Calling All Grounds Care Heroes

/in , , /by

Calling All Grounds Care Heroes: Nominations and entries are now open for the Grounds Management Association’s (GMA) Industry Awards and, this year, we’re turning up the excitement!  

Anfield Stadium, the iconic home of Liverpool FC, will be the new backdrop for this prestigious event on Thursday 13 March 2025.

Calling All Grounds Care Heroes

Calling All Grounds Care Heroes

Breaking new ground, the Industry Awards are making their debut at Anfield Stadium, following previous editions at Headingley Stadium and the NEC alongside Europe’s premier grounds management show, SALTEX.

Since 2009, the GMA Industry Awards have celebrated outstanding achievements in grounds care across professional, amateur, and voluntary sectors, spanning a variety of sports. But this year it’s extra special, as it kicks off the GMA’s annual awareness campaign: #GroundsWeek, running from March 17 to 23, 2025. ISEKI returns as the Industry Awards platinum sponsor for 2025, reaffirming their support for the sector, alongside award category sponsors, DLF Seeds and Syngenta.

Shifting from its traditional November date to March, these awards now support the vital mission of #GroundsWeek, honouring the unsung heroes – the grounds care professionals and volunteers who keep the nation’s playing surfaces pristine!

Categories That Inspire Greatness: 

With 17 categories spanning the entire sector, the GMA Industry Awards provide the perfect opportunity to shine a spotlight on the year-round contribution of grounds staff towards maintaining and improving playing surfaces.

  • Young Groundsperson of the Year – Recognising rising stars
  • Newcomer of the Year – Welcoming fresh talent
  • Volunteer Groundsperson/Team of the Year – Honouring those who go above and beyond
  • Community Groundsperson/Team of the Year – Making a difference in local sports
  • Best Managed Artificial Surface of the Year – Innovation on display
  • Environmental and Sustainability Impact Award – Champions of eco-friendly practices (Sponsored by Syngenta)
  • Bowls & Croquet Groundsperson/Team of the Year – Precision and passion
  • Professional Cricket Grounds Team of the Year – Pitch-perfect excellence
  • Professional Tennis Courts Grounds Team of the Year – Serving up aces in turf management
  • Professional Horse Racing Grounds Team of the Year – Galloping towards excellence
  • Professional Rugby League Grounds Team of the Year – Tackling pitches head on
  • Professional Rugby Union Grounds Team of the Year – Scrumming up perfection
  • Professional Football Grounds Team of the Year – Scoring perfection, the MVPs behind the scenes
  • Professional Football Grounds Team of the Year (Elite) – Elevating the game, making stadiums roar
  • University & College Grounds Team of the Year - Cultivating knowledge and green spaces
  • Independent School Grounds Team of the Year – Nurturing growth in every blade (Sponsored by ISEKI)
  • GMA Grounds Manager of the Year – Celebrating the very best across the industry  (Sponsored by DLF Seeds)

Sarah Hunter, Head of Events at the GMA said:
“The GMA Industry Awards are a fantastic opportunity for individuals and teams to gain the recognition they deserve for their vital work across the grounds care industry. I urge everyone to get involved and submit their nominations – It’s going to be a great event at Anfield Stadium, and we look forward to celebrating the outstanding achievements.”

Are You Ready to nominate or enter?

You can now nominate someone deserving, or enter yourself, by visiting https://gmaindustryawards.uk/. We encourage everyone in the industry to join in and celebrate the outstanding work being done in the grounds care industry.

Important Dates: 

  • Award Nominations Close: Friday 13 September 2024
  • Final Entries Close: Friday 27 September 2024

For sponsorship opportunities, please contact Emily Herrington by emailing eherrington@thegma.org.uk.

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

Get all of the big headlines, pictures, opinions and videos on stories that matter to you.

Follow us on Twitter and Instagram for fun, fresh and engaging content.

You can also find us on Facebook for more of your must-see news, features, videos and pictures from Turf Matters.

