FieldTurf
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FieldTurf is a brand of artificial turf playing surface. It is manufactured and installed by the FieldTurf Tarkett division of Tarkett Inc., based in Peachtree City, Georgia.[1] In the late 1990s, the artificial surface changed the industry[2] with a design intended to replicate real grass.[3] The new system quickly began taking market share from AstroTurf, and is now the leader in the industry.[4]
The surface is composed of monofilament polyethylene blend fibers tufted into a polypropylene backing top layer and a bottom layer which includes a a mixture of silica sand and cryogenic rubber infill. The fibers replicate blades of grass, while the infill acts as a cushion. This cushion improves safety when compared to earlier artificial surfaces and allows players to plant and pivot as if they were playing on a grass field.[5] Proponents of the surface also cite its low-cost maintenance and durability. However, the emergence of the surface in association football stadiums has been controversial. Players and coaches have been critical of the toll it takes on a player's body, and have expressed concerns that it does not play enough like actual grass.[6] The surface has also been criticized for the infill not staying in place[7] and potential health risks associated with the chemical properties of the surface.
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[edit] History
Jean Prevost first bought the patent of the FieldTurf product in 1988 and originally named the company SynTenni Co., a name which would eventually be dropped in favor of FieldTurf Inc.[8] In 1995, John Gilman, former CFL player and coach joined FieldTurf as CEO. Tarkett, a flooring manufacturer, took control of the company in 2005 after acquiring a minority stake a year earlier.
[edit] Installations
[edit] Product
FieldTurf is made from washed silica sand and rounded cryogenic rubber. The backing is a combination of woven and non-woven polypropylene. The fabrics are permeable which is how they drain water. The surface is laid down over a layer of rubber and sand.[9]
[edit] Safety
With regard to injuries sustained, a 5 year study published in the American Journal of Sports Medicine found that injury rates were similar on natural grass and synthetic turf. There were, however, notable differences in the types of injuries. Athletes playing on synthetic turf sustained more skin injuries and muscle strains while those who played on natural grass were more susceptible to concussions and ligament tears.[10] Following David Beckham's move to Major League Soccer in 2007, he voiced his opinion that the league should convert to grass for all pitches.[11][12][13] In an apology, he stated that the surface is fine at lower levels but that his feelings hadn't changed about the MLS use because of the toll the harder surface takes on the body.[14] Martin O'Neill said FIFA officials should "have their heads examined" for allowing FieldTurf after Tomas Sorenson suffered a non-contact hamstring injury during a game in Toronto. According to FIFA at the time, 14% of injuries on grass were non-contact related while the figure rose to 22% on the turf.[15]
Synthetic turf, particularly those with crumb rubber made from recycled tires, may pose risks to athletes because of the presence of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, which may be carcinogenic. FieldTurf asserts that their material does not pose a health hazard.[16]
[edit] Soccer
FieldTurf's first high profile installation came in January 1997 as English Premiership's Middlesbrough FC chose FieldTurf for its new training field. In 2001, Boston University's FieldTurf soccer field becomes FieldTurf's first to obtain FIFA 1-star status.
In 2002, soccer fans and the Washington State Public Stadium Authority expressed concerns when FieldTurf was proposed for Qwest Field since the surface would not be suitable for World Cup sanctioned events.[17] In 2005, Saprissa Stadium in San José, Costa Rica became the first stadium to host a FIFA World Cup qualifying match on FieldTurf. The Dundalk FC Stadium received FieldTurf's first FIFA 2-star rating.
In September 2006, several top Canadian soccer players appealed to the Canadian Soccer Association to install a natural grass surface at BMO Field in Toronto.[18] Darren Huckerby stated that was one reason he chose not to sign with the club.[19]
In 2007, Garry O'Connor spoke out against the FieldTurf surface he played on while at Lokomotiv Moscow. He stated when the artificial surface was overly wet that "The ball skids off the surface, so it becomes extremely hard to read" and called it "a nightmare".[20]
In 2007, the FIFA U-20 World Cup Canada had almost 50% of its games played on FieldTurf.[21]
New England Revolution manager Steve Nicol is quoted as saying "Grass is still the best surface," in regards to professional soccer matches after David Beckham stated "It's difficult but it's something we have to deal with. It's part of the MLS and we have to come to terms with it and I'm sure it will be fine."[22]
FieldTurf currently has 10 FIFA 2-star fields and 4 FIFA 1-star fields.
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- ^ PTC getting HQ of sports turf company
- ^ http://www.boston.com/news/local/articles/2004/09/19/this_grass_is_greener/
- ^ http://www.boston.com/sports/other_sports/articles/2005/10/16/magic_carpet/
- ^ http://www.inc.com/magazine/20080901/jon-pritchetts-dream-of-reviving.html
- ^ http://vault.sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1017343/index.htm
- ^ http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-487476/Stop-whingeing-Russia-respond-critics.html
- ^ http://www.boston.com/news/local/articles/2004/09/19/this_grass_is_greener/
- ^ "Field Turf Company Description". Hoover's A D&B Company. http://www.hoovers.com/fieldturf/--ID__106273--/free-co-profile.xhtml. Retrieved on 2008-12-18.
- ^ "Design and Construction". FieldTurf Tarkett. http://www.fieldturf.com/product/designConstruction.cfm. Retrieved on 2009-01-05.
- ^ "Study compares high school athlete injuries on natural turf and FieldTurf". Athletic Turf News. http://www.athleticturf.net/athleticturf/article/articleDetail.jsp?id=130784. Retrieved on 2004-10-27.
- ^ "Beckham apologizes for turf remarks". USA Today. http://www.usatoday.com/sports/soccer/2007-08-09-728654547_x.htm. Retrieved on 2007-10-06.
- ^ "Beckham Speaks". Washington Post. http://blog.washingtonpost.com/soccerinsider/2007/08/beckham_speaks.html. Retrieved on 2007-10-06.
- ^ "Beckham sorry for grass gaffe". 24 Sport. http://www.24.com/sport/?p=SportArticle&i=627335. Retrieved on 2007-10-06.
- ^ http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=451617&&cc=5901
- ^ http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Soccer/TorontoFC/2007/08/15/4419455-sun.html
- ^ http://www.omaha.com/index.php?u_page=1200&u_sid=10314381
- ^ http://www.bizjournals.com/seattle/stories/2008/02/04/daily35.html
- ^ "Don't use artificial grass in Toronto FC stadium: players". globeandmail.com. http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/Page/document/v4/sub/MarketingPage?user_URL=http://www.theglobeandmail.com%2Fservlet%2Fstory%2FRTGAM.20060927.soccer-turf28%2FBNStory%2FSports%2Fhome&ord=1161707942696&brand=theglobeandmail&force_login=true. Retrieved on 2007-02-12.
- ^ http://www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/article/122506
- ^ "O'connor warns England over plastic pitch". ESPNsoccernet. http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=472427&cc=5901. Retrieved on 2007-10-14.
- ^ FieldTurf at FIFA U20 2007 FieldTurf at FIFA
- ^ "Artificial turf not to Beckham's liking". ESPNsoccernet. http://soccernet.espn.go.com/columns/story?id=452763&root=mls&&cc=5901. Retrieved on 2007-10-06.
