Many of you will have looked over the upcoming fixtures and been wondering why there are no games being held at The Leopards Den until our clash with Huddersfield Giants in almost nine weeks time on Saturday 13th July. 

Well, after 15 years, it’s time for the pitch to be completely dug up and replaced. As opposed to the annual maintenance it gets, this is full renovation of not only the grass but the underlying layers and systems beneath.

We spoke with Head Groundsman Keith Porter to get the behind the scenes update on the transformation. He told us about how the grass that our Leopards share with Manchester United Women isn’t just your average turf on soil pitch but a hybrid system with synthetic fibres stitched through what is known as the Upper Root Zone to provide strength and durability. After over a decade of use, it is time to replace these fibres.

This weekend, we have seen the removal of the artificial grass surrounding the pitch, the top layer of grass and vegetation with work starting almost immediately after Friday’s win over Salford. This week the turf, upper root zone and fibre system is being taken up by SEL Environmental Sports & Landscape division, a specialist in professional sports surfaces who have worked on many notable grounds across the UK, such as Anfield, White Hart Lane and Wembley.

Over the coming weeks, the lower root zone will be replaced as well as elements of the irrigation system, with new sprinkler heads and valves, the pitch will be re-seeded and then stitched with new synthetic fibres that will ensure this pitch will hopefully last another 15 years to come.