Sports Technology

Sydney's ANZ Stadium has unveiled a new arena lighting system designed to significantly improve turf growth during the harsh winter months.

The system, from the Netherlands-based Stadium Grow Lights, consists of mobile lighting grids which sit above the playing surface. ANZ Stadium has invested in six large units (each giving 360 metre2 coverage) and two small units (each giving 18 metre2).

As ANZ Stadium Chief Executive Daryl Kerry explains "the combination of high traffic and poor weather during the winter months places enormous strain on any surface.

"ANZ Stadium made a decision to invest in Grow Light technology to assist maintaining our standing as the premier sports venue in Australia. The technology is proven technology which allows us to provide a world class playing surface all year around and specifically during the demanding winter months.

"Being able to grow grass in a Stadium environment fast enough to compensate for the enormous amount of wear and tear is the most critical factor in being able to present a world class playing surface.

"While in the past weâve been able to control some growth factors, we havenât been able to control all of them. So introducing artificial lighting now provides us with an ability to control all of the key growth factors which include light, temperature, water, air and nutrients thus creating optimal growing conditions.

"The lights are linked to a central computer or analyzer which records all of the climatic conditions and growth factors and monitors the length of time each area of the pitch is under the lights. This information is then used by our ground staff to determine which areas of the playing surface need additional light, water or nutrients."

Grow Light Technology has been successfully adopted by some of worldâs leading stadia including Cardiff's Millennium Stadium, London's Twickenham and Melbourneâs Etihad Stadium.

For more information contact SGL B.V. on +31 79 593 3801, E: info@sglconcept.com, www.sglconcept.com