Footy players take to synthetic like ducks to water

With grounds across the region closed due to the wet weather, the Northern Heat and North Coast Academy of Sport (NCAS) squads became the first AFL users of Coffs Harbour City Council’s new synthetic fields.

Only recently opened, the synthetic fields are already popular as they’ve been the only outdoor sporting facilities that haven’t been closed over the past few weeks due to the wet weather. As first time footy users, both the Heat and NCAS squads were excited to try the new facility, and the results were excellent!

“Without access to these new fields, we would have had to cancel our session,” said Northern Heat Coaching Co-ordinator Matt Anderson.

“The bounce of the ball was really true, the surface was forgiving even when players fell on it, and there were no major grazes from players sliding across the surface. It’s an absolute bonus for our talent programs to have a fall back option like this so we can continue to complete our program even when it’s as wet as it has been.”

The session was invaluable for the NCAS girls, who head to Nelson’s Bay this weekend for the Academy Games against three other Academies.

Matt Crawley, Head Coach of NCAS, also sang the praises of the new facility. “Our preparation has been limited to date, so we couldn’t really afford to miss this session. Our girls now have the best chance to shine at the Academy Games this weekend when we come up against Hunter, Central Coast, and South West Sydney.”

The Northern Heat have one final training session in Armidale in three weeks’ time before concluding their program with matches.