- Hurley field hockey
Top quality illumination for top teams of top club
Hurley was among the first Dutch hockey clubs to take advantage of government incentives aimed at reducing energy consumption. The Dutch Ministry of Economic Affairs encourages sports clubs to lower their energy usage to meet international climate goals. Unlike conventional lighting, dynamic LED floodlights consume significantly less energy.
By replacing traditional luminaires with 24 AAA-LUX WS 200 LED lights, Hurley achieves 500 lux illumination, meeting the Dutch Hockey Association’s (KNHB) standards. This upgrade not only reduces energy use but also enables further savings during lower-division matches and training through dynamic control options. Hurley saved 30% on illumination costs thanks to government incentives, available for installations since 2015.
THE FIRST STEP
Hurley Hockey Club is expanding its energy-efficient lighting plan, starting with the main field and adding two more fields this summer. “Once complete, all luminaires will be connected to a digital system for better control of dynamic field illumination,” says Mark Reinders.
The dynamic control system allows Hurley to further reduce energy consumption. “Ordinary LED fixtures cut energy use by up to 50% compared to conventional lighting,” explains AAA-LUX’s Henry van Overbeek. The in-house software enables flexible lighting scenarios, such as dimming for training sessions without compromising uniformity, saving energy while maintaining performance.
For hockey clubs like Hurley, this is a game-changer. “Unlike other sports, hockey fields are used frequently, but don’t always require top-quality illumination,” adds Van Overbeek. With LED lighting, clubs can adjust brightness to match the activity, leading to substantial energy savings. Hurley could reduce its total lighting energy consumption by up to 70%, a crucial saving for the club’s budget.
SUBSTANCIAL SAVINGS
Hurley Hockey Club saw its best season in years in 2015/2016, with both the men’s and women’s first teams achieving top results. Coach Simon Organ even nicknames their home ground “The House of Pain” due to its tough playing conditions. Striker Luuk van Duren credits the new LED lighting for enhancing evening game performance, saying, “We won key matches against Kampong and Oranje-Zwart, and I no longer struggle with visibility of high balls.” Defender Andrew Eversden highlights better visibility of small details and easier player distinction, especially against teams with similar uniform colors. “I can react faster, which makes a big difference,” he notes. Eversden’s prior experience with AAA-LUX LED lighting at Taunton Vale in England left a strong impression. “The quality here at Hurley matches what I experienced there. It’s no surprise that clubs in England and now in the Netherlands are opting for this superior illumination,” he adds. With the improved lighting, Hurley sets a strong example for other clubs considering LED upgrades.
NO INTERRUPTION
The LED lighting project at Hurley Hockey Club was expertly handled by OVI Enschede, a certified partner of AAA-LUX. AAA-LUX collaborates with a select group of trained partners to ensure high-quality installations. “Despite the challenge of replacing all fixtures, we managed to keep the fields illuminated by connecting the new LED lights to the existing infrastructure,” explains Willem Spin of OVI Enschede.
Hurley, one of the largest hockey clubs in the Netherlands, continued its evening practices without disruption. “We avoided any cancellations, which was crucial for our busy schedule,” notes Mark Reinders. The new LED system not only minimizes interruptions but is also expected to deliver significant energy savings and improved on-field performance, making the investment worthwhile.
