One of the biggest questions around the on-going FIFA Women’s World Cup is not about the players, but about the field itself. WWC is using turf fields vs. grass for the first time, and that has raised a number of issues on durability, sustainability and injury risk. We wanted to get some answers on this and other topics, so we checked out the Sports Turf Manufacturers Association and caught up with Kim Heck.
The STMA is the not-for-profit, professional association for men and women who manage sports fields worldwide. Since 1981, the association and its 34 local chapters have been providing education, information and sharing practical knowledge in the art and science of sports field management. It’s more than 2,600 members oversee sports fields and facilities at schools, colleges and universities, parks and recreational facilities, and professional sports stadiums. For more information: www.stma.org.
The Women’s World Cup is using an artificial surface for the first time. How will that impact events FIFA hosts going forward?
The use of artificial turf at the 2016 Women’s World Cup has brought much scrutiny and backlash to FIFA. Players and fans alike have expressed disappointment with the organization’s decision to move forward with artificial playing surfaces for this year’s event. In the future, we hope FIFA will consider the needs and wants of the players who are competing.
Is grass still the surface of choice in most places and why?
It’s truly a matter of preference. Most athletes prefer playing on natural grass, especially fields managed by our Sports Turf Managers Association (STMA) members who have an expertise in producing safe and consistent surfaces. Natural grass can be easier on the body so playing at a high frequency of training or games allows the competitor to recover more quickly.
What is the technology you are seeing today that can help inner city programs best use fields that need to be going almost 24/7 for programs?
Any program’s best asset is a sports turf manager. They are aware of how to proactively plan for the field’s needs and make sure they provide a safe surface for players of all abilities. They are also concerned with providing safe playable green space for all ages to promote good health. Best practices shared within the STMA network are useful for dealing with different grass types, weather patterns and equipment.
What stadiums are the leaders in innovation for surfaces?
The gold standards for stadiums are those featuring natural playing surfaces. Many venues, such as the University of Phoenix Stadium, have created innovative solutions to common problems. As the home of the NFL’s Arizona Cardinals and Super Bowl XLIX last February, the venue boasts a retractable roof which allows for greater temperature control in the Southwest heat. It also blocks the sun, creating a shorter exposure time for the field and managing less growth. Andy Levy, STMA member and Head of the Cardinals’ Turf Crew, oversees the field that can be rolled out of the arena into a staging area for maximum sun exposure and growth.
There have been questions recently about the safety of certain kinds of turf and health hazards that may arise. What is fact and what is fiction?
The long-term effects of playing on artificial turf are unknown. STMA definitely supports more research to answer these questions. We will continue to keep our members informed and provide resources to them.
We are in a world today where water is becoming a challenge. Is there a technology that can keep fields green without taxing the water issues we are seeing?
A prime example of turf managers working within the confines of drought restrictions is the grounds crew for the Los Angeles Dodgers. With limited water use in California, Dodger Stadium has installed underground technology to cut back on sprinkler times. New electronic sensors buried throughout the infield and outfield send real-time data — moisture, temperature and salinity — that tell the groundskeepers precisely when sprinklers have sufficiently irrigated the soil. Across the country, we have also seen STMA members move to different types of grass requiring less water to maintain but not compromising the safety of the playing surface. We have members who are collecting the condensation from air conditioning units to irrigate and others who are using reclaimed water.
Where are some of the best uses of fields being seen around the world?
What makes a venue great is its ability to host multiple events in a short period of time. College football stadiums are now used for concerts and international soccer games. We are seeing multi-field sports complexes and parks revitalizing areas through premier sporting events. Waukegan Sports Park in Illinois is a great example. The park has 14 full-size soccer and football fields, four lighted softball and baseball fields and a championship synthetic lighted turf field. Recently, the venue welcomed over 18,000 participants at events including the ECNL National Championships, National Premier League Championships and US Club Soccer National Championships.
