NZ's Young Ferns train on TigerTurf in build up to U17 Women's Soccer World Cup

NZ vs Canada

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After months of intensive training, the New Zealand Football Ferns have never been in a better position to challenge in the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup which kicks off on Tuesday 28th October.  Being played at venues in Auckland, Hamilton, Wellington and Christchurch, the tournament is being touted as one of the biggest sporting events ever witnessed here in New Zealand. 

Coach Paul Temple and captain Briony Fisher talk up their chances of finishing in the top two in their group among traditionally strong nations Canada and Denmark, plus South American champions Colombia, a result which would create history for football in this country. 

The build up to the World Cup has meant training through one of Auckland’s wettest winters for years.  With many fields off limits to schools and club tournaments because of the weather over winter, the Young Ferns have been fortunate to have been able to train at the North Harbour stadium on New Zealand’s first synthetic football pitch, manufactured and installed by TigerTurf NZ Ltd.   

Bridgette Armstrong, the Young Ferns Central Defender and daughter of TigerTurf’s Sales and Marketing Manager, Ron, says “the opportunity to practice and train on the TigerTurf field has had a huge impact on developing the teams’ skills and speed.”  They are really excited about the tournament and confident they will be a team to watch during the World Cup series. 

The installation of the TigerTurf pitch is part of FIFA’s worldwide Goal project which is the driving force behind FIFA's football development work worldwide.  The FIFA approved TigerTurf surface improves player’s safety in terms of impact and freedom of movement.  It allows players to perform the full range of skills using normal footwear as they would on natural grass. 

For further information on TigerTurf’s Football surfaces please contact Ron Armstrong at ron@tigerturf.co.nz