NSC and IAKS look to highlight role of artificial surfaces in meeting demand for community sporting fields

April 23, 2024

The National Sports and Physical Activity Convention (NSC) has partnered with the International Association for Sports and Leisure Facilities (IAKS) to focus on how synthetic technology can help meet the growing demand for community sports fields.

With community and environmental groups highlighting concerns about potential exposures and health effects due to the use of rubber from recycled car tyres being used as infill on many synthetic sports surfaces, a statement from IAKS and the NSC notes “the majority of sports clubs and players are grateful for fields that can cope with over 50 hours of use weekly.”

In addition, the NSC and IAKS reference the newly released ‘Federal Research Action Plan on Recycled Tire Crumb Used on Playing Fields and Playgrounds’ report from the USA Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Office of Research and Development (ORD) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) have completed research on synthetic turf playing fields under the Federal Research Action Plan on Recycled Tire Crumb Used on Playing Fields and Playgrounds which, in summary, states “although chemicals are present (as expected) in the tyre rubber crumb and exposures can occur they are likely to be limited.”

Martin Sheppard, NSC founder, Managing Director of Smart Connection Consultancy and the technical consultant for Hockey Australia, NRL, Rugby Australia, stated “this global recognition supports the NSW Chief Scientist & Engineers Report from last year which states ‘Overall, literature review and expert advice did not identify major health risks associated with synthetic turf’.*

“We have been advising for the last 12 months that the industry should now be embracing organic infills, shockpads and investment in maintenance to ensure that children have the opportunity to play sport.”

The NSC this year is exploring the latest global trends in synthetic, natural and hybrid turf so that as an industry we are confident in the safety of the technology and we can focus on ‘Changing the Narrative’ by focusing on how we embrace the technology to ensure more children and adults become more active, addressing the growing health problems due to a sedentary lifestyle.

In March this year, IAKS launched its Future Trends for Outdoor Surfaces guide, a report exploring the changing needs and demands of sport and active recreation, from traditional sports club provided games through to less formal and shorter form games.

The guide explores key issues facing sport and recreation and the continued growth in population, increased demands, changing participation patterns and the impacts on the environmental footprint.

Click here for more information on the National Sports and Physical Activity Convention in the Australasian Leisure Management industry Calendar.

* Synthetic Turf in Public Spaces - Independent Review into the design, use and impacts of synthetic turf in public spaces.

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