by Shelby Becker
Since 1898, Ashford School has served the outer London community by providing coeducational independent boarding and day schooling to students ages 3-18. The school is dedicated to developing highly capable, expert adults by exposing students to a highly diverse environment of experiences. It is believed that maximizing the achievement of growing learners is accomplished across a wide range of fields beyond academic excellence.
To encourage students to pursue extracurriculars, Ashford School offers a variety of opportunities including a range of sports teams to get involved in. One sports group that has grown to offer teams to players of all levels, genders, and age is the Ashford Hockey Club. The club was established the same year as the school itself and today competes in local and regional leagues throughout the South of England.
In 2015 we had the opportunity to provide Ashford’s new field hockey pitch with an Act Global manufactured synthetic turf surface. The Xtreme Turf system used is designed for speed and precision with its flat, fast surface and free moving fibers that enhance player footing and stick movements. Act Global is committed to the highest industry standards to grow the game of hockey. This means that the students at Ashford School can be confident that the artificial grass surface will allow them to play at their highest potential.
Learn how our synthetic turf is beneficial to athletes.
Be sure to keep up to date on all of our turf projects and more by following us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn.
Shelby Becker is a creative content creator and marketing specialist at Act Global. She’s an animal rights activist, avid concert-goer, and scary movie enthusiast. Follow her on LinkedIn .
For more information, contact marketing at sbecker@actglobal.com
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![Happy Birthday to the United States Air Force!]()
by Shelby Becker
Act Global congratulates the USAF on 70 years and thanks the men and women who have served our country since 1947.
In the years since Chief Justice Fred Vinson swore in Stuart Symington as the first secretary of the air force, the military branch has continued to adapt in serving our nation. As technologies progress, the United States Air Force continues its critical mission “to fly, fight and win … in the air, space and cyberspace”.
Celebrations for the past 70 years kicked off this weekend with a three-day event to draw in the community. The expo led up to the Air Force’s 21st annual marathon that took place this morning and drew in an estimated 13,500 runners and walkers from all 50 states and 13 foreign countries. The President visited Joint Base Andrews in Prince George’s County, Maryland on Friday to celebrate the anniversary and thank the Airmen for “keeping America proud, strong, safe, and free.”
We are honored to have a small role in the education of Airmen at the United States Air Force Academy in Colorado. In 2011 we had the opportunity to work with the USAFA to supply a sailplane landing area (SPLA) for the school. About 50% of the cadets within the Air Force Academy will take courses in soaring sailplanes and glider jets. This education in aviation and airmanship familiarizes the cadets with important aspects of the Air Force, and our AvTurf continues to give these pilots a successful and smooth landing surface.
#GoAirForce
For more information on AvTurf.
Shelby Becker is a creative content creator and marketing specialist at Act Global. She’s an animal rights activist, avid concert-goer, and scary movie enthusiast. Follow her on LinkedIn .
For more information, contact marketing at sbecker@actglobal.com
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![Happy Birthday to the United States Air Force!]()
by Shelby Becker
Despite the fact that third-generation turf has been tested for over 20 years, there are still many myths about artificial turf. Many of the following myths originated in the 1960s, when the first primitive types became popular. Since then, the industry has seen rapid technological advances, backed up with scientific studies on the safety and efficacy of synthetic turf. Here are six of the most persistent myths and the truth behind the claims.
Myth 1: Turf is Only for Sports
Photo credit: aLive Coverage
Truth: Turf is used to replace natural grass in yards, pool areas, rooftop decks, commercial and event spaces, and more.
Most people first heard of artificial turf when professional sports leagues started to adopt the surface in the 1960s and 1970s. However, now that the technology behind the surface is even more advanced, artificial turf is also popular in residential and commercial spaces. More and more homeowners are turning to synthetic turf for an easy-to-maintain lawn that looks good every day of the year. Businesses are using turf in landscaping. Airports have increasingly adopted turf as a safer surface technology for safe-zone areas around runways and taxiways.
Myth 2: Turf is Bad for the Environment
Truth: Artificial grass is non-toxic, uses less water and reduces your carbon footprint.
Turf does not use herbicides, pesticides or fertilizers. Unlike traditional grass, turf uses much less water. For example, if a high school installs a 100-yard football field, it could save up to 1 million gallons of water per year just from the reduction in watering. The football field would use up to 20,000 recycled tires for infill, saving the tires from sitting in a landfill. Similarly, switching to a fake grass lawn will save the average homeowner 100,000 gallons of water each year. Synthetic turf also does not need to be mowed, reducing both noxious emissions and grass clippings. The EPA reports that a push mower emits as much pollution in one hour as 11 cars and a riding mower emits as much as 34 cars.
Myth 3: Rubber Infill is Not Safe
Truth: Rubber infill, often referred to as “crumb rubber”, is not toxic.
Crumb rubber is made from pulverized tires. When turf with rubber infill was first introduced, it was heavily scrutinized by health researchers. Hundreds of independent studies have verified that rubber infill does not pose a health risk to people or pets. Studies have focused on toxicities from possible ingestion, inhalation and dermal contact, but no links between rubber infill and cancer or disease have been found. For more information about the safety of rubber infill, visit the Synthetic Turf Council’s research page.
