About Us
All Weather Sportscover Ltd (AWS) is a New Zealand company specialising in engineered membrane canopy systems for sports, schools, commercial and industrial applications. AWS develops permanent and semi-permanent solutions for sports fields, courts, bowling greens, high-performance training facilities, schools, commercial yards, industrial sites and other large areas requiring covered operational space. Our systems are developed and delivered through a specialist team covering structural engineering, membrane design, hydraulics, mechanical systems, civil works, drainage, fabrication, construction and compliance.
OUR STORY
The origins of AWS go back to 1987, when the original concept was developed as a large automated flat-sheet groundcover for sports. Rather than relying on manually handled covers, the system was designed to deploy mechanically across a playing surface to protect it from adverse weather. For more than 20 years, the automated groundcover system was used at two of New Zealand’s largest sporting grounds, Eden Park Outer Oval and Lancaster Park, until 2010. That original concept ultimately provided the foundation for AWS.
GOVERNMENT-SUPPORTED DEVELOPMENT
AWS later received New Zealand Government R&D funding to investigate and develop a new generation of large-scale sports covering systems. The programme allowed the concept to move from its original groundcover application towards a commercially viable elevated membrane system.
NORTH CANTERBURY PROTOTYPE – DECEMBER 2023
In December 2023, AWS successfully constructed and operated a full-scale prototype in North Canterbury. The prototype successfully demonstrated membrane deployment, elevation, tensioning and structural support at full scale and provided practical information for the next stage of the project.
DEVELOPMENT OF THE 100 KM/H SYSTEM
Following the prototype, AWS developed the structural, wind, hydraulic and civil requirements for a semi-permanent elevated canopy, including development work at a prominent South Auckland sports park. The resulting system is engineered for wind speeds of up to approximately 100 km/h and can be lowered when conditions exceed its operational design parameters.
AWS TODAY
AWS now develops three principal canopy systems: Semi-Permanent Hydraulic Canopies – membrane systems that can be raised, tensioned and lowered when required. Permanent Unsupported Canopies – tensioned membrane structures supported by engineered perimeter posts, foundations and structural cable systems. Permanent Steel-Arched Canopies – large-span steel structures supporting architectural membrane roofing. These systems allow AWS to provide solutions across a wide range of applications, from individual sports courts and bowling greens through to major training facilities and large commercial and industrial sites.