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 

How to Tell if it's Time to Replace Your Goal Posts

Even the best quality goal posts have to be replaced eventually, but how can you tell when's the right time? This guide will provide advice to help you determine if it's time:

 Unsafe Goal PostsSometimes it's not so obvious if your goal posts are unsafe, but certain materials are particularly unsafe. If your goal posts are made from substandard materials like timber, PVC or steel, they present a real danger for players as they may not be structurally sound and are prone to decay. Goal posts made from aluminium provide the safest, longest lasting structure.
 ComplianceAll competitive sports have governing bodies that set safety standards, however there are still many goal posts around Australia that do not comply. Compliance is not optional and heavy fines apply for clubs or organisations that don't meet the standards. These standards have helped reduce injury and fatalities, especially in football (soccer) where the most stringent regulations have been put in place for portable goal posts.
 Wear and TearGoal posts undergo a lot of stresses over their lifetime including standing out in the harsh Australian weather extremes and being battered by enthusiastic players. Moving them off-field to be stored out of season will also increase wear and tear. While top quality goal posts can sustain many years of this (PILA offers a 7 year manufacturer's warranty with the option of an extended warranty), there are certain things to look out for:
-       wobbly frame
-       loose joints
-       damaged net hooks (football)
-       chipped paint
PILA offers a free safety audit to assess your goal posts.
 Club GrowthYour posts should progress with your club. When your club started you may have only needed small goal posts, but now the club's grown or the age groups have changed, you will need taller or larger goal posts. Junior goal posts will not suit adults, and if you've moved into state level or televised competition your senior goal posts will no longer suffice.
 ResurfacingIf it's time to upgrade your playing field it may also be time to upgrade your goal posts. Resurfacing is a great opportunity to work on a project like goal post upgrading, whether you're upgrading your footings or not.
 ModernisingAs with all products, goal post manufacturing technology improves and newer versions can offer greater benefits. PILA is constantly improving our processes and products and meeting new standards as they are published. We have always produced the highest quality goal posts and stand by our products as demonstrated by our long warranty.
 Psychological AdvantageWe all love new! New goal posts are shiny and exciting and offer a psychological advantage on the home field, especially when you've upgraded your size. The larger size offers a more tantalising challenge for players - trying to kick over the tall AFL or rugby goal posts, or shooting for the top right corner of the football (soccer) goals.
 And if it is time to replace your goal posts, PILA offers the safest goal posts at the most competitive prices. Our goal posts are standing in most of Australia's major stadiums including the MCG, SCG and ANZ Stadium.

PILA's Pro-Series Goal Posts on the World Stage as MCG Hosts Soccer Friendlies

While the MCG is better known for cricket and as the venue for the AFL Grand Final, it has more than a century of history hosting soccer as well. From the first match played in 1912 there have been a variety of games ranging from friendlies to World Cup qualifiers and Olympic competition. Some of the best teams in the world have played at the MCG including Manchester United, Brazil, Argentina and Liverpool. And this year the Victorian Government has lured reigning European champions and FIFA Club of the 20^th Century, Real Madrid, along with the world’s current best player, Cristiano Ronaldo.

International Champions Cup

Previously confined to North America, the International Champions Cup has expanded to include Australia for 2015, bringing three of the biggest names in European club football – Real Madrid, Manchester City and AS Roma. They will play an exclusive three-match round robin tournament at the MCG from 18 – 25 July, using PILA’s new international broadcasting standard Pro-Series football goal posts.

Pro-Series

PILA’s Pro-Series football goal posts are specifically designed for elite level televised events. In order to comply with FIFA’s regulations, football goal posts in televised games are required to have black free hanging net support posts (as opposed to the more common white ones). PILA's Pro-Series goal posts meet Australian and international standards and have already proven popular with Football NSW choosing them for their Valentine Sports Park fields.

With their new turf and new goals, the MCG is set to welcome these elite teams and put on a spectacular show. Learn more about PILA’s new Pro-Series goal posts here.

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