SYNTHETIC SPORTS SURFACES SEMINAR SERIES – 2015 Melbourne - Perth - Brisbane - Sydney

Hosted and promoted with support from:

Seminar RoadshowWith more than thirty fields installed in the past 12 months and dozens planned or being considered the Synthetic Sports Surfaces Seminar Series aims at providing critical information to those who are considering the benefits of synthetic technology for their sports surfaces.

By investing time to appreciate the design, funding, procurement and maintenance options the participants of this seminar will gain insights that will make a difference to their future planning, management and usage.

Local and Practical Content with International SupportWith speakers form local installations in most states, video Key Note Speakers from world governing bodies of sport including World Rugby and Federation International Hockey joining Australian expert Martin Sheppard, the day really will be interactive and insightful.

There will be panel sessions to share real experiences together with opportunities prior the seminars to post key aspects and concerns, the Seminar Series aims to be the most practical yet.

Site visits in Sydney (Blackman Park – Rugby, Football, AFL and Cricket); Melbourne (Jack Edwards Reserve – Football and 5-a-side); Brisbane - Souths United (Football) and a cyber-visit to Ellenbrook in Perth. Real experiences, real, real, real synthetic grass.

Seminar Series Key Note SpeakersMartin Sheppard

Recognised globally for his advocacy for the use of synthetic sports turf technology to complement natural turf and provide a vehicle to encourage more people to be active and play sport. He is also the Technical Consultant for the NRL; ARU and a number of state Football Federations. Martin is the key facilitator of the Seminars.

Leanne Walsh

Research and Equipment Manager, World Rugby. Leanne will explain how World Rugby has encouraged all major sports to endorse the One Turf concept that allows all sports to play on one surface.

Keith McAuliffe

With more than 30 years’ experience in natural and synthetic turf, Keith will provide insights into how natural grass is evolving and how synthetic technology can complement natural grass.

Damon Kenndey

As Managing Partner for Quadrent; Damon with support from some of Australia’s largest commercial funders and banks will explain how synthetic sports fields can be funded both on and off balance sheet, including lease rental programs.

Tony Obouhoff

Director of Dalton Consulting Engineers, Tony has worked closely with Martin Sheppard on the two dozen fields that they have procured in Australia.

Alastair Cox

Recognised as one of the worlds’ key technical consultants on synthetic technology will speak about the maintenance of synthetic turf and how to extend life expectations.

1 Keith will appear in Brisbane and by video in other States2 Damon will appear in Sydney and by video in other States3 Tony will appear in Melbourne and by video on other States

Synthetics Seminar Roadshow Program 2015 9.00am Welcome

Welcome, introductions, setting the scene on the latest trends in sports participation and why it’s making a difference to sports turf Martin Sheppard, Managing Director – Smart Connection Consultancy

9:30am Session 1 Sports Turf Challenges, Approaches and Synthetic Performance Standards

The latest trends in natural sports turf and why people are still looking at synthetic turf to complement natural turf • Keith McAuliffe, Managing Director - Labosport AustraliaAn A-Z of synthetic sports turf: •

An overview of the evolution of the turf for key sports• How a synthetic sports system works (the base, the drainage, shockpad, the grass etc.)• The health, safety and community concerns regarding synthetic sports turf and the reality•

Synthetic sport turf standards: why are they needed, how they work and what they are for each sport • Aussie Rules, Football, Rugby League and Rugby Union • One Turf and the multisport approach:- exploring individual sport development at the community level; how it can increase • participation and which sports are involved Leanne Walsh, Research and Equipment Manager – World Rugby, by Video

Interactive Session 1: What are your fears and concerns? Let’s air them and provide you with the information to manage any negative perceptions with your community and stakeholders

10.45am Morning Tea

11.15am Session 2 The Latest Designs and Innovations for Community Sports FieldsDesign considerations – fields, fencing, spectating, rubbish management, changing rooms, access, seats etc.• Lighting for sports fields and considerations for synthetic sports turf (speaker tbc)• The importance of testing once fields are complete • Keith McAuliffe, Labosport Australia, By Video1

