Are You Boot-Ready for Victoria Park?
Victoria Park’s third generation (3G) artificial surface will transform match play here in Guernsey. However, to keep it in top nick, all players must have the correct footwear on before taking to the pitch. Here’s what you need to know about ensuring your boots are permitted.
Designed specifically for football, the pitch at Victoria Park has a long pile turf that gives a realistic grass feel whilst also being able to withstand heavy use. All players must use boots with specific studs to keep the pitch in peak condition - this stops the fibres from becoming compressed and damaging the surface.
For the 3G surface at Victoria Park, the following boots are permitted:
- Artificial Grass (AG) footwear – small, short studs that are hollow or specially moulded
The following boots are not permitted, and players will not be allowed to access the pitch wearing the following footwear:
- Bladed boots (fin-shaped or elongated studs)
- Boots with metal studs
- Flat-soled training shoes
- Everyday shoes
- Astro (dimpled) trainers
We’ve compiled this handy list of AG footwear retailers and websites that can cater for all needs and budgets:
- https://www.prodirectsport.com/soccer/l/kids/departments-boots/activity-football/groundtype-artificial-grass/
- https://www.prodirectsport.com/soccer/l/adults/departments-boots/activity-football/groundtype-artificial-grass/
- https://www.adidas.co.uk/artificial_grass-football-shoes
- https://www.adidas.co.uk/copa-mundial-boots/015110.html
Gary Roberts, CEO at Guernsey FA, said: “We want to ensure that everyone, whatever their standard, can enjoy the fantastic facilities we have here at Victoria Park. However, it’s vital we maintain the standard of the pitch, and we can only do this by checking that every player has compliant Artificial Grass (AG) footwear.
“We appreciate that, while everyone gets used to the new surface, some players may arrive in non-compliant boots, which means they won’t be able to play in them. The good news is that we will be operating a free ‘Boot Locker’ scheme, where they can borrow boots for the duration of their session and return them at the end of their session. “The ethos is that Victoria Park is an inclusive facility for all, so we’re committed to maintaining the pitch while ensuring everyone gets to enjoy playing on this elite surface.”
For more information about our new ‘Boot Locker’ scheme, in partnership with Aztec Group, click here.
