The grass has finally turned green, and parents are setting up their folding chairs on sidelines across the country as spring and summer sports kick-off. Many families introduce their children to sport through soccer, not only for the benefits of teamwork and play, but because the equipment requirements are less intensive than hockey or baseball. 

But have you ever considered what a soccer field would look like without contributions from oil and gas? 

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The following is a list of common soccer equipment that is made of petrochemical-based materials such as butyl, polypropylene and polyethylene, products made possible by oil and gas and plastics. It may surprise you to learn how dependent their existence is on oil and gas. 

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  • Soccer ball 
  • Astroturf  
  • Fertilizer  
  • Cleats 
  • Net 
  • Pylons  
  • Gloves 
  • Jersey  
  • Socks 
  • Shin guards 
  • Mouth guard 
  • Bag 
  • Water bottles 
  • Tupperware (what are sports without snacks?)  
  • Minivans 

The same can be said for many other spring and summer sports; tennis, baseball, cycling or kayaking, to name a few.  

Sports equipment relies heavily on chemistry to help athletes reach peak performance and provide critical safety and protective functions. 

Next time you’re enjoying a hot chocolate from the spectator’s seat, take a good look around and complete a quick tally of items that require oil and gas, either for their production and composition, or delivery, and you may be surprised at how many outdoor hobbies would be non-existent without contributions from Canada’s oil and gas industry.