove the organic material using a Koro FTM. All arisings were transported by a local haulage company, helping to reduce the overall carbon footprint of the project. At the same time, the irrigation system was fully upgraded, including the installation of additional sprinklers and lateral pipework across the pitch.

The next stage of the project focused on improving drainage performance through the installation of secondary drainage using a GKB Drainmaster, backfilled with sports sand. During these works, remnants of the original athletics infield were uncovered beneath the stadium, including a long jump runway and a discus circle located just below the pitch surface.

These structures were removed and the voids backfilled using arisings generated from the secondary drainage installation. The speed of decision-making between White Horse Contractors and the club ensured the project remained on programme.

Following completion of the drainage works, a 100mm sand/rootzone carpet was installed, graded and consolidated, 40mm lower profile of sports sand was installed, graded and consolidated ahead of cultivation and seeding.

After a short grow-in period, GrassMaster Solutions returned on the scheduled date to reinforce the new surface using polyethylene fibres, installed with two Gen-5 stitching machines. Once the pitch had been fully stitched and established, it was handed over to the grounds team.

“White Horse Contractors have been outstanding throughout our recent pitch renovation projects. Communication from the team was consistently clear, timely and proactive, ensuring we always knew what was happening and why. They mobilised exceptionally quickly, adapted to challenges as they arose, and their problem-solving was both practical and solution-focused at every stage.

They worked in true collaboration with us, listening carefully to our requirements and offering expert guidance to get the best possible outcome. The standard of service has been exceptional from start to finish, and the quality of the finished pitches has been incredible — genuinely exceeding our expectations. We would not hesitate to recommend White Horse Contractors for any high-standard pitch works or renovation projects.”
Peter Cooper, Operations Director, Harlequins