A survey conducted by the Professional Footballers Association Australia (PFA) has revealed the standard of A-League pitches is compromising the quality of the game and player safety.
The results of the PFA’s weekly A-League pitch rating system were released on Wednesday with the overall quality, hardness, pace and smoothness of playing surfaces given a mark out of five by team captains at the conclusion of every game.
According to the players, Brisbane Roar’s Suncorp Stadium pitch is the best, with an almost perfect overall rating of 4.7, while Newcastle Jets’ EnergyAustralia Stadium surface ranked as the worst.
“This demonstrates that multi-use venues can provide a playing surface that meets the exacting requirements of top tier professional football,” PFA chief executive Brendan Schwab said.
“The PFA remains concerned by the failure of some venues to provide top class surfaces even after the end of the AFL, NRL and rugby playing seasons.
“Clearly, the players would prefer to see better surfaces at some venues, most notably at Newcastle Jets’ EnergyAustralia Stadium, Melbourne Victory’s Etihad Stadium and Gold Coast United’s Skilled Park.”
Schwab also called on stadium operators to approach preparation for A-League games with the same care and attention used by Test cricket pitch curators, saying out of all football codes, soccer most requires a quality surface.
Overall Rating:
Best: Brisbane Roar
Worst: Newcastle JetsHardness:
Best: Perth Glory and Wellington Phoenix
Worst: North Queensland FuryPace:
Best: North Queensland Fury and Sydney FC
Worst: Newcastle JetsSmoothness:
Best: North Queensland Fury
Worst: Newcastle Jets
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