Coolest sports field in Australia

Australia's first synthetic sports field that complies with international standards for AFL football, Cricket Australia and world football governing body FIFA has been unveiled by Melbourne City Council.

The new surface at JJ Holland Park in the Melbourne suburb of Kensington has been manufactured by TEAM Sports in Australia using the most advanced pigment technology available. The technology, adapted from defence force research, enhance player comfort levels when using synthetic turf, especially in the world's warmer regions - like Australia.

TEAM Sports Chief Executive John Curtis believes the surface is the "coolest" in Australia, stating the "the Enviro turf II synthetic turf system here at JJ Holland Park is able to withstand over four times more activity than a natural turf sporting field and now Coolgrass® technology ensures exceptional performance characteristics all year round."

The Coolgrass® technology reflects infrared rays and dissipates heat into the atmosphere instead of absorbing it into the yarn. The 4G system, which uses little or no infill, can reduce surface temperatures by up to 35%.

The $1.3 million investment in the all-round synthetic sports ground at JJ Holland Park includes an underlying shock pad system along with a drop-in synthetic cricket wicket complete with lighting and sporting accessories. Its installation is Holland Park is part of Melbourne City Council's campaign to keep local sports going on in the face of climate change.

Established in 1997, Team Sports has grown to become one of Australiaâs leading manufacturers and installers of synthetic sports fields for a range of sports including AFL, football, rugby and hockey.

In rugby, Team Sports installed the world's first dedicated synthetic field at the Runaway Bay Sports Super Centre in 2000 and, since then, has continued the development of synthetic turf technology with the International Rugby Board.

Similarly, its sand, water and waterless/dry based hockey systems have been tested and accredited by the FIH (Federation International Hockey)

In football, Team Sports is a FIFA licencee and has developed fibrillated and monofillament yarns constructions that meet both FIFA 1-Star and 2-Star standards. And while this technology is only now being adopted in Australia, recent years have seen Team Sports become one of the largest suppliers of synthetic soccer fields to Asia - manufacturing, supplying and installing over 120 football fields for clients in South East Asia.

The company also installs synthetic cricket wickets, golf tee and putting surfaces, lawn bowls surfaces, synthetic tennis courts, landscaping products and multipurpose sports surfaces.

Team Sports have an extensive stable of industry partners which enables them to develop innovative products experimenting with yarn and textile evolution, sports surface impact backing and the world's best practice installation techniques.

For more information contact TEAM Sports Surfaces in Australia on 02 9838 4429 or TEAM Sports Surfaces (New Zealand) on 09 524 0121, E: info@teamsports.com.au, www.teamsports.com.au

20th May 2010 - JJ HOLLAND PARK UPGRADE UNDERWAY