The is home to FC SWISS ROLL A new installation marks the second club to switch to synthetic turf

he Stockhorn Arena, located in Thun, , has been outfitted with a synthetic playing surface from Polytan. The stadium, home to Swiss SuperT League soccer team FC Thun, installed a LigaTurf RS Pro II CoolPlus system in June 2016. The synthetic turf system is certified by soccer’s governing body as a FIFA Quality Pro surface –

TURF TALK which means the stadium is now eligible for» international Taking fixtures. control Daktronics’The Alpine weather Show Controlconditions System typical is an easy- of theto-use Bernese software Oberland for event region production were a that majortakes factor advantage when selecting of the thecompany’s pitch powerful system.media During players the winterand image months, processors. Show frequent,Control heavy integrates snowfall with is common, a wide variety of live anddata the andclearing statistics of the pitchproviders, has proved offering a single to controlbe damaging solution to natural for digital turf surfaces. displays. The Polytan’s LigaTurf RS Pro software consists of two programmes. Firstly, Synthetic surfaces are able to tolerate II CoolPlus sports system Content Studio, which allows users to quickly far greater mechanical stress, while the (Below) The surface is and easily combine multiple images, videos, reduction in care and maintenance FIFA Quality Pro-certified costsanimations that artificial and turf text offers with real-timeproved data attractivethrough to athe simple club. The click-and-drag service life functionality. offeredThis createsby the Polytan engaging surface presentations also that can operators. The installation marks the appealedbe instantly to the installersformatted of forthe seamlessnew delivery second Swiss Super League stadium to pitchto any– the display decision connected to opt for synthetic to the network. switch to synthetic turf – the Stade de turfAnd enables secondly, three teams Display to train Studio, and which is Suisse in , home to BSC Young Boys, playdesigned at the stadium to make throughout display the control quick, easy has featured a LigaTurf RS Pro CoolPlus year,and and intuitive the LigaTurf by providing RS Pro II CoolPlus a user-friendly surface (also FIFA Quality Pro-certified) cameinterface recommended that is customisable by other stadium to maximise since 2014. n

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The University of Johannesburg’s UJSportslabs maintenance course ON COURSE A variety of international gatherings offers a specialist provider the chance to share knowledge and experience

ports surface specialist SMG program offers an internationally was invited to participate in recognized industry standard for all a number of international aspects of the sport. Held in Amman, seminars and courses during Jordan, the seminar outlined the FIFA 2016, underlining the broad program for attendees, before a field Sscope of the company’s role within the session presented examples of turf industry. Not only does SMG provide maintenance equipment. SMG brought SMG meeting with equipment to clients around the world, its SportChamp and TurfCare products industry personnel but as a member of several associations, from a partner company based in Israel the company’s representatives are often to demonstrate to attendees. invited to share their expertise with At the University of Johannesburg’s again, the company also showcased its sporting governing bodies. UJSportslabs maintenance course, held product portfolio to visitors. In July of 2016, SMG took part in a in October, SMG managing director and At the 2016 International Hockey FIFA maintenance seminar on the body’s owner Tobias Owegeser was invited to Federation’s Quality Programme for Quality Programme for Football Turf. The be one of the event’s speakers. Once Hockey Turf, which took place in Dubai in early November, SMG demonstrated its SportChamp machinery. Once again, Owegeser was invited to speak to the event attendees on the maintenance of hockey turf. For SMG, these opportunities represent a chance to not only supply equipment to those working in the sports surface industry, but also to share the benefit of the company’s extensive experience. “Approximately 85% of SMG quotes are for export,” says Owegeser. “It’s our duty to help in the promotion Industry events are a chance of good synthetic sports surfaces. Our for SMG to share its expertise slogan – ‘Passion for sports ground’ – is not without meaning.” n

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