PILA's Barrier Netting at Swans' Training Field Creates Focused Training Environment

On the Moore Park training field shared by the Sydney Swans and NSW Waratahs, PILA's National Sales Manager, Shaun Groves, fulfilled a lifelong dream by kicking goals with his heroes from the Swans.

It was a scorching hot Sydney summer's day and Shaun, along with other PILA staff plus the Swans' High Performance Operations Manager (and former AFL player), Peter Berbakov, had just installed new 10m high permanent barrier netting for the training field. The Swans had been frustrated by the loss of training time from recovering balls, and the falling balls had become a hazard, interfering with players doing sprint training nearby.

Catalyst

Last year PILA installed a semi-permanent barrier netting system at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) for pre-game practice kicking, which sparked the Swans to investigate a similar solution for their training field.

Requirements

The mission for the SCG was to supply a barrier system that would provide protection for spectators during warm-up kicks, and could be quickly and easily lowered directly before the match starts. By contrast, the training ground needed a permanent, hassle-free solution to keep balls contained to save time collecting them, as well as protecting people. They also needed a broader area covered due to the impending inner-west lightrail system.

Solution

PILA provided a 10m high by 40m wide barrier. The system is wider than the typical 30m wide systems that provide sufficient clearance either side of the behind posts. The nets can be left permanently raised, although a unique pulley system allows for easy raising and lowering of the nets when needed.

Thanks to their new field barrier netting, the Swans have created a safer and focused training environment. And Shaun has one less item on his bucket list!

Contact PILA about our standard or customised barrier netting solutions - 13 7452 or info@pilagroup.com.au

Fastest Net Attachment System for Football Goal Posts Thanks to PILA

Set-up duty can be the worst job to volunteer for at your football (soccer) club. Having to attach nets to the goal posts at both ends, and possibly on several sets of goals, is fiddly and tiresome - no wonder many people resort to using ugly strapping tape or zip-ties that permanently mark your goal posts and leave them looking worn! While organisations like Football NSW, FFA and FIFA recommend using net clips as a safe option, it has previously been a time-consuming chore, and many clubs complained about clip breakage. PILA has responded to this market feedback and has designed an advanced range of net clips that will make your job incredibly easy!

Extruded Net Track System

PILA’s custom net track system for football goal posts allows the nets to be attached by UV stabilised plastic clips into a recessed track. This keeps players safe from making contact with harmful protrusions. Yet users still cringed at the task of attaching the clips and nets before and after each game, so we set about designing a clip that was quick and easy to click in and out every time.

Faster Net Clip Solution

To address this, PILA has introduced new durable UV stabilised plastic net clips that are designed to be attached and removed faster and easier - just push and turn to safely and securely lock the clips and nets in place. It's even faster than using tape or zip-ties! No need for special tools, complicated instructions or sore fingers - even older kids can do it. Now there’s a thought parents!

New Nets

To team up with our new net clips, PILA has also introduced a higher quality of nets to suit our goal posts. We now offer Club nets as a great all-round, everyday use and cost-effective net, and Competition nets that are premium quality and suitable for the most elite level. We also have a budget range of training nets at great prices.

While safety is the most important aspect you should consider when choosing football goal posts, you also want a practical solution that makes life easier for everyone. Now you can have the safest football goal posts with the fastest net attachment system and avoid ruining your goals by using inappropriate forms of net attachment thanks to PILA's improved net clips.

Contact PILA for specs and prices on 13 7452 or info@pilagroup.com.au

A Fairytale Ending for Councils Using PILA sport for Their Goal Posts

Once upon a time there was a public servant working for a local council in the great land of Australia. This public servant, known far and wide as the Facilities Manager, was tasked with the formidable responsibility of managing the region's sporting fields - a noble and heroic challenge only given to the mightiest and most valiant of all public servants. For the management of sporting fields was fraught with peril due to the fearsome sporting clubs with terrifying names like the Dragons, Redbacks or Ferrets.

One day the sporting clubs approached the Facilities Manager, complaining of inadequate resources at their sporting fields. The goal posts were old and hazardous, and the little children needed somewhere safe to play. Undaunted by this challenge, the Facilities Manager made a review of the claims and determined that new goal posts were in order. But how to tackle this latest challenge? The Facilities Manager knew it was beyond even his extraordinary abilities, and in his outstanding wisdom and courage he sought help from his mighty friends at PILA sport.

And this is where the plot twist comes in, for instead of a long and arduous saga of overcoming obstacles, the path they journeyed was straight and simple. The Facilities Manager was amazed by the magical powers of PILA sport, who provided a quick quote and customised new goal posts to suit the existing footings, saving time and money for the council and making the Facilities Manager the hero of the day. PILA even managed the project from start to finish, equipping the sporting fields with the safest goal posts backed by the longest warranty.

In true fairytale style, the valour and passion of this team lead by the Facilities Manager resulted in a happy ending for all. To be the hero in your story, contact PILA sport for lots of free expert advice and assistance with your project, and of course the best goal posts at the best price.

3 Tips for Choosing the Right Size AFL Goal Posts for Your Club

Before you buy your AFL goal posts you must first determine what size you require. Here's what you need to consider:

1. Age Range

The primary consideration when selecting AFL goal posts is the age (or size) of the players using them. 6m Mini goal posts would be comically small for a 1.8m player and yet a suitable fit and daunting enough challenge for a 5 year old starting out in Auskick. If your field is only used by kids, you may only need the 6m/3m Mini AFL goal posts or the 7.5m/5m set of Junior AFL goal posts. For fields accommodating teens and adults, your minimum requirement would be a set of 9m/6m Senior AFL goal posts.

2. Competition Type

If your field already hosts high level competition (or you aspire to), you will need 12m/8m Competition AFL goal posts as a minimum. AFL Queensland, for instance, stipulates this size as a minimum State League standard and in order to comply you will need to pass a facilities audit. At the national level you will find 15m/10m Stadium AFL goal posts installed in all the major Australian stadiums like the ones PILA has installed at the MCG and SCG.

3. Budget

It's a fact of life that a budget may limit your options, but your budget should not be a reason to compromise on your requirements. Fortunately there are many grants and funding opportunities available throughout the year (click here for an up-to-date list of available funding). Given that PILA's AFL goal posts are factory guaranteed for 7 years, you're considering a long term investment. Don't box your club into goal posts they might outgrow, and don't run the risk of failing to meet a competition standard and being forced to comply or miss out. Straight goals, as opposed to tapered, are a cost-effective solution that may be worth considering. PILA provides a full range of straight goal posts for those on a tight budget.

While the above outlines minimum requirements, for anyone who's actually tried to kick a ball through AFL goal posts you'll know that it's more exciting and challenging to have larger posts. You'll be surprised at how affordable PILA's AFL goal posts are. Our goal posts are the best value for money in Australia and we offer a price beat guarantee on any competitive quote. Our goal post experts can guide you in choosing the right size AFL goal posts for your field.