Originally developed for hockey, Poligras H2OZ COOLplus has already received National and Multisport Category 1 certification from the International Hockey Federation (FIH). However, it has recently achieved the FIH’s Multisport 2 classification, known as Gen 2, which enables the surface to be used for hockey, tennis and netball. Consequently, APT Asia Pacific now also has its first synthetic turf to be classified for netball.

Netball is typically played on a hard surface, however, this new classification for Poligras H2OZ COOLplus presents a huge opportunity for the sport. Netball is the leading team sport for women and girls in Australia, with over a million active participants. It is a very quick, explosive, and high intensity game, which unfortunately comes with a high risk of injury. The most common types of injuries are sprains, bruising, fractures, and dislocations, which can be caused by awkward landings, slips/falls, player contact/collision, overexertion, and being hit by the ball.

Poligras H2OZ COOLplus turf offers greater protection from many of these injuries compared to a hard surface. Firstly, all Poligras systems have the option to be installed with a shock absorption layer underneath the surface. This layer consists of recycled SBR granules and bonding agents to ensure that the synthetic turf is both stable and yielding to protect the players.

Secondly, synthetic turf offers greater force reduction properties than hard surfaces. Force reduction evaluates a surface’s ability to reduce impact force. This mostly relates to impacts on the body’s lower extremities, for example, from running. APT Asia Pacific’s synthetic turfs greatly reduce tissue damage, joint impact, and player fatigue.

Finally, and perhaps most importantly, Poligras H2OZ COOLplus has achieved a British Pendulum Number (BPN) rating of 82 in wet conditions and 85 in dry conditions. The BPN test, as set by Standards Australia, measures a surface’s slip resistance. The National Netball Facilities Manual requires a minimum 75 BPN for all netball surfaces, making Poligras H2OZ COOLplus excellent for slip-resistance.

Poligras H2OZ COOLplus is an Australian made, high-performance surface system with exclusive monofilament yarn design, assisting player movements when accelerating, turning, and slowing down. It features APT’s proprietary COOLplus® sports yarn technology, which keeps the surface temperature cooler by up to 20%, and an exclusive Entanglement Technology which protects against fibre splicing and offers a considerably longer surface lifespan.

If you are a builder, specifier, local council, school, or member of a sporting organisation, and have an upcoming project which requires a multisport court, particularly hockey, tennis and netball, APT Asia Pacific would love to hear from you.

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One of their first successes was to create a CO2 neutral synthetic turf (Ligaturf) that contains 70% bio-based PE plastic extracted from sugarcane, which is a renewable material. All our research into environmental sustainability and best practices is under the banner of Green Technology (GT), as Simon explains in an excerpt from an interview in July, earlier this year.

What is the vision behind GT?

The vision for APT’s GT project is to develop a 100% green chain for our sports flooring, for example smart products for our synthetic turf and running tracks. We started with the Poligras Tokyo GT hockey turf, which led us to develop the world’s first carbon neutral turf.

Where does sugar cane come into the process?

Our commitment to sustainability led us to investigate raw materials that are environmentally friendly. We looked at cellulose and starch, but it was sugar cane that ticked all the right boxes. That’s because it allows us to use the highest percentage of renewable raw materials in our manufacturing processes while also meeting all our technical requirements. The PE we use contains 85% residual sugar cane with the remaining 15% from petrochemical components.

It’s also worth noting that the sugar cane is cultivated as a food source. It’s only when it reaches the third pressing and can no longer be used to produce food that we use it to manufacture our bioplastics. So, we are actually making use of a natural resource that would otherwise be wasted.

What about the energy sources for your production lines?

GT is not only concerned about the sustainability of our raw materials, but also about the energy sources that were used to produce these resources. For example, what type of energy is used to produce our polymers and yarns and ultimately our artificial turf? Has the energy been produced using wind power, solar energy or hydropower? One of our production lines in Europe uses green energy with a high proportion of wind and hydropower, making it much easier to calculate the CO2 balance for our turf and running surfaces.

What are some of the other environmental benefits of APT turf?

Apart from the benefits mentioned above, when a sports ground changes over to an APT surface they always spend less time and money on maintenance. They also don’t need to irrigate the turf and given Australia’s climate; the less water used the better. So, our artificial turf helps to conserve Australia’s precious water reserves. Sports clubs also don’t need to buy fertilisers, weedkillers or pesticides or use petrol or diesel mowers. This reduces the amount of chemicals that are introduced into our environment, whether that’s during their production or their actual use on the natural grass.

We also retrieve and repurpose the old artificial turf when it’s removed to lay Polytan turf, and we are looking into ways to further increase the repurposing and recycling of these materials. All in all, APT wants to create a 100% green chain from the laboratory right through to recycling!

