Meet the Team
At Traction Sports Ltd based in Poole, we have dedicated ourselves to crafting tailored sports facilities and providing top-tier design and maintenance expertise throughout the UK. Our diverse clientele includes independent schools, sports organisations, and golf courses. From sports design to recreational facilities, our team of sports surfacing specialists provide a wide range of services. If you would like to take the first steps toward upgrading your playground or sports facilities, contact us today.
We Are Specialists
Many Years Experience
Proven Track Record
Why Choose Traction Sports?
Client-Centric Approach
The needs of our clients are our top priority. We discuss your needs in detail to ensure that we find the ideal solution to fit your individual requirements. We view every project as a collaboration with our clients, allowing us to bring your vision to life.
Expertise and Experience
Traction Sports Ltd comprises of a diverse team of skilled experts. Our extensive expertise includes sports facility design, construction, and management. By working together, we offer complete solutions that can truly transform your outdoor spaces into innovative sports environments.
Comprehensive Consultancy Services
We provide a wide range of services that cover every element of a sports facility or playground design and installation project. Additionally, we tackle designs for various sporting disciplines, including hockey, football, and tennis. From design to construction, we are here every step of the way.
Innovative Solutions
Creativity is at the heart of what we do. This is why we encourage out-of-the-box thinking to promote innovative solutions to complex problems. These solutions also incorporate the latest technologies, allowing us to deliver fully functional projects that represent the highest quality.
David Rhodes
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Director
After starting working life as a Greenkeeper and winning the ICI Young Groundsman of the Year award in 1988, David undertook various qualifications including all of the Institute of Groundsmanship’s awards.
David went on to lecture at Myerscough College for six years and was the Head of the Turf Sciences Faculty at Merrist Wood College for seven years. During that time David taught many who would go on to become highly successful turf managers, with ex-students plying their trade in the Premier and English Football Leagues, Olympic and World Cup venues, and Golf tour venues.
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Whilst lecturing for Merrist Wood, David obtained a Master’s Degree in Plant Sciences from the University of Reading.
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David has been at the helm of independent consultants Traction Sports for 23 years. The company now holds an expansive client base along with a wide area of expertise and knowledge.
Luke Rhodes
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Data and Design Analyst
Having graduated from the University of Plymouth with an undergraduate degree in Mathematics with Theoretical Physics in 2023, Luke is now entering the third year of a Physics PhD at the University of Sussex where he derives novel statistical methods for application in natural science, engineering, finance and beyond.
Whilst developing these new methods, Luke continues to support Traction Sports with his intricate knowledge of statistics and data analysis, providing business analytics and risk modelling services. In addition to this Luke also produces drainage calculations and SuDS designs, having undertaken training provided by H. R. Wallingford in December 2025.
Oliver Rhodes
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Project Manager
Oliver joined Traction Sports in March 2023. Since then, he has worked on multiple schemes as Project Manager, assisting in the successful delivery of all of our projects.
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After completing his engineering apprenticeship with BAE Systems, where he worked on the Eurofighter Typhoon fast jet at RAF Coningsby, Oliver gained a Site Managers role with one of the largest sports construction main contractors in the industry. This foundation has instilled the highest standards of quality and safety practices, which is invaluable to Traction Sports’ everyday work.
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Oliver is currently enrolled on a Bachelor of Engineering Degree with The Open University, which he will complete alongside his full-time role at Traction Sports.
