Cheshire FA Groundsman of the Year 2017 – Nominate now!

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Following on from last year’s successes, we can announce that the Groundsman of the Year Competition for 2017, at Step 7 and below, is now open for nominations.

The FA’s Groundsmen of the Year is now in its 15th year. The awards were set up to recognise the contribution of these ‘unsung heroes’, who work in all weather, all year round, to make sure that thousands of matches can take place on a high standard of playing surface.
The majority of football in this country is played outside the Football League. Quality pitches are therefore essential for the development of football at every level. Grassroots groundsman, the vast majority of whom are volunteers, play a huge role in ensuring pitches are in their best possible condition, week in, week out.

We therefore invite nominations for Groundsmen operating at Step 7 or below so if you think your surface is pitch perfect do not hesitate to nominate.
The deadline is Monday 20 February at 5.00pm.

To nominate, please complete our online form here: http://bit.ly/2lRPyuO

Cheshire FA will be collating nominations and then have a panel to pick our 3 winners before submitting our top three applications to The FA to be in contention to win the national award.

Last year’s Awards Day followed in the footsteps of the successful 2016 competition and took place in mid-August at St George’s Park. The nominees were given a guided tour of the site as well as an insightful presentation from Karl Standley (Head Groundsman at Wembley Stadium) and also a question and answer workshop with professional groundsmen from Southampton, Manchester City along with Alan Ferguson from St George’s Park. The awards ceremony took place in the afternoon with members of The FA Facilities Committee presenting the winners with their certificates and trophies.

Among those awarded was 2016 Cheshire FA Groundsman of the Year at Step 7 and Below, Freddie Brickland of Upton AA who received a highly commended award (above right).
The winners were then invited as special guests for the England v Spain friendly fixture in November. The winners enjoyed the hospitality on offer before being treated to an opportunity to join the Wembley Ground Staff on the pitch at half time. The feedback we received from our guests was overwhelmingly positive and we are extremely excited to see what this season brings.

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Polaris partners the Scottish Gamekeepers Association

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The Scottish Gamekeepers Association (SGA) has secured an exclusive partnership with all terrain vehicle specialists, Polaris, as the organisation celebrates 20 years of representing gamekeepers.

The arrangement will see SGA members and supporters given the chance to win a Sportsman 570 in the organisation’s annual raffle; the Polaris Sportsman being the best selling ATV in the world.

Officials are delighted to announce the new partnership which will see ticket funds going directly back to the SGA to help its members at a key time for workers in the game sector.

Tickets for the Sportsman 570 will be on sale for the first time at the SGA’s 20th anniversary AGM at McDiarmid Park, Perth, on Friday 3rd March.
Minister for Environment, Climate Change and Land Reform, Roseanna Cunningham MSP, will address members at the Fair City event, which is set to attract a large audience.

SGA Chairman Alex Hogg said: “This new arrangement with Polaris is hugely welcomed by everyone at the SGA. Our annual ATV raffle provides a considerable chunk of the fundraising income we need to bring in each year to give the members the type of representation they deserve. The Sportsman 570 is an excellent product which many members, and others, will be very keen to win the keys to. We hope, together with Polaris, we can enjoy a long and fruitful partnership which benefits everyone.”

The Sportsman 570 is the latest addition to the Polaris Sportsman range and can cover the harshest terrain due to its powerful 44hp engine, smooth suspension and All-Wheel Drive on demand.

It has a durable steel frame, lots of storage space and 557kg of payload capacity.

Sarah Johnson, Polaris Marketing Specialist, said: “Polaris is delighted and proud to support The Scottish Gamekeepers Association. We have a specialist dealer network in place to meet the strong demand for the Polaris range of ATVs and UTVs, from gamekeepers and estates across Scotland, and we’re very pleased to be able to provide the Polaris Sportsman 570 as a great ATV prize for this year’s raffle.”

The SGA was formed in 1997 and provides a strong voice for 5300 gamekeepers, stalkers, river and land ghillies, wildlife managers, rangers and country sports enthusiasts.

Tony Adams Wins Groundsman of the Year 2017

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Ipswich, Suffolk (February 13, 2017) Tony Adams of Claydon FC said he was shocked to be crowned the Suffolk FA Groundsman of the Year for 2017 sponsored by Ransomes Jacobsen.

The 72-year-old was voted the winner by the panel of judges who visited the grounds on Friday in the competition open to clubs in the county who play at Step 7 and below.

Runner-up was Bryan Symonds of Bacton United 89, last year’s winner who went on to win the national award, and third was Michael Brundish of Old Newton United.

Tony, who has been groundsman at Touchline SIL Division One leaders Claydon for the past 18 months, said: “I am shocked. It is a great honour for the club and everyone associated with it.

“I am totally amazed and it just proves that something you enjoy doing and work hard at is very fulfilling.”

Tony’s prize is £200 for Claydon to spend on groundscare equipment made possible by Ransomes Jacobsen’s annual sponsorship of the Suffolk FA.

Bacton United 89 and Old Newton United will receive £100 and £50 to spend on groundscare equipment respectively.

