26Mar2021

Livestream and highlights of ESSMA’s 2021 Pitch Services e-Workshop

After this 2021 Pitch Services e-Workshop we can absolutely state that data helps improve pitch quality in many ways. Just because there are figures and graphs, the debate on pitch management becomes more tangible, concrete and continued instead of incidental.

Highlights of the e-Workshop

1. What data to start with? 

When launching the concept of a data-driven pitch management, one has to carefully choose what parameters to measure. According to Johan Cruijff ArenA, it is best to focus on climate information. What humidity and temperature can be measured in the pitch and right above the pitch? What do soil samples tell you? A few measurements lead to an incidental result, but a continued effort will give the insights you need.

2. Impact of COVID-19 on pitch is present but manageable 

40% of the participants in our survey indicated they had to play more matches/training sessions on the pitch, which had a negative impact according to 80% of them. The large stadiums and clubs seem more prepared for this challenge as they always tend to have well-filled agenda’s 

3. Only valid interpretation of data grants results

Just collecting data will not directly lead to results. The key is interpretation of the massive bundle of data that can be collected. As Alfonso Meireles from Sporting Clube de Portugal stated, you should know what you are looking at. The training of the grounds team for this task is indispensable. 

Sustainability on the rise in pitch management 

Sustainable pitch management is a general concern in our community of pitch managers. All participants in our poll say that they have reduced the amount of herbicides and pesticides used over the past couple of years.  And even better, 2/3 of them have done this for other reasons than stricter legislation! New techniques are available according to Mr. Bernd Leinauer, and should be carefully investigated and implemented!

Watch the full livestream

Posted on 26/03/2021 in: