The progress in the quality of the stadium pitch of PEC Zwolle becomes immediately evident when you plot the results of the VVCS competitions for the best stadium pitch in the two highest Dutch football leagues for the past few years. Ever since the synthetic turf field was replaced by a natural turf surface, the pitch has taken the sports world by storm. With his statement that “The highest Dutch football league should only be played on turf surfaces,” Meiberg expresses the feelings of many. In addition to maintaining 180 sports fields in the Zwolle region, he has been caring for the PEC Zwolle stadium pitch for the past 23 years. “I understand very well why some professional clubs have opted for synthetic turf in the stadium in the past. However, looking back to the 13 years that PEC Zwolle played on synthetic turf, what really stands out to me is how much time and energy is spent in defending ourselves against criticism or fear and prejudice about injuries.” These days, he is energized by statements made by players such as Younes Namli. The latest PEC Zwolle sign-up had the option to follow Ronaldo, Neymar or Wijnaldum to the Middle East, but opted for a return to PEC Zwolle. Namli has fully acknowledged that PEC Zwolle replacing its synthetic turf with natural turf increased his enthusiasm to sign up again.