The ArenA through the eyes of our field manager: Roy van Dijk

Since Roy van Dijk was 15 years old, he's been working on the pitch of the Johan Cruijff ArenA. He got to do an internship here twice for his education, which he enjoyed. 'I could be found at the ArenA whenever I had an hour off from school.' He got his first experience with grass at a golf court, and enjoyed being able to make people have a good time with the grass, but didn't have affinity for the golf world. So he got to the ArenA via his mentor, where he holds the title of Fieldmanager at just 24 years old. And a lot of things happen at his job.

Optimal

As Fieldmanager, or groundsman, Van Dijk makes sure the pitch is always in its most optimal state. Together with his team he takes care of the maintenance of the pitch around the match days and on match days it's his job to have a pitch in its best state. Tasks like mowing and feeding the grass come look around the corner, but also the moving of lamps and ventilators, checking the weather, and something that keeps getting a bigger role: data.

Innovation

Together with Henk van Raan of the Johan Cruijff ArenA, Van Dijk takes an innovative approach to figuring out how the pitch can get in a better state and which data helps to get there. Some of this data gets collected through the sensors that have been placed below the grass. 'With data you can see things before they happen. It helps me make decisions.' Van Dijk knows for example if the grass needs to be heated or rained on, all because of data.

Passion

Real passion is needed for this job, considering Van Dijk works overtime quite a lot. He's had this passion since he started here as an intern. 'I had the drive to be working here and make the most out of it. That's how I got hired as an employee. Doing more, knowing more, experiencing a lot.' Van Dijk believes that this passion is needed for the work. 'You really need to be passionate about the grass and the world aorund it. A good fieldmanager needs passion for the football world, being able to handle comments, pressure and wanting to work late at night, but also a passion for taking care of the grass.'

The late nights show what Van Dijk is willing to give to take care of the pitch. 'You've got to give it all you've got, of course. It's not a 9-to-5 job. You're focused on it day and night. It's long days, and you can't just do nothing for one day.' During all that hours that Van Dijk is working with his team, they're all attentive to their own and each other's work. 'Our team is very critical. I think it only has positive impact on the quality because of that.'

Special moments

When asked if Van Dijk has had a special day in the Johan Cruijff ArenA, he says he's only had beautiful days. 'You kind of go from one special moment to the next.' He mentions how amazing he found the fact that in just a few days, the biggest dj's were performing on the pitch during AMF, and after that thousands of people saw a Champions League match happen on that same pitch. 'You work on realising that together with your team.'

Teamwork

The way Van Dijk works together with his colleagues is important to him. 'Without them I'm nothing. There's a big group of people who are ready to help us when we need them to.' The maintenance team of the pitch works together with advisors, colleagues from golf courses, and the Johan Cruijff ArenA. The volunteers who help prepare the pitch at each match, can also not be missed. 'I'm so happy with them', Van Dijk says, 'With the volunteers we're faster and the collaboration works beautifully. It's also a unique day for them to experience a match like that.'

Assistent Fieldmanager

There are volunteers who help the maintenance team of Van Dijk at every match, and last September the Johan Cruijff ArenA, together with the KNVB and Heineken, was able to give someone the chance to be an Assistant Fieldmanager for a day. The lucky winner was Sylvia, and Van Dijk looks back to this day with a big smile. 'That was genuinely such a nice initiative. I was really happy that Sylvia was actually interested in everything.' Sylvia got to spend the day of the Netherlands - Belgium match with Van Dijk and got to mark the centre spot and place the corner posts. 'I've seen her walk around all day with a big smile on her face.'

Curious how the whole day was? Click here to look back.

Goal

It's very obvious that Van Dijk does this job because he enjoys it and wants to prepare a good pitch not just for the players, but for the supporters as well. 'Our real goal, I think, is that when the stadium opens and 55.000 people walk in, the first thing they say, whether it's concious or just a small remark, that the pitch is looking well.' The most important thing according to Van Dijk is that the supports, together with the Johan Cruijff ArenA, Ajax and the Dutch national team, are satisfied with the pitch.

Dream

In the nine years that Van Dijk has been mowing the grass the right way, a number of great football players have visited, which he enjoys. He does however still think about who he'd have liked to see play on the grass. 'The dream would've been if Johan Cruijff could play here in the Johan Cruijff ArenA, but sadly that's not going to happen.'

Curious to know more?

Working at the Johan Cruijff ArenA has been a great experience for Roy van Dijk for years. Curious to see what other employees do daily or are you interested in applying for a job? Click here to go to all our blog and news items and here to see all our vacancies.