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Turf
The football pitches have come a long way from their origins which provided
a very small pile carpet filled with sand together with surrounding painted
plywood boards and netting above.
Generation Type 1 Pitches
Originally Astro Turf pitches were formed using a grass with a pile height
of about 20mm rising to 24 to 26mm over the years. This grass then became
more complex to allow for LSR (low slide resistance). This grass was then
filled with sand leaving approximately 6mm of grass un-filled. Generally
the pitches required replacement after 6 to 7 years of use.
Generation Type 2 Pitches
This is a turf suitable for alternative uses such as Hockey.
Generation Type 3 Pitches
This is a new form of pitch surface which plays far closer to grass. This
is only being used on the latest developed soccer complexes.
This new product could provide the future not only for Five on Five
pitches but is also under consideration and tests by UEAFA for approval
at the Amsterdam Arena, home to Ajax Football Club. There are three training
pitches constructed in the turf. The main pitch is programmed for 2003
subject to approvals.
This turf is currently laid to the rear and sides of the playing pitch
at the Amsterdam Arena and is constantly being inspected. The turf in
the Amsterdam Arena is actually 62mm long which it is felt sits the ball
slightly higher. Ajax hope that this pitch will be approved soon by *UEAFA,
followed by *FIFA and subsequently could change the face of football throughout
the world.
This gives an idea of the technology used in the current five a side
football complexes and how close the playing surfaces in these complexes
has become next to grass.
The fencing has also become more state of the art and user friendly. There
is a formula for fencing the pitches to allow the play to be continuos.
There are laminated boards up to 1.2m high, above this are plastic coated
metal fences which allow the ball to bounce off, above the height of 2.40m
there is loose netting. All fences are supported by a network of steel
posts. The pitches are playable in all weather conditions all year round
and are floodlit to allow play to continue into the evenings and in the
winter months.
*UEFA - United European Football Association
*FIFA - Federation of International Football Association
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