DSV to Unveil EUROBEAT at GroundsFest

/in , , /by

DSV to Unveil EUROBEAT at GroundsFest: DSV is set to make a significant impact at this year’s GroundsFest, introducing their latest innovation in grass seed, EUROBEAT, on stand 29. The event will take place on September 10 and 11 at Stoneleigh Park, Warwickshire, offering attendees a chance to discover this high-performing addition to DSV’s renowned range of grass seed.

Introducing EUROBEAT

EUROBEAT is a top-tier ryegrass specifically bred for sports applications. Its performance in the Sports Turf Research Institute (STRI) test series has been outstanding, earning a TOP 10 rank and demonstrating the superior capabilities of DSV’s turfgrass breeding department. EUROBEAT boasts exceptional summer and winter appearance scores, setting it apart as a top performer in traffic tolerance, crucial for sports pitches.

DSV to Unveil EUROBEAT at GroundsFest

DSV to Unveil EUROBEAT at GroundsFest

Key Benefits of EUROBEAT:

Optimised for Sports Pitches: EUROBEAT’s design caters specifically to the rigorous demands of sports environments.

Superior Wear Resistance: With a 20% improvement over standard ryegrass, EUROBEAT excels in durability.

Year-Round Performance: High aspect scores in both summer and winter ensure a consistently attractive and resilient turf.

Ideal for Overseeding: EUROBEAT’s characteristics make it perfect for enhancing older pitches and supporting autumn sowing for winter appearance boosts.

EUROBEAT’s versatility makes it an excellent choice for renovation mixtures, providing an upgrade in both performance and quality for existing sports fields.

Explore More EuroGrass Mixtures

In addition to EUROBEAT, GroundsFest attendees will have the opportunity to learn about other high-performing EuroGrass mixtures, each tailored for specific sports turf applications.

Featured Mixtures:

EG PRO Rye Fairway: Ideal for golf fairways and roughs, this mixture is designed to handle moderate to high levels of play, ensuring robust and resilient turf.

PRO Summer Sport: Perfect for cricket squares, tennis courts, and golf tees, this mixture offers outstanding recovery and strong shoot density, meeting the demands of extreme hard wear sports.

PRO Pitch: The flagship mix in the EuroGrass portfolio, PRO Pitch is tailored for winter sports pitches, providing exceptional wear tolerance and recovery with top-performing perennial ryegrass cultivars.

PRO Multi Sport: Designed for dual-use facilities and drought tolerance, this mixture ensures excellent sward density, good wear tolerance, and increased drought resilience, making it suitable for sports pitches and academic facilities.

Don’t miss the chance to visit DSV at stand 29 to explore how EUROBEAT and other EuroGrass mixtures can elevate the quality and performance of your sports turf.

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

Get all of the big headlines, pictures, opinions and videos on stories that matter to you.

Follow us on Twitter and Instagram for fun, fresh and engaging content.

You can also find us on Facebook for more of your must-see news, features, videos and pictures from Turf Matters.

Explore SISIS’s Innovations at GroundsFest

/in , , /by

Explore SISIS’s Innovations at GroundsFest: GroundsFest 2024 attendees can look forward to seeing SISIS in Outside Area A on stand number OSA170, where a variety of innovative turf maintenance products will be on display.

This year, the focus will be on three key products: the Quadraplay, the Variseeder, and the Rotorake TM1000. In addition to these highlights, visitors will have the opportunity to explore other products from the extensive SISIS range.

Explore SISIS’s Innovations at GroundsFest

Explore SISIS’s Innovations at GroundsFest

Quadraplay: Versatile Maintenance System

The Quadraplay is a multi-functional maintenance system that can perform up to four operations simultaneously. It’s compatible with any tractor with a 3-point linkage, making it versatile for use on natural turf and hard porous surfaces. Key features include interchangeable implements, adjustable settings, and robust construction for low maintenance.

