KIKOFF Lakemba Scores PILA Futsal Goal Posts

With around 120,000 social participants in futsal competitions across Australia, it’s clear that this abridged version of the beautiful game is only growing in popularity. Despite the misnomer “Indoor Soccer”, futsal actually developed outdoors and is still played in many outdoor settings.

At KIKOFF’s newest outdoor facility in Lakemba they have just installed the highest quality synthetic turf with floodlighting to provide users with a safe, level playing surface that can be used in any weather at any time. The pitches also have a cushioned infill that protects players should they fall and reduces the risk of ligament and torsion injuries. They have even gone the extra mile using light green coloured rubber to reduce the surface temperature on hot days!

This state-of-the-art centre is equipped with four pitches available for casual hire already, with leagues and coaching kicking off in 2015.

With a reputation for manufacturing the safest futsal goal posts and a proven track record working with synthetic pitches, PILA was approached to supply the four sets of semi-permanent futsal goal posts required. They might be a fraction of the size of a football goal post, but futsal goals must still meet stringent safety standards set by FIFA and FFA  for Small Sided Games (SSG). PILA’s aluminium futsal goal posts exceed all the standards and are designed and manufactured to last for an extended period of time outdoors in Australian conditions.

For more information about PILA’s futsal goal posts go to our Soccer + Futsal product page. 

What is the Difference Between Rugby League and Rugby Union Goal Posts?

Despite their origin in the same sport, rugby league and rugby union have taken on distinct forms in the 120 years since their split. While it may be hard for an outsider to distinguish between the two sports, there are enough differences to make rugby union and rugby league incompatible for any easy merger – not that fans would tolerate such a consideration anyway!

A difference that mostly goes unnoticed is the size of the goal posts. Both codes use 15m high goal posts for the premier levels of competition with the top edge of the crossbar exactly 3m from the ground. However it is the length of the crossbar and hence the distance between the goal posts that differs. According to the NRL’s Laws of the Game, rugby league goal posts stand 5.5m apart and the ARU stipulates that rugby union goal posts are 5.6m apart. In all other ways these goal posts are identical.

There does not seem to be any discernible reason for the variation, and in most cases it is not a concern. Given that both games are often played on the same field, most are fitted out for one or the other. If you do have an exclusive field it is advisable to meet the standard. For expert help with your rugby union or rugby league goal post purchase, speak to PILA sport - 13 PILA (13 7452) or email info@pilasport.com.au 

Visit www.pilasport.com.au for more

Blackman Park Project Features PILA’s Goal Posts on Synthetic Surface at Lane Cove West

Synthetic surface playing fields are growing in popularity and demand due to their longevity and usability even in wet weather. Installation of synthetic surfaced fields also increases the number of hours that the fields can be accessed by local sporting clubs as they do not wear out, making them the equivalent of 2 or 3 grass fields which can only be used up to 30 hours per week.  

The Blackman Park Project

A notable example is the recent upgrade to Blackman Park in Lane Cove West, a former landfill site that was subject to ongoing settlement. The official opening of the brand new synthetic sporting fields was held on Saturday 29 November. With representatives from the Waratahs, Sydney Swans and GWS Giants, it was a spectacular event as the community came together to celebrate this landmark.

Synthetic Surface Construction

Team Sports were contracted to install a synthetic playing surface over a concrete support slab to stabilise the ground. They engineered a solution that includes piled footings between 10m and 28m deep for the concrete support slab with a subsurface drainage system above the concrete slab for collection and disposal of stormwater from the playing field. The concrete was then overlaid with synthetic surface ‘Hybrid 60’ with a shock pad which meets the requirements of the ‘One Turf’ concept comprising FIFA, IRB and AFL/CA. The upgrade has resulted in a 18,600m² area accommodating 2 soccer/rugby fields and one AFL field.

