Pitch perfect for the Vikings

Last week Widnes Vikings unveiled their new i-pitch to staff and players at the club

The squad had their first training session of the season at the Stobart Stadium last week and the players were introduced to playing on the new surface.

The team took to the pitch and carried out a training session where they were able to get comfortable training and playing together at their home ground.

Coach, Denis Betts commented: “For the past few months there’s been a massive burden on the players as a large percentage of their training has been done off-site on a similar surface in Skelmersdale, which has meant a fair share of travelling. So, to now have the i-pitch ready for use is great news for everybody concerned.”

“Twelve months ago we were running up huge phone bills, trying to find a pitch to train on because our own stadium was unavailable, but twelve months on there’s not a single puddle or muddy patch in sight and the i-pitch will always look like that, regardless of the weather conditions which will only benefit our training schedule.”

The i-pitch has been manufactured by DESSO and was installed by J.Mallinson (Ormskirk) Ltd and after much planning and preparation it is finally ready for the 2012 season.

Betts continued to say: “A lot of praise should go to the manufacturers and the installers for doing such a great job. The transformation really is something special and we now have access to a genuine state of the art facility that won’t only prove beneficial to the Vikings but also the community.”

The i-pitch will be used for many other events as well as the Rugby League games. Five and seven a-side Football matches will also be held on the i-pitch, along with children’s parties, stag and hen events and corporate events.

As the players are just getting used to the new i-pitch, they are preparing for their first game of the season on Friday 3 February against the Wakefield Wildcats.

Betts said: “We now urge our members and the people of Halton to come along and support us for our first Super League game”