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Sports Pitches Used to Capture Heat in Landmark Initiative

July 8, 2026/in News, Press Release/by Admin

Sports Pitches Used to Capture Heat in Landmark Initiative A technology used in the Netherlands is seeing heat captured by synthetic turf sports pitches for the first time, with a single field able to heat up to 300 homes for a year with green energy. The development contributes to a wider sustainability commitment from the […]

GroundsFest Academy showcases sports surface expertise

July 8, 2026/in News, Press Release/by Admin

GroundsFest Academy showcases sports surface expertise GroundsFest Academy welcomed grounds professionals from across the industry for its latest CPD-accredited event, Preparing Surfaces for Sports, held at Plymouth Football Club’s Home Park Stadium. Delivered in partnership with leading industry specialists Fleet Line Markers, Net World Sports, and Husqvarna, the event provided attendees with practical knowledge, expert […]

Sports Pitches Used to Capture Heat in Landmark Initiative

July 8, 2026/in News, Press Release/by Admin

GroundsFest Academy showcases sports surface expertise

July 8, 2026/in News, Press Release/by Admin

Full Sized Blog Element (Big Preview Pic)

Sports Pitches Used to Capture Heat in Landmark Initiative

July 8, 2026/in News, Press Release/by Admin

Sports Pitches Used to Capture Heat in Landmark Initiative

A technology used in the Netherlands is seeing heat captured by synthetic turf sports pitches for the first time, with a single field able to heat up to 300 homes for a year with green energy.

Sports Pitches Used to Capture Heat in Landmark Initiative

The development contributes to a wider sustainability commitment from the Dutch sports sector, which aims to achieve a 95% reduction in carbon emissions by 2050, in line with the Roadmap for Improving Sustainability in Sport[1] and the wider Dutch Climate Agreement.

As part of the commitment, the Sustainable Sports Facilities team within the Knowledge Centre for Sport & Physical Activity (Kenniscentrum Sport & Bewegen) is, in collaboration with other organisations, supporting municipalities and local sports clubs to raise awareness of practical solutions, such as heat collector fields, that can help reduce carbon emissions, contribute to regional sustainability targets, and provide a benefit to the local community.

The fields function by capturing the heat from the surface of synthetic turf, and then distributing it via underground pipes below the pitch. This heat can be used directly or stored to provide a consistent source of energy throughout the year. This has the added benefit of cooling down the surface of the pitch, helping to ensure a safe and comfortable playing surface for users.

Leander Lignac, Specialist Sustainable Sports Facilities at the Knowledge Centre for Sport & Physical Activity, said: “As an independent and neutral organisation, one of our goals is making owners of sports facilities aware of the possibilities within sustainability. Turning synthetic turf sports pitches into a source of green energy is all about impact – using a single space in multiple ways to solve many challenges at once.

“Space in the Netherlands is sparse, especially in the cities – so when it’s possible to use conveniently located pitches not just for sports, but for sustainability goals too, these facilities become more future proof. While this technology is not yet widespread, it has the potential to deliver a significant reduction in carbon emissions when scaled up.

“Ultimately, the sports sector needs to be future proof, and as part of that journey, it is our job to make municipalities and local sports clubs aware of these solutions to help them be realised across the Netherlands.”

To date, heat collector fields have been installed in Eindhoven, Zaanstad, Gouda, and The Hague. The heat captured from each field is being used to supply a variety of nearby buildings – from sports facilities, homes, and swimming pools to primary schools and daycare centres.

With at least 1,250 synthetic turf football pitches across the Netherlands, the technology has the potential to cut national CO₂ emissions by up to 0.45 megatons per year, with further opportunity for multi-use synthetic turf pitches. The municipalities of Amsterdam and Haarlem, together with SRO, are already targeting the renewal of more than 250 synthetic pitches as part of the Scale Up initiative. The heat collector field technology will be used in the project wherever it fits.

