Amenity Forum Appoints Ian Barnett to Board

Amenity Forum Appoints Ian Barnett to Board

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Amenity Forum Appoints Ian Barnett to Board

The Amenity Forum has appointed Ian Barnett, Regional Technical Manager (South West UK) at DLF Seeds, to its Board of Directors.

Amenity Forum Appoints Ian Barnett to Board

Amenity Forum Appoints Ian Barnett to Board

Ian brings more than 30 years’ experience in the amenity and turf sector, working with local authorities, contractors, sports facilities, turf growers and land managers across the UK. His appointment further strengthens the breadth of expertise represented on the Forum’s Board.

Ian Graham, Chair of the Amenity Forum, said:

“We are delighted to welcome Ian to the Board. He brings a wealth of technical expertise and practical experience from across the amenity sector, together with a strong understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing those responsible for managing our landscapes, sports facilities and public spaces.

As the sector responds to changing environmental expectations, regulatory developments and the need to attract and develop skilled professionals, Ian’s insight and experience will be invaluable. We look forward to working with him as the Forum continues to promote best practice, professional competence and responsible amenity management.”

Ian Barnett said:

“I am proud to join the Board of the Amenity Forum. The Forum plays an important role in bringing the sector together, promoting best practice and helping to ensure those working in amenity management are informed, connected and supported.

I look forward to working with fellow Directors and stakeholders from across the industry to help advance the Forum’s objectives and support the continued development of the sector.”

As part of our new ‘Meet the Board’ series, we spoke to Ian Barnett about the opportunities and challenges facing the amenity sector and what he hopes to achieve as a Director.

Q&A: Ian Barnett

What attracted you to the Amenity Forum and the opportunity to join its Board?

I wanted to join the Board because I believe the Amenity Forum provides an important voice for the amenity sector. Bringing together organisations from across the industry to share knowledge, promote best practice and support professional standards has never been more important. The sector faces a range of opportunities and challenges, from environmental change and biodiversity enhancement to skills and regulation, and I am keen to play a part in helping the Forum support its members and the wider industry.

Why is the work of the Amenity Forum important?

The Amenity Forum provides an important voice for the sector. Education is a huge part of that. Everything we do affects the public, so it is vital that we are both educated and able to educate others.

The Forum helps raise awareness of the work being done to create and manage habitats whilst promoting best practice and ensuring we operate legally, responsibly and professionally.

What are the biggest trends you are seeing in the amenity sector?

One of the biggest growth areas is wildflowers, particularly within the public sector. Wildflower areas can help organisations meet environmental commitments whilst creating attractive habitats that are lower maintenance and more cost effective than traditional intensively managed turf.

There is also increasing interest in sustainable planting solutions, including grasses requiring less irrigation and varieties better suited to changing environmental conditions. Alongside this, the reduction in available curative chemistry continues to drive innovation in disease-resistant grass varieties and alternative management approaches.

What do you hope to achieve as a Director?

I would like to see the Forum continue to strengthen its role as a trusted voice for the amenity sector, supporting professional competence, promoting best practice and helping the industry respond to changing environmental, regulatory and societal expectations. Bringing organisations together and encouraging collaboration will be increasingly important as the sector addresses future challenges.

The Board of Directors comprises representatives from a broad range of organisations and disciplines, reflecting the diversity of the amenity sector. Further profiles of Board members will be published over the coming months.

For further information about the Amenity Forum, visit: www.amenityforum.co.uk

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Sports Pitches Used to Capture Heat in Landmark Initiative

Sports Pitches Used to Capture Heat in Landmark Initiative

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Sports Pitches Used to Capture Heat in Landmark Initiative

A technology used in the Netherlands is seeing heat captured by synthetic turf sports pitches for the first time, with a single field able to heat up to 300 homes for a year with green energy.

Sports Pitches Used to Capture Heat in Landmark Initiative

Sports Pitches Used to Capture Heat in Landmark Initiative

The development contributes to a wider sustainability commitment from the Dutch sports sector, which aims to achieve a 95% reduction in carbon emissions by 2050, in line with the Roadmap for Improving Sustainability in Sport[1] and the wider Dutch Climate Agreement.

As part of the commitment, the Sustainable Sports Facilities team within the Knowledge Centre for Sport & Physical Activity (Kenniscentrum Sport & Bewegen) is, in collaboration with other organisations, supporting municipalities and local sports clubs to raise awareness of practical solutions, such as heat collector fields, that can help reduce carbon emissions, contribute to regional sustainability targets, and provide a benefit to the local community.

The fields function by capturing the heat from the surface of synthetic turf, and then distributing it via underground pipes below the pitch. This heat can be used directly or stored to provide a consistent source of energy throughout the year. This has the added benefit of cooling down the surface of the pitch, helping to ensure a safe and comfortable playing surface for users.