Variseeder: Efficient Overseeding

The Variseeder is a compact, tractor-mounted overseeder ideal for renovation and repair work. It features a studded roller that prepares the seedbed, variable seed rates, and easy attachment to any tractor. Overseeding can be done without disrupting play, making it a convenient and efficient solution.

Rotorake TM1000: Thatch Management

The Rotorake TM1000 is designed for effective thatch removal and control. It features quick-release interchangeable reels, contra-rotating blades for a clean cut, and a floating unit that follows ground contours. The machine ensures fast ground coverage and easy depth adjustment, making it a reliable choice for turf maintenance.

Don’t miss the opportunity to discover how the Quadraplay, Variseeder, and Rotorake TM1000 can enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of your operations.

For further information or a no obligation demonstration, please contact SISIS on 01332 824 777 or visit www.sisis.com

For more news, reviews and insightful views, you can follow SISIS on Twitter or Instagram @SISISMachinery and like the company’s Facebook page – www.facebook.com/SISISMachinery. You can also view the latest SISIS videos by visiting www.youtube.com/SISISMachinery

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

Get all of the big headlines, pictures, opinions and videos on stories that matter to you.

Follow us on Twitter and Instagram for fun, fresh and engaging content.

You can also find us on Facebook for more of your must-see news, features, videos and pictures from Turf Matters.

Etesia UK Gears Up for GroundsFest

/in , , /by

Etesia UK Gears Up for GroundsFest: Etesia UK is excited to return to GroundsFest for the second consecutive year. Attendees can visit stand OSA150 at Stoneleigh Park, Warwickshire, on 10 and 11 September to explore Etesia’s impressive lineup, including pedestrian and ride-on mowers, brushcutters, and the award-winning ET Lander electric utility vehicle.

Etesia UK, known for its high-quality grass cutting equipment, will unveil the ET Lander’s new differential lock feature, which enhances traction and versatility for off-road use. This innovative electric utility vehicle is fully N1 homologation compliant, making it road-legal and capable of extended off-road use. Its lithium-ion batteries offer a range of up to 100km and compatibility with standard type 2 EV car chargers.

Etesia UK Gears Up for GroundsFest

Etesia UK Gears Up for GroundsFest

The ET Lander, a 100% electric vehicle, is spacious, user-friendly, and built on a robust chassis. It boasts a three-way tipper bed with dual control from the two-seater cab or remote control. With a compact length of 3.72 meters, power steering, a short turning radius of 4.40 meters, and 360° visibility, it manoeuvres easily in tight spaces. The vehicle can transport loads up to 940kg and tow up to 750kg, with a full day’s autonomy and no noise pollution.

Etesia will also feature the Electric Bahia M2EL, the world’s first 100% electric professional ride-on mower with grass collection. Powered by a 48V, 100Ah lithium battery, the Bahia M2EL offers up to 4 hours and 30 minutes of operation on a single charge. Its compact size, tight turning circle, and excellent stability on slopes make it ideal for various mowing tasks.

The electric Bahia is also highly economical, with running costs of £0.35 compared to £3.57 for its petrol counterpart, and reduced maintenance needs.

Etesia’s knowledgeable staff will be available throughout GroundsFest to provide expert advice and assistance on all products.

For further information, please contact Etesia UK on 01295 680120 or visit www.etesia.co.uk.

For more news, reviews and insightful views, you can follow Etesia UK on Twitter @EtesiaUK and like the company’s Facebook page – www.facebook.com/EtesiaUK. You can also view the latest Etesia videos by visiting www.youtube.com/EtesiaUK.

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

Get all of the big headlines, pictures, opinions and videos on stories that matter to you.

Follow us on Twitter and Instagram for fun, fresh and engaging content.

You can also find us on Facebook for more of your must-see news, features, videos and pictures from Turf Matters.

MM Seed to be showcased at GroundsFest

/in , , /by

