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Promotion places greater demands not only on the players, but also on the pitch
With promotion to the Belgian Second Amateur Division, Eendracht Aalst-Lede is preparing for a new chapter. Expectations are rising not only on the sporting side, but also when it comes to pitch quality. Yet there is far more behind a perfectly maintained green playing surface than regular mowing. Groundsman Cisse Tielemans knows better than anyone how much work, organisation and expertise are involved.
“Most people only see the end result,” says Tielemans. “But pitch management goes far beyond cutting grass. You have to move goals, check nets, mark out lines, maintain machinery and constantly plan ahead. Everything is connected.”
According to Tielemans, the impact of a well-maintained pitch is often underestimated. Players, coaches and supporters expect a perfect playing surface, but rarely consider the work required to achieve it. “You need to protect your match pitch,” he explains. “Training pitches are there to be used intensively, but a match pitch requires a different approach. That’s why planning and communication are so important. You need to know which pitches are being used, when fertiliser applications are scheduled and which maintenance operations are planned.”
Organisation becomes even more important as a club grows. Higher sporting ambitions inevitably translate into higher expectations in terms of playing quality and overall presentation.
To guarantee the quality of its pitches, Eendracht Aalst-Lede uses Selectline Ready Fit, Lumiforte’s ready-to-use line marking paint.
For Tielemans, the biggest advantage was immediately obvious. “The product is ready to use straight away. There’s no need to weigh or mix anything. Just open, pour and go. It saves time and eliminates the risk of mistakes.” He also values the support provided. “Whenever we have questions, we get a quick response. That level of involvement really makes a difference to me.”
That ease of use perfectly reflects the philosophy behind the product, explains Sophie Tielemans of Lumiforte: “With Selectline Ready Fit, we want to make life as easy as possible for grounds professionals. The paint is ready to use, delivers consistent quality and also offers exceptionally low consumption.”
According to Lumiforte, efficiency remains a crucial factor for clubs looking to keep maintenance budgets under control. “Ultimately, it’s all about the cost per pitch,” says Sophie Tielemans. “With ten litres of paint, you can comfortably mark out two to two and a half football pitches. That makes the product not only user-friendly, but also highly attractive in terms of value for money.”
The formula has also recently been further optimised to achieve even greater brightness and whiteness. This ensures highly visible lines without increasing product consumption.
For the groundsman at Eendracht Aalst-Lede, however, one factor remains decisive: the people behind the pitch. “A golden tip for good pitch management? Plenty of enthusiasm,” he laughs. “You have to enjoy it. A great pitch doesn’t happen by itself.” He also believes clubs need greater awareness of pitch management. Coaches and players can make a significant contribution by using training areas intelligently and avoiding unnecessary wear on vulnerable parts of the surface. “The pitch is every bit as important as the coaching staff or the physical performance team. Together, all these elements ultimately determine the quality of performance.”
Lumiforte is also focused on the future. Alongside further product optimisation, the company is currently developing innovative solutions for the rapidly growing artificial turf market. “The next generation of artificial turf pitches is evolving rapidly,” says Sophie Tielemans. “We are currently developing a dedicated paint solution for these applications, ensuring durable and clearly visible line marking in that segment as well.” Meanwhile, for Cisse Tielemans, the essence remains unchanged. When thousands of supporters attend Second Amateur Division matches in the coming season, he knows exactly what he will look at first. “If the grass is a healthy green, the lines are crisp and bright white, and everything looks well cared for, then I’m happy. That’s what it’s all about in the end.”
