I was thinking you're possibly trying to use a running shoe or something that has a paper thin sole on it as a reason it was tearing them up. Something that has a more substantial construction to it might've been a solution ? I wear a pair of older style black Reebok AI 3's. Basically something like these:

http://images.footballfanatics.com/p..._152371_xl.jpg

The sole is bulletproof and you can see they're leather and stitched together. Who knows what others lace up for the game with ? Vans, Skechers, there are plenty of tennis shoes that are made to take a beating. New Zealand ? Don't know if you have places like Ross or Marshalls, but you can pick up a pair for about what Wal-Mart will sell you something for.