A New Home for the Matildas by HG Turf Group & Polytan
The Future of Football has arrived at the State Football Centre VIC
Support to fuel the dreams for Australia's beloved national women's football team, continues to grow during the thrilling Women's World Cup. And the home base of these dreams has opened at the State Football Centre VIC, a high-performance facility designed and built to elevate their game to new heights.
Nestled within La Trobe University in Bundoora, Victoria, this state-of-the-art centre stands as a testament to excellence and innovation in football infrastructure. With three FIFA Quality Pro full-size synthetic pitches installed by Polytan, plus two HERO Hybrid Grass pitches installed by HG Turf Group, and a range of top-class facilities, it promises an unrivalled training environment for the Matildas and other national teams.
Grounds for perfect preparation
From mid-June, the Matildas, Jamaica, Morocco and others will begin closed training sessions there in the lead-up to the Women’s World Cup.
The LigaTurf synthetic turfs, which also feature at FIFA’s home in Zurich, are provided by Polytan Asia Pacific and ensure high-quality, consistent and reliable performance, no matter the weather conditions. The LigaTurfs at the State Football Centre have a FIFA Quality Pro certification, the highest certification category for artificial turf pitches and the recommended certification category for professional-level football.
The facility also features the revolutionary HERO Hybrid Grass, the choice of top football clubs, including Real Madrid and Manchester City. Synthetic grass fibres are hidden in the natural grass. They create stability and durability not otherwise known to natural grass. Sport Group, the parent company of Polytan, supplies the synthetic grass fibres.
HERO Hybrid Grass – in a league of its own
HERO Hybrid Grass has been chosen as the surface for five of the Women’s World Cup stadiums. Elite events that require natural grass, such as the World Cup, now incorporate synthetic grass fibres into hybrid pitches to deliver the performance and consistency of synthetic turf with the look and the feel of natural grass.
What sets HERO Hybrid Grass apart is the ingenious design, combining the best of science and nature to create a truly ground-breaking playing surface. Through a meticulous knitting process, the synthetic grass fibres are anchored to a grid, allowing natural grass to grow through. This unique construction promotes enhanced drainage and root development, ensuring optimal conditions for high-performance turf.
Not only does HERO Hybrid Grass offer vertical and horizontal stability, but it also provides protection for the natural grass. Players can perform with confidence, knowing that they are playing on a stable, trustworthy surface. From elite training facilities to world-class stadiums, this pitch delivers a consistent playing experience that sets new standards in the industry and provides spectators with a better game. Married with consistency is the surface’s durability, ensuring more high-quality play over the life of a tournament.
Growing the game, ground-up
HG Turf Group’s Managing Director Hamish Sutherland is proud of the way HERO Hybrid Grass adds to the experience of the game for players and spectators:
“Creating the perfect playing surface elevates the standard of play. The players can only perform at the highest level if they've got a playing surface that's consistent and reliable, from their footing and sliding, to the ball roll and bounce. It must be flawless for them to create that magic and the grass is at the heart of it. By embracing hybrid grass, the bar is raised, for players and fans alike.”
“HERO Hybrid Grass made sense in terms of player welfare and performance, and the sustainability of the grass. It’s the hi-tech solution to maintaining standards in a top-class facility and will support the current crop of Matildas, not to mention future champions.”
Homegrown innovation
HG Turf Group and Polytan are proudly Australian-based companies, bringing local knowledge and understanding to this major project. Paul Kamphuis, General Manager of Polytan Asia Pacific, sees the boost that this revolutionary hybrid grass is giving the sport on a local level.
“We’re proud to play our part in supporting the sport and the Women’s World Cup. The mix of homegrown vision and grass, coupled with international expertise, has created something special for players and spectators alike, and it will continue to grow the game afterwards, at the State Football Centre VIC – Home of the Matildas.”
The stage is set
The presence of HERO Hybrid Grass in five Women's World Cup stadium venues, including the tournament's final, attests to its quality and reliability. As the Matildas and teams from around the world converge on the State Football Centre VIC, they can rest assured that they will be playing on the same surface that awaits them on the grandest stage.
A sustainable solution
The pitch's eco-friendly nature contributes to a sustainable future. Once its useful life comes to an end, the HERO Hybrid Grass pitch can be 100% recycled, minimizing its environmental impact.
The Home of the Matildas is a testament to Australia's commitment to providing world-class facilities for its athletes. With LigaTurf synthetic turf and HERO Hybrid Grass, the Matildas and other national teams have found their perfect training facility, allowing them to prepare for the Women's World Cup with unmatched confidence and focus. This landmark development is not just about a tournament; it's about raising the bar for women's football and inspiring generations of players to dream big.
Read the Football Victoria press release here.
Fields 3 and 4 at the Home of the Matildas, installed by Polytan, as FIFA Quality Pro certified.
The Home of the Matildas is Open!
History is made as Football Victoria celebrates the official opening of the Home of the Matildas at the State Football Centre, embracing the future of the sport and Australia’s national team for generations to come.