In November 2018 Thierry Weil, the then newly appointed CEO of the FIH, stunned the world of hockey. He introduced the Video games of Paris 2024 could be performed on a floor that didn’t want any water. His principal message was hockey will be performed on any floor. A message I assist with all of my coronary heart and is a key issue, I imagine, in rising the game worldwide.
That being stated… topsport wants consistency and a significant profit from our water-based pitches, moreover the pace and high quality of play on it, it additionally permits for related & secure circumstances in most climates!
In our column from June 2019 we raised our doubts, even after we applauded the initiative in itself. Paris 2024 by no means was a sensible goal. Virtually all specialists doubted any substitute for our water-based turf could be prepared for topsport in 2024 if we wish related enjoying circumstances. When the Covid pandemic slowed down improvement it turned clear to all. Nevertheless, massive strides had been made in decreasing the water we want on the turf. So we’re on the right track. When it turned clear Paris 2024 would nonetheless be performed on water, the FIH wanted to set new targets and, once more with out a lot related concertation, the FIH selected the world cup in 2026 as the brand new purpose for a dry synthetic pitch. Or somewhat non-irrigated. Making Paris 2024 the final main occasion on a water-based turf.
New purpose: World Cup 2026!
Following the task of the brand new world cup for 2026 to each the Netherlands and Belgium, the FIH determined this occasion could be the primary for non-irrigated fields. A lot to the shock (once more) of most concerned. Once we talked to gamers, coaches, excessive efficiency administrators and different related specialists most had been and are very sceptical. I believe all of us agree it’s the approach ahead. Water is a scarce useful resource and we have to discover a resolution. But when the timeline for this can be a unilateral resolution made by directors, with out involving related stakeholders, we think about it might be problematic. So we invited some specialists for an open and clear panel speak concerning the transfer in direction of dry synthetic grass for hockey.
Panel discuss dry synthetic grass for hockey
In February of 2023 these specialists joined me in a panel speak concerning the transfer in direction of a non-irrigated floor for hockey. Beneath this column or on Youtube you’ll discover the complete and unedited video of this panel speak. Our panel featured the next specialists:
- Jeroen Hertzberger 🇳🇱, worldwide participant
- Adam Commens 🇦🇺 🇧🇪, former worldwide participant & coach – now excessive efficiency director for Hockey Belgium
- Stephen Butler 🇮🇪, former worldwide participant & co-founder Osaka (stick & shoe model)
- Colin Younger 🇬🇧, world R&D director for Tencate Grass
- Alastair Cox 🇬🇧, Amenities & High quality Programme Supervisor for the FIH
For the aim of this column I chosen a couple of clips about participant welfare, truthful sportsmanship, how a lot time gamers & coaches want and a sensible doable timing as recommended.
Jeroen Hertzberger: “I don’t see it taking place earlier than 2026”
“So the pace has been going up and down within the final 20 years. In order that’s one thing I don’t fear an excessive amount of about. Nevertheless, the security, yeah that’s the massive one right here. As a result of there are even gamers now which can be masking their knees with tights, as a result of even with the water primarily based pitches, typically pores and skin accidents is is a factor. And what we truly need to see in our recreation is we need to see diving tackles. We need to see gamers diving to the second submit and getting on their abdomen and getting on their knees. And since that’s the feeling of the game.” – Jeroen Hertzberger
“After which there’s one other factor that jumped into my thoughts is that truthful play can be… when you have a look at efficiency everybody wants to have the ability to put together for a World Cup or an Olympics or a Professional League or no matter in the identical approach.” – Jeroen Hertzberger
“I don’t even see it taking place earlier than 2026 as a result of it merely wouldn’t be truthful for all of the international locations that want to arrange for these massive tournaments, as a result of all of them must have entry to those pitches.” – Jeroen Hertzberger
Jeroen Hertzberger: “Don’t use Hockey 5s for testing”
“From a participant perspective normally relating to new pitches and typically you arrive at a event simply talking from expertise and also you’re undecided how new the pitch is you’re undecided if the sector goes to be bouncy. You don’t know if it’s going to be this or that.
And normally our conclusion is all the time the identical is that small play, since you gave the instance of fives… In small areas, you’re not gonna discover the distinction as a lot relating to how a area is performed in comparison with the lengthy distances.
So, normally you acknowledge the massive distinction between, let’s say, and a foul pitch. While you’re wanting on the longer distance of play. So I discuss lengthy passing, speaking about lengthy aerials, speaking about lengthy one-on-ones the place you truly attain a excessive pace of above 25 kilometers per hour operating after which hitting the brakes after which having to make an inside break, a 90 levels flip.