Ipswich-based Ransomes Jacobsen, one of the world’s largest suppliers of groundscare equipment, sponsored the competition for this first time this season, doubling the prize money on offer.

The judging panel comprised of Ben Connell, Head Groundsman at Ipswich Town FC; Michael Cornall, Senior Football Development Officer at Suffolk FA; Tim and Will Parker of Parkers Pitches; and Ella Boyden, PR & Communications Officer at Ransomes Jacobsen.

Ben Connell said: “It is great to see the dedication of volunteer groundsmen across the county, and for them to have their hard work recognised in this award.”

Michael Cornall said: “The standard of the pitches this year were fantastic. The groundsmen work incredibly hard on their pitches every week, and it is great to reward them with support on their groundscare equipment. Congratulations to Tony and Claydon.”

Will Parker said: “It is great to see the improvement of pitches in the area and Claydon, with the help of Tony, is a great example of this. He is a well-deserved winner.”

Royal Norwich Chooses Toro As It Prepares To Relocate

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Royal Norwich Golf Club has invested in Toro as it embarks on one of the most exciting times in its 123-year history.

With all the legal and planning formalities nearly complete, it is expected that Royal Norwich will relocate to the nearby location of Weston Park Golf Club where it is the intention to build a brand new premier 27-hole facility.

Phil Grice, general manager at Royal Norwich, says: “We are at the start of a very big project. Our vision is to create one of the region’s most prestigious golf facilities and we’re off to a great start with course designers European Golf Designers, who designed Celtic Manor 2010 Course, on board and a recent and considerable investment in a range of new Toro machines.

“The relocation won’t take place until late 2018 or early 2019 and in that time we need the machinery to ensure the quality of the golf course at Royal Norwich our members always expect. Plus soon, when the course at Weston Park is “growing in”, we will merge our two greenkeeping teams and will be relying upon this equipment to help tend 45 holes between the two sites. That’s a big ask and we knew whatever brand we chose would be under immense pressure to perform, but the quality of the Toro machines leaves us in no doubt they are up to the task.”

Phil says the decision on which machines to choose was a collective one by “those at the coal-face”, head greenkeeper Mark Dingle and his greenkeeping team of five. “We have opted for two Greensmaster TriFlex 3420 greens machines and a Reelmaster 5510-D fairway mower, which will ensure the quality of our greens, tees and surrounds, plus a Workman GTX utility vehicle. The GTX is the newest utility vehicle on the market and really versatile and, considering the range of work we have coming up, that’s essential.”

The history and heritage of the two clubs will combine with an ultra modern 27-hole course, a 200-seat function facility and stunning atrium bar, and to accommodate the unique course, Phil says he will need to grow the fleet twice more in the next couple of years. Working with UK Toro distributor Reesink Turfcare over this initial stage has been, Phil says, “a pleasure. It was obvious our business was important to the team, they bent over backwards to support us, nothing was too much trouble and they supplied an incredible amount of machines to loan and to demo before we made our decision.”

Phil, who has been at Royal Norwich for five years and will move with the club to the new site when it opens, says that while it’s the end of an era for Royal Norwich it is a unique time for the members of both Royal Norwich and Weston Park. “The plans point to a progressive new club, one which will set a new standard for the region. This investment in Royal Norwich and the quality of the course, plus what’s to come will mean there is much for our members to be excited about and look forward to.”

Learn more about the products included in this story by visiting http://www.reesinkturfcare.co.uk

New Complete Weed Control team

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Complete Weed Control, the UK’s largest weed control contractor, has announced Conor Flynn as its newest franchisee to operate in the East Midlands.

Conor is the latest to join Complete Weed Control and after working with cars for the majority of his working career, he decided that it was time for a change of direction. When the opportunity arose to join Complete Weed Control he decided to learn more about the company, which ultimately played a major factor in his decision to alter his career path.

“I’ve worked with cars all my life, whether it is sales, events or driving around a track. Cars are my passion but when the chance arose to join Complete Weed Control I think the opportunity was just too good to ignore.

“I met with managing director Ian Graham, to find out more on the company and learn about what would be involved in the daily running of the business – and that made my mind up.”
Conor spent a year learning the business inside out by working under David Cocks, who had been in charge of the East Midlands area since 2000. Having recently just taken over the full day-to-day running of the business, Conor feels he is now ready to push on and grow the business.

“I’ve got some great clients and work at some fabulous places, which includes golf courses and sports clubs and I’m really enjoying it so far. My plan is to keep growing and building on the relationships that David has built up over the past 16 years.”

Since its beginnings in 1972, Complete Weed Control has gone from strength to strength and has built a reputation as the most professional and relied upon weed control contractor in the UK. The CWC group has been complimented by its hugely successful business model. Every inch of the UK is now occupied by a Complete Weed Control operative and also has a growing presence in Ireland.

“It’s an incredibly progressive and forward thinking company, says Conor. “Head office is always on hand to provide you with support and everyone has a high ambition which is a great motivation.

“I’m really looking forward to the road ahead with Complete Weed Control. It is great to be a part of this company.”
For more information, please contact Complete Weed Control’s national office on 01325 324 277 or visit www.completeweedcontrol.co.uk