New FIFA-backed football facility opens in Christchurch

A new football facility, opened yesterday (Sunday 2nd October), is set to provide a boost to Canterbury's football recovery.

Marking a significant milestone in a plan to improve football facilities around New Zealand, ASB Football Park (formerly English Park) in Christchurch features a state-of-the-art FIFA 2-Star all weather football turf.

The surface, funded by the Christchurch City Council and world football governing body FIFA's Goal project, is one of the first major construction projects completed following the Christchurch earthquakes.

The new facility – which will also house New Zealand Football 's Southern Region Technical Centre, Mainland Football offices and act as the home ground of Canterbury United in the ASB Premiership – was officially opened by Christchurch Mayor Bob Parker and Oceania Football Confederation President David Chung before a day of junior football displays, celebrity matches and presentations to former internationals.

Chung explained "this is a milestone for football in Christchurch and for New Zealand Football. It is my sincere pleasure to represent FIFA and Oceania Football Confederation to officially open these tremendous facilities that will be of significant benefit for the development of football in the region, particularly for the grassroots and youth."

Mayor Parker added "I'm very pleased to welcome this 'next generation' facility to Christchurch.

"It's another huge step forward in our journey not just to rebuild Christchurch, but to make it cutting-edge – our bright future is emerging already.

"English Park has a long footballing tradition and it's great to be part of the next chapter in that history. This is only the second FIFA football turf in New Zealand and I'm very pleased to welcome this 'next generation' facility as Christchurch rebuilds and looks to a brighter than ever future."

FIFA President Joseph S. Blatter also sent his best wishes to the people of Canterbury, with a statement that read "I am … delighted that, after these very challenging times, the Christchurch pitch is being inaugurated. It is an outstanding centre, one that is ready to be used and of great value to both New Zealand’s national teams and the country's youngsters, who need new pitches and infrastructures to play the game they love."

An investment of $1.065 million from the Council and a $535,000 grant from FIFA, administered by New Zealand Football, funded the project with Mainland Football also a key partner in the joint venture.

Mainland Football Federation estimates that over 50 teams and upwards of 700 players and coaches were not involved in football in 2011 as a result of widespread damage caused to grounds by earthquakes in September and February. The availability of an all-weather park will alleviate some of the pressure on other grounds while providing a hub for the roll out of key development programmes.

Mainland Football Chief Executive Mike Coggan thanked the Council and FIFA for completing this project, stating "they've turned a dream into reality. It's a great honour for Christchurch to host this prototype for things to come.

"There is a growing worldwide demand for grounds such as these, and Christchurch is leading the way."

New Zealand Football Chairman Frank van Hattum said working with local bodies to improve availability and access to facilities underpinned New Zealand Football's Whole of Football Plan, a wide-ranging blueprint for improving the quality of New Zealand’s largest participation winter sport.

Van Hattum explained "facilities remain football's biggest barrier to growth and success.

"Projects like this don't 'just happen', they take vision, commitment and perseverance – attributes shown by all partners here. The results will speak for themselves. ASB Football Park is an outstanding facility and a model for other cities to follow."

The artificial turf surface, manufactured and installed by Tiger Turf, is only the second installed in New Zealand via the FIFA Goal Programme, following the success of a similar turf at North Harbour Stadium in Auckland.

Work on a third FIFA Goal project is due to start in Wellington later this year.

Local use of ASB Football Park begins on 10th October while Canterbury United's first home game in the ASB Premiership is on Sunday 6th November.

A video of last month's FIFA Goal project inauguration at ASB Football Park in Christchurch can be viewed on YouTube at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D5N5kNWK7EQ

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