30 September 2011

Open day for cutting-edge ASB Football Park

The ASB Football Park (formerly English Park), with its new state-of-the-art artificial turf, celebrates its reopening with an open day, and an inauguration by FIFA, on Sunday 2 October.

Three years in the making, the new pitch is the first of its kind in Christchurch, and is designed to be played on in all weather conditions. The project is a partnership between Christchurch City Council, New Zealand Football, Mainland Football, and FIFA. The FIFA Goal Programme contributes to development projects around the world, and this is the second such pitch it has helped install in New Zealand.

Mike Coggan, Chief Executive of Mainland Football, thanks the Council and FIFA for completing this project. “They’ve turned a dream into reality. It’s a great honour for Christchurch to host this prototype for things to come.

“There is a growing worldwide demand for grounds such as these, and Christchurch is leading the way,” he says.

Mayor Bob Parker, who will attend the open day, says, “I’m very pleased to welcome this ‘next generation’ facility to Christchurch.

“It’s another huge step forward in our journey not just to rebuild Christchurch, but to make it cutting-edge – our bright future is emerging already.”

The open day will give the public the opportunity to explore the finest purpose-built football ground in the South Island. It will commence with a blessing of the ground by kaumatua, Rakiihia Tau, of Ngai Tuahuriri and a performance by its kapa haka group. Local clubs will commence a parade around the pitch, then FIFA dignitaries will officially open the ground. The open day will be a family-focused event aimed at the local community with games and activities for kids.

Business as usual then resumes – beginning on Monday 10 October the Park’s popular Football Fives social matches kick off, with entry now extended to youth and corporate teams. It will then host the ASB Premiership, with the first match on its grounds being held on Sunday 6 November.

ASB Football Park Opening and Inauguration
Sunday 2 October 2011
ASB Football Park, 127 Cranford Street, St Albans

• 9.30am – Blessing of the pitch
• 10am – Junior football clubs parade
• 10.30am – Formal speeches from Mayor Bob Parker, Mainland Football, New Zealand Football and FIFA
• 11am – Kids Football Festival activities
• 11.30am – Light refreshments
• 12.30pm – Celebrity football match
• 2pm – Mainland Premier Football League Selection v Canterbury United

ENDS

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