Synthetic sports surfaces a $10M market for local company
The installation of synthetic sports surfaces has emerged as a boom industry worth in excess of $2.5 billion annually and a local Australian company, TEAM, has capitalised on the domestic and international market.

The company started in 1997 by John Curtis and Brad Druitt, who both owned companies in the tennis court construction industry, and Kerry Gasby, from the playground and landscape industry.

Today TEAM has an annual production capacity of 2 million square metres, has installed surfaces in over 100 stadiums and 2,000 sports venues in Australia and around the world, with a turnover of over $10M a year.

John Curtis, CEO of TEAM, is the only remaining founder at the company and says TEAM has come a long way since its beginnings just eight years ago.

“Rather than buying synthetic grass from other companies, we decided to get together and start our own manufacturing operation,” said Curtis.

“The company is Australia’s leading manufacturer of synthetic grasses for a range of sports and a key player in the international distribution of synthetic football fields, which are proving immensely popular in Asia and Europe.

“We commenced exporting to China in May 2000 and by 2002 exports made up 55% of business, primarily through China and South East Asia. In 2003 we set up our second manufacturing plant in China to cater for demand there.

“We are now managing projects in Europe, India, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Singapore, New Zealand and Australia.

“There is more demand for synthetic surfaces for football venues in the international market, but it’s only a matter of time before Australia follows the rest of the world and starts using synthetic grass for rugby league, AFL, rugby and soccer venues as well.

“They offer a sustainable business solution for councils, clubs and administrators grappling with maintenance costs, water restrictions, poor wear and tear and injuries resulting from damaged turf.

“The synthetic turf itself features the shock absorption characteristics of natural grass – essential for running, tackling and sliding, and for reducing the risk of friction burn

“We install synthetic grasses in venues housing football pitches, hockey fields, tennis courts, bowling greens and cricket wickets. The average cost for a football field installation is about $400, 000,” said Curtis.

Nick Pye, Managing Director for Sports Super Centre at Runaway Bay in Queensland said that the synthetic rugby pitch installed by TEAM has worked well.

“The rugby pitch is one of the best things we have at the centre which can be line marked for rugby league, union, soccer and American football accommodating international representative teams.

“We have had some big rugby union teams train on the pitch including the Wallabies, Reds and Hurricanes as well as quite a few Rugby League teams including the Bulldogs, Eels, Rabbitohs, Broncos, Tigers and both State of Origin teams.

“There has been an overwhelmingly positive response from people who have used the pitch. At first people don’t realise that it is synthetic, they just think that we keep the grass really healthy,” said Pye.

TEAM is also a FIFA recommended licensee. FIFA has embraced the use of synthetic surfaces for football fields around the world.

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Released for TEAM Sports Surfaces by Dennis Rutzou Public Relations.
For further information please call Marie Tritsaris
or David Lizzio on 02 9413 4244.