FIFA ensures a level playing field for all

FIFA, football's world governing body, has introduced its FIFA Preferred Producer initiative, a concept aimed at ensuring a consistently high quality of artificial 'football turf' around the world by offering a number of football turf manufacturers worldwide the opportunity to be classed as 'FIFA Preferred Producers'.

On the back of a significant increase in demand for football turf surfaces and the growing acceptance of the FIFA Quality Concept for Football Turf and its 'FIFA Recommended' quality marks, the FIFA Preferred Producer concept is a further step in improving the delivery of football turf to the end consumer.

As FIFA President Joseph S. Blatter explained, "as the game's worldwide governing body we have a responsibility to support any move to improve football equipment.

"The FIFA Preferred Producer concept is a significant step in driving forward the quality of football pitches on a global level."

The scheme will protect the interests of consumers when purchasing pitches as well as ensuring that football turf fields globally meet FIFA requirements in terms of quality, performance and safety standards.

In order for football turf providers to be classed as FIFA Quality Turf Preferred Producers they must adhere to a number of stringent criteria. These include the companies extending their services beyond the traditional supplier role by continually working on improving the quality of their product.

They must also be experienced manufacturers of football turf and established FIFA Quality Concept Licensees as well as demonstrating expertise in civil engineering, project management and maintenance, which is necessary for the successful inception and completion of all football turf projects and quality playing fields.

As part of the FIFA initiative GreenFields Synthetic Turf Australia has been announced as one of six companies initially approved as a FIFA Preferred Supplier, and the first in Australia to be offering this level of service.

As Hugo de Vries, Managing Director of GreenFields states "we see the FIFA Preferred Producer Program as a decisive step for the market and the industry in general and especially for the development of GreenFields.

"Sustainability is the key issue these days (and) the FIFA concept fits our vision and philosophy to create perfect durable playing conditions all over the world."

GreenFields Synthetic Turf Australia has just completed a 19,000 metre2 facility for Brimbank City Council at Keilor Park which has two FIFA Soccer pitches, a cricket pitch, AFL goals, lighting for competition standard and infrastructure for water harvesting.

Ken McBride, Sales & Marketing Manager for GreenFields Synthetic Turf Australia explains, the installation uses "the patented 'V shape' fibre (which) is lifelike and possesses the 'memory' to return to an upright position after being trampled underfoot.

"This provides excellent ball roll qualities which are not seen on the 'flattened' turf which is generally seen in the Australian market."

For details contact Ken McBride of GreenFields Synthetic Turf Australia on 03 9800 5786 / 0412 467 425, E: ken@greenfieldsturf.com.au, www.greenfieldsturf.com.au 

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