Australia’s first environmentally sensitive synthetic pitch to be built

A first in Australian football was announced by Sydney’s Lane Cove Council with the construction of an environmentally sensitive synthetic football field set to take place at Bob Campbell Oval.

The project will be crucial in satisfying the impressive demand and use of football fields across metropolitan Sydney. A synthetic surface has the advantage of being able to absorb intensive and extensive use throughout all weather conditions, enabling more people to be more active more often.

The proposed surface is a fully woven product made of one polymer family (polyolefin). The woven construction results in the grass fibres and backing structure being produced as one combined product, with superior tuft lock and filament bind to traditional tufted grass. The final product will significantly reduce the likelihood of lost fibres migrating into the environment.

“This is a significant step forward in environmental performance and I’m pleased that Lane Cove Council will be kick-starting an Australian first,” Lane Cove Council Mayor, Pam Palmer stated.

“If our efforts enable a faster take up of this new technology, then it’s a win-win for the environment and the community.”

Ed Ferguson, Chief Executive Officer of the Northern Suburbs Football Association, was delighted by decision from the Lane Cove Council.

“We are excited to hear news of the installation of a synthetic field at Bob Campbell Oval. Local community football has grown by 1,200 players in 2021, now totalling 18,100 participants in the NSFA region which places more stress on our current facilities,” he said.

“The Bob Campbell Oval development will increase the capacity of the sports field meaning more players will be able to safely participate for more hours each week, not to mention the benefit towards local community users for their informal activities.

“I commend Lane Cove Council and Mayor Pam Palmer for diligently investigating how they can create a best practice field that services the community and mitigates environmental concerns. NSFA and our members are proud to be aligned with a council that takes this approach.

“The field will provide a suitable home for Greenwich Sports Club who have the largest female player representation in the region of 50%. Ahead of the FIFA Women’s World Cup in just over two years we anticipate this trend to continue, meaning Greenwich can continue to be a home of female football participation.”

Football NSW CEO Stuart Hodge acknowledged how the installation of the pitch aligned with the state’s footballing body’s goals.

“The proposed synthetic field directly relates to the NSW Football Infrastructure Strategy and the key pillar, ‘improve existing venue capacity’. Maximising the carrying capacity and activation of existing football grounds and venues is a key objective of the strategy as football continues to grow particularly post COVID-19,” he said.

“Infrastructure developments such as Bob Campbell Oval not only enable growth in the game, but they also enable broader community development. Ensuring communities have adequate spaces where people can actively and safely engage in sport and recreation can provide improved social, health, educational and cultural outcomes for all.”

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AFC aligns with AIAC for improved football dispute resolution

The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) and the Asian International Arbitration Centre (AIAC) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), highlighting their dedication to fortifying football law and to providing multiple sports dispute resolution pathways in Asia.

The MoU, signed in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on Monday, is a three-year agreement which aims to cultivate greater collaboration between the AFC and AIAC.

The agreement is the latest in a long running partnership for the AFC and AIAC. Since 2015, the organisations have cooperated to host seminars, conferences and training programs, focused on educating the public and officials about sports law and dispute resolution.

AFC General Counsel and Director of Legal Affairs, Andrew Mercer, expressed his excitement for the agreement via press release.

“We are delighted to formalise this important collaboration with the AIAC, who share common interests and values to promote academic and practical training in sports specific alternative dispute resolution in Asia,” he said.

AIAC Chief Executive Officer, Datuk Almalena Sharmila Johan, conveyed a similar sentiment.

“As we embark on this partnership, we celebrate the convergence of our expertise, values and dedication to raising the standards of ADR within the sporting community. The ASIAN Sports Arbitration Rules exemplified our commitment to advancing the spirit of justice in the sports industry as a whole, by providing a comprehensive framework for expedient dispute resolution that best preserves fairness and integrity within sports,” she said via press release.

This latest agreement will facilitate the AFC’s and AIAC’s desire to operate a yearly workshop or conference concentrating on sports law.

Both organisations wish to voice a plurality of opinions across Asia to explore conversations about recent sports law trends and developments across the continent and the world.

Additionally, this space would also provide an opportunity to discuss and review best law practices and alternative dispute resolution methods to find new solutions and remedies that will strengthen the future of Asian sports law.

FIFPRO Europe and UEFA sign MoU to enhance players’ influence

UEFA and FIFPRO Europe have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) aimed at strengthening players’ influence in European football governance.

As part of the agreement signed by both organisations’ leaders in Paris, a FIFPRO Europe representative will join UEFA’s executive committee starting May 2025.

UEFA has also pledged to consult FIFPRO Europe on decisions affecting players’ employment conditions and any competition reforms that could influence players’ workload.

Additionally, active players and player representatives will take part in a new UEFA Professional Players’ Advisory Forum, set to begin meeting next month to discuss solutions for collective challenges facing professional footballers in Europe.

This three-year MOU will grant footballers and their unions more influence over decisions impacting their work, including match calendar adjustments, playing conditions, and health and safety issues.

The agreement also establishes a framework for FIFPRO Europe and UEFA to work together on initiatives to advance women’s football, focusing on fair employment conditions and minimum standards.

The two organisations will also collaborate on medical research, player education, and awareness campaigns addressing doping and discrimination.

Additional collaboration areas include strengthening stakeholder dialogue at both national and European levels, exploring joint commercial opportunities involving player data and intellectual property rights, and offering support to players who are out of contract.

FIFPRO President, David Terrier, was full of positive thoughts regarding this agreement.

“This agreement is a hugely positive milestone for professional players across Europe. With player representation now anchored at UEFA’s highest level, we are securing a stronger voice for players where it matters most,” he said via press release.

“Our ongoing dialogue with UEFA is already yielding positive results, and this MoU will only strengthen our ability to shape a framework that will advance player welfare and ensure a healthier and more sustainable future for football, where the needs and rights of players shall always be at the forefront, both on and off the pitch.”

UEFA President, Aleksander Ceferin, is confident their relationship with FIFPRO will support the growth of football for all.

“This partnership represents a new era in our relationship with FIFPRO Europe. Players are at the heart of football, and their perspectives must shape the decisions taken,” he said via press release.

“By inviting them to join the UEFA Executive Committee, we are creating a more inclusive future for the game, one in which the topic of player welfare will be at the forefront. This is about making tangible strides to ensure football continues to grow for everyone.”

You can view the MOU here.

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