Systematic monitoring of the playing surfaces, long-term recording of all data (sunshine, frost, temperature fluctuations, frequency of use of the turf, varieties of turf per season, etc.), scientific evaluation, know-how and experience in playing fields by the specialized staff of Super League Football Clubs and their partners, adaptation to the climatic conditions of each region, saving water and energy, prevention and treatment of diseases, are just some of the conclusions at the two-day international Conference on the management of playing surfaces, held in Athens on November 28 and 29, 2022.
Presentations by the speakers Marcela Munoz, Niall MacPhee, Ian Craig, Xavi Tordera Font, Andre Wolbrink, Oliver Deeming, Ben Corby, Carlos Venegas Gamero, Matthew Le Brun, Adam Witchell on the latest technologies applied to sports turf, regular maintenance, and sustainable management, with special emphasis on the management of warm-season playing surfaces were among the subjects tackled at the Conference.
All the parameters of the proper management of the competition venues, as reflected in the positions of all the speakers, are the rich legacy of the Conference. You can see all the presentations in pdf format.
The deputy president of Super League Greece Katia Koxenoglou, after the conclusion of the Conference, noted the following:
"For the first time in Greece, a Conference of international impact was organized by Super League Greece for the playing surfaces. Speakers with enormous experience shared with everyone, both the successful models of turf management, as well as the mistakes they made, which helped them to find appropriate solutions.
Investment in the know-how of the proper management of the turf by the right people in each team and investment in the necessary infrastructure and mechanical equipment, are the "keys" to the proper management of the playing surfaces.
There is a need for continuous and systematic training of the officials in each Football Club, so that they are aware of the trends that are taking shape internationally. Today indeed the stadiums of the Super League teams are in better condition, compared to two years ago, however, this effort from all Clubs must continue:
The times when the grass on the playing surfaces was taken care of by a... home gardener with his watering can, are over.
Turfs are now state-of-the-art technology and all teams must invest the necessary funds so that the footballers can play safely and the fans can enjoy the matches, either from the stands or from their television sets.
I hope that this knowledge bank, through the presentations of all the speakers, will become a useful tool, both for professionals in the field, as well as for students, fans and everyone who wants to see what proper stadium management really means" .
CLICK TO SEE ALL PDF PRESENTATIONS:
-Presentation 5_André Wolbrink
-Presentation 9_Carlos Venegas
-Presentation 11_Adam Witchell
