FC Groningen experiences LED technology firsthand

Head Groundsman Rowin Jansen is excited about working with LED grow lighting technology

Rowin Jansen, Head Groundsman of FC Groningen.

Rowin Jansen was just 23 years old when he became Head Groundsman of the club he had always loved, FC Groningen. Suddenly, he wasn’t watching the games from the stands anymore but was standing on the pitch himself, though he has to leave the pitch before kick-off. Today, Rowin is responsible for one natural grass and three hybrid training pitches, as well as the 22,525-capacity stadium, the Euroborg. After an unexpected relegation in the 2022-2023 season, FC Groningen managed to immediately promote back to the Eredivisie last season. After some turbulent times, it’s time to look ahead to the future once again.

This is our second interview with Rowin. In our previous conversation, he shared his journey to becoming one of the youngest Head Groundsmen in the Eredivisie. This time, we discuss the challenges he faces at FC Groningen, his recent trial with LED grow lighting technology, and his deep passion for both his craft and the club.

The SGL LED35 and LU120 grow lights on the pitch of the Euroborg, stadium of FC Groningen.

80-meter-high towers

FC Groningen is ready for the future with Rowin Jansen, a young and talented groundsman with a deep love for the club. However, he is facing some challenges. “I have one colleague, but beyond that, we work with temporary workers. So, I would love to get some extra help.”

The Euroborg stadium and its surroundings presents its own set of challenges. “Next to our stadium are two residential towers, each 80 meters high, so you can imagine how much shadow that creates. Our backline on the side of the towers never gets any sunlight. We also have a quite overhanging roof from the stadium, so altogether, we’re dealing with a lot of shade. On a technical level, we are already using our maximum power supply around the pitch, which means we can’t use as much units as I would like. The club is looking for new possibilities to extend the power supply. But in the meanwhile, not having enough units means we can only treat part of the pitch with grow lights. So, we’re not dealing with the easiest situation.”

Experiencing LED grow lighting technology

Rowin is an ambitious professional who isn’t afraid to tackle challenges. Currently, he’s trialing an LED grow lighting unit to support his work and gain hands-on experience with LED technology. “I was really curious to work with this technology. And not just me, the stadium management was interested as well. It’s great to be able to demonstrate the results in our own stadium.”

“The results have far exceeded expectations! From a work perspective, it’s easy to handle and leaves minimal traces on the pitch. Quality-wise, I can already see a noticeable difference. The grass growth is impressive, but the strength is incredible! If you look at the photo below, where the grass had significant damage, it managed to grow back even stronger in just 11 days! It’s amazing to be able to repair the pitch like that, especially in a section that never gets sunlight.”

Data plays a supportive role in Rowin’s work, but he emphasizes the importance of the groundsman’s eye: “I think data helps confirm my gut feeling when making decisions. I primarily use it to review results and check if, for example, the heaters have been activated. One major advantage is that the insights from the SGL Portal help me explain my work to stadium management, particularly in terms of energy efficiency by showcasing results. I check the Portal very often, even when I’m on holiday, the grass doesn’t take a break when I’m not there of course.”

Passion & dedication

Ambitious as ever, Rowin was eager to show the Eredivisie this year that he’s capable of maintaining a top-quality pitch. The results of the yearly inspection by Sports Labs, in cooperation with the Dutch FA, proved the grounds team did a fantastic job again. Still, Rowin continues to strive for perfection: “Just like two years ago, we scored 203 out of the maximum 204 points. It stings a little that we didn’t get a perfect score, but very few clubs achieve such great results, so I’m very proud. We’re at the top of the country when it comes to the technical qualities of the pitch, though the looks could be a little better, I’d like it even greener, but I’m a perfectionist.”

Rowin speaks with great passion about his work as a groundsman and hopes to spread awareness about how rewarding this job is. “I want to get more people excited about this industry and promote the value of this craft. It’s such a great thing to do, and it’s extra special to help the club you love by doing what you love. FC Groningen has a special place in my heart, and I’d do anything for this club.”

Finally, being a groundsman does change the way you watch football. “When players knee slide here after a goal, it hurts a little. And when I turn on the television to watch football, I look at the pitch first, then which teams are playing, and lastly, the score. Always in that order.”