The International Hockey Federation (FIH) is pleased to announce that it has become an affiliate member of the EMEA Synthetic Turf Council (ESTC), the central body for the European synthetic turf industry.
The affiliate membership enables FIH to interact directly with the synthetic turf industry, participating in the various ESTC knowledge forums and playing an active role in the drive towards more sustainable and durable surfaces.
ESTC Director General Stefan Diderich called the membership a ‘milestone' for both the synthetic turf industry and the international hockey fraternity, stating: “FIH and ESTC share the ambition of sustainable and durable synthetic turf fields that do not compromise on the affordability and game experience. Having FIH onboard will helping speed up the process, as ESTC represents the entire value chain for synthetic turf for different applications. FIH will certainly also benefit from knowledge gained or best practices observed in other synthetic turf applications that our members have achieved.”
Hockey, through the innovative leadership of the FIH, has over 40 years’ experience of playing on synthetic turf fields and now fully embraces this type of playing surface, using it for all high-level competitions. Looking to the future, the FIH is working with the synthetic turf industry to develop surfaces that perform as the sport desires, but without the need for watering them first.
Commenting on the FIH joining the ESTC, Jon Wyatt, FIH Sport and Development Director, said: "Playing on synthetic turf has made hockey the fast, exciting and technically skilful game now played by millions of people around the world. By joining the ESTC, the FIH will be able to strengthen its relationships with the European companies producing the surfaces needed for our sport. It will also help ensure that FIH is part of the debate as the discussions around sustainability, maximising opportunities and returns on investment as environmental considerations become ever more important."
Additional information about ESTC
ESTC is the industry association for the synthetic turf industry and has the vision to serve as the forum to promote, develop, grow and advocate for the synthetic turf industry.
ESTC is the Voice of the Industry and it aims to fulfil her role by means of close collaboration with all parties involved, being it members, end-users, sports governing bodies and legislators.
ESTC is focused on the region Europe, Middle East and Africa. By means of a partnership with STC in North America, ESTC helps its members realizing a global reach. On a local level, ESTC works closely together with local industry associations to accomplish her goals and objectives.
The strategy of ESTC can best be captured in the 4-pillar model, consisting of Advocacy, Education, Marketing and Networking.
The members are at the core of everything we do and are the driving force of the organization.
