Hunter Stadium playing surface a cause for concern

Condemned for having the worst playing surface in the A-League, concerns are growing that the quality of the pitch at Newcastle's Hunter Stadium may lead to it losing out on the opportunity to host games during the 2015 Asian Cup.

With club captains identifying the pitch as the worst in the A-League earlier this year, the quality of the surfaces has continued to decline.

Bare patches in sections of the ground as well as smaller divots and holes which have been filled with sand are leading to concerns over the safety of players.

There are also problems underneath the turf with the base, which becomes rock hard in summer and has a pronounced crown from sideline to sideline.

Wellington Phoenix coach Ernie Merrick had ground staff repair a number of holes before his team's recent loss to the Newcastle Jets.

With the cost of removing the current surface and base, laser level a new base and returf is about $1.5million, local NSW MP Tim Owen is calling for Venues NSW to fund and schedule the work.

If agreed, work would be done after the Newcastle Knights finish their NRL season in September, which could require the Jets to play away from home for the early rounds of the 2014-15 A-League season.

Hunter Stadium is one of five venues for the Asian Cup and will host two pool games (on 12th and 17th January) as well as a semi-final (on 27th January) and play-off for third (30th January).

The surface at Hunter Stadium satisfied criteria when the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) assessed potential venues last year. But there is a growing concern that, unless the pitch is upgraded, some or all matches could be shifted to other centres.

Owen recently told the Newcastle Herald "I have made a strong submission to government and am hopeful that the issue will be resolved.

"It is not just a Government issue, (the) AFC have some skin in this game as well.

"We all understand the need for it to be resolved."

Hunter Venues manage the stadium on behalf of Venues NSW.

In announcing a new long-term lease with the Knights and Jets last month, a Venues NSW spokesperson said the turf was "periodically" replaced but a total resurface of the ground was not in their budget.

Responding to the call for a new surface, the office of NSW Minister for Sport and Recreation Gabrielle Upton this week issued a statement that read "the NSW Government is a major supporter of the AFC Asian Cup 2015 - AC2015, contributing significant funding with a clear understanding that the Local Organising Committee – LOC - is responsible for preparing and upgrading the infrastructure overlay for the stadia and training sites, including the playing surface at Hunter Stadium.

"Hunter Stadium was selected by the LOC following thorough assessments of its capacity and capability by AFC technical advisors. The LOC selected the venue with a full understanding of its condition and accepted a commercial offer, as well as accepted the obligation to upgrade the venue further if required.

"Venues NSW will continue to work closely with the LOC to ensure Newcastle Stadium is in the best possible condition for the AFC Asian Cup 2015."