Zach Morley: Day in the Life

Zach Morley

KTP Associate (Loughborough University)

Innovation plays a key role in the future of sports surface performance, and at Technical Surfaces, that innovation is being driven through partnerships with leading academic institutions. Zach Morley joined the business in May 2024 as a Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) Associate, working in collaboration with Loughborough University. His role bridges industry and research, helping to develop new approaches that could shape the future of artificial pitch maintenance.

Zach’s day often begins with reviewing data from ongoing trials and planning the next phase of testing. Working across both the Technical Surfaces office and the sports laboratories at Loughborough University, his role requires a structured and analytical approach. Each day brings new data to assess, helping build a clearer picture of how different materials perform over time. His work forms part of an Innovate UK Knowledge Transfer Partnership project, focused on exploring more sustainable and effective solutions for artificial sports surfaces.

A significant part of Zach’s role takes place in controlled laboratory environments. Here, he conducts a wide range of tests on organic infill materials, an alternative to traditional rubber infill used in 3G pitches. These tests are designed to understand how materials behave under real-world conditions.

This includes analysing:

• How infill compacts over time
• Rates of degradation under use
• The impact on surface performance and playability

By comparing different organic infill types, Zach is helping to identify how each performs under varying conditions providing valuable insight into their long-term maintenance requirements.

Zach’s role isn’t limited to the lab. He works closely with the Technical Surfaces team to ensure that research findings are relevant, practical, and aligned with real-world maintenance challenges. This collaboration is key; translating academic research into usable solutions for sports facilities across the UK.

He has also had the opportunity to share insights from the project at industry events, including presenting research at the SAPCA Technical Conference. These moments help bring new ideas into the wider industry conversation.

The project Zach is working on is focused on future-proofing artificial turf maintenance. With findings expected later this year, the research will contribute to a better understanding of how sustainable infill materials perform, not just in theory, but in practice. The goal is clear: researching how best to maintain the newly developed surfaces that use organic infill and how it maintains performance, affects longevity, and meet the evolving needs of the sports industry.

From laboratory testing and data analysis to industry collaboration and knowledge sharing, Zach’s role is varied, technical, and forward-thinking.

It’s a position that sits at the intersection of science and application, helping Technical Surfaces remain at the forefront of innovation in artificial sports surface maintenance.