Green Oasis Amidst Drought: How OH Leuven Keeps Its Pitch Pristine

While much of Belgium grapples with a severe drought, the football pitch at Den Dreef, home to OH Leuven, remains a vibrant, lush green. This is a stark contrast to the parched lawns typically seen across Flanders during dry spells. The club's commitment to maintaining an immaculate playing surface has earned them the Pro League's award for best pitch an impressive four times.

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There's just a bit more to it than just mowing the grass.

Operational director Peter Onkelinx highlighted the intensive work of the groundskeeping team, led by British groundsman Luke Russell. Russell reportedly walks 40,000 to 60,000 steps daily, meticulously tending to the grass. The club employs advanced technology to measure the grass's softness, thickness, and impact on player physiology, ensuring it meets UEFA's high standards.

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Our boys have worked very hard over the past 7 weeks.

Despite technological investments and a structural partnership with KU Leuven, Den Dreef takes precautions against the drought. Last year, water-permeable HYDRO-concrete slabs were installed in the visitor parking area to improve rainwater infiltration. Watering remains essential, and the club has previously received exceptions to watering bans during dry periods, citing player well-being and safety. The use of a specific grass seed blend, common in southern European countries like France and Spain, reflects an adaptation to changing climate conditions.

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So we use a tool to measure whether the grass is equally soft everywhere, has the same thickness, what the reflection is, and what effect the field has on the players' muscles.