Magazine - World’s First AFL-grade Synthetic Sports Field

By Editor in A.F.L on 13th Mar 2010 6:00

The world’s first AFL-grade synthetic sports field will soon be rolled out at Kensington’s J. J. Holland Park.

Workers will begin installing the new $1.3 million drought-proof multi-sports surface next month and expect to complete it by July. AFL community facilities development manager Ken Gannon said it would be the world’s first AFL-accredited fake turf field.

The contract is yet to be awarded, with all tenderers Australian companies. “There’s another one planned for Point Cook, but Holland Park will be finished first,” Mr Gannon said. He said the new surface would replicate natural playing conditions but be slightly smaller than a regulation AFL oval.

Mr Gannon said AFL criteria would “ensure the surface is safe and offers the same playing characteristics as a natural surface”. It also complied with Cricket Australia and FIFA soccer standards. The project will be jointly funded by Melbourne Council and Sport and Recreation Victoria. Council finance and governance committee chairman Brian Shanahan said the surface was a big win for local sports groups. “Our local sports clubs have expressed strong support for the field which assists the solid growth of their teams,” he said.

Kensington Flemington Junior Sports Club president Mark Grant said local youngsters would welcome a green playing surface. “It’s fantastic for us because it lets us have multiple use on what was a tired, drought-ridden paddock that was always either a dust bowl or a mud bowl come mid-season,” Mr Grant said.

The club would use the ground for soccer, football and cricket.

Lord Mayor Robert Doyle said the ground would be able to cope with up to four times more use than a natural sports field. “Installing synthetic sports pitches is a key council strategy to manage the ongoing impact of climate change,” he said.

Source & More: melbourne-leader.whereilive.com.au

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