Installing Goal Posts on Synthetic

Not wanting to compromise the integrity of the synthetic surface, Team Sports turned to PILA as they are familiar with our market leading products and customisation. PILA’s National Sales Manager, Shaun Groves, emphasised that “PILA is able to customise our goal posts to suit the surface and adapt to the logistical challenges within the site”. To protect the synthetic surface, the footings, hinge bases and ground sleeves of the goal posts need to work perfectly with the system used for the field. PILA sport has extensive experience working with the turf industry on both natural and synthetic fields. The Blackman Park project was another opportunity to demonstrate our versatility, providing 12m/8m Competition level AFL goal posts, 2 sets of 12m Competition level rugby union/league goal posts, and 2 sets of senior semi-permanent football (soccer) goal posts with off-field storage.

Praise for the Fields

A few sporting teams received a taste of the fields before its official opening including Lane Cove’s AFL9s joined by AFL legends Jude Bolton and Kevin Sheedy. Kevin Sheedy AM, a Richmond Tigers legend and current director at GWS Giants, praised the fields: “This is one of the best venues I’ve seen for sport, and I think it’s terrific that it supports so many sports, this place will bring a lot of people together”. Deputy Mayor Deborah Hutchens and Wayne Rylands, Executive Manager for Open Space and Urban Services, were integral in the implementation of the project, with both ‘astonished’ at the speed of construction of the synthetic turf, completed just over 18 months after council gave it the green light.

Whether you’re installing new goal posts on a natural or synthetic surface, PILA can provide the best products, advice and service. Contact us on 13 PILA (13 7452) or email info@pilasport.com.au

Competition Level AFL Goal Posts at Noosa for GWS Heat Training

With AFL clubs now turning to heat training over altitude training for performance improvement, Queensland is welcoming many interstate teams in the off-season. GWS are just one team heading north to prepare for the NAB Challenge and 2015 season, with training locked in for Noosa’s Weyba Road Oval next month. To prepare for the Giants’ arrival, AFL QLD and Noosa Council have been hard at work to bring the oval up-to-scratch.

AFL QLD Supply Goals

Home team, the Noosa Tigers, have been seeking an upgrade for several seasons, in particular for the existing goal posts which do not meet AFL guidelines. Wanting to present a top quality facility for the visiting Giants and the Tigers, AFL Queensland have committed to installing a new set of AFL goal posts from their preferred supplier, PILA sport.

Competition Level Goal Posts

AFL QLD have been auditing ovals across the state, incentivising them to upgrade to Competition level 12m / 8m goal posts to comply with the minimum standard for state level games. In line with this goal, Noosa will be receiving a set of Competition level AFL goal posts constructed from tapered aluminium from PILA sport, along with a community donation from PILA of brand new AFL post pads. Noosa Council will be erecting the new goal posts in early December.

These new AFL goal posts will make the oval compliant for the Giants’ training, as well as improving the amenities at Weyba Road Oval for the Noosa Tigers and the local community.

Contact PILA on 13 PILA (13 7452) or email info@pilasport.com.au or visit www.pilasport.com.au

Barrier Netting Keeps the Ball in Play

The history of AFL is the development of a sport for the people. Along with football (soccer) and rugby it has its roots in British schoolyard games, however AFL evolved not only for the player but also for the spectator. The modern game is distinguished from other football codes thanks to its pace and energy so prized by spectators, and keeping the game moving has become an administrative priority. To reduce time wastage, barrier netting can be installed to keep the ball in the field of play.

The Spectators’ Sport

According to football historian Geoffrey Blainey, AFL spectators “longed for the spectacular; they wanted to see the long run with the ball, the high mark, the clever dodging and the sudden physical clash. They shunned the slow-moving play and especially the scrummage”. The more dynamic and open play features of the game appealed to the crowds and consequently were codified into the game. High scoring games became achievable in the absence of an off-side rule and by kicking closer to the goals.

Flying Balls

All this kicking and marking and handpassing keeps the ball moving through the air and possibly out of the field. When the ball exits the field of play someone has to retrieve it. This can be a time-consuming nuisance, especially during practice sessions. The simplest solution is the installation of barrier netting to halt the ball.

