A Brief Guide to the Multi-Use Games Area (MUGA)
What is a MUGA?
A MUGA or Multi-Use Games Area is an enclosed games court which can cater for a wide range of sporting demands. There is flexibility in terms of dimensions, though they are generally based on multiples of the space required for a standard netball court laid out in compliance with England Netball specifications.
A MUGA that is large enough for a netball court (with compliant run-offs) will also be large enough to accept a tennis court, a basketball court and to be used for five-a-side football.
What Surfaces are Available?
MUGAs can be constructed with one of several surfaces, each of which has different properties and is suitable for different games.
Type 1 MUGA – Open Textured Porous Macadam
Most suitable for ball rebound sports where tennis is the principal game, with netball, basketball and mini-tennis as secondary sports. Also suitable for wheelchair sports.
Type 2 MUGA – Open Textured Porous Macadam
As above but with netball as the principal sport and the others as secondary users. Also suitable for wheelchair sports.
Type 3 MUGA – Polymeric (Rubber Crumb) Surface
Most suitable for ball rebound sports where netball is the priority sport and tennis, mini-tennis and basketball are secondary sports. Also suitable for wheelchair sports.
Type 4 MUGA – Polymeric (Rubber Crumb) Surface
A rubber crumb surface with greater shock absorbency and less surface friction than a type 3 MUGA. Most suitable for five-a-side football and basketball but not recommended for tennis and netball.
Type 5 MUGA – Synthetic Turf
An artificial turf carpet laid over a shockpad and suitable for non-rebound ball sports such as hockey, football, American football and as a training facility.
The Benefits of a MUGA
If you are a school or sports club there are numerous benefits to having a MUGA:
- Provide a safe, secure play area for pupils / users.
- As they are enclosed, players spend more time playing and much less looking for balls.
- Use of the facility can be controlled, especially out of hours.
- If floodlit can be hired out during evenings and weekends and provide an income stream.
Services We Offer
Wynne-Williams Associates have been involved in the construction and refurbishment of many MUGAs ranging from single courts to multi-court facilities and artificial turf pitches, handling all aspects of work from site layout through planning applications, design and tendering to completion on site.
If you think we can help you with your MUGA Multi Game Use Area plans, give us a call or email us.