Synthetic Pitch Could Create History for Eastern United Soccer Club
Announcement posted by Green Planet Grass 21 Jun 2013
Manufacturer and installer of artificial grass in Perth reveals why Eastern United's proposed synthetic pitch could open the door for many more across Australia.
Perth, WA, June 21, 2013 - Recently, it was revealed that Eastern United Soccer Club, located near Adelaide in Athelstone, has applied for a grant from the South Australian State Government's Office of Sport and Recreation. The grant would allow them to install artificial grass on one of their current natural grass pitches.
If the grant is approved and the work goes ahead as planned, it would make Eastern United the first South Australia soccer club to host its home matches on artificial turf. Eastern United wants to install an artificial pitch because they are seeing increased traffic, and want a durable pitch that will provide a consistent playing surface in any weather.
Diego Pellegrini, Eastern United’s Technical Director, is a former Serie A player, and noted that Italian clubs--including Novara and Cesena--have artificial pitches on which to hold their home games. He also noted that there are currently 38 pitches made of synthetic turf in Victoria. Pelligrini calls artificial turf “the future” of soccer.
Tony Fuda, treasurer for Eastern United, is much more concerned about quality, playability and durability. Fuda feels that artificial turf will give his club the ability to host more games in any weather conditions.
Artificial turf is very durable and can sustain play from dusk to dawn, 365 days a year. Fuda, who is frustrated with the difficulty of playing on natural grass in the winter, wants his facility to provide more availability, particularly, to youth soccer programs. He sees artificial pitch as an opportunity to provide better pitches for more matches.
Currently, FIFA has two levels of certification for soccer pitches: 1 Star and 2 Star. 1 Star certification is for amateur soccer and is geared more toward durability; 2 Star certification is for elite soccer and is geared more toward professional play. Both certifications carry the “FIFA RECOMMENDED” stamp of approval.
FIFA testing is rigorous and conducted in two phases. A FIFA recommended pitch has to be equal or superior to a natural grass field in optimum condition. FIFA tests composition: durability, weather resistance, playability.
By the time FIFA approves a surface, it is like playing on a natural grass surface on its best day. The big difference is that for an artificial grass pitch, every day is the “best day.”
Justin Everley, Owner of Green Planet Grass, is watching Eastern United closely and has this to say: “If Eastern United gets their grant from the SA government, it will be a victory for soccer in Australia. We feel that the benefits of artificial grass far outweigh the initial investment, and we think that it would be a great situation for football in Australia if there were more artificial pitches.”
Everley continued, “Many of those who are still against synthetic grass pitches are basing their opposition on 40-year-old arguments. Due to advances in synthetic turf, most of those arguments are currently invalid. It takes a lot of hard work and a superior product to obtain FIFA certification. The first generation of Astro Turf was terrible, but the current FIFA pitches are of a total contrast and now offer a fantastic and safe playing surface.”
Everley concluded, “Given the climatic conditions of Australia and the increasing popularity of soccer, we see artificial pitches as a great solution. It's time for Australia to look toward the future.”
Green Planet Grass manufactures and installs artificial grass in Perth. They offer FIFA approved 1 and 2 Star pitches. Call (08) 9209 2669 to learn more, or visit their website: http://www.greenplanetgrass.com.au/.
If the grant is approved and the work goes ahead as planned, it would make Eastern United the first South Australia soccer club to host its home matches on artificial turf. Eastern United wants to install an artificial pitch because they are seeing increased traffic, and want a durable pitch that will provide a consistent playing surface in any weather.
Diego Pellegrini, Eastern United’s Technical Director, is a former Serie A player, and noted that Italian clubs--including Novara and Cesena--have artificial pitches on which to hold their home games. He also noted that there are currently 38 pitches made of synthetic turf in Victoria. Pelligrini calls artificial turf “the future” of soccer.
Tony Fuda, treasurer for Eastern United, is much more concerned about quality, playability and durability. Fuda feels that artificial turf will give his club the ability to host more games in any weather conditions.
Artificial turf is very durable and can sustain play from dusk to dawn, 365 days a year. Fuda, who is frustrated with the difficulty of playing on natural grass in the winter, wants his facility to provide more availability, particularly, to youth soccer programs. He sees artificial pitch as an opportunity to provide better pitches for more matches.
Currently, FIFA has two levels of certification for soccer pitches: 1 Star and 2 Star. 1 Star certification is for amateur soccer and is geared more toward durability; 2 Star certification is for elite soccer and is geared more toward professional play. Both certifications carry the “FIFA RECOMMENDED” stamp of approval.
FIFA testing is rigorous and conducted in two phases. A FIFA recommended pitch has to be equal or superior to a natural grass field in optimum condition. FIFA tests composition: durability, weather resistance, playability.
By the time FIFA approves a surface, it is like playing on a natural grass surface on its best day. The big difference is that for an artificial grass pitch, every day is the “best day.”
Justin Everley, Owner of Green Planet Grass, is watching Eastern United closely and has this to say: “If Eastern United gets their grant from the SA government, it will be a victory for soccer in Australia. We feel that the benefits of artificial grass far outweigh the initial investment, and we think that it would be a great situation for football in Australia if there were more artificial pitches.”
Everley continued, “Many of those who are still against synthetic grass pitches are basing their opposition on 40-year-old arguments. Due to advances in synthetic turf, most of those arguments are currently invalid. It takes a lot of hard work and a superior product to obtain FIFA certification. The first generation of Astro Turf was terrible, but the current FIFA pitches are of a total contrast and now offer a fantastic and safe playing surface.”
Everley concluded, “Given the climatic conditions of Australia and the increasing popularity of soccer, we see artificial pitches as a great solution. It's time for Australia to look toward the future.”
Green Planet Grass manufactures and installs artificial grass in Perth. They offer FIFA approved 1 and 2 Star pitches. Call (08) 9209 2669 to learn more, or visit their website: http://www.greenplanetgrass.com.au/.