Sports Technology

NSW's state football governing bodies Football NSW and Northern NSW Football have today launched a new website, www.footballfacilities.com.au, an online resource that includes detailed information on a wide variety of issues relating to football venues.

The website also includes a number of facilities guides on topics including synthetic fields, grass field maintenance, lighting, and project management, prepared by Football NSW to provide guidance to football clubs and associations and local councils regarding football facilities development projects.

A statement from Football NSW explained “the guides have been developed in order to provide stakeholders with quality, consistent information regarding the planning and development of football facilities.

“Improving community football facilities and places to play is a key focus area of Football NSW and one the sport views as vitally important to not only meet growing demand but encourage more people to participate in football.

“In addition, providing welcoming, sustainable and quality football environments, that are well managed and operated, is a key strategic driver of the Football NSW Facilities team. Supporting clubs, associations, local councils and other stakeholders to deliver these environments is critical to their and our success.

“The facility planning process is an essential element of providing quality football facilities that can continually meet the needs of club members, participants, administrators, coaches, facility operators, local councils and communities.

“Planning the development of a new, or improving an existing football facility, is an involved process that will take time, effort and resources. Involving stakeholders, communicating with local councils, combining club member skills and engaging professional services are all important steps to consider.”

The Football Facilities website was launched at Football NSW’s second Football Facilities Forum held at the recently redeveloped Valentine Sports Park facility in Western Sydney.

The context for the Forum is the growth of grassroots playing numbers, rising to close to 300,000 players across NSW, and the resultant demand for quality facilities, particularly synthetic playing surfaces, that continues beyond the current supply.

Topics at the Forum including the latest trends in synthetic fields and their maintenance, modular amenities blocks, LED Lighting and the importance of engagement with Government and local councils featured at the forum.

Over 170 members of the ‘football family’ including 35 local and state government representatives took part in presentations, panel discussions and shared their experiences on a wide variety of facilities topics.

The numbers attending the Forum show the importance of the event to the football community. Over 100 organisations, 17 football clubs and Associations from New South Wales as well as representatives from Football Federation Australia, Football Queensland, Football Federation Victoria and Football West all took part this year.

Local councils were well represented with Mayor Jerome Laxale from Ryde and Mayor of the City of Gosford Lawrie McKinna all joining the discussions at the Football Facilities Forum.  

The forum highlighted the importance football – whether winter outdoor, summer competitions or indoor – plays in local communities and the social, health and economic impact on the State’s economy.

The integral partnership between grassroots football clubs and associations with their local councils and the vital part state and local governments play in the continual investment in community sporting facilities was emphasised.

Football NSW Chief Executive Eddie Moore was overwhelmed with the outcome the Football Facilities Forum provided to all in attendance.

Moore stated  “Football NSW has made a significant investment in leadership, knowledge sharing, advocacy and support of our membership in this key area of our game.

“Our Facilities Department has had a huge year, helping our members with more than 80 facilities improvement projects and we anticipate a huge 12 months ahead with potential changes at local councils and a federal election on the horizon.

“This year’s attendance reflects the importance and demand for quality football facilities and the key role Local and State Government plays in developing the infrastructure to meet the future needs of Football.

Presentations from a number of leading synthetic field experts took place with Greenplay, HG Sports Turf, Polytan, Tiger Turf and Turf One all offering their knowledge on the latest in synthetic surfaces.

Smart Connection Consultancy also presented its ‘FIFA Evaluation and Testing Update’ on the day while Hornsby Shire Council and Pennant Hills FC discussed ways in which clubs could better engage with their local councils.

Defib for Life put together a thorough presentation on defibrillators at sports grounds while Park Sheds went through its study on modular amenities blocks.

Jasstech Solutions conveyed its messaging around LED lighting for football fields while Sports Clean ran through a live synthetic field grooming demonstration.

The Football Facilities website is at www.footballfacilities.com.au

Images (from top): Lake Macquarie Regional Football Facility, one of the Football Facilities' Guides, and the Football Facilities Forum.

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