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One of the most common questions we hear from sports clubs is:

Do we need an Internet connection to control our sports lighting properly?

The answer is no

Sports lighting can be controlled in several different ways, from a simple manual switch to a fully connected smart control system. The right solution depends on the size of the facility, how the club operates, whether members need to control the lights themselves and how much automation the club wants.

With BEM Connect, clubs can choose the level of control that suits them — and add more features as their facility develops.

Three Ways to Control Sports Lighting

1. Standard Local Control

The simplest solution is a conventional local control system.

This can include:

• Manual switches

• Contactors for switching lighting circuits or zones

• 24-hour or astronomical timers

• Photocells that respond to daylight levels

• Separate switching for different areas of a facility

These systems do not require broadband, Wi-Fi or mobile data.

They remain a practical solution for many clubs, particularly where a groundsman, caretaker or committee member is responsible for switching the lights on and off.

2. Web-Based Smart Control

For clubs that want greater automation and flexibility, BEM Connect can provide online control through a phone, tablet or computer.

Members can use their phone to select the court, pitch or facility they want to use and activate the lighting for the required period.

Depending on the system, clubs can also introduce features such as:

• Remote lighting control

• Virtual token or pay-to-play systems

• Booking integration

• Energy monitoring

• Usage information

• Fault notifications

• Multiple lighting zones

• Facility management

• Membership and payment integration

For larger facilities, managers can also monitor and control their lighting remotely rather than having to be physically on site.

3. BEM Connect Local QR Control — No Broadband Required

This is where BEM Connect offers clubs another option.

You can have smart, member-controlled lighting without requiring permanent broadband at the facility.

A member uses the BEM Connect website on their phone to select the court or facility and purchase or use their lighting time.

The phone then generates a unique QR code.

The member simply holds the phone in front of the BEM Connect scanner installed at the facility.

The system recognises the authorised QR code and activates the appropriate lighting.

No broadband connection is required at the scanner.

This gives clubs the convenience of member-controlled lighting while avoiding the need to rely on an Internet connection at the point of use.

How it works

1. Select: The member selects the court, pitch or facility on their phone.

2. Activate: The member selects the required lighting time or uses their available tokens.

3. Scan: A QR code is displayed on their phone.

4. Play: The QR code is scanned at the facility and the lights activate.

The lights can be configured to operate for a predetermined period, with additional time available where required.

Why Choose Smart Lighting Control?

Traditional lighting systems often rely on someone being physically present to operate the switches.

That can work perfectly well — but it can also create unnecessary administration.

For example, a club may have to arrange for someone to:

• Open the clubhouse

• Switch the lights on

• Switch different courts or pitches

• Check that the lights are turned off afterwards

• Deal with members who arrive outside normal opening hours

• Monitor whether facilities are actually being used

BEM Connect can automate much of this process.

Members can control their own lighting, while the club retains control over how the system operates.

This can help clubs:

• Reduce manual administration

• Prevent lights being left on unnecessarily

• Increase facility utilisation

• Give members greater flexibility

• Introduce pay-to-play or pay-to-use facilities

• Monitor usage

• Reduce unnecessary energy consumption

• Provide a more modern member experience

One Control Platform for the Whole Facility

BEM Connect is not limited to lighting.

The same platform can be developed to control and manage other club facilities, including:

• Tennis and padel court lighting

• Sports pitch lighting

• Electric gates

• Showers

• Saunas

• Heating

• Vending machines

• Other electrical equipment

This opens up the possibility of pay-to-play or pay-to-use facilities, where a member can access and pay for a particular service when required.

The important point is that clubs do not have to install everything at once.

Start simple. Add features as your club grows.

A club could begin with straightforward lighting control and later introduce QR access, payment, bookings, additional facilities, monitoring or other BEM Connect features.

This allows the control system to develop alongside the club.

 Internet or No Internet — You Choose

BEM Connect can be configured around the communications infrastructure available at your facility.

Where reliable broadband is available, clubs can benefit from online monitoring and remote management.

Where broadband is unreliable, unavailable or simply not desirable, the local QR scanner system provides another way to give members convenient control without depending on a permanent Internet connection at the facility.

For some locations, cellular connectivity may also be appropriate.

The important thing is that Internet connectivity does not have to determine how your lighting system operates.

BEM can assess your site and recommend the most appropriate approach.

Designed Around Your Club

There is no single control system that is right for every sports club.

A small tennis club may only require simple local switching. Another club may want members to pay for court lighting through their phones. A larger multi-pitch facility may require remote monitoring, bookings, energy information and control of several different areas.

BEM can design the system around the way your club actually operates.

And because BEM Connect is designed as a flexible platform, you can start with the features you need today and add additional functionality in the future.

Practical Sports Lighting Expertise

Control is only one part of a successful sports lighting installation.

BEM specialises in the design, supply and installation of LED sports lighting and control systems for tennis clubs, racket sports facilities, sports clubs and other outdoor sporting facilities.

We consider:

• Lighting levels and uniformity

• Glare

• Ball visibility

• Light spill

• Neighbouring properties

• Planning requirements

• Energy consumption

• Pole positions and heights

• Existing electrical infrastructure

• How the club intends to operate the facility

The result is a lighting and control solution designed to work together rather than treating the lighting and control systems as separate products.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do sports lighting systems need an Internet connection?

 Short answer, No.

Sports lighting can be controlled in three basic ways:

Standard switch → Web-based control → BEM Connect QR control

The appropriate option depends on how the club wants its facilities to operate.

 Can I control sports lighting from my phone without permanent broadband?

Short answer, Yes.

With the BEM Connect local QR system, a member uses their phone to select the required facility and generate an authorised QR code.

The QR code is then scanned at the club's BEM Connect hardware, which activates the appropriate lighting.

The onsite scanner does not need a permanent broadband connection to perform the activation.

What control options are available?

Options range from:

• Manual switches

• Timers

• Photocells

• Contactors

• Web-based control

• QR-code activation

• Token or pay-to-play systems

• Booking integration

• Energy monitoring

• Remote monitoring and alerts

BEM can recommend the appropriate combination for your facility.

Can BEM Connect work with existing LED lighting?

Short answer, Yes.

BEM Connect can be used to control suitable existing LED lighting systems as well as new BEM lighting installations, subject to the electrical characteristics and control requirements of the existing equipment.

Can BEM Connect control more than lighting?

The platform can be developed to control other electrical facilities such as gates, showers, saunas.