‘Post’ Christmas Reminiscing - English Football, Goal Post Crossbars and Tim Cahill

PILA's guest blogger, Craig Kahlefeldt, shares his experience of an Arsenal game in England and Per Mertesacker hitting the goal post's crossbar.

Anyone who has had the pleasure of spending Christmas in England will know that the whole place is abuzz, everyone it seems is holding out with anticipation for the big day. Whether it’s because you get to wear the tackiest Christmas jumper and nobody cares because everyone wears one or because you get to throw down a few pints at the local before rushing home to the most amazing dinner of all dinners, I’m not quite sure but even the die-hard football fans are in a good mood at Christmas.

I was the fortunate guest of my English brother-in-law at an Arsenal English Premier League home game at the amazing Emirates Stadium against Newcastle. My other brother‐in‐law was there too and we’re both Chelsea supporters for the record so to be honest we were feeling a little nervous walking into enemy territory. We both made a concise effort to hide our Chelsea loyalty so it was quickly assumed we were part of the Arsenal faithful and seemed safe. Guys were walking passed tipping their hat and we even got a quick nod of the head from one guy with a “you alright, let’s go Arsenal”.

As someone who has attended countless AFL matches involving old enemies Carlton, Collingwood, Essendon and Richmond, I was almost speechless as to how happy the crowd was. Was it because there is only one little group of opposition supporters tucked away in a far corner or was it perhaps that the festive spirit was alive and well? Whatever the reason, I was impressed and totally fine with being an Arsenal fan for just one night!

8 minutes in however when Arsenal's giant German Per Mertesacker hit the football goal post's crossbar with a header from a corner cross, I forgot I was a happy Arsenal supporter and became one of those annoyingly passionate Aussies - just for a moment it took me straight back to Tim Cahill's World Cup ‘goal for the ages’ against The Netherlands when his left foot strike crashed into the net after smashing off the crossbar.

Thankfully I managed to gather myself and for the record it was a  long night in front of the goal posts for the visitors as Arsenal piled on  4 goals to Newcastle's 1. Call it Aussie pride but I can’t help but think our Timmy would’ve made it 5 –1!

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.

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.