Myth 4: Turf Causes More Injuries
Truth: Turf actually reduces the number of impact injuries.
Studies conducted using the new generation of fake grass demonstrate that there is no greater injury risk from playing sports on synthetic surfaces. Studies from Sweden and Norway which followed players over a four to five year period found the injury rate is no greater on artificial turf. Studies conducted by soccer’s governing body, FIFA, also found little difference in the incidence, nature and cause of injuries observed in games played on turf versus games played on natural grass.
Myth 5: All Turf Looks Alike
Truth: Turf comes in many different varieties, and the quality is dependent on the manufacturer.
Artificial turf comes in a variety of styles for location, performance and budget.
Myth 6: Turf is Too Hot to Play On
Truth: Turf temperature is not too warm to play safely on.
Turf temperature is on average higher than natural grass. Watering the fields can lower the temperature by about 10 degrees Fahrenheit. While old reports suggested that field temperatures could reach 200 degrees, these reports were faulty. The most recent research on field temperatures suggests that at two feet above the surface, the average temperature differential between artificial grass and natural grass is four degrees. At five feet above the surface, the temperature difference is less than one degree. Act Global’s synthetic grass is engineered to withstand extreme temperatures, giving a playing field a lush green look year-round.
Be sure to keep up to date on all of our turf projects and more by following us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn.
Shelby Becker is a creative content creator and marketing specialist at Act Global. She’s an animal rights activist, avid concert-goer, and scary movie enthusiast. Follow her on LinkedIn .
For more information, contact marketing at sbecker@actglobal.com
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![Happy Birthday to the United States Air Force!]()
by Shelby Becker
Back in 2011 we had the opportunity to work with the United States Air Force Academy to supply a sailplane landing area (SPLA) for the school. About 50% of the cadets within the Air Force Academy begin taking courses in soaring sailplanes and glider jets. This education in aviation and airmanship familiarizes the cadets with important aspects of the Air Force. Act Global’s AvTurf gives these pilots a successful and smooth landing surface.
The synthetic turf strip receives heavy use by the Academy. It is estimated that there are approximately 160 landings per day in the summer and 100 landing per day in the school year. This is about 18,000-19,600 landings on the SPLA each year-meaning well over 100,000 landings since its installation. This 1.3 million square-foot area features 4 landing strips and is well over the size of 23 NFL football fields. The artificial grass allows for cutting-edge visibility of landing markers and prevents premature degradation of the Air Force’s fleet.
Act Global AvTurf is continuing to support the USAFA by providing attentive maintenance tips and work when needed. We are proud to work with an institution that is helping shape well-rounded leaders, defined by their drive, smarts, character and motivation. We hope that our AvTurf system will continue to serve these cadets in their time at the Academy.
For more information on AvTurf.
For more information about the landing area installation.
Shelby Becker is a creative content creator and marketing specialist at Act Global. She’s an animal rights activist, avid concert-goer, and scary movie enthusiast. Follow her on LinkedIn .
For more information, contact marketing at sbecker@actglobal.com
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![Happy Birthday to the United States Air Force!]()
by Shelby Becker
Del Toro served as part of a joint terminal attack controller, or JTAC. These Air Force personnel hold the most dangerous and exposed jobs within the war zone- utilized by the most forward Army units on patrol or on the attack.
On December 4, 2005, Israel Del Toro’s life as a member of the US military was changed when his unit’s Humvee ran over a roadside bomb in remote Afghanistan. The IED explosion left him with severe burns covering 80% of his body and just a 15% chance to live. Despite the odds, Del Toro broke out of his coma three months later to more devastating news: he would probably never walk again or breathe without the assistance of a respirator.
Rather than being defeated, Israel Del Toro fought to recover the life he once had and the opportunity to continue serving his country.
In 2008, after a four year journey of rehabilitation, Del Toro re-enlisted. Serving under the Air Force’s limited assignment status provision, he began to train incoming recruits to do the very job he once held.
“I think DT is kind of blazing new ground in how the Air Force deals with their wounded warriors. Guys like DT that can still contribute in training, training men to do the job he was doing, releases other men that are healthy and otherwise able to deploy” -Barnett, Del Toro’s squadron commander.
This past February, Israel Del Toro reached one final and incredible goal in his recovery. Twelve years after his last jump, Del Toro completed his 131st jump for the US Air Force.
Israel Del Toro’s story is remarkable, and we couldn’t think of a more deserving candidate for this award. While watching the ESPYS this past weekend, we caught sight of some bright green surrounding the Air Force Academy’s Airstrip. Although our AvTurf was a small part of this awesome event, we were honored to be a part of his 131st jump. Israel Del Toro’s perseverance through all obstacles is incredible, and we at Act Global congratulate him on his inspiring determination.
Shelby Becker is a creative content creator and marketing specialist at Act Global. She’s an animal rights activist, avid concert-goer, and scary movie enthusiast. Follow her on LinkedIn .
For more information, contact marketing at sbecker@actglobal.com
Act Global congratulates the USAF on 70 years and thanks the men and women who have served our country since 1947.
Truth: Turf comes in many different varieties, and the quality is dependent on the manufacturer.