HCQZ (Hockey Club Quick-ZOW) or QZ is a hockey club from The Netherlands that has its home in the southwest  region of Nijmegen at Staddijk Sports Park. The club emphasizes an atmosphere of teamwork, involvement, engagement, and solidarity for each of its players, fostering sportsmanlike athletes.  The club was officially founded in 2006 after a long-discussed merger that brought together the Mixed Hockey Club Quick (formerly known as Nijmeegsche Ladies Hockey Club Quick) and MHV ZOW to encompass 650 hickey members.

This summer we had the opportunity to work with our partners at Sallandse United to install our synthetic turf in HCQZ’s wet field.  Our artificial grass is engineered and tested to offer a superior playing surface by offering greater speed and precision.  Our hockey turf gives a flat, fast surface with lower friction, free moving fibers for footing and stick movements, and technical accuracy for consistent ball roll and rebound.  This means that the teams of HCQZ will compete on a professional hockey system that will allow them to play at their best.

The official grand opening of the field for the fall 2017 season will be on September 2nd.

From 2012-2016 there has been one single surface that has seen the most professional football games played on it-the S5.  It’s 350 matches within this time frame lends to the dependability of synthetic turf for player safety and performance.  It’s only when athletes are confident in the tools they are given that they can excel.  For fans, this means great football.  With preseason in full swing and just 16 days until the 2017 season kickoff, we though what better way to celebrate artificial grass then look at the NFL’s top plays on our surface from 2016.

10. Jets Fumble and Recovery

This week 4 play with the New York Jets and the Seattle Seahawks left most players looking around confused on the field.  The Seahawks were able to block a throw from quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick, but that didn’t stop Charone Peake from scooping the ball and running straight to the in zone.  Both teams were startled and confused, letting Peake run straight for the touchdown without anyone stopping him.

9.  Brandin Cooks 98-Yard Touchdown

It was the first week of the NFL season when Brandon Cooks surprised both Saints and Raiders fans with this touchdown.  The Saints were leading 17-10 in the third quarter starting off a play at 1st and 10 with the ball in their hands.  Quarterback Drew Brees threw the ball right into Cooks hands, allowing him to continue running full speed towards the in zone.

8. Cordarrelle Patterson’s 104-yard kickoff Return Touchdown

This play is an exceptional example of an entire team working together perfectly.  The Cardinals kicked off the third quarter with a punt straight into the arms of Cordarrelle Patterson.  Patterson immediately took off, weaving in between the Cardinal’s defense as the Vikings blocked many that came close to him.  After the 40-yard line, Patterson had a straight 60-yard sprint to the in zone.

7. Willie Snead’s Wide Open 50-Yard Pass

During week 12 of the 2016 season, running back Tim Hightower found himself wide open during a 4th quarter play.  Quarterback Drew Brees handed off the ball to wide receiver Willie Snead, who saw the running back completely unguarded.  The perfect pass led to a touchdown for the Saints.

6. Odell Beckham Jr.’s Stiff Arm

It was week 3 and the Giants were playing the Redskins at home at the MetLife Stadium.  Near the beginning of the 4th quarter, ODJ made a reaching one-armed catch with little space then caught Josh Norman off guard with a spin move past him.  During this move, Beckham Jr. also put the stiff arm to Norman’s face mask, block him from following.

5. Vikings Interception Against Packers

This 4th quarter interception by Trae Waynes solidified the Vikings defeat over the Packers.  With 1:50 left on the clock and a score of 13-17 in favor of Minnesota, the Packers were running out of time to make a comeback.  Waynes’ interception meant that the Vikings could maintain their lead to win the game.

4. Cooks and Brees 87-yard Touchdown

Following this duo’s week 1 98-yard touchdown, Brandon Cooks and Drew Brees follow up in week 6 with an 87-yard touchdown.  This perfect first quarter pass from Brees to Cooks was the Saints second touchdown of the game, making the Saints lead 13-0 over the Carolina Panthers.

3. Jets’ Trick Play and Bilal Powell Touchdown

This second-quarter play started like  an ordinary play with a pass to wide reciever Brandon Marshall.  The Jets took the Rams off guard by flipping the ball back to Bilal Powell where he was able to run straight into the in zone.  This touchdown helped the New York Jets take a 6-3 lead over of Los Angeles Rams.

2. Xavier Rhodes’ 100-Yard Interception and Touchdown

This record setting play during the 11th week of the 2016 NFL season, the Minnesota Vikings raised their 13-10 lead to a 19-10 lead over the Arizona Cardinals.  The Cardinals were 3rd and Goal when Xiavier Rhodes cut in front of his man, intercepted the pass, and took off towards the Viking’s in zone.  Outrunning everyone else on the field, Rhodes completed a 100-yard touchdown,

1. Odell Beckham Jr.’s Game-Winning Touchdown

In the final 2 minutes of the final quarter against the Ravens, ODJ makes a cut inside-causing the Ravens CB and SS to collide.  Left wide open, OBJ catches the pass, cuts around the Raven’s last defender, and runs into the in zone.  This play was followed by ODJ’s iconic proposal to the net.

American-based manufacturer completes installation of the latest artificial grass technology for iconic New Orleans stadium.

