TigerTurf™, Challenger Sports Joining to Raise Bar for Soccer and Make Camps Available to Disadvantaged Youth in U.S., Canada
02/25/2008
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Soccer is sweeping North America, and with it the need for greater access to field systems. But not just any field systems, said Peter Arch, vice president of Challenger Sports, North America’s largest soccer company.
“We’re partnering with TigerTurf in an effort to improve access to superior soccer pitches. TigerTurf is the standard for soccer internationally – we want to bring that level of technology to the sport here. It will improve the quality of the game,” he stated.
TigerTurf, the world’s largest manufacturer of advanced synthetic turf, is a FIFA-licensee chosen by soccer teams and clubs at all levels in more than 85 countries, with FIFA 1- and 2-star systems in three continents.
“TigerTurf systems are top-of-the-line – the pitches play naturally – the ball roll, playability, bounce, traction, ease of movement just like optimum grass, with the added benefit of 24 by seven access year round,” said Arch, a former soccer player and coach from the United Kingdom.
He said his organization, which provides products and services to more than 2,000 soccer organizations (five million + players) throughout North America, sought TigerTurf as the exclusive synthetic turf provider when they learned of its entry into the Americas market and its new manufacturing facility in Texas.
The company’s full service plant, which develops and produces sport field, landscape and play products, opened in 2007, with a second one following closely on its heels in Brazil.
“Having this wealth of R&D and manufacturing capability -- from a company trusted world over for its soccer field technology -- so accessible is an incredibly exciting prospect for the game,” said Arch.
TigerTurf director Charles Fleishman also expressed his enthusiasm for the partnership with Challenger. “This is a great opportunity for us to enhance the soccer experience for millions of athletes, and a great opportunity for us to build a dialogue with the soccer community here so we can continually improve.
“What’s even more gratifying,” he continued, “is the opportunity – through Challenger’s Foundation – to provide disadvantaged kids access to quality soccer programs.”
A portion of proceeds from each TigerTurf soccer system sale will be donated to the Foundation, designed to provide underprivileged children the means to attend a Challenger soccer camp.
As for Arch, he’s thrilled at the prospect of bringing more potential soccer athletes, who would otherwise not have the opportunity, to the game. “I wish they’d had pitches like this when I played; I might have scored more goals.”
Challenger Sports 
