Karembeu to open new $1 million pitch
Friday 4 May 2007, 9:00AM
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Christian Karembeu Credit:
NZSoccer.com
Football’s future will take on its storied past in an exhibition match to mark the inauguration of New Zealand Soccer’s $1 million football turf at North Harbour Stadium on Saturday.
Four members of the 1982 World Cup All Whites squad to Spain - Frank Van Hattum, Keith McKay, Billy McClure and Glen Adam – will join 1991 women’s World Cup representatives Monique Van de Elzen and Terry McCahill in a New Zealand ‘Past’ team.
They will play a New Zealand ‘Present’ team made up of World Cup-bound U-17 and U-20 men’s and women’s representatives in the focal point during a day of festivities to officially open the TigerTurf pitch funded by FIFA’s global Goal Project.
Tahitian born Oceania Football Confederation (OFC) ambassador Christian Karembeu, a World Cup champion with France (1988) and Uefa Champions League winner with Spanish giants Real Madrid, will bolster a ‘Past’ line-up including New Zealand Soccer’s Head of Women’s Football and former international Michele Cox.
The match at 11.45am follows midget matches between East Coast Bays 8th grade teams from 9.30am.
OFC President and FIFA Vice President Reynald Temarii will then officially the pitch in the company of North Shore City Mayor George Woods and NZ Soccer Chief Executive Graham Seatter.
Oceania General Secretary Tai Nicholas said the technology behind the TigerTurf synthetic pitch would ensure that games could continue to be played despite rough winter conditions and still deliver the authentic feel of a grass pitch.
TigerTurf is a collection of soft, non-abrasive polythylene fibres, designed to replicate grass in colour, feel and performance. The FIFA-approved surface improves player safety in terms of impact and freedom of movement and allows players to perform the full range of skills using traditional studded footwear.
"This artificial surface underlines FIFA's commitment to developing the game in this part of the world and the Oceania Football Confederation fully supports similar development projects throughout the South Pacific. I'm delighted to see New Zealand Soccer as the recipient of this facility," Nicholas said.
Karembeu and members of the Past and Present teams will be made available to interested media.
Admission is free for the general public.
Teams: -
New Zealand Past: Yvonne Vale, Frank Van Hattum, Ron Armstrong, Terry McCahill, Dave Taylor, Jill Gilmore, Monique Van de Elzen, Billy McClure, Glen Adam,
Maia Jackman, Keith Nelson, Colin Tuaa, Fred De Jong, Keith McKay, Michele Cox, Christain Karembeu.
New Zealand Present: Bianca Mori, Rebecca Brown, Rosie White, Lauren Mathis, Brigitte Armstrong, Therese Saito, Anna Green, Abby Erceg, Annalie Longo, Ria Percival, Jason Hicks, Mars Keomhaoung, Katie Hoyle, Merissa Smith, Sam Selwyn.
Four members of the 1982 World Cup All Whites squad to Spain - Frank Van Hattum, Keith McKay, Billy McClure and Glen Adam – will join 1991 women’s World Cup representatives Monique Van de Elzen and Terry McCahill in a New Zealand ‘Past’ team.
They will play a New Zealand ‘Present’ team made up of World Cup-bound U-17 and U-20 men’s and women’s representatives in the focal point during a day of festivities to officially open the TigerTurf pitch funded by FIFA’s global Goal Project.
Tahitian born Oceania Football Confederation (OFC) ambassador Christian Karembeu, a World Cup champion with France (1988) and Uefa Champions League winner with Spanish giants Real Madrid, will bolster a ‘Past’ line-up including New Zealand Soccer’s Head of Women’s Football and former international Michele Cox.
The match at 11.45am follows midget matches between East Coast Bays 8th grade teams from 9.30am.
OFC President and FIFA Vice President Reynald Temarii will then officially the pitch in the company of North Shore City Mayor George Woods and NZ Soccer Chief Executive Graham Seatter.
Oceania General Secretary Tai Nicholas said the technology behind the TigerTurf synthetic pitch would ensure that games could continue to be played despite rough winter conditions and still deliver the authentic feel of a grass pitch.
TigerTurf is a collection of soft, non-abrasive polythylene fibres, designed to replicate grass in colour, feel and performance. The FIFA-approved surface improves player safety in terms of impact and freedom of movement and allows players to perform the full range of skills using traditional studded footwear.
"This artificial surface underlines FIFA's commitment to developing the game in this part of the world and the Oceania Football Confederation fully supports similar development projects throughout the South Pacific. I'm delighted to see New Zealand Soccer as the recipient of this facility," Nicholas said.
Karembeu and members of the Past and Present teams will be made available to interested media.
Admission is free for the general public.
Teams: -
New Zealand Past: Yvonne Vale, Frank Van Hattum, Ron Armstrong, Terry McCahill, Dave Taylor, Jill Gilmore, Monique Van de Elzen, Billy McClure, Glen Adam,
Maia Jackman, Keith Nelson, Colin Tuaa, Fred De Jong, Keith McKay, Michele Cox, Christain Karembeu.
New Zealand Present: Bianca Mori, Rebecca Brown, Rosie White, Lauren Mathis, Brigitte Armstrong, Therese Saito, Anna Green, Abby Erceg, Annalie Longo, Ria Percival, Jason Hicks, Mars Keomhaoung, Katie Hoyle, Merissa Smith, Sam Selwyn.