That’s normally one thing that you simply don’t get… You don’t get these speeds and distances and also you don’t get this momentum of our bodies enjoying in small areas like for instance, fives. Similar to in indoor hockey, you don’t get these lengthy distance speeds. You don’t get the , the excessive dash meters.
I fear somewhat bit as a result of if you need to check a area, you may truly solely check if in case you have a correct measurement pitch and you may truly play 11 on 11 to see how issues work out.
That, that’s the primary factor for me. I simply needed so as to add on as a result of normally it’s not the stuff that occurs within the D and it most likely gained’t be the penalty nook both. Trigger these items, you discover a option to, to make it occur. However it’s the lengthy stuff bodily and technically that, that shall be influenced most by a change in floor.” – Jeroen Hertzberger
Adam Commens: “I need some ensures”
“If we had been having an increase in accidents, would we simply merely push on and say, no, we’ve made the choice or would we now have a dialogue with the nations which can be concerned in these tournaments.” – Adam Commens
“I’d need some ensures that our athletes and groups are gonna be consulted by way of do they really feel that these surfaces are secure for athletes on the main occasions.” – Adam Commens
Stephen Butler: sneakers will want 2 years
“You’ll want a shoe that does two issues.That may react to completely different circumstances. As a result of probably it will likely be a dry area, probably of it rains it will likely be a moist area.” – Stephen Butler (Osaka)
“We need to make the transition as minimal as doable. (…) However there nonetheless shall be some iterations which can be wanted. We don’t need it to be an excessive amount of grip, as a result of that shall be harmful. Additionally we don’t need the grip to be too low when it’s moist, as a result of in any other case gamers are goung to be falling over on a regular basis. (…) The suggestions to this point is almost all footwear has been designed to be considered and included inside the system, however inevitably when gamers get onto a full measurement area and get a bit extra dynamic, we would establish some modifications there which can be wanted and any recommendation on footwear or different gear shall be very welcome.” – Colin Younger (Tencate Grass)
“We simply must certainly get a while on the sector. I believe there’s sufficient expertise now in our product improvement that we’ll be capable of discover one thing that can be capable of work beneath each circumstances. (…) It does take time, however to be trustworthy, it’s very troublesome to say.
You get truly, what Jeroen stated was in my thoughts as effectively, with a full-on check on a full-on pitch, as a result of till you get to that section and then you definitely get by your first two prototyping levels. Then you may actually begin with the opening molds and getting the product cycle operating. The minimal is de facto 18 months and it usually takes us 24 months for a brand new product.” – Stephen Butler (Osaka)
“We absolutely settle for that individuals are not gonna convert their principal stadium area or the primary area to new expertise. That that’s affordable. However we might want to prepare for gamers from the Dutch squad, the Belgian squad, the Australian squad, whoever it could be, to go to those venues to play on them.
And we’ll want the help of the nationwide associations, the excessive efficiency coaches right here, Adam and his colleagues all over the world to make sure that occurs. As a result of clearly their expectation is gonna be very completely different to a typical group participant and we want that top stage suggestions.” – Alastair Cox (FIH)
Situation 1: the dream state of affairs
Probably high gamers and groups will begin testing these new prototype non-irrigated fields solely in direction of the tip of 2024 to keep away from doable accidents and points within the lead as much as the Paris Video games in the summertime of 2024. Meaning if (and that’s a giant IF) all goes effectively and nothing main must be tailored, in a greatest case state of affairs nationwide associations may begin utilizing the primary new era synthetic surfaces in 2024 and perhaps, simply perhaps, the 2024-2025 season might be the primary for use for some actual worldwide testing of the brand new floor.
Situation 2: when actuality units in
A extra seemingly state of affairs, a minimum of in my view, could be one the place following the primary full-on checks on the finish of 2024 they may want some variations which may set us again in time. Both in gear (sneakers) or the artificial fields themselves. Which means critical aggressive testing throughout Professional League will begin within the 2025-2026 season. And we would have one thing that really works and is secure simply earlier than the LA 2028 Video games. Which in my view ought to be the true purpose for the superb ambition of a full transition to a non-irrigated hockey area.
I perceive there’s worth in pushing for an earlier deadline in getting issues completed. However as Adam Commens rightfully talked about the gamers, coaches and NA’s do want a assure that issues will be water-based if the gamers don’t really feel secure performing on the highest stage and pace we’ve come to anticipate from them.