Time-Saving Solution

Barrier netting is available in many shapes and sizes, both permanent and semi-permanent. A semi-permanent option allows the greatest versatility for the field as it can be quickly and easily removed.

Popular Solution

In the Melbourne metropolitan alone there’s at least one new PILA barrier netting system being installed every month. They are popular with local clubs where the nets are left up throughout play. At major stadiums they raise them for match warm-up as players repeatedly kick through the goals, but lower them for the actual game. The SCG is one of many happy PILA clients.

PILA’s barrier netting system is the perfect solution for action-packed AFL to help keep the ball in the field of play. 

Regional Facilities Upgraded to Accommodate 2015 NAB Challenge

The sport that sprouted and grew in regional Australia is honouring its heritage and supporter base by returning to its roots. The 2015 NAB Cup draw released last month demonstrates the AFL’s commitment to regional communities, with “a number of suburban and regional venues (hosting) games during the month-long festival of football”.

Focus on Regional and Suburban

AFL General Manager – Broadcasting, Scheduling and Major Projects Simon Lethlean said "Fans in regional and suburban communities across Australia are unashamedly our focus throughout next year's NAB Challenge... We're pleased to be able to take top-flight football to some of the game's most important venues."

Regional and Suburban Venues

Pre-season NAB Challenge games will be played in every state across Australia next year, including suburban and regional venues:

VIC: Bendigo, Docklands, Footscray, Geelong, Morwell, North Ballarat and Shepparton

NSW: Albury, Blacktown, Coffs Harbour, Drummoyne* and Moore Park

QLD: Burpengary, Carrara and Townsville

SA: Norwood*, Port Lincoln* and West Lakes

WA: Fremantle, Mandurah and Subiaco

TAS: Launceston

ACT: Griffith

* Venues hosting AFL games for the first time.

Facility Requirements

The AFL’s Preferred Community Standards guidelines for quality facilities for local communities recommends Competition size goal posts (12m goal posts / 8m point posts) as the core size requirement for up to state league games. While ‘Competitions’ are a common feature of many local AFL ovals, NAB Challenge is a national level competition and venues must have Stadium size goal posts (15m goal posts / 10m point posts) to be compliant. Preparing for the NAB Challenge is an excellent opportunity for venues to become equipped with Stadium level goal posts, boosting the versatility and adding prestige to the oval.

PILA’s Involvement

As preferred supplier of goal posts to all national AFL associations, PILA has been at the forefront of accrediting venues for NAB Challenge compliance with Stadium size goal posts. Our posts are already in many NAB Challenge venues including Simonds Stadium, Metricon Stadium, Spotless Stadium, Patersons Stadium, Aurora Stadium, Blacktown International Sports Park and Drummoyne Oval.

Turn to PILA for the AFL goal posts you need to be NAB Challenge compliant or ready for any level of AFL. Call 13 7452 or email info@pilasport.com.au or visit the website: www.pilasport.com.au 

Asian Champions League Winners Train With PILA’s Portable Football Goal Posts

Western Sydney Wanderers train with PILA's portable football goal posts at Pirtek Stadium and go on to win the AFC Champions League.

In true Disney style, the underdog team of the Asian Champions League triumphed to become the ultimate winners. Australia has never before had a win in the prestigious competition, and in the lead up to Australia hosting the Asian Cup in 2015, this win by A-League team the Western Sydney Wanderers was nothing short of a godsend.

A-League

Established only 10 years ago, the A-League has grown to become a real threat to other football codes in Australia. While football has always been a popular sport here, it has only been since the introduction of the A-League that it has begun to flourish as a well-attended national spectator sport. Fans have been provided with enthralling entertainment and elite Australian footballers now have a worthy league of their own at home.

