Facility
Guidance
The guidance documents listed below form the first point of reference for applicants and illustrate the
minimum expected requirements. They may also provide the applicant with a greater general
understanding of overall design concepts, an appreciation of technical issues and the critical factors
that need to be considered in reaching an appropriate solution for a particular project. The guidance
notes also advise where further information, advice and expertise may be found and point to
benchmark examples.
Facility Type / Details
Links to Design Guidance Notes
Soccer Artificial Grass Pitch (AGP)
https://www.sportengland.org/media/30552/Artif
icial-Surfaces-for-Outdoor-Sports-2012.pdf
IFA Intermediate League (90m x 45m)
IFA Premier Intermediate League (90m x 45m)
http://www.thefa.com/my-football/footballvolunteers/runningaclub/yourfacilities/technicalst
andards
IFA Premier League (90m x 60m)
(Dimensions above exclude required 3m safe run offs)
http://www.irishfa.com/fs/doc/Joint_Ground_Crit
eria_version_1.10_Aug14.pdf
http://www.sapca.org.uk/technicalguidance/codes-ofpractice/more/1595/page/1/sapca-code-ofpractice-for-the-construction-and-maintenanceof-synthetic-turf-sports-pitches
Gaelic Football AGP
Length – 130m minimum and 145m maximum
Width – 80m minimum and 90m maximum
(Dimensions above exclude required 5m safe run offs)
Rugby Union AGP – Field of Play
http://www.pstsport.ie/userfiles/files/GAA%203G%20Pitch%20S
pecifications%202009.pdf
GAA Club Manual Chapter 8 – Providing Facilities
http://www.ulstergaa.ie/wpcontent/uploads/2008/01/gaa_club_manual_200
5.pdf
http://irbplayerwelfare.com/pdfs/Turf_Performan
ce_Tech_Spec_EN.pdf
Length – 94m minimum and 100m maximum
Width – 68m minimum and 70m maximum
In-goal areas each end:Length - 10m minimum and 22m maximum
Width – As Field of Play
(Dimensions above exclude required 5m safe run offs)
http://laws.worldrugby.org/downloads/World_Ru
gby_Laws_2015_EN.pdf
http://www.sportscotland.org.uk/documents/facil
ities/design_guidance/013__rugby_union_pitch.pdf
http://www.sapca.org.uk/technicalguidance/codes-ofpractice/more/1595/page/1/sapca-code-ofpractice-for-the-construction-and-maintenanceof-synthetic-turf-sports-pitches
Rugby League AGP
http://irbplayerwelfare.com/pdfs/Turf_Performan
ce_Tech_Spec_EN.pdf
Full Size Preferred Dimensions;
http://www.rflfacilitiestrust.co.uk/_uploads/Pitch
%20Size%20Guidance%20Brochure.pdf
Length 100m x Width 68m
In-goal areas each end:-
http://www.sapca.org.uk/technicalguidance/codes-ofpractice/more/1595/page/1/sapca-code-ofpractice-for-the-construction-and-maintenanceof-synthetic-turf-sports-pitches
Length - 6m minimum and 11m maximum
Width – As Field of Play
Hockey AGP – Field of Play
http://www.fih.ch/files/Sport/Pitches/2013%20M
ay%20Pitch%20Handbook.pdf
Length – 91.4m x Width – 55m
(Dimensions above exclude recommended 5m safe run offs at
both ends and recommended 4m safe run offs both sides)
http://www.fih.ch/files/Sport/Rules/FIHRules%20of%20Hockey%202012-interactif.pdf
http://www.sapca.org.uk/technicalguidance/codes-ofpractice/more/1595/page/1/sapca-code-ofpractice-for-the-construction-and-maintenanceof-synthetic-turf-sports-pitches
Artificial Training Areas
(Training areas will require Run-offs to
Governing Bodies recommended dimensions)
the
National
Artificial Multi Use Games Area (MUGA)
Sport NI will only fund artificial training areas
which have a principal playing area minimum two
thirds of the National Governing Bodies
recommended minimum dimensions as in the
table above.
http://www.sapca.org.uk/technicalguidance/multi-use-games-areas-mugas
Sport NI requirements;
Length – 37m minimum and 50m maximum
Width – 18.5m minimum and 25m maximum
(Run-offs not applicable. Boundary fence of MUGA forms
boundary of pitch)
Outdoor Tennis Court
Sport NI requirements; Minimum 2 Courts
Overall Area; Length 36.57m x Width 33.53m
( Overall area noted above includes all necessary run-offs,
Single Court Principal Playing Area; Length 23.77m x Width
10.97m.
6.4m safe run offs required at both ends, 3.66m safe run offs
both sides, shared run-off between adjacent courts 4.27m)
https://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&es
rc=s&source=web&cd=2&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=
0CCgQFjAB&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thefa.co
m%2FGetIntoFootball%2F~%2Fmedia%2F7ADF8
BF4A6814F22B885AD084331A507.ashx%2F&ei=
k2pLVaftMMbfU4yHgIAJ&usg=AFQjCNEwgfjtR_Qe
wBDSkstStbMXkOMFlQ&sig2=2YcJgFi8LxYUZ4o3f
esskQ
http://www.sapca.org.uk/technicalguidance/codes-ofpractice/more/1598/page/1/sapca-code-ofpractice-for-the-construction-and-maintenanceof-tennis-courts
http://www.lta.org.uk/venuemanagement/facilities-advice/
Athletics Track
6 or 8 Lane, 110m straight both sides, grass
infield, artificial throws, jumps and end fans.
Key reference documents:
IAAF Track and Field Facilities Manual
2008 Edition - Chapters 1-3