Call us on 1800 663 812 or send us an email enquiry for a free quote.

These games are perfect for people of all skill levels to enjoy. All you need is a ball, a friend, and a court! They’ll help keep you active, develop your skills further and provide endless hours having fun. If you want more information on installing your own home basketball court, call APT on 1800 652 548.

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Passionate ballers are even getting a basketball court installed in their backyard so they can play at any time of the day! If you’ve got your own surface at home, here are seven fun games that are not only enjoyable but will help improve your skills.

1. Twenty-one

This is essentially a game of one vs one where the first player to score 21 points wins. If they go over 21 points, however, their score is reduced to 11. Following each winning shot, either that player or the losing player starts the next possession depending on the rules you decide to follow. This is a game of defence and offence and can easily be adapted for teams of 2 vs 2 or 3 vs 3 and so on!

2. Knockout

With two basketballs, players line up behind the free throw line. The first player takes a shot and immediately after, the second player takes their shot. If the first player misses, they’ have to rebound their own ball and retake a shot (from anywhere). The second player does the same, and if they make their shot before the person in front of them, the first player is eliminated. If the first player makes the basket first, they pass the ball to the next person in line, and they shoot a free throw, and then follow up a miss from anywhere. Whenever the player behind hits their shot before the other person, they knock them out. The game keeps going until one player is left the winner.

3. Around the world

This game involves making shots one after another from multiple spots in an arc around the court. Each player shoots from the first spot, and if they make it, they move to the next spot and get another turn. If they make that, they continue to the next spot and so on. Once they miss, the next player shoots, and they continue moving from spot to spot until they miss. The first player to go all the way round wins the game.

4. Musical baskets

Similar to the children’s’ game musical chairs, you’ll require the same amount of basketballs as there are players and a device to play some music. All the balls need to be placed in a circle which the players walk around, until the music stops. Then all players need to grab a basketball,make a shot, and sit down once they make it. The last person standing is eliminated and the game restarts with one less ball and player. The last one standing is the winner.

5. Basketball relay

Two teams line up along the baseline and the first player in each team dribbles a basketball to the opposite baseline or half court and then back again. Once they return the second player receives the ball, and they also dribble up and back. Each player repeats this process and the first team to have all their players complete the relay wins.

6. Horse

To play this game the first player must invent a shot, explain it to the other players and then take the shot. Examples of a type of shot can be hopping on one leg, shooting from a tough angle or throwing the ball between their legs. If they make the shot, then the next player tries to replicate it. Each time a player misses their shot they are given a letter, starting with H for HORSE and the ball moves to the next player and so on. When a player’s letters spell the entire word HORSE, they are eliminated. The last player standing wins the challenge.

7. Dribble limbo

Many people already know the game limbo where a person must limbo under a pole while by only bending backwards. This game adapts this by combining it with dribbling a basketball. After every player has either succeeded or failed once, the pole is lowered and the players who succeeded in the first round get to limbo and dribble again. This continues until only one player is left and declared the winner.

These games are perfect for people of all skill levels to enjoy. All you need is a ball, a friend, and a court! They’ll help keep you active, develop your skills further and provide endless hours having fun. If you want more information on installing your own home basketball court, call APT on 1800 652 548.

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Let’s look at some of the main reasons and then find out whether it’s best to install your new turf in one season over another.

When should you install artificial grass?

Building a new home

A brand new home gives you a completely blank canvas to work with inside and out, which makes it an ideal time to install artificial grass. The benefits of installing artificial turf at this point are endless. For example, you do not need to install a watering system, worry about weeds growing all over the new lawn or buying a whipper snipper and lawn mower. You also have an outdoor space that is immediately ready to enjoy.

When lawn maintenance becomes too much

Most of us get fed up with the constant upkeep of natural lawns, especially during spring and summer, and paying someone to do this can add up to a lot of money over the course of a year. This makes installing artificial turf a great and affordable option since it requires only a fraction of the maintenance compared to real grass. Fake grass also continues to look fabulous year after year, which cannot be said of real grass – unless it is maintained well. So, if you seem to be spending more time mowing, weeding or grimacing at ugly bare patches, it might be time to consider low maintenance artificial turf.

You want a putting green!

It might seem like an extravagance, but if you love golf, then your very own putting green in your backyard is a necessity, not a luxury! Being able to practice your putting shots or even chips at home makes complete sense, as it will allow you to practise around the clock and save you money at the course. You can install any size or shape putting green in your backyard, including slopes, dips, hills, water features and even sand traps.

Does the season make a difference?

