Climate change is a reality and is an issue for all communities and industries in Australia, including football and cricket, which require an oval to be in a condition that is both usable and safe.
The impact of the drought is significantly affecting ground conditions and limiting venue usage and availability, which in turn impacts on local communities.
The Australian Football League (AFL) and Cricket Australia commissioned a research project to be undertaken as a result of the ongoing climate change challenge in Australia and the need to look at other long term options for affected grounds that require little or no water and allow current facilities to be used more often.
“We needed to be proactive in finding solutions to an issue that affects everyone – solutions that will allow ovals that have fallen into disrepair or are sparingly used to be better utilised and in a way that minimises the amount of water needed to make them safe for use,” said the AFL’s General Manager of National and International Development, David Matthews.
A solution to the degradation of community ovals is artificial turf. Artificial turf has undergone significant development in the past few decades, with the current products known as ‘third generation’ turf.
Third generation turf comprises long synthetic fibres infilled with sand and rubber granules and installed with shock absorbent padding underneath.
As part of the research project, jointly funded by the AFL, Cricket Australia, the Victorian State Government and the football and cricket industry insurer JLT Trustees, the University of Ballarat developed a set of criteria and standards for artificial turf to replicate the performance and playing characteristics of natural turf for Australian football and cricket.
The standards have been agreed to by the AFL, Cricket Australia and insurers JLT Trustees and are a basis for our insurers to be satisfied that the playing surface is fit for purpose and doesn’t expose the participants to danger or high risk when compared with existing natural surfaces.
There is significant interest in and need for developing artificial turf for use on community grounds and the AFL and Cricket Australia are soon to launch their accreditation program with AFL/CA endorsed manufacturers and approved products ensuring appropriate standards, quality controls and maintenance regimes are met.
A rigorous endorsement and product testing process via accredited laboratories has been established including the stringent process of field testing and certification of the turf systems and installations to meet the standards required for football and cricket at community level. That is, all football and cricket played below the respective National and State League competitions.
“As sporting organisations we have a responsibility to ensure we have facilities that are available, safe and fit for purpose so that children may be able to participate in our programs, to help overcome health issues like childhood obesity, implement water saving initiatives and other community benefits,” Cricket Australia’s General Manager, Damien Bown, said.
“By using innovations like artificial turf we will be able to address issues prevalent in today’s community.”
Artificial turf is designed for use in adverse climate conditions and provides for double the usage of natural turf, increasing availability and providing greater flexibility for clubs and competitions.
The turf system design also incorporates innovative
water catchment systems, enabling water harvesting and
recycling opportunities – much needed in these climatic conditions.
The installation of artificial turf as a replacement of natural turf grounds affected by climate change is a strong and viable solution to increasing facility availability and usage, which will in turn support the increase in participation rates, provide societal and environmental benefits and help make sport sustainable in the community.
*Copy supplied by the AFL and Cricket Australia.
