Sports Technology

Leading industry consultant Martin Sheppard of the Smart Connection Consultancy has released a synthetic turf factsheet update explaining a number of developments and discussions likely to impact on the planning and management of artificial turf surfaces for football. 

Sheppard's update follows a recent synthetic surfaces workshop held by Football Federation of Victoria (FFV) in collaboration with world-football governing body FIFA. The workshop was conducted by FIFA through Dr. Eric Harrison (FIFA Football Turf Consultant) and Stuart Larman (Manager Playing Surface Programs – FIFA ) and explored a number of perspectives regarding 'football turf' (as FIFA calls synthetic turf).

The key issues in the update include:

FIFA Rules of Play
As part of the changes to the Laws of the Game recently approved by the International Football Association Board (IFAB) of FIFA, where artificial surfaces are used, lines for other sports are permitted provided that they are of a different colour and clearly distinguishable from the lines for the field of play for football.

Sheppard believes that "this is excellent news for local councils who are looking to design fields to satisfy needs of a number of sports. 

"The technology is progressing where different sports can play on the same type of surface and recently a key major synthetic turf manufacturer has offered a (combined) soccer/hockey pitch.

"The next generation of sports turf will have a very strong focus on multi-sport and not just a single sports standard."

Sheppard believes that the recently announced collaboration between FIFA and the International Rugby Board for an integrated approach to the standards needed for both sports "is a welcome approach."

Quality Standards to Consider
With two levels of the FIFA Quality Concept, FIFA 1 star, for community use and local competitive games, and FIFA 2 star, for professional standards, Sheppard states that "the question for many Councils and Football Clubs is which to choose. 

"Since January 2010, … FIFA (has) changed one very important aspect of the two standards, the FIFA 1 star now has had its durability test standard increased (which) makes the decision much easier for most clubs and councils."

Sheppard believes that for those playing and training for more than 20 hours a week, FIFA 1 star is the most suitable, due to the durability standard being around four times more stringent that the FIFA 2 Star."

The FIFA representatives at the recent workshop explained that the FIFA 1 star surface would expect a 'performance life' of around eight years with 30 hour per week, adding 50 hours per week usage would still be playable after five years, but probably not at the standards of a FIFA 1 pitch

Sheppard also highlights the importance of testing, pointing out that "the majority of Victorian pitches installed have not been tested to either standard and this is a concern as the quality control of the surface cannot be guaranteed. This may have insurance consequences for Council or the sports club."

At the workshop the FIFA representatives also commented on the importance of testing, and issues relating to infill and testing:.

Infill - infill needs to keep the grass blades or filaments in the upright position otherwise that they will fold over and suffer more wear due to the greater contacts with footwear. There may be a need to check that the infill used is also signed off by the tape (grass) manufacturer to ensure that the wrong infill is not used with specific grass.

Maintenance - pitches need to be maintained to the supplier's recommendations and if this is not followed the warrantee or guarantee may be invalid and or the life expectancy significantly reduced

Here Sheppard highlights conversations held with the FIFA representative and a key manufacturer who both suggested that the use of five-a-side pitch configurations which draws an intensity of use may result in the pitches having to be replaced very frequently – perhaps as frequently as every two to two and a half years.

Guarantees
Sheppard states that "the view of FIFA's representatives was that many of the warrantees or guarantees provided to clients are not of great value, and similar to some insurance policies, the detail needs to be considered carefully. 

"It was suggested by FIFA that the Warrantee should be focused on the end outcome, which should be linked to the playing standard of the field (what is known as the 'field test'), and as long you can prove the management and maintenance has been within the guidelines provided, it should be linked to a defined period, maybe five years."

Maintenance
The maintenance of the fields is critical for achieving the life expectancy needed for making the business model viable. To this end pitch owners need to ensure that they have:

• A maintenance schedule of tasks that have to be completed on a daily, weekly, monthly, quarterly and regular basis;
• A maintenance and usage log (Can be separate) that demonstrates that the usage,(type duration, numbers etc) together with the maintenance due and actually carried out, linked to hours of use;
• Details of who carried out the maintenance, their experience and competencies to carry out such a function and who are they employed by;
• Appropriate maintenance machinery to be able to carry out the tasks; and
• Appropriate test equipment as defined by FIFA

This should reduce the probability of premature life shortening of the football turf.

Failure of Pitches
Sheppard highlight that "there have been around six pitches (in Australia) that have to some extent or other been replaced or are being replaced presently, all within two years of installation. 

"FIFA's views are simple, if they were laid by a Preferred Producer they would be re-laid or repaired by the Installer, whether that by from the parent company or the local licensed installer.

"FIFA expressed interest in being made aware of any failed pitches and their current status. (Here) Smart Connection Company (will be) happy to assist local owners in conducting this issue and … will report back any major non-conformances to FIFA or pass on their details so that clients can contact them directly.

"It certainly seems that if you invest and chose the right Provider and have taken the best procurement methods then you should have confidence. If a supplier is undercutting everyone else … on a $1 million project there is probably a very good reason."

Sheppard suggests checking the following aspects to the level of details needed an organisation will reduce the risk of pitch failure:

• Experienced installers - has the company has installed this type of pitch in Australia and on this type of soil and has a track record of meeting clients needs?
• Qualified personnel - does the team include a qualified Civil Engineer, installers, and project managers?
• Appropriate Machinery - do they have all the appropriate machinery to lay the subsurface pavement and the synthetic grass?
• Proven Field Surface - has the field surface been installed and tested elsewhere?
• Technical advances - what technology has been built in to the synthetic system to address issues such as heat minimisation, environmental concerns and longevity of the pitch at the appropriate standard?
• Affordability - ensure that surfaces are affordable (but not cheap). Evaluate the cost of quality . 

Martin Sheppard is the author of The Smart Guide to Synthetic Surfaces and his new factsheet can be viewed at the Smart Connection Consultancy website.

For more information click here to contact the Smart Connection Consultancy via their entry in the Australasian Leisure Management Supplier Directory.

17th April 2011 - NORTHBRIDGE FC SYNTHETIC SURFACE BEATS SYDNEY RAIN

8th December 2010 - FIRST INSTALLATIONS OF ZERO INFILL LONG PILE SYNTHETIC TURF