When it comes to installing artificial turf, the season does not make any real difference. Many homeowners decide to install it in the spring and summer, simply because it is warmer, and their minds tend to turn more towards outdoor activities. While there are some differences between the seasons, there is nothing that should make a big difference to your decision.

Spring: Warmer weather makes it more pleasant to work outside, but make sure the installation does not harm your spring plants that are in full growth mode.

Summer: Longer days make it faster to install artificial turf, but it can also be hotter outside to work. Artificial grass can, however, naturally acclimatise better in summer than in other seasons.

Autumn: A lack of summer rain can make the ground hard to excavate, whilst too much rain makes it too boggy. Pick the right time however, and your installation will run smoothly.

Winter: Shorter days can extend the installation times, but there is less chance of damaging your plants because most are inactive during the winter.

For more information on installing artificial grass, contact APT on 1800 652 548.

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It’s even worse in Australia when we have prolonged droughts and heavy rainfalls, topped off by a rapid growth in sporting activities and a lack of appropriate venues. All of this means that keeping your facility’s sporting fields healthy can be wishful thinking. The solution, however, is to install synthetic turf for a variety of very good reasons.

Superior appearance and durability

The popular idea of artificial turf is that it looks fake. Twenty years ago, that might have been true, but not anymore. Now it’s very difficult to tell the difference between fake grass and real grass, except that artificial turf always looks healthy and is long lasting. Your sporting fields will look beautiful, green and well maintained all year round, regardless of the weather. It’s definitely an upgrade on real turf!

For added durability, APT Asia Pacific have produced a shockpad layer, which can be installed underneath artificial turf to prevent players from experiencing harmful injuries such as concussions and so on.

No bare patches or compaction

Heavily trafficked areas on sports fields on natural turf become worn away and compacted very quickly. This hard-bare soil can easily cause injuries, which isn’t a good result when you’re promoting sporting activities. The appearance of your sporting fields covered in bare hard patches also isn’t very good for business. Artificial turf eliminates these problems, because there is no compaction and no worn out patches, just perfect turf, regardless of season.

No weeds and other seed growth

Unless you pay constant attention, your sporting fields will become inundated with weeds and other grass species. These species crowd out your turf grass, reducing traction and creating an unstable surface that causes players to slip or lose their footing. On the other hand, artificial turf is durable, resistant to weeds growth and provides a constant stable footing surface for your athletes.

No standing water and mud

Inadequate drainage combined with bare patches of ground result in muddy patches and puddles on natural turf. This makes the ground slippery, causes players or runners to fall over, the balls don’t bounce properly, and the soil can become compacted. Just playing one event on soil that’s too wet and muddy can damage the turf for the rest of the season. Artificial turf, however, doesn’t collect as much standing water and doesn’t contain any soil. So, there’s no mud or puddles and no compaction, meaning there’s no problem playing or running the day after a major rain event.

Save money with synthetic turf

When you don’t have to mow, whipper snip, water and fertilise your turf, you’re saving lots of time and money. You can also play more often, because the turf doesn’t need to recover between games, bringing in more revenue for your sporting facility. You also don’t need to invest in ride on mowers and their ongoing maintenance as well. Artificial turf does still require some low maintenance, but your overall budget will be reduced dramatically.

APT is the only turf manufacturer to make our yarns here in Australia. We are also the only synthetic turf manufacturer in Australia with quality certified by the International Standards Organisation (ASNZS ISO 9001:2015). Made specifically for Australian conditions, our products come with warranties of up to 15 years.

For information on artificial turf for your school or sporting facility, call us on 1800 652 548.

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Vicsport is the peak body for sport and active recreation in the state and work closely with the Victorian Government to promote the many benefits sport has to offer. Through their member network they reach 16,000 clubs and associations as well as over 3.9 million participants, paid staff and volunteers.

“Vicsport is very excited about the partnership with Sport Group and the chance to support sports by connecting them with the world leader in sport surfaces. Sport Group has provided quality surfaces in Victoria for many years, enabling sports to provide safe and sustainable sport to Victorians,” stated Vicsport CEO, Lisa Hasker.

As part of the partnership, Sport Group is proud to be the naming partner of the Sport Group Peter Norman Inclusion Award at the 2019 Victorian Sports Awards which is held at Marvel Stadium on Wednesday 26 February.

The Peter Norman Inclusion Award recognises an individual or organisation that has made a significant contribution to safe, fair and inclusive sport in 2019.

Congratulations to the finalists of this award:

• Emma Staples – Cricket
• Gymnastics Victoria – Gymnastics
• Naomi Symington & Janet Jones – Life Saving
• Victorian Aboriginal Community Services Association Ltd. (VACSAL)- AFL/Netball/Basketball

Find out more about the 2019 Victorian Sports Awards

www.vicsport.com.au/

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