Artificial grass the future?

[Danny]

The Kangaroos will be playing on artificial turf in the US this November. With a number of high profile players falling victim to some grass surfaces this year, maybe artificial turf is the way of the future.





No grass for Kangaroos in the US, says ARL
By Steve Mascord in London
October 20, 2004

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Australia's rugby league players may be exempt from world doping policy but officials have insisted they won't be on the grass in the United States.

The ARL has confirmed the 52,000-capacity Franklin Field in Philadelphia as the venue of the November 30 international against the United States - meaning the tourists will be playing on artificial turf.

"It's a very modern synthetic grass surface which has a longer turf and which is completely different from the older-style grounds," ARL chief executive Geoff Carr said. "It was only installed some three months ago. The blades of "grass" are over an inch long, it doesn't burn the players, it allows them to wear normal football boots."

Recent major sporting events in the US, such as the 1999 World Cup qualifier and 2000 England-US friendly - both played in Orlando - and the 2001 four-team Sunshine State Challenge in Jacksonville, have been played on natural surfaces.

The Australian national team's first game in the US for 50 years will be televised live on Fox Sports World in that country and on Fox Sports in Australia.

[injuryupdate]

Don't think we will ever see artificial turf in Australia and they won't in England either unless Super League moves back to winter.

The studies have never shown reduced injury rates of turf versus natural grass, so the suspicion will remain that they lead to more injuries for a good time, if not forever.

The reason why artificial turf is used is climatic - in the northern USA grass freezes over winter and the leaves die, so artificial turf looks a whole lot better.

In England, soccer hasn't moved to artificial because FIFA hasn't allowed it.

In Australia, the only stadium that might consider it is the Telstra Dome in Melbourne because of the reduced sun, but they are going OK with natural grass at the momnet.

[hhh]

Not sure if you are familiar with the facilities at the AIS in Canberra, but they have an artifial field that is heavily rubberised (to soften) with thick synthetic grass. AFL players have trained on the facilities, but no match/contact situations. Given the AFL have been sued by a few players over ground conditions and injury over the years, a perfect surface may not be out of the question

[sydunisportsmed]

The AIS surface in Canberra is Astroplay - similar to Field Turf.

Despite the study referred to currently on the front page, there is still not enough data on these new generation surfaces. However, they are a lot softer than the older Astroturf and therefore probably lead to less injury risk.

[Synthetic Grass Guy]

It is interesting reading these posts 4 years later. In 2008 synthetic grass is proving to be very popular, both worldwide and in Australia. Artificial grass sports field are popping up across Australia, particularly in light of the recent droght, and prevailing severe water restrictions. Synthetic grass ovals are proving popular, by sports clubs, councils and in school playgrounds. FIFA the governing soccer body has approved a number of synthetic grass systems for play, and many international matches are now played on them. The debate regarding whether injuries are more prevalent on synthetic grass ovals, will continue as long as they are in use.
The following website has information regarding synthetic grass <a href="http://playcover.com.au">Playcover Synthetic Grass Ovals, Rubber and Soft Fall Surfacing </a> and artifical grass applications

Regards
Nick

[fake grass]

Artificial grass has many advantages like no watering is required and also no need to mow the garden. This grass saves money and time and above all this grass is look like natural grass that it is difficult to identify whether it is fake or natural.