World Class Surfaces Open at Botany Bay’s Hensley Fields
The redevelopment of the City of Botany Bay's Hensley Fields sportsgrounds has been completed - the facility now offering a full size Ligaturf football pitch, Poligras D Section training ground and Spurtan BS competition athletics track, all designed, manufactured and constructed by STI.
The redeveloped facility was funded by the Federal Government's $800 million Community Infrastructure Program and is now the new home ground for Football NSW Super League club, Sydney University.
Launching the facility, City of Botany Bay Mayor Ron Hoening said that the new facility is now a focal point for Sydney sport, and suggested that the field, which meets the FIFA 2 Star Quality Concept for Football Turf testing, could play a role as a training venue if Australia is successful in its bid to host the FIFA 2022 World Cup.
Mayor Hoenig stated "this facility is the focal point for Sydney sport - millions of dollars have been poured into this facility and when I look around, I still marvel at what has been done."
Adding his support for the redevelopment was Sydney University Under 13 Coach George Makridopolus who stated "this is without a doubt the best facility in the Super League - the players love it because it gives a true bounce while allowing them to play two-touch football without any grass burns.
"It's also a massive drawcard for Sydney University since we can expect to see many more players coming to trial with us due to this facility."
Under 15s Head Coach Theo Fotopoulos added "at training (the players) simply went crazy and were training their hearts out. This is an amazing facility and one which allows for good quality football."
Utilising recycled rubber which would have otherwise ended up in landfills, the state of the art synthetic field provides footballers with a true bounce and an environment players can be excited playing on.
Hensley Field has a reputation for making history. Founded in 1968, it opened Australiaâs first all weather synthetic running track in 1973 and now again the facility can boast a state-of-the-art track surface in the Spurtan BS, an IAAF approved elite competition athletic track.
At the launch, Mayor Hoenig highlighted that "Hensley is also the location for innumerable school athletics carnivals - and generation after generation of locals have run and sweated on and around this track.
"(It) has had a proud and long record."
For more information on STI's products and services contact 07 5527 3733, E: australasia@sti-sports.com (in Australia) or 09 274 9639, E-mail: nz@sti-sports.com (in New Zealand),
http://www.sti-sports.com
Image of works at Hensley Field courtesy of Football NSW.
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