RSC Anderlecht selects high tech pitch for Constant vanden Stockstadium
30 mei 2007
From next season, newly crowned Belgian national champions RSC Anderlecht will be playing on a very special grass pitch. Natural grass turf reinforced with 20 million artificial grass fibres, the so-called Desso GrassMaster system will be installed in their Constant vanden Stockstadium.
The patented product is made by Desso Sports Systems in Dendermonde, Belgium. Anderlecht already had some experience of this system on their main training pitch. They also visited the stadiums of Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur to get additional feedback about other clubs experiences of Desso GrassMaster. Anderlecht's new training centre, comprising two newly constructed football halls, and six outdoor pitches also has Desso involvement. The investment in both projects has to secure the future of the club at top level.
General Manager Herman Van Holsbeeck endorses the importance of a high quality, durable pitch. "All the more essential because the home games of the reserves are also held in the Constant vanden Stockstadium, putting extra stress on the pitch. If we want to live up to our ambitions, both at a national and a European level, RSCA has to have a high quality pitch that is reliable in all weather conditions."
RSC Anderlecht follows in the footsteps of international top clubs such as Arsenal, Tottenham, Liverpool, AZ Alkmaar, Feyenoord and Denver Broncos. These clubs already play on a Desso GrassMaster system in their stadium.
The installation will be done in cooperation with Sportscape, a Belgian partner of Desso Sports Systems. The existing pitch is currently being removed and the computerised injection of the artificial grass fibres is planned to commence mid June. The first match on the new pitch will be held on the 28th of July.