Leander Lignac, Specialist Sustainable Sports Facilities at the Knowledge Centre for Sport & Physical Activity, said: “As an independent and neutral organisation, one of our goals is making owners of sports facilities aware of the possibilities within sustainability. Turning synthetic turf sports pitches into a source of green energy is all about impact – using a single space in multiple ways to solve many challenges at once.

“Space in the Netherlands is sparse, especially in the cities – so when it’s possible to use conveniently located pitches not just for sports, but for sustainability goals too, these facilities become more future proof. While this technology is not yet widespread, it has the potential to deliver a significant reduction in carbon emissions when scaled up.

“Ultimately, the sports sector needs to be future proof, and as part of that journey, it is our job to make municipalities and local sports clubs aware of these solutions to help them be realised across the Netherlands.”

To date, heat collector fields have been installed in Eindhoven, Zaanstad, Gouda, and The Hague. The heat captured from each field is being used to supply a variety of nearby buildings – from sports facilities, homes, and swimming pools to primary schools and daycare centres.

With at least 1,250 synthetic turf football pitches across the Netherlands, the technology has the potential to cut national CO2 emissions by up to 0.45 megatons per year, with further opportunity for multi-use synthetic turf pitches. The municipalities of Amsterdam and Haarlem, together with SRO, are already targeting the renewal of more than 250 synthetic pitches as part of the Scale Up initiative. The heat collector field technology will be used in the project wherever it fits.

Stefan Diderich, Director General/CEO at EMEA Synthetic Turf Council (ESTC), said: “This technology is a prime example of the wider benefits that are being delivered through synthetic turf every day. These fields not only provide a high-quality playing surface, but a source of clean, renewable energy that communities can be built around.

“We not only hope for this technology to be scaled up across the Netherlands, but for other countries to look and learn from this, as this has the potential to deliver an extraordinary amount of good on a global scale.”

Find out more about ESTC and heat collector fields

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GroundsFest Academy showcases sports surface expertise

GroundsFest Academy showcases sports surface expertise

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GroundsFest Academy showcases sports surface expertise

GroundsFest Academy welcomed grounds professionals from across the industry for its latest CPD-accredited event, Preparing Surfaces for Sports, held at Plymouth Football Club’s Home Park Stadium.

GroundsFest Academy showcases sports surface expertise

GroundsFest Academy showcases sports surface expertise

Delivered in partnership with leading industry specialists Fleet Line Markers, Net World Sports, and Husqvarna, the event provided attendees with practical knowledge, expert guidance and hands-on experience covering the key elements involved in preparing and maintaining high-quality sports surfaces.

Bringing together professionals from a wide range of sectors including sports turf, education, local authorities, contractors and professional sports facilities, the event created an excellent opportunity for attendees to share experiences, build connections and gain valuable insight into the latest techniques, equipment and technology shaping the industry.

The practical, insight-led day featured a programme of expert sessions and demonstrations, covering everything from pitch preparation and line marking to equipment selection, safety procedures and the future of turf maintenance technology.

Delegates began the day with Fleet Line Markers, exploring the 3-4-5 method for setting out pitches, alongside the different types of paint available and how to select the right solution for different surfaces.

A facilities tour of Home Park Stadium then provided an insight into the requirements of maintaining a professional sporting venue, before the afternoon sessions focused on selecting the correct equipment, carrying out safety checks and best practices for storage with Net World Sports.

The event concluded with a session on robotic mowing and the role of automation in modern sports surface management, delivered by Husqvarna, before delegates reflected on the key learnings from the day and received their CPD certificates.

Reflecting on the success of the event, Bradley Tennant, Director of Education at GroundsFest Academy, said:

“It was fantastic to welcome such a diverse group of grounds professionals to this latest GroundsFest Academy event. Preparing sports surfaces requires a combination of knowledge, experience and the right equipment, and the aim of the day was to provide practical advice and insight that attendees can take back and apply in their own environments.

“The sessions delivered by Fleet Line Markers, Net World Sports and Husqvarna showcased the expertise and innovation available within our industry, while the discussions between delegates highlighted the value of bringing professionals from different sectors together. It was a great day of learning, networking and sharing best practice, and we look forward to continuing to deliver events that support the development of grounds professionals.”

GroundsFest Academy continues to provide valuable education and development opportunities for the industry, combining expert knowledge, practical demonstrations and networking to support the ongoing advancement of sports surface management.

The free sustainability assessment tool is now available at www.groundsfestacademy.com

You can also follow GroundsFest on X, Facebook and Instagram @GroundsFestAcademy for much more news, reviews and insightful views

For the latest industry news visit turfmatters.co.uk/news

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