AusLeisure

A new five-a-side football centre on Sydney's northern beaches may well mark the start of a transformation of 'small-sided' football in Australia.

Transforming formerly dilapidated tennis courts at the Harbord Bowling Club, Australia's first KikOff Soccer Centre is set to echo the trend for small sided football centres in the United Kingdom and Ireland.

Managing Director Nigel Bramley, along with a UK-based business partner, has spent just under $500,000 installing four futsal courts and is confident the centre will be well received.

As Bramley explained this week, "five-a-side football is massive across the world and only in recent years Australia has started following the trend.

"Our pitches are FIFA approved and I am sure once people come and have a run it wonât be the last time."

Former English Premier League and Socceroos goalkeeper Mark Bosnich, who was on hand to celebrate the opening, was impressed with what he saw, stating "it is a fantastic set-up which I am sure will be used by many football fans on the northern beaches,ââ adding âthe playing surface is outstanding and the fact that it will be open 12 months a year can't hurt."

KikOff Pty Ltd was established in 2008 to deliver a number of premium high performance sporting venues for the Australian market. In a country renowned for its sporting achievements, the Company realised there was a need for venues that could accommodate athletes of all ages and capabilities.

The Directors have designed facilities that allow a number of sports to be played safely and to the highest possible level. They have achieved this by using the best products available globally and combining them using a wealth of insight into the dynamics of modern sport. The Company boasts a deep knowledge gained from years of experience working within professional sports and sports facilities at all levels.

KikOff Pty Ltd will operate its state of the art facilities through its KikOff Soccer Centers Pty Ltd brand. Following the Harbord opening, two other facilities are set to be opened before the end of the year.

The Harbord centre is open for business seven days-a-week from 7am.

KikOff's synthetic surfaces were supplied by T.E.A.M. Sports Surfaces.

For details contact T.E.A.M. Sports Surfaces on 02 9838 4429 (in Australia) or 09 524 0121 (in New Zealand), E: [email protected], www.teamsports.com.au

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