In November 2018 Thierry Weil, the then newly appointed CEO of the FIH, shocked 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 important message was hockey could be performed on any floor. A message I assist with all of my coronary heart and is a key issue, I consider, in rising the game worldwide.
That being mentioned… topsport wants consistency and a serious profit from our water-based pitches, apart from 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 once we applauded the initiative in itself. Paris 2024 by no means was a practical goal. Nearly all consultants doubted any substitute for our water-based turf could be prepared for topsport in 2024 if we wish related enjoying situations. When the Covid pandemic slowed down improvement it grew to become clear to all. Nonetheless, large strides have been made in lowering the water we want on the turf. So we’re on track. When it grew to become 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 aim for a dry synthetic pitch. Or quite non-irrigated. Making Paris 2024 the final main occasion on a water-based turf.
New aim: 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. After we talked to gamers, coaches, excessive efficiency administrators and different related consultants most have been and are very sceptical. I feel all of us agree it’s the means ahead. Water is a scarce useful resource and we have to discover a resolution. But when the timeline for it is a unilateral choice made by directors, with out involving related stakeholders, we think about it may very well be problematic. So we invited some consultants for an open and clear panel speak in regards to the transfer in direction of dry synthetic grass for hockey.
Panel speak about dry synthetic grass for hockey
In February of 2023 these consultants joined me in a panel speak in regards to the transfer in direction of a non-irrigated floor for hockey. Under this column or on Youtube you’ll discover the total and unedited video of this panel speak. Our panel featured the next consultants:
- 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 🇬🇧, international 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 number of clips about participant welfare, truthful sportsmanship, how a lot time gamers & coaches want and a practical potential timing as steered.
Jeroen Hertzberger: “I don’t see it occurring 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. Nonetheless, the protection, yeah that’s the massive one right here. As a result of there are even gamers now which can be overlaying 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 sport is we need to see diving tackles. We need to see gamers diving to the second publish 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 means.” – Jeroen Hertzberger
“I don’t even see it occurring earlier than 2026 as a result of it merely wouldn’t be truthful for all of the nations that want to arrange for these large 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 in relation 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 in relation to how a discipline is performed in comparison with the lengthy distances.
So, normally you acknowledge the massive distinction between, let’s say, an excellent and a foul pitch. Once you’re trying on the longer distance of play. So I speak about 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 just 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. Identical 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 once you need to check a discipline, you’ll be able to truly solely check in case you have a correct dimension 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 in all probability received’t be the penalty nook both. Trigger these items, you discover a approach to, to make it occur. However it’s the lengthy stuff bodily and technically that, that will probably be influenced most by a change in floor.” – Jeroen Hertzberger
Adam Commens: “I would like some ensures”
“If we have been having an increase in accidents, would we simply merely push on and say, no, we’ve made the choice or would now we 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 when it comes to do they really feel that these surfaces are secure for athletes on the main occasions.” – Adam Commens
Stephen Butler: footwear will want 2 years
“You’ll want a shoe that does two issues.That may react to totally different situations. As a result of probably it is going to be a dry discipline, probably of it rains it is going to be a moist discipline.” – Stephen Butler (Osaka)
“We need to make the transition as minimal as potential. (…) However there nonetheless will probably be some iterations which can be wanted. We don’t need it to be an excessive amount of grip, as a result of that will probably 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 thus far is almost all footwear has been designed to be considered and included throughout the system, however inevitably when gamers get onto a full dimension discipline and get a bit extra dynamic, we would determine some adjustments there which can be wanted and any recommendation on footwear or different tools will probably be very welcome.” – Colin Younger (Tencate Grass)
“We simply must certainly get a while on the sector. I feel there’s sufficient know-how now in our product improvement that we’ll be capable to discover one thing that can be capable to work underneath each situations. (…) It does take time, however to be sincere, it’s very troublesome to say.
You get truly, what Jeroen mentioned was in my thoughts as nicely, with a full-on check on a full-on pitch, as a result of till you get to that section and then you definately get via your first two prototyping levels. Then you’ll be able to actually begin with the opening molds and getting the product cycle operating. The minimal is basically 18 months and it usually takes us 24 months for a brand new product.” – Stephen Butler (Osaka)
“We totally settle for that persons are not gonna convert their important stadium discipline or the primary discipline to new know-how. That that’s cheap. However we might want to organize 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 are going to want the help of the nationwide associations, the excessive efficiency coaches right here, Adam and his colleagues world wide to make sure that occurs. As a result of clearly their expectation is gonna be very totally different to a typical group participant and we want that prime degree suggestions.” – Alastair Cox (FIH)
Situation 1: the dream state of affairs
Almost definitely 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 potential accidents and points within the lead as much as the Paris Video games in the summertime of 2024. Which means if (and that’s an enormous IF) all goes nicely and nothing main should be tailored, in a finest case state of affairs nationwide associations might begin utilizing the primary new era synthetic surfaces in 2024 and perhaps, simply perhaps, the 2024-2025 season may very well be the primary for use for some actual worldwide testing of the brand new floor.
Situation 2: when actuality units in
A extra possible state of affairs, no less than in my view, could be one the place following the primary full-on exams on the finish of 2024 they’ll want some variations that may set us again in time. Both in gear (footwear) 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 truly works and is secure simply earlier than the LA 2028 Video games. Which in my view needs to be the true aim for the superb ambition of a full transition to a non-irrigated hockey discipline.
I perceive there may be worth in pushing for an earlier deadline in getting issues performed. However as Adam Commens rightfully talked about the gamers, coaches and NA’s do want a assure that issues could be water-based if the gamers don’t really feel secure performing on the highest degree and pace we’ve come to anticipate from them.
