For years, performance infill was often treated as a secondary detail in long-pile sports field design. However, the recent release of the updated European standard for infill materials, EN 15330-5:2025, marks an important step forward in how infill is evaluated and specified, with clearer focus on performance, durability, declared properties, production consistency, and the suitability of reclaimed infill for reuse.

Community expectations for sport and recreation facilities continue to evolve and councils are facing rising pressure to design surfaces that are high-performing, environmentally responsible, and adaptable to changing participation patterns.

We’re diving into one of the biggest conversations shaping the future of community sport: How do we design sport surfaces that deliver high performance and genuine sustainability?

We’re excited to release Edition 1 of Smart Thinking, a newsletter created to share the insights, evidence, and future-focused thinking that help councils and sport organisations make smarter decisions about their sport surfaces and facilities. If you're involved in planning, designing, procuring, or managing sport facilities - this new series is for you!

Cologne: Smart Connection Consultancy today launched the Fourth Edition of the award-winning Smart Guide to Synthetic Sports Surfaces at the IAKS Congress