Football Federation SA calls for more synthetic pitches to cope with wet weather demand

MORE synthetic pitches are urgently needed across Adelaide amid an unprecedented backlog of matches, the sport's governing body warns.

MORE synthetic pitches are urgently needed across Adelaide to prevent soccer outgrowing itself amid an unprecedented backlog of matches, the sport's governing body warns.

Football Federation of SA is more than 150 matches behind schedule as suburban pitches turn into quagmires due to overuse and the wet winter.

FFSA chief executive Michael Carter said some of the matches would have to be cancelled if the remainder of August was wet, compromising junior, women's and men's competitions.

He said many clubs only held leases on their venues until the end of September - when summer sports took over - meaning extending the season was not an option.

"If we get another wet weekend we will struggle to finish the season, particularly for some of the junior grades and women's competitions,'' Mr Carter said.

"The weather conditions have not helped but overuse is a huge factor."

He said all-weather artificial pitches were a key to helping the sport cope.

Mr Carter pointed to Melbourne, where 36 artificial pitches existed. He said Adelaide needed help from all tiers of government to build the 12 pitches it required.

"We want to provide opportunities for more people to play the game,'' he said.

"If we had a dozen artificial pitches across Adelaide that would be great."

"One articifical field is worth two or three traditional pitches."

The first sods have been turned on an artificial pitch at West Beach, while a synthetic pitch will be part of the upgraded Parks Community Centre next March.

Eastern United has applied to the State Government for a $455,000 grant to build a synthetic pitch at its Athelstone venue, while West Adelaide is working behind the scenes to secure a new home, including a synthetic pitch, at Kilburn.

Eastern United spokesman Ange Vesichelli said at present the club's two pitches were being shared between its eight teams and by amateur club Athlestone.

He said the pitches had turned to mud under the demand and about 10 matches had been postponed this season.

"We've got junior games, women's games, senior men's games to catch-up,'' Mr Vesichelli said.

"Out pitches are just not going to hold up."

Adelaide Cobras president Michael Malandris reported similar problems at the Plympton club which was about 10 matches behind schedule.

A spokesman for state Sports Minister Leon Bignell said the government had spent $8.4 million on community soccer projects since 2002.

He would not comment on whether money would be committed to proposed synthetic pitches at Athelstone and Kilburn.

Mr Carter said the FFSA would not specifically lobby candidates for support in the lead up to next month's federal election.