www.stadiaworld.com SPORTS VENUES 2023/24 | 97 TECHNOLOGY The HiPSter system has been operating on Dutch football fields for some time now. According to Hi Sports, developer of the all-in-one system, this is the moment for the German Bundesliga to join this successful approach. The HiPSter analyzes, among other things, the hardness, ball bounce, ball roll, and grip of the pitches so that clubs can focus on their quality. The measurement kit measures the surface on eight quality aspects at any time of the day, after which the data is automatically loaded into a dashboard. This gives field managers the necessary insight into the quality of the field and allows them to adjust their grass management accordingly. The HiPSter ensures digitization and standardization, reliability, and higher quality across the board. The Dutch League Approach The goal of data-driven turf management is to raise the level of football further and make the whole league fairer. In fact, it was Fair Play and safty considerations that ensured the choice for the HiPSter was not left to individual clubs but rather to the Dutch Premier League (Eredivisie) as a whole. After all, each club has different priorities, but if there is one thing that is in the interest of all teams, it is the quality of the pitch – especially when a better pitch can safeguard the players from injuries. The Dutch choice has turned out to be a smart one for both the rich and the less wealthy clubs. The common interest is clear: the more clubs with good pitches, the lower the risk of an injury. That’s why ‘big’ clubs such as Ajax, PSV, Feyenoord, and AZ were happy to support the Eredivisie initiative instead of taking on an individual approach. The same could apply to the top teams in the German league. All Eredivisie clubs now use HiPSter equipment to analyze their main fields and to work on quality and uniformity. Thanks to the Eredivisie CV and Hi Sports collaboration, the Netherlands has successfully pioneered these data-driven management technologies for the optimal playing field. Interested parties can take a look at HiPSter at the Eurogreen Roadshow at different clubs in Germany and Austria. Digital grass management: The Dutch League approach Higher quality football pitches, better data-driven maintenance, fewer injuries, and all perfectly aligned with sustainability goals: the benefits of the Hi Pitch Screener (HiPSter) are noticeable in both the short and long term. Eurogreen partner of Hi Sports in Germany Picture: Holland Innovative ADVERTORIAL HI Sports – powered by Holland Innovative High Tech Campus 29 NL – 5656 AE Eindhoven Phone: +31 6 20619096 Email: hans.meeske@holland-innovative.nl Web: www.hi-sports.nl Henk Slootweg (right) and Bo Videler (left) AHVrij “Above all, data-driven field management has brought peace of mind within the organization. Previously, player problems related to injuries or technical performance were often blamed on the field. Now we can objectively prove that the field was of safe and uniform quality.” Henk Slootweg AH Vrij, Field Manager at ADO Den Haag and Sparta Picture: Holland Innovative
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