Rugby 4 Life Infographic

Age-based modifications make the sport played in heaven safe to play here.

Rugby infographic including Rugby goal post minimum sizes.

Hinged Base Systems Make Rugby Goal Post Installation Easy

There's more to installing rugby union goal posts than just sticking some posts in the ground and attaching the crossbar, but with the right equipment and guidance it can be a very simple process.

Rugby goal posts can be installed either directly into a ground sleeve or on a hinged base. While a ground sleeve is perfectly suitable for shorter goal posts as it is easy enough to insert the post spigot into the ground sleeve with a few people, this becomes exponentially more difficult the taller the post becomes as the increased weight and height make it harder to safely and readily manoeuvre it. The solution is a hinged base system.

The hinged base, as its name implies, is a base that hinges at the base to raise or lower the post safely. A base plate is attached to the goal post and a hinged plate is fixed to the base. This system is then held to the ground by the bolts provided that are set into a concrete footing. Once properly bolted to the footing, the goal post can be easily raised from a horizontal position by walking it into the upright position either by hand or with a roller system or field tractor.

With the top of the bolts at least 20mm below the surface, the hinge plate can be covered by the sod removed to dig the hole. Recessing the system is important to avoid any protrusions that may cause injury.

The added benefit of the hinged base system is that the posts can be levelled in situ. Hinged base systems allow for finer tuning to ensure the posts are truly straight the first time.

A hinged base system makes installation and removal easy and safe, meeting OH&S compliance for heavy lifting. Full DIY installation details are provided with all PILA goal posts or talk to us about a delivered and installed package. Hinged base systems are also available for AFL goal posts and rugby league goal posts.

For more information contact PILA sport on 13 7452 or info@pilagroup.com.au 

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