David Bitonti, the Nipissing Lakers women’s soccer head coach, is counting the days until his squad can train and play OUA matches on the school’s new $2.1 million turf field.
The timing of the OUA soccer season, which runs from training camp in August until the November playoffs, has meant in the past that a damp start to the school year can lead to treacherous conditions on Nipissing’s home soccer pitch.
“The grass field was in excellent condition over the course of the summer when we had time to put some care into it, but once you start getting the men’s and women’s soccer programs on it, plus lacrosse and the BPHE (Bachelor of Physical and Health Education) students,” there’s a lot of wear and tear.
In the past, uncertainty about field conditions in late fall has led to home games being moved to turf fields in other parts of the city, something Bitonti feels can lead to a competitive disadvantage for his players.
“There’s just something different in the atmosphere when you’re playing at home, in front of your peers and supporters,” something the turf field will guarantee, says the coach. “Even just as a tactical aspect, to be able to train on the same field [that a team will play on] is an advantage.”
The new field is slated to be completed by the end of October, so in the meantime, the soccer programs will become nomads for what school officials hope will be the last time. Bitonti and his charges will hold training camp at Cundari Field, mainly, he says, because of its proximity to the main university campus.
The new turf field will meet FIFA (the world’s governing soccer body) standards and will replace the existing grass field, and will be located adjacent to the Robert J. Surtees Athletics Centre. The field will have lighting and permanent fencing surrounding it.
Nipissing is expecting to see significant savings when it comes to maintenance as compared to the grass field. The current annual maintenance cost for the grass field ranges from $15,000 to $20,000, while the turf field is anticipated to cost $7,000 per year to maintain.
The new build will also have benefits for academics, according to one university professor whose classes have used the grass field in the past. “A significant portion of my research is conducted in the field examining coach-athlete and athlete-athlete interactions in youth sports,” said Dr. Mark Bruner, Canada Research Chair in Youth Development through Sports and Physical Activity. “The turf field will attract more youth teams to campus and will provide a fantastic and convenient location for my work looking into team dynamics and how to create positive developmental sport environments for youth.”
Added Vito Castiglione, athletics director at the school: “It was difficult for our varsity teams and their fans to be forced to play across town on a regular basis. They really didn’t have many true home games,” said Vito Castiglione, athletics director. “We’re really excited for our student-athletes in soccer and lacrosse to be able to play on campus in front of more cheering students and fans.”
Bitonti observed that “now that we will have a place that we know we can train anytime, that’s a huge benefit for us,” especially when it comes to recruiting and success for the OUA season.
