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A perfect collaboration for the future of hockey
In 2025 the first Edel Aero dry hockey fields have been installed in Montfoort, Steenwijk, Doetinchem, and The Hague. This collaboration between Edel Grass and Antea Sport is part of a national innovation process in led by NOC*NSF, KNHB, and VSG. The goal? To establish a uniform standard for dry hockey fields in The Netherlands that are safe, sustainable, and technically reliable.
The cause
Many hockey players in the Netherlands play on water-based fields because of the speed and playability. On these water-based fields, only drinking water is often used for irrigation to maximize their functionality.
“In our ongoing quest for sustainable innovations, reducing the use of clean drinking water is a key focus,” says Gosewin Bos, Director of Antea Sport. This desire aligns seamlessly with the wishes of the KNHB (Royal Dutch Hockey Federation), the innovation committee, and the FIH (International Football Association) to develop a so-called “dry variant” that offers the same playing experience, but without the addition of water.
The four pilot Edel Aero fields, developed by Edel Grass as Dry-to-Play™ surfaces and built by Antea Sport, form the practical basis for this innovation. The fields are used to map playing quality, maintenance, and sustainability at various levels of the sport.
Innovation procedure dry hockey
The pilots are part of an official dry hockey innovation procedure for the Netherlands. This aligns with the development of a new dry hockey category at FIH. This procedure, initiated by NOC*NSF, KNHB, and VSG, should lead to a clear scope and standard for the construction of dry hockey fields in the Netherlands.
“This procedure prevents from experimenting with unapproved products. Edel Grass complies with this. Within the innovation procedure, we tested everything: from construction to player experiences. This data is valuable to demonstrate a field is technically and practically sound. Only then an innovation can be implemented safely and clubs can choose for this development based on transparency,” says Frank Herbrink, Head of Marketing & Communications at Edel Grass.
The collaboration between Antea Sport and Edel Grass
Antea Sport has been working closely with Edel Grass for years, including the construction of these pilot fields. Gosewin Bos: “In the past, we’ve jointly developed groundbreaking innovations like the Edel Triple-T and the Edel ID water-based field system. Now, the Edel Aero – Dry-to-Play™ hockey system has been added. A logical continuation of this collaboration.” Edel Aero is designed to be playable without water while simultaneously approaching the speed and smoothness of a water-based field.
“Edel Grass has taken an important step towards sustainable hockey with Edel Aero,” adds Marco Leune, Project Manager Lift & Relay at Edel Grass. “Periodic inspections and player surveys show that the field is perceived as smooth and fast, even without water. It therefore offers an optimal and reliable hockey surface for players of all levels.”
The benefits of the dry hockey field
Edel Grass’ Edel Aero Dry-to-Play™ hockey fields combine durability, low maintenance costs, and high playing quality. Because they don’t require watering, they’re maintenance and environmentally friendlier.
The specific fiber structure and dense top layer create a stable, flat, and fast surface, allowing the ball to roll predictably and giving players a consistent playing experience, essentially comparable to a water-based pitch. Besides replacing older water-based pitches that already have a sprinkler system*, the system is ideal for replacing or improving sand-filled pitches for recreational and league level.
*Edel Aero is approved for both dry and wet applications. On main fields where a sprinkler system is already present, an Edel Aero system can also be used as a water-based field by sprinkling it.
Practical experiences
The four pilot pitches in Montfoort, Steenwijk, Doetinchem, and The Hague are generating valuable data. Perception surveys were conducted at two locations, with over one hundred player responses in total. The results show a predominantly positive picture: players particularly appreciate the speed, flatness, and ball control. Goalkeepers are slightly more critical, particularly regarding turning movements. This is a well-known challenge in dry field innovation, as water normally acts as a lubricant. Nevertheless, they also report a very playable pitch.
“Clubs are surprised by the difference in playing comfort,” says Bastiaan Buitehuis, project manager at Antea Sport. “In The Hague, an old sand field has been replaced by a dry hockey field, and players give the playing comfort an 8.4.”
Next step: from pilot to standard
In the coming period, the innovation committee will discuss the collected data and practical experiences. Based on this, the scope for dry hockey will be determined. A standardization process will then follow, establishing technical requirements and performance standards. This will bring the hockey world a major step closer to a sustainable, waterless field standard.
Building sustainable sports fields together
The dry hockey pilots demonstrate how collaboration accelerates innovation: the sports association, municipalities, installers, and manufacturers work together.
Concluded. The strength lies in the connection between the parties. Edel Grass and Antea Sport complement each other well. We know each other inside and out and are involved in several projects together. That’s why developing these pilot projects together is a great step towards the hockey field of the future!
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