Hasselt (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – Raw Stadia from Hasselt launched a data system giving groundskeepers real-time advice on pitch quality. Pro League introduces Pitch HUB to share tips; Tristan Selis highlights player-simulating technology.
As VRT News reported, Hasselt-based company Raw Stadia has created a new data system to help Belgian professional football clubs improve their pitch quality. The Pro League presented a pitch management manual at Anderlecht’s stadium. The manual sets minimum standards for pitch quality that all clubs in the Jupiler Pro League and the Challenger Pro League must follow.
“You get immediate feedback on what needs to be done with the field.”
Tristan Selis
What can Hasselt’s Raw Stadia system do for grass and artificial turf pitches?
Raw Stadia’s system combines special hardware and data analysis to give clear advice to groundskeepers.
“We provide clubs with equipment that simulates player movements,”
says Tristan Selis of Raw Stadia.
“We drop weight onto the pitch, and the data shows parameters like hardness, moisture, grass density, and wear. This gives immediate feedback on what actions are needed, such as aeration or hardening.”
Groundskeepers can use the system to follow precise instructions for pitch maintenance.
The Pro League is launching the Pitch HUB, a new platform designed for grounds managers to share knowledge, experiences, and practical tips. The goal is to give more recognition to the profession of pitch care and to speed up the professionalisation of pitch management across Belgian football.
Although the manual focuses on natural grass, clubs with artificial turf are not affected for now. STVV, which plays on artificial turf at Stayen, continues without changes. Team manager Peter Delorge says the artificial pitch poses no issues for the club.
“STVV adapts well to the conditions, and the artificial turf at Stayen can even provide a tactical advantage,”
Delorge explains.
The stadium has a brand-new artificial turf pitch, which has received FIFA approval. Artificial pitches are inspected less often than natural grass. They are typically checked once a year before the season starts to ensure they meet international standards and provide a consistent playing surface.
In 2023, the Royal Belgian Football Association (RBFA), together with the Pro League, launched a nationwide initiative to standardise the quality of football pitches across Belgium. The project aimed to ensure that all professional clubs, whether playing on natural grass or artificial turf, maintained high-quality playing surfaces.
Detailed guidelines for pitch maintenance were introduced, and regular inspections were implemented to monitor conditions and guarantee consistent standards. Hasselt-based company Raw Stadia contributed to the initiative by providing advanced technological tools that track and analyse the impact of pitches on player performance.
