Excellence on the pitch: Vila Belmiro’s preparations for winter | OneFootball

To ensure that the pitch at Estádio Urbano Caldeira continues to offer the best playing conditions throughout June and July, Santos FC has begun a rigorous agronomic engineering schedule. With the arrival of colder weather, the metabolism and development of the natural grass base slow down. To overcome this climate challenge and maintain Vila Belmiro’s technical and visual excellence, a series of high-tech interventions is being applied. The process is carried out by World Sports, a company that has provided services to the Club since 1997. In addition to taking care of the pitch at Estádio Urbano Caldeira, it is also responsible for maintaining the fields at CT Rei Pelé and CT Meninos da Vila.

The main stages of the maintenance process are:

– Strategic Replanting: Uniformity in Every Square Meter

The foundation for a high-level match is a dense and safe pitch. For this reason, precise replanting is being carried out in the areas of the field subject to the greatest mechanical wear — such as the penalty areas (where goalkeeper movement is intense) and the players’ warm-up zones. This intervention ensures a level surface free of flaws, protecting the players and stabilizing traction in all areas of the field.

– Overseeding (Winter Seeding): The Secret to a Always-Green Pitch

To ensure that the field does not lose density as temperatures drop, overseeding with perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne) comes into play. This cool-season grass species is sown over the existing base, creating a thick cover that provides ideal cushioning and vibrant color. This stage makes it possible for the field to maintain its high sporting performance during the winter, preparing it for a perfect transition in the spring.

– Topdressing (Sand Covering): Leveling for Smooth Ball Roll

A fast, technical field, in the style of Santos FC, requires an impeccable surface. Topdressing consists of the precise application of a layer of specific sand over the grass. Its main objective is to eliminate the micro-unevenness caused by the impact of boot studs during matches, allowing the grass to grow evenly and ensuring that the ball rolls smoothly and without unwanted bounces.

– High-Tech Nutrition: Foliar Fertilization

During the colder months, traditional nitrogen fertilization is drastically reduced to prevent the appearance of fungal diseases in the turf. To make up for this lower amount of granular mineral fertilizers, the agronomic team uses cutting-edge foliar fertilizers, such as those from the ONE TURF line. This technology allows for fast, direct absorption through the leaves, keeping the plant healthy and nourished even under thermal stress.

– Daily Inspection and Maintenance: Continuous Care

The excellence of a football pitch is built on daily attention to detail. A highly trained team carries out constant maintenance that includes precise mowing, rigorous line marking, and daily technical inspections for preventive turf control. It is this daily clinical assessment that ensures the entire plan responds perfectly to the field’s needs throughout the year.

Data Monitoring and Performance Evaluation

The management of Santos FC’s pitch is data-driven. The success of this winter plan will be tracked through technical and objective performance indicators, measured every 15 days by the maintenance team. This data is recorded in standardized spreadsheets, allowing for quick decisions and ensuring that Vila Belmiro always provides the best stage for our athletes.

(Photos: Reinaldo Campos/Santos FC)

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇧🇷 here.