Asian Champions League

Since the 2007 edition of the Asian Champions League, A-League premiers are eligible for participation, so their win from the 2012/13 season qualified the Wanderers to enter. Also participating from Australia were the Central Coast Mariners and the Melbourne Victory.  

Training Facilities

The success of any team is dependent on their training, so providing the best possible training environment is paramount to achieving victory. The Western Sydney Wanderers are fortunate enough to train using the best and safest portable football goal posts in Australia. Their home ground, Pirtek Stadium, invested in PILA’s portable football goal posts because they offer the safest moveable solution.

Portable Football Goal Posts

Portable football goals are specifically designed to be moved around easily. They are engineered to take advantage of the cantilever effect and their wide detachable wheels provide even weight distribution. Portable football goals reduce wear in the goal area as they can be located in different positions each time, are removed at the end of training and don’t require footings to secure them.

When secured and used properly, PILA’s portable goals are the best and safest option for football. PILA were integral in the development of the ACCC’s portable/moveable soccer goal post Australian Standard AS 4866.1-2007 mandatory standards and manufacture the safest goal posts exceeding Australian and International standards at the most competitive price on the market for professional compliant goal posts. PILA is thrilled by the Wanderers’ win and proud to know they train with our portable football goal posts.

Contact PILA sport on 13 7452 or info@pilasport.com.au or visit www.pilasport.com.au

How Football Goal Posts Got Their Look

With its history found in cultures around the world – China. Egypt, Japan, Greece, Mexico - football (soccer) is truly an international game, however its modern beginnings are found in England. While records of the gruesome use of the severed heads of defeated foes as kickballs stem back to the 8^th Century AD, the first description of a football match in England wasn’t written until 1170. The game was destined to flourish as aristocracy repeatedly outlawed it from the 14^th through to the 17^th century! But its adoption by exclusive English public schools heralded the beginning of the modern era of football with documented evidence from 1747 of it being played at Eton and the first set of rules established at Cambridge University in 1848. Much has changed since then, with the goal posts undergoing an extreme makeover to develop the structure we now associate with the sport.

History of Football (Soccer) Goal Posts:

500BC

The Chinese developed a sport know as ‘cuju’ that required players to kick a leather ball into a net stretched between 2 goal posts.

1660

English records indicate that at this time players attempted to get the ball into the opposition goal.

1801

In his book, “The Sports and Pastimes of the People of England”, Joseph Strutt described the game of football, including this quote about goal posts: “The goal is usually made with two sticks driven into the ground, about two or three feet apart”.

1848

The first rule of the first written rules of football stated: “a goal is scored whenever the ball is forced through the goal and under the bar, except it be thrown by hand”. The original uprights were flag posts and the crossbar a string between them.

1857

The Sheffield Football Club, believed to be the first football club in the world, developed its own set of rules and added a solid crossbar to the goal posts.

1862

Cambridge University updated its rules and specified the dimensions of the goal posts for the first time – 12 feet across and up to 20 feet high.

1863

The Football Association was established to create a single unifying code for football and determined that “the goal shall be defined by two upright posts, eight yards (24 feet/7.32m) apart, without any tape or bar across them”. It also stated that “a goal shall be won when the ball passes between the goal posts or over the space between the goal posts (at whatever height)”.

1872

The FA published an updated set of rules that included: “a goal shall be won when the ball passes between the goal posts under the tape”, with tape used for the crossbar at the first FA Cup final.

1882

The crossbar became compulsory and the height of 8 feet (2.44m) from the ground was established.

1892

Nets became compulsory to reduce the number of disputes as to whether the ball had passed between the posts.

1895

A painting of the game played between Sunderland and Aston Villa depicts box net football goal posts that most resemble the goal posts we would recognise today.

PILA produces FIFA compliant football goal posts in several shapes and sizes including senior semi-permanent goals with box nets and net supports suitable for international competition level, portable football goal posts suitable for club level, and futsal goal posts. Contact PILA on 13 PILA (137452) or info@pilasport.com.au