KANSAS CITY, Mo. (August 19, 2016) – The National Soccer Coaches Association of America Convention is coming to the Los Angeles Convention Center January 11-15, 2017 and celebrates its return to the West Coast with the most highly-engineered demonstration fields in NSCAA Convention history.
“AstroTurf is the inventor of the entire synthetic turf industry and we’re very excited to have them as our newest partner,” said NSCAA CEO Lynn Berling-Manuel. AstroTurf will serve as the Official Playing Surface Provider of the NSCAA Convention for 2017-2020. “Our new fields will feature AstroTurf’s RootZone technology which provides structure and consistency. The fields being constructed on a shock attenuation pad means the fields will be safe and the characteristics of the field will be optimal for our presenters and their demonstration players while avoiding the use of crumb rubber infill.”
The AstroTurf Golden Series fields, named after AstroTurf’s 50th anniversary, were first installed in 2014 is association with Los Angeles Recreation and Parks. Over the last 18 months, AstroTurf has installed more than 4 million square feet of this rubber-free system on soccer fields across the country.
“As a partner with the NSCAA, we are poised to support the urgent need for better fields. It’s an issue faced by programs and clubs at every level,” said Heard Smith, CEO for AstroTurf. “The NSCAA Convention is now the must-attend event, not just for coaches but for the entire soccer community. As such, the NSCAA is the perfect partner to usher in the next era of sophisticated soccer surfacing for today’s teams, both at the highest level and in every community across America. These are the systems AstroTurf and the NSCAA will showcase.”
The NSCAA Convention is the largest gathering of soccer coaches in the world. With over 250 education sessions bringing together coaches of every level, more than 10,000 people are expected to attend the Convention’s first trip to the west coast since 1994. The aim of having an Official Playing Surface Provider is to ensure that every presenter has the best possible environment and opportunity to share their knowledge and effectively convey their session.
“I first became an NSCAA member in 2003 and have been attending the Convention with my father [NSCAA Goalkeeper Institute Director, Tony DiCicco] my entire life,” explains AstroTurf’s Director of Soccer, Anthony DiCicco. “With improved demonstration fields and the world class roster of presenters, this partnership will enhance the effectiveness of those presentations and every attendees’ experience. “
“Everywhere I travel in the country I hear stories about the extent of our field crisis. The inclusion of the U.S. Women’s National Team in that debate has heightened the urgency of this transition.” DiCicco continued, “The newest generation of fields better protect players, are cooler, and provide better playability. AstroTurf and the NSCAA are excited and proud to come together showcasing the modern coach on the modern field for our entire soccer community.”
About AstroTurf®
For soccer, AstroTurf® has redefined the way the game is played. The brand offers advanced, state-of-the-art, multi-sport and specialized synthetic turf systems with proprietary engineered technologies. A growing number of high schools, colleges, professional sports teams and municipalities continue to select AstroTurf-branded products for their premium quality, technical superiority, and safety. To learn more, visit www.astroturf.com.