11.45am Session 3 Decision Making Around Affording Synthetic Sports TurfHow to decide if you can afford a synthetic field compared to a natural turf field• How you can afford the capital, maintenance and replacement cost and how to generate a revenue stream to pay for it• Alternative funding vehicles – private finance, leases, rentals and loans… the options both on and off balance sheet • Damon Kennedy, Director – Business Management, Quadrent2

12.30pm Lunch and Networking

1.15pm Session 4 Procurement of Synthetic SurfacesCase study learning from the failed sites – why have 30% of fields failed in Victoria and what you should do to ensure that this doesn’t • happen on your projectAppreciating why a focus on civil engineering is critical for success – hear why • Tony Obouhoff, Director – Dalton Consulting Engineers3

How to reduce risk of failure by having the best procurement process in place •

2.00pm Session 5 The Importance of Maintenance to Achieve Life ExpectancyThe latest maintenance guidance and issue of The Smart Guide to Maintaining Synthetic Sports Turf (Long Pile) • Martin Sheppard with Alastair Cox, Alastair Cox Associates – by Video

2.30pm Session 6 Interactive Session 2

Speakers and site inspection dependent upon venue, see overleaf for details

4.15pm Summary and Conclusion

Interactive SessionEach Seminar will have a site visit, with the installer and where possible the maintenance company providing a demonstration, followed by a panel of local experts who will join Martin Sheppard to share their experiences and answer questions.

Smart Connection ConsultancyPO Box 5247

South Melbourne, VIC 3016tel 0404 022 355

fax (03) 9681 6625martins@smartconnection.net.au

www.smartconnection.net.au

MelbourneThursday 28th May

Site Inspections

Client: City of Monash at Jack Edwards ReserveInstaller: Grassports Maintenance demonstration: Grassports

Kris Miller, Manager Active Monash – City of Monash What we have learned from Jack Edwards and relationship with the Clubs and the Community

TBC

Chris Brophy, CFO/Business Support Manager – Football Federation Victoria After managing synthetic football fields for 10 years – what has been learned?

PerthFriday 5th June

Client: City of Swan at Ellenbrook District Playing Fields (virtual tour)

Wayne Stuart, Facilities Planning Coordinator – City of Swan The procurement process – the reality so far

Kent Burton, Facilities and Project Officer – Department of Sport and RecreationCommunity facility funding

Keith Wood, Chief Operating Officer – Football WestFacility considerations for local government

BrisbaneFriday 19th June

Client: Souths United and the latest infill technology Installer: Polytan STI Maintenance demonstration: Grassports

Tracey Confessore, President – Souths United Football Club Why South’s invested in the use of synthetic technology

TBC

Chris Kenward, Program Coordinator - Football QueenslandFacility considerations for local government

SydneyThursday 25th June

Client: Lane Cove Council at Blackman ParkInstaller: TEAM Sports Maintenance demonstration: TBC

Martin Terescenko, Manager Assets – Lane Cove CouncilThe most challenging synthetic project in Australia? Learn why

Wayne Rylands, Director – Campbelltown City CouncilWorking with local football clubs and associations to get the best outcomes

Ricardo Piccioni, Head of Facilities Development & Government Relations – Football NSW Working with local government to support better facilities in more places

Round Table Discussion and 10 minute Case Studies on Learnings from Synthetic Sports Surfaces Locally to Date

Registration Register at www.smartconnection.net.au/shop

Venues and DatesMelbourne: Thursday 28th May – Jack Edwards Reserve, OakleighPerth: Friday 5th June – Department of Sport and Recreation, LeedervilleBrisbane: Friday 19th June – Football QLD, Meakin ParkSydney: Thursday 25th June – Blackman Park, Lane Cove

Cost$299 + GST$249 + GST PLA MembersFor further details contact us info@smartconnection.net.au All Participants receive a complimentary copy of The Smart Guide to Synthetic Sports Surfaces (Third Edition)