Interview: Rico Graf, Project Manager Artificial Turf, Polytan
The world’s most experienced hockey turf installer.
Can you tell me ABOUT your current job?
I have been a project manager for artificial turf since 2018. A big part of this role is training our installation crews to continually improve quality. I also support new partners, for example, I was recently in the Czech Republic helping train a new installer.
In 2023 we set up the Polytan Competence Centre, where I am responsible for all aspects of artificial turf systems. Our team, led by Wolfgang Emons, provides support in product development, initial installations, and training for our installation teams and customers worldwide whenever it comes to artificial turf and artificial surfaces for outdoor use. So, I am familiar with our colleagues in EMEA, the Americas and Asia Pacific and the kinds of turf we have in each market.
Rico on the tools, laying the hockey turf in Bangaldesh
When did your career in this industry begin?
I grew up in East Germany, trained as a carpenter and then started my Master's degree. After fleeing the GDR via Hungary in August 1989, I found a job with Poligras.
At first, I cut out patterns for catalogues and glued them together. Later, I was offered a job in one of the assembly teams. That's how I started. It was late 1989.
I worked for Poligras for about six years. Then, in the 1990s, Balsam bought Poligras. After that, I worked for a few companies in Germany, and in 1998 I joined Polytan, where I’ve been ever since.
“I’m very satisfied when we’ve installed a turf and I can see how excited people are and what a positive impact it has. It’s very rewarding - I really do think that we make sport.”
This means you have been working with Poligras for 35+ years?
Yes, it’s amazing to think I started out with Poligras, and all these years later I'm still working on Poligras hockey turfs as part of Polytan. Of course, when we started, Poligras wasn’t just hockey turf — we did a lot of football turf as well under the brand.
When did you install your first hockey turf?
My first hockey pitch installation was in Stuttgart in November 1989, and my second hockey job was in Hong Kong.
And are you really the most experienced hockey turf installer in the world?
That’s probably correct. I’ve installed more than 300 hockey turfs over the years.
I’ve been all over the hockey world, including Argentina, Malaysia, Russia, Bangladesh, China, the USA, Singapore, South Africa, and across Europe. I’ve been to India at least 20 times for hockey projects.
The Estadi Olimpic, Terrassa, Calalonia hosted the FIH Hockey Women’s World Cup 2022 on a Poligras Platinum GT turf
Which major hockey events have you been involved in?
I’ve installed turfs for many top events, including Champions Trophies and European Cups. I worked on the team for the 2016 Rio Olympics and the 2024 Paris Olympics. I couldn’t go to Tokyo because of COVID.
My first World Cup turf was the 2006 World Cup in Mönchengladbach, and more recently I worked on the turfs for the 2022 World Cup, which was played in Terrassa and at the Wagener Stadium in Amsterdam.
For the 2026 World Cup, I’ll be in Belgium and the Netherlands working on the turfs.
You have been in the industry for a long time. What gives you satisfaction?
I'm very satisfied when we’ve installed a turf and I can see how excited people are and what a positive impact it has. It’s very rewarding - I really do think that we make sport.
We want to create surfaces that allow athletes to perform at their best, so seeing this in person or on TV is very satisfying. I do feel proud to be part of a team that delivers Olympic and World Cup quality, from R&D and production to installation.
The Paris 2024 Olympics featuring Poligras Paris GT zero
What changes in turf have you seen in your time?
Hockey turf has improved a lot since the early 90s. Right now, I think the dry hockey turf technology is very good. It’s great for the sport to play with less or no water.
What makes for a great hockey turf installation?
You need a good turf, which we have with Poligras. The crew must also be skilled, especially in gluing or stitching. Not many people are good at sewing turf.
But the base layer is crucial. I spend a long time making sure it’s as flat as possible. It takes a lot of skill and experience to create a base layer that can match the speed and precision hockey requires.
Do you have any turf projects that stand out?
Transforming rugby stadiums in London and Dublin into hockey venues using our Big Stadium Hockey turf system was definitely a highlight.
The relocation of the training ground for the 2005 Champions Trophy in Chennai, India, was also unforgettable. We had half the turf down when the nearby river flooded and the field was 1.5 meters underwater. After the water receded, the local crew brought in elephants to help pull the turf rolls back into place!
Flooding at the Champions Trophy n Chennai, 2005
Big Stadium Hockey
Did you work on the turf for the 2025 EuroHockey Championships?
Yes, I’ve installed turf at the SparkassenPark in Mönchengladbach several times. I went back there just before the 2025 event to install a mini pitch for the German Hockey Federation, which will be used for kids’ hockey. So that is elite hockey plus kids’ hockey... we make sport!
Airhockey for children in the FanZone atthe 2025 EuroHockey Championshis