Pitch perfect

Wales football manager Chris Coleman has officially opened the University's state-of-the-art 3G (third generation) pitch.

The new pitch, based at the University's Sports Fields in Llanrumney, has been in use since the start of the academic year and can be used for student sports fixtures in any weather. The pitch uses innovative surface technology that is more realistic than other synthetic turf pitches; it is also safer than grass and has low maintenance requirements and costs.

Professor Patricia Price, Pro Vice-Chancellor for Student Experience and Academic Standards, cut the ribbon with Chris Coleman. She said: "This is a key investment for the University which will enable students to use facilities of the highest quality and play and train in any weather. We are grateful to the Welsh Football Trust for contributing to the funding of the pitch and I'm delighted that Chris Coleman is able to join us in opening this wonderful new facility."

Stuart Vanstone, Head of Cardiff University Sport, said: "The University has some 65 sport clubs with over 150 teams competing and training on a weekly basis. The all-weather pitch hosts much of this activity and is already having a positive impact on the performance of those teams who play on it. So far this season, no games have been cancelled due to inclement weather. Fixtures which would have been previously postponed have been played on the 3G pitch."

The pitch has also recently hosted touring international rugby teams from Australia, Fiji and New Zealand as they prepare for their games against Wales as part of the Autumn International Series. This week the South African team will be training on the pitch ahead of their game at the Millennium Stadium.