Pitch Management, Assessment and League Support Services

⁠⁠⁠Overview

The Oceania Football Confederation (OFC) is seeking a Respondent to deliver Pitch Management, Assessment and League Support Services. OFC expects the successful Respondent to deliver an end-to-end, integrated programme across the stages set out below.

Scope

The scope includes:

Stage 1: Initial pitch inspection and assessment

• Undertake a comprehensive initial inspection of each designated pitch to establish a clear technical baseline against which future progress can be measured
• Consider, as applicable, playing surface, surface performance, soil and rootzone, and infrastructure
• Describe the proposed assessment methodology, testing methods, equipment and relevant industry standards or benchmarks to be used to assess pitch condition, performance, safety and competition readiness, enabling a consistent approach across all designated venues while recognising differences in local conditions, climate and pitch construction

Stage 2: Venue resource and capability assessment

• Assess the resources available to maintain each pitch, including people, equipment, materials and local supply chain

Stage 3: Pitch risk assessment

• Identify, for each venue/pitch, the key risks that could affect pitch quality, player safety, competition readiness or delivery of the pitch management programme, clearly identifying critical and immediate risks requiring OFC attention or intervention

Stage 4: Pitch management and improvement plan

• Develop a practical, venue-specific plan for each venue/pitch based on the assessment findings, identifying priority actions and improvements, recommended maintenance measures, resources, equipment and materials required, responsible parties, target completion dates, and short-, medium- and long-term actions, aligned with the competition schedule

Stage 5: Repair, remedial action and improvement support

• Support the implementation of identified repairs and improvements, including recommended remedial actions, technical advice and supervision, required resources, equipment and materials, implementation priorities and timelines, and monitoring of completed works

Stage 6: Pitch preparation for league

• Prepare each pitch to meet the required standard for the league, including pre-match maintenance and preparation, final pitch readiness checks, weather and pitch-use considerations, match schedule and recovery requirements, and post-match recovery recommendations, aligned with the OFC competition calendar

Stage 7: Pre-competition inspection

• Work with OFC, the OFC Pro League club, Member Association and/or venue team to verify pitch readiness before each Circuit Series, including pitch condition and performance assessment, review of completed and outstanding actions, joint identification of required interventions, final recommendations and confirmation of readiness, and updates to the Pitch Management Calendar, aligned with the OFC competition calendar and venue-specific risks
• Where a significant issue affecting player safety or competition readiness is identified, promptly escalate the matter to OFC, clearly identifying the issue, associated risk, recommended action and required timeframe for resolution

Stage 8: Match-day and competition support

• Provide specialist technical support during agreed competition periods, which may include on-site match-day presence depending on the venue and competition schedule, covering services before the match, during competition and after the match

Stage 9: Remote monitoring and technical support

• Provide ongoing remote support in collaboration with the Member Association and venue team, including remote monitoring of pitch condition and maintenance, technical advice and guidance, review of photos, videos and maintenance updates, identification and escalation of emerging risks, and follow-up on agreed actions, ensuring regular communication and timely support throughout the competition programme

Stage 10: Pitch Management Calendar

• Develop and maintain a Pitch Management Calendar in collaboration with OFC, the Member Association and venue team, covering planned inspections and maintenance activities, remedial and improvement actions, competition and match-day preparation, responsible parties and deadlines, and key deliverables and follow-up actions, regularly updated and aligned with the OFC Pro League schedule

Stage 11: Capacity building and training

• Deliver a programme for developing local pitch management capability, which may include practical training, demonstrations, turf management workshops, equipment training, pitch preparation training, maintenance planning, testing methodology, interpretation of pitch data, seasonal planning and competition preparation
• Identify the proposed training programme and the number of training/education sessions included
• OFC is particularly interested in approaches that leave a sustainable legacy

Stage 12: Long-term pitch management plan

• Support the OFC Pro League club, Member Association and venue team in developing a sustainable long-term pitch management plan, including maintenance and renovation requirements, equipment, resources and staffing needs, infrastructure improvements, training and capacity building, and priorities, timelines and indicative investment