This modern all-weather, multi-sport pitch is a fit-for-purpose solution for Unley High School.
Project Information
Playing Surface
The pitch will be made from the following components:
A base made of compacted gravel
An asphalt layer to prevent moisture entering the base
A shock pad made from recycled tyres
A carpet surface with a light sand filling
This modern all-weather, multi-sport pitch is a fit-for-purpose solution for Unley High School allowing sports such as touch football, netball, and hockey, as well as general play.
This surface is similar to other sports artificial sports surfaces that have been widely used across South Australia for many years, and continue to be constructed. In the inner southern suburbs there are similar synthetic surfaces at bowls club and soccer pitches. Synthetic surfaces are also utilised for tennis courts, cricket practice pitches and netball courts.
All-weather playing surfaces are long-lasting and can sustain high levels of usage, particularly during wet weather when natural turf surfaces become unplayable. They also use dramatically less water and represent cost savings for land owners.
At the end of its life as a hockey field, the playing surface can be re-purposed for other sports training, golf courses, school grounds and domestic landscaping or recycled into new building materials.
Modern playing surfaces allow hockey to be played at greater speed with more consistent ball movement and higher levels of player skill. The result is an exciting sport for players and spectators.
Pitch Construction Materials
The multi-sport pitch at Unley High School is 100% Australian made by Polytan, and complies with all relevant Australian standards for construction materials suitable for use in schools.
The surface DOES NOT CONTAIN PFAS (Per and Polyfluroalky Substances). Polytan’s General Manager David Carpenter stated in writing to the club on 19 June 2023:
“I can confirm that APTA* have extensively surveyed our supply chain and tested where possible and can confirm that from June 2023 all products made at APTA are to the best of our ability and current knowledge PFAS free.”
The pitch is made of fibre which incorporates bio-ethylene (a waste product from sugar cane production that is processed into bio-ethanol which is further refined into ethylene and then polymerised into plastic resin). Visit the Braskem website for further details.
A green playing surface has been chosen for the site as this will integrate best with the existing landscape and minimise heat. The alternative blue surface was considered but has been discounted to improve the visual amenity of the school and its neighbours.
The playing surface will be sand dressed, eliminating the need for watering and reducing maintenance requirements.
*APTA is Advanced Polymer Technology Asia-Pacific, the Australian manufacturer and parent of Polytan
Public Access to Grassed Areas
Local residents will still be able to access Unley High School’s grassed area on the western side via a pedestrian access point from Balham Reserve outside of school hours. The main oval will also be accessible from Kitchener Street.
While the pitch will occupy part of the school’s current grassed soccer pitches, more than 80% of the grassed area at Unley High School will be maintained and available to the public.
Lighting
The pitch will be lit to enable night-time practice and matches. Hockey is a winter sport and lighting is needed after about 5pm on the darker days of winter. The proposed lighting system consists of six light poles erected around the edge of the field with efficient, directional LED lights. The level of lighting can be controlled to vary the lighting for competition and training, with all field lighting to be turned off at 9.30pm each night.
The western edge of the sports field is bounded by the Balham Reserve tennis/basketball courts and lit pedestrian walkway, offering a buffer of 25 metres between the location of the sports field and the nearest residential neighbours.
The lighting system is designed to minimise light spill and it is anticipated that the combination of design and the 25-metre buffer between the sports field and the nearest neighbours will mean there will be no light spill on neighbouring houses.
The aerial image below is indicative of the lighting system and associated light spill for Unley High School. It shows the way that the lights are designed so no light is spilled beyond the playing area.
Image of a Sydney hockey field supplied by the lighting supplier for the project.
Fencing and Drainage
The pitch will be surrounded by fencing to keep balls within the field of play and to secure the pitch when not in use.
Storm water will be accumulated in a dedicated high-capacity storm water retention tank and will run-off into the City of Mitcham storm water drainage system. The surface is permeable, so rainwater will continue to charge groundwater resources.
Club House
A modest family-friendly club room will be built with a canteen and a general-purpose meeting area. The proposed club room is not large and will support school sport competitions and club operation including training and match days.
The project also includes changerooms that cater to all genders, with associated toilets and showers, to provide both female and male home and away team facilities.
The eastern side of the pitch, adjacent to the clubrooms and changerooms, will be covered with a canopy to provide spectators with weather protection.
The plans also include storage facilities for the club and school to store sporting equipment associated with the new pitch.
Operating Hours and Access
Operating Hours
The multi-sport pitch will predominantly be used by Unley High School students during the day for physical education lessons and school sports training. Outside school hours, Forestville Hockey Club use the pitch and club house.
The shared-use arrangement between Unley High School, Forestville Hockey Club and any other local schools during the Winter season (April- September) is outlined in the table below.
The proposed hours are based on the current operating hours at Kingswood Oval, also within the City of Mitcham area.
Proposed Winter Season Operating Hours
Operating hours will be reduced in summer as no competition matches are held with the pitch being used by Unley High School during school hours and by Forestville Hockey Club for trainings on some weekday evenings and weekends.
For liability and security reasons, the site will be fenced and locked when not in use for structured and supervised sport. It is necessary to prevent unauthorised access because, while it is hard wearing when used appropriately, the field can be damaged by inappropriate use. More importantly, if damaged, the surface becomes unsafe for students and other users of the field.
It is possible that external groups or individuals could enter into access arrangements with Unley High School in future.
Licensed Premises
Like many other sports clubs, the club plans to apply for a liquor licence to permit the sale of alcohol to adults on match days and after senior training. This is an important fundraising activity for any sporting club and ensures it is self-sustainable and doesn’t draw on excessive taxpayers funds to operate.
Forestville Hockey Club has successfully held a continuous licence in a residential area for several decades. Forestville Hockey Club is a Level 3 accredited ‘Good Sports Club’ and has previously been awarded Good Sports South Australian ‘Club of the Year’ for its responsible service of alcohol.
Any licence is subject to an application to the Licensing Court and, if granted, conditions will likely be applied, such as restricting the hours of sale.
The court will consider public submissions as part of its deliberations. It’s anticipated that a licence will be sought in 2024.
Severe penalties apply for breaches of liquor licenses and inspectors visit licensed premises randomly or upon receiving an adverse report. People who serve alcohol are required to successfully complete Responsible Service of Alcohol qualifications.
The club is committed to the responsible service of alcohol. Any licenced clubroom will be at least 70 metres from the nearest residences. School students will not be able to access licensed areas at any time.
A licence will be sought during the Winter hockey season for:
Monday to Thursday evenings from 5.30pm to 9.30pm
Friday evenings from 6.30pm to midnight
Saturday from 12pm to midnight
Sunday from 12pm to 9.30pm
The planned club room is designed for sporting club use and is not suitable for large functions. The club does not intend to hire the club room to external users or for events such as birthday celebrations or weddings.