Austin, TX- Act Global was chosen as the manufacturer and installer of turf for the SMG managed Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans. The surface has recently been installed and is ready for the upcoming NFL preseason game between New Orleans Saints and Houston Texans on August 26.

As Louisiana’s premier sports and entertainment venue for the past 42 years, the stadium is rich in social and cultural history. It is best known for hosting the New Orleans Saints, seven Super Bowls and the annual college Allstate Sugar Bowl and the R & L Carriers New Orleans Bowl. In addition, the historic Bayou Classic matching Southern University against Grambling State University will be played on November 25. As such, the Mercedes-Benz Superdome requires a turf surface that can meet the rigor and performance demands of the top pro and college players.

The synthetic turf by Act Global is engineered and tested to offer a superior playing surface for the players. This proven methodology includes a wide range of quality and durability checks, biomechanical measurements and surface testing. “Act Global is honored to have been selected by such a well-respected organization,” comments Act Global CEO John Baize. “We are impressed by the amazing professionals at the stadium who demand the best for their teams. We are committed to staying at the forefront of player safety and performance for the Mercedes-Benz Superdome and all our clients. Every player is important and our purpose is to serve their playing needs.”

Despite the fact that third-generation turf has been tested for over 20 years, there are still many myths about artificial turf. Many of the following myths originated in the 1960s, when the first primitive types became popular. Since then, the industry has seen rapid technological advances, backed up with scientific studies on the safety and efficacy of synthetic turf. Here are six of the most persistent myths and the truth behind the claims.

Myth 1: Turf is Only for Sports

Truth: Turf is used to replace natural grass in yards, pool areas, rooftop decks, commercial and event spaces, and more.

Most people first heard of artificial turf when professional sports leagues started to adopt the surface in the 1960s and 1970s. However, now that the technology behind the surface is even more advanced, artificial turf is also popular in residential and commercial spaces. More and more homeowners are turning to synthetic turf for an easy-to-maintain lawn that looks good every day of the year. Businesses are using turf in landscaping. Airports have increasingly adopted turf as a safer surface technology for safe-zone areas around runways and taxiways.

Myth 2: Turf is Bad for the Environment

Truth: Artificial grass is non-toxic, uses less water and reduces your carbon footprint.

Turf does not use herbicides, pesticides or fertilizers. Unlike traditional grass, turf uses much less water. For example, if a high school installs a 100-yard football field, it could save up to 1 million gallons of water per year just from the reduction in watering. The football field would use up to 20,000 recycled tires for infill, saving the tires from sitting in a landfill. Similarly, switching to a fake grass lawn will save the average homeowner 100,000 gallons of water each year. Synthetic turf also does not need to be mowed, reducing both noxious emissions and grass clippings. The EPA reports that a push mower emits as much pollution in one hour as 11 cars and a riding mower emits as much as 34 cars.

Myth 3: Rubber Infill is Not Safe

Truth: Rubber infill, often referred to as “crumb rubber”, is not toxic.

Crumb rubber is made from pulverized tires. When turf with rubber infill was first introduced, it was heavily scrutinized by health researchers. Hundreds of independent studies have verified that rubber infill does not pose a health risk to people or pets. Studies have focused on toxicities from possible ingestion, inhalation and dermal contact, but no links between rubber infill and cancer or disease have been found. For more information about the safety of rubber infill, visit the Synthetic Turf Council’s research page.

Myth 4: Turf Causes More Injuries

Truth: Turf actually reduces the number of impact injuries.

Studies conducted using the new generation of fake grass demonstrate that there is no greater injury risk from playing sports on synthetic surfaces. Studies from Sweden and Norway which followed players over a four to five year period found the injury rate is no greater on artificial turf. Studies conducted by soccer’s governing body, FIFA, also found little difference in the incidence, nature and cause of injuries observed in games played on turf versus games played on natural grass.

Myth 5: All Turf Looks Alike

Truth: Turf comes in many different varieties, and the quality is dependent on the manufacturer.

Artificial turf comes in a variety of styles for location, performance and budget.

Myth 6: Turf is Too Hot to Play On

Truth: Turf temperature is not too warm to play safely on.

Turf temperature is on average higher than natural grass. Watering the fields can lower the temperature by about 10 degrees Fahrenheit. While old reports suggested that field temperatures could reach 200 degrees, these reports were faulty. The most recent research on field temperatures suggests that at two feet above the surface, the average temperature differential between artificial grass and natural grass is four degrees. At five feet above the surface, the temperature difference is less than one degree. Act Global’s synthetic grass is engineered to withstand extreme temperatures, giving a playing field a lush green look year-round.

Last week we kicked off work with Vescio’s Sports to renovate the University of Kentucky’s soccer practice field, and our installation crew is doing an awesome job.

The amount of time a college athlete spends on their practice field each week is substantial.  The practice field is a place of learning new moves and attempting new plays.  It’s where mistakes are acceptable.  At Act Global, we want athletes to have the power to make mistakes without getting injured.  We believe in providing the Wildcats with a surface that has been engineered to perform with them,  giving these athletes the confidence to not have to think about their safety while training.

We’re excited to have the opportunity to work with Vescio’s Sports to bring our synthetic turf to Kentucky soccer.  Our base work partner has helped us lay some pristine fields for us in the past, and we know this install will be no different.