Sector
Field Services
Sector excels in designing, constructing, and managing specialized throwing facilities for Track and Field events,
Highland Games, and Strongman Competitions.
Our 50+ years of experience ensure a tailored
service for athletes and organizers and spectators.
Facility Design
Field Grading
Ring Installation
Cage Installation
Barrier Net Installation
Site Compliance IAAF, USATF, NCAA, NAIA
Athlete/Spectator Liability Mitigation
Specialty and Custom Facility Products
A classic, Tad Gormley Stadium.
Site of the 1992 US Olympic Trials
Our Expertise
Gary England is the Founder and COO. A native of Indianapolis Indiana, he attended college at the University of Alabama on a track and field scholarship and received a BFA in Art and Design. He holds an IDSA design certification and a CSCS from the National Strength Coaches Association.
Gary has owned several businesses, in apparel design, fitness equipment design, and design consulting. Additionally he coached the throwing events collegiately at Auburn University, University of Kansas, Villanova, Central Florida, Franklin College, Marian University and Tulane University. Where his throwers won the USATF National Junior and Senior Championships, Fourteen NCAA Division I Conference Champions and four NCAA Division I All-Americans
An accomplished thrower he was SEC Shot Put Champion and Record Holder, NCAA D1 National Shot Put Champion. Gary was the only American to qualify for the Olympic Trials in both the Shot Put and Javelin. As a Masters athlete he went on to to win the USA Masters Shot Put, Discus, and Weight Pentathlon Championships along with the World Masters Shot Put and Weight Pentathlon Championships
As an administrator Gary was, Assistant Meet Director, USA/USSR Lite Summer Games, Assistant Meet Director, Southeastern Conference Championships, Assistant Meet Director, 64th Annual Kansas Relay and Track and Field Director for the Florida Senior Games Championships. He also served as Men's Track and Field Chairman, Indiana TAC/USA Director, First USATF United States Throws Coaches Summit, and was the Executive Director, World Throwers Organization.
Gary built his first ring under a massive cherry tree behind his gym to train for the Olympic Trials and has never stopped building.
Comprehensive Solutions
Full Facility Designs
When possible, it is best to have a throwing area professionally designed by a company with direct expertise in throwing facilities. Most architecture firms have designers who specialize in all sports facilities. These designers tend to have expertise in team-sport facilities like football and baseball, but not in throwing facilities. However, to design a facility that accounts for all the facets of multiple rings, landing areas, cages, runways, barriers, and spectators. One needs a company with years of experience in facility design for throwing, developed through participation in throwing events as throwers, coaches, meet administrators, and spectators. Architectural firms often use outside consultants for their projects; we have co-consulted on facilities from high schools to colleges.
Equipment Service and Refurbishment
The base of a proper field starts with grading. The rules state that the landing areas should not exceed a 1% incline from the throwing surface. Throwing on an incline field is like playing football or basketball with taller baskets or goal posts. On the other hand, we have seen many facilities with downhill landing areas, though not specifically addressed in all federations, it is like having shorter baskets and goals, and it will hurt your athletes when they go to certified fields.
Concrete is the optimal surface for shot and discus areas. Although allowed, asphalt is a poor surface for rings because of its porous nature and the destructive nature to throwing shoes. It is, however, an acceptable surface for the base of a javelin runway, but concrete is most often used for its durability.
Proper fencing is the first line of defense for athlete and spectator safety. Well-designed access and egress will reduce the risk of someone wandering into a landing area and allow for rapid evacuation in case of inclement weather. We supervise local contractors for all groundwork.
Facility Readjustment
We do site surveys to determine what needs to be done. Many facilities merely require a readjustment. Bring the facility to NFHS, NCAA, or IAAF specifications. Account for ring, runway, and cage specifications. Assess the setup's liability for practices and meets, factoring spectators, with safety the paramount concern.
Grading, Concrete, and Fencing
The base of a proper field starts with grading. The rules state that the landing areas should not exceed a 1% incline from the throwing surface. Throwing on an incline field is like playing football or basketball with taller baskets or goal posts. On the other hand, we have seen many facilities with downhill landing areas, though not specifically addressed, it is like having shorter baskets and goals, and it will hurt your athletes when they go to certified fields. Concrete is the optimal surface for shot and discus areas. Although allowed, asphalt is a poor surface for rings because of its porous nature and the destructive nature to throwing shoes. It is, however, an acceptable surface for the base of a javelin runway, but concrete is most often used for its durability. Proper fencing is the first line of defense for athlete and spectator safety. Well-designed access and egress will reduce the risk of someone wandering into a landing area and allow for rapid evacuation in case of inclement weather. We supervise local contractors for all groundwork.
Throwing Facility Equipment Supplier
Because we have been in this business for a long time and have participated in the evolution of facilities, we have developed relationships with most US equipment suppliers and can determine which is most applicable to your situation, regardless of brand. If necessary, we can custom-build equipment such as shot returners and drying posts.