SPORTENG specialises in the planning, design and construction phases of Fields of Play across all sports in Australia. Our experienced team all contribute towards designing high quality fields of play for all levels of use.
Across Australia and the world, sports fields are increasingly vulnerable to extreme weather events. Bushfires, floods, droughts, and even cyclones are becoming more frequent and severe, disrupting play and causing significant damage to playing surfaces. These challenges underscore the necessity for sports facilities to be designed to withstand environmental extremes and be capable of recovering quickly in the event of a hazardous weather event.
(Photo below shows the 2025 floods that impacted the sports fields of play across North Queensland at the start of the year).
At SPORTENG, we take a comprehensive approach to these challenges, combining proactive design strategies with expert recovery solutions. Our expertise in sports field engineering, turf agronomy, and superintendency services enables us to assist councils, sports clubs, and facility managers in designing climate-resilient sports fields and providing the necessary support to restore and strengthen them following extreme weather events. SPORTENG delivers tailored expertise to keep your playing surface in peak condition.
Natural disasters can strike at any time, but with the right design and support, your field stays strong, safe, and ready for play.
Preventing damage before it happens is the most effective way to ensure a durable and playable sports field. At SPORTENG, we integrate smart engineering, site-specific planning, and turf agronomy into every project to create sports surfaces that can endure Australia’s toughest climate conditions.
Natural turf sports fields are often located in low-lying areas subjected to flood inundation, and they play an important role in conveying flood waters. Traditional design philosophies for these fields delivered poor-performing profiles with little to no drainage infrastructure. A well-designed natural turf field should consist of a drainage system, which can play a critical role in flood resilience. By implementing carefully engineered drainage solutions, we help prevent waterlogging and surface instability, allowing fields to dry faster after heavy rain.
In drought-prone areas, smart irrigation systems are essential for keeping turf healthy while minimising water consumption. These systems ensure that water is distributed efficiently, reducing the risk of dehydration and surface hardness.
Beyond water management, soil stabilisation techniques help protect fields from erosion, while selecting the right climate-resistant turf varieties ensures long-term durability. By analysing environmental conditions before construction, we identify the best turf for each site, considering factors such as soil composition, expected usage, and local weather patterns. This proactive approach creates a field that is not only resilient to extreme weather but also cost-effective to maintain over time.
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Synthetic grass systems installed in areas prone to floodwater inundation require a comprehensive evaluation of their suitability and performance under such conditions. Most synthetic surfaces are not suitable for use in flood-prone areas as they can be readily displaced and damaged depending on the type of flood event.
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Acrylic systems, on the other hand, if appropriately designed, can withstand most flood events as the acrylic adheres to the underlying pavement. As long as the underlying pavement is not impacted by the flood event and the acrylic system has been well-maintained and free of surface defects, the likely extent of damage will be limited to sedimentation deposits, which can be pressure-washed off, and minor gouges in the surface, which can be readily repaired.
