In conversation with Roy van der Weijden
Behind every well-lit padel court is a well thought-out set of technology, craftsmanship and experience. Roy van der Weijden, owner of electrical installation company Van der Weijden Installatietechniek, has been a trusted partner of Allesvoorpadel for many years. Together with his team, he ensures that our padel courts operate safely, smartly and optimally.
More than 40 years of experience in electricity
Roy has been in the business for over 41 years and knows electrical engineering like no other. “We actually do everything in the field of electricity,” he explains. “From new-build houses to renovations and data connections.” He brings this broad knowledge to his work for Allesvoorpadel, where he is responsible for connecting the lighting on the padel courts, among other things.
An average working day varies from project to project, but there is a clear guideline. “On average, we can connect about six complete lanes in one day. That's 24 light poles. But it still depends on the situation, weather and on-site preparation.”
From cable to smart control
Connecting padel courts goes beyond installing lights. Roy and his team also take care of laying cables, sometimes over hundreds of metres from the meter box to the courts. They also build switch boxes and integrate smart control systems.
For that smart technology, Roy works with Delft-based company Reset. “They supply systems that allow lighting to be fully automated,” he explains. “Think remote control, links to booking systems and even monitoring. If something goes wrong, it is signalled immediately.”
Whereas lighting used to be operated manually via a simple switch, today it is fully digitised. “That development has really gone fast in recent years,” he says.”
Safety and quality first
One of the main concerns with electrical installations is safety. “Earthing is essential,” Roy stresses. “That is the basis of a safe installation.”
In addition, the quality of the preparatory work also plays a major role. A common problem? Cables that are just too short. “I always say: rather 20 to 30 centimetres too long than too short. If a cable is too short, everything has to be redone. That causes unnecessary extra work and delays.”
According to Roy, the solution lies in clear communication and proper on-site monitoring. “Make sure everyone knows what needs to be done and that there is sufficient control. Then you will avoid these kinds of mistakes.”
Strong collaboration with Allesvoorpadel
Roy finds working with Allesvoorpadel very pleasant. “It is a professional team with good people. I have never had any unpleasant experiences.”
He says what works well is the clear planning and communication. “If everything is ready on site when we arrive, we can get straight to work. That makes the work efficient and enjoyable.”
He also appreciates the flexibility within the collaboration. “Sometimes I am told two days in advance that a job needs to be connected. Then I just make sure I'm there. In the end, it's all about a satisfied customer.”
Optimal lighting for the player
Good lighting is crucial to the playing experience. “There are set guidelines for the number of lumens that should fall on a court,” explains Roy. “The fixtures we use all meet these.”
Important in this is avoiding shadows. “With sufficient and well-placed lighting, the light overlaps, so you have virtually no shadow effect. Especially with fanatical players or matches, that really makes a difference.”
Keep developing
Electrical engineering continues to evolve, especially within the world of padel. Smart systems, automation and monitoring are playing an increasing role. “We are really moving towards fully automated installations,” says Roy.
The next generation
The work is also a valuable experience for intern Fabian. He is now five months in and is learning mainly in practice. “At school, you mainly work from books, but here you see how things are really done. You learn dexterity, pace and how to work smarter.”
Roy views his development with confidence. “He is picking up quickly and becoming more independent. That's great to see.”
Outlook
For the coming period, Roy and his team have some great projects lined up again. The project in Oss where team Allesvoorpadel is busy realising 2 indoor padel courts. In addition, maintenance work, such as replacing fixtures, remains an important part of the work.
With craftsmanship, experience and strong collaboration, Roy and Allesvoorpadel ensure that every track not only plays well, but is also technically correct to perfection. An indispensable link in every project.