IAAF Track and Field Facilities Manual
2008 Edition - Chapters 4-8
Both Documents can be found at the following
web link:http://www.iaaf.org/aboutiaaf/documents/technical
http://www.sapca.org.uk/technicalguidance/codes-ofpractice/more/1593/page/1/sapca-code-ofpractice-for-the-construction-and-maintenanceof-athletics-tracks
Cricket
http://www.ecb.co.uk/sites/default/files/ts4-ecbgroundsmanship-2011-1337_0.pdf
Natural Turf, Synthetic and Net Cage Facilities
http://www.ecb.co.uk/sites/default/files/ecbnon-turf-pitches-ts6-final-328_0.pdf
http://www.ecb.co.uk/sites/default/files/provisio
ns-installation-of-ntps-v3-1339.pdf
http://www.ecb.co.uk/sites/default/files/code-ofpractice-apr-08-2252_0.pdf
Golf
Anyone wishing to develop a golfing facility
should in the first instance contact the Golfing
Union of Ireland, Ulster Branch for initial advice:Golfing Union of Ireland
Unit 5 Forestgrove Business Park
Newtownbreda Road
Belfast, Co Antrim
BT8 6AW
Northern Ireland
T: 028 90491 891
E: [email protected]
The following guidance documents may also
provide assistance:http://www.sportscotland.org.uk/media/791086/
800-golf-practice-facilities.pdf
http://www.sportscotland.org.uk/media/791087/
801-clubgolf-get-into-golf-centre.pdf
http://www.sportscotland.org.uk/media/791088/
802-golf-development-centre.pdf
GAA Handball
One Wall Covered Outdoor Facility
(Minimum 3 full size one wall courts)
Indoor One Wall Facility
http://www.tyronegaa.ie/wpcontent/uploads/2012/01/One-Wall-FacilitiesDevelopment.pdf
http://uploads.gaahandball.ie/downloads/194/co
urt_development_information.pdf
Indoor Court Facility
Bowling Indoor
https://www.sportengland.org/media/32384/Ind
oor-bowls.pdf
Bowling Outdoor
Chapter 5
https://www.sportengland.org/media/30865/Nat
ural-turf-for-sport.pdf
Skatepark
Sport NI requirements;
Minimum 1000 Square Metres and Should be
designed by a competent and reputable
specialist; be constructed from concrete with
features allowing skateboarders, BMX riders and
in-line skaters of all ages and abilities to be able
to participate.
Outdoor Fitness and Exercise Spaces
Sport NI requirements;
Minimum 7 Station Gym
Sports Hall
Sport NI requirements;
Minimum 4 Court Hall
Skateparks should comply fully with British
Standard BS EN 14974:2006+A1:2010: Facilities
for users of roller sports equipment – Safety
requirements and test methods.
The BS Standard can be purchased online from
the web link below:http://shop.bsigroup.com/
All outdoor gym equipment will be required to
conform to the following product standards:



PAS 888
EN1176
EN957
DIN 79000
https://www.sportengland.org/media/31363/Spo
rts-Halls-Design-and-Layouts-2012.pdf
https://www.sportengland.org/media/31279/Equi
pment-Stores-Briefing-Note.pdf
http://www.sportni.net/sportni/wpcontent/uploads/2014/01/DSNI__Sport_NI_Design__Management_Guidelines__2010_Edition1.pdf
Indoor Fitness and Exercise Spaces
https://www.sportengland.org/media/32375/Fitn
ess-and-exercise-spaces.pdf
All fitness equipment must be ‘IFI Accredited’ and
meet IFI Equipment Design Standards to be fully
inclusive, enabling both disabled and nondisabled people to benefit from a full body,
cardiovascular and resistance-based workout.
Further detail can be found at the web link
below:http://www.efds.co.uk/inclusive_fitness/fitness_e
quipment
Changing Pavilion
Sport NI requirements;
Minimum 4 Changing Rooms
https://www.sportengland.org/media/30956/Pavi
lions-and-clubhouses.pdf
http://www.footballfoundation.org.uk/fundingschemes/resources/technicalguidance/?assetdet0839d16f-a567-4843-b4e8b6daeb8a4507=22848
http://www.sportni.net/sportni/wpcontent/uploads/2014/01/DSNI__Sport_NI_Design__Management_Guidelines__2010_Edition1.pdf
Countryside Projects
Walking and Cycling Trails
In 2013 Outdoor Recreation NI (ORNI) developed
a series of trail design guidelines to ensure
Better standards of trail construction.
To purchase or receive a copy of the trail design
guidelines please contact ORNI on:
Tel: 028 9030 3930
Fax: 028 9062 6248
Email: [email protected]
If you are considering developing facilities not included within the above list then please contact one of
the following Sport NI Facility Unit staff members who may be able to further assist you with your
project development:



Stephen McIlveen:- T: 028 9038 3848 E: [email protected]
Liam Hinphey:- T: 028 9038 3859 E: [email protected]
Alan Campbell:- T: 028 9038 3894 E: [email protected]
Stuart Wilson:- T: 028 9038 3876 E: [email protected]
The Facilities Unit is responsible for the promotion of a strategic approach to facility planning and
development in Northern Ireland. The Facilities Team also manages Northern Ireland’s sports facilities
database and ‘Active Places NI’, an interactive web-based resource.
An advocacy service also provides technical and design guidance to key sports facility providers, design
professionals and Sport Northern Ireland’s capital programmes. The advocacy service also includes a
GIS function that enables Sport Northern Ireland to map sports facilities in relation to population and
demographic data.