Stefan Diderich, Director General/CEO at EMEA Synthetic Turf Council (ESTC), said: “This technology is a prime example of the wider benefits that are being delivered through synthetic turf every day. These fields not only provide a high-quality playing surface, but a source of clean, renewable energy that communities can be built around.

“We not only hope for this technology to be scaled up across the Netherlands, but for other countries to look and learn from this, as this has the potential to deliver an extraordinary amount of good on a global scale.”

Find out more about ESTC and heat collector fields

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GroundsFest Academy showcases sports surface expertise

July 8, 2026/in News, Press Release/by Admin

GroundsFest Academy showcases sports surface expertise

GroundsFest Academy welcomed grounds professionals from across the industry for its latest CPD-accredited event, Preparing Surfaces for Sports, held at Plymouth Football Club’s Home Park Stadium.

GroundsFest Academy showcases sports surface expertise

Delivered in partnership with leading industry specialists Fleet Line Markers, Net World Sports, and Husqvarna, the event provided attendees with practical knowledge, expert guidance and hands-on experience covering the key elements involved in preparing and maintaining high-quality sports surfaces.

Bringing together professionals from a wide range of sectors including sports turf, education, local authorities, contractors and professional sports facilities, the event created an excellent opportunity for attendees to share experiences, build connections and gain valuable insight into the latest techniques, equipment and technology shaping the industry.

The practical, insight-led day featured a programme of expert sessions and demonstrations, covering everything from pitch preparation and line marking to equipment selection, safety procedures and the future of turf maintenance technology.

Delegates began the day with Fleet Line Markers, exploring the 3-4-5 method for setting out pitches, alongside the different types of paint available and how to select the right solution for different surfaces.

A facilities tour of Home Park Stadium then provided an insight into the requirements of maintaining a professional sporting venue, before the afternoon sessions focused on selecting the correct equipment, carrying out safety checks and best practices for storage with Net World Sports.

The event concluded with a session on robotic mowing and the role of automation in modern sports surface management, delivered by Husqvarna, before delegates reflected on the key learnings from the day and received their CPD certificates.

Reflecting on the success of the event, Bradley Tennant, Director of Education at GroundsFest Academy, said:

“It was fantastic to welcome such a diverse group of grounds professionals to this latest GroundsFest Academy event. Preparing sports surfaces requires a combination of knowledge, experience and the right equipment, and the aim of the day was to provide practical advice and insight that attendees can take back and apply in their own environments.

“The sessions delivered by Fleet Line Markers, Net World Sports and Husqvarna showcased the expertise and innovation available within our industry, while the discussions between delegates highlighted the value of bringing professionals from different sectors together. It was a great day of learning, networking and sharing best practice, and we look forward to continuing to deliver events that support the development of grounds professionals.”

GroundsFest Academy continues to provide valuable education and development opportunities for the industry, combining expert knowledge, practical demonstrations and networking to support the ongoing advancement of sports surface management.

The free sustainability assessment tool is now available at www.groundsfestacademy.com

You can also follow GroundsFest on X, Facebook and Instagram @GroundsFestAcademy for much more news, reviews and insightful views

For the latest industry news visit turfmatters.co.uk/news

Get all of the big headlines, pictures, opinions and videos on stories that matter to you.

Follow us on Twitter and Instagram for fun, fresh and engaging content.

You can also find us on Facebook for more of your must-see news, features, videos and pictures from Turf Matters

Half Sized Blog Element (Single Author Style)

Half Sized Blog Element (Multi Author Style)

Sports Pitches Used to Capture Heat in Landmark Initiative

GroundsFest Academy showcases sports surface expertise

Sports Pitches Used to Capture Heat in Landmark Initiative

GroundsFest Academy showcases sports surface expertise

Full Sized Blog Element (Big Preview Pic)

Sports Pitches Used to Capture Heat in Landmark Initiative

Sports Pitches Used to Capture Heat in Landmark Initiative

GroundsFest Academy showcases sports surface expertise

GroundsFest Academy showcases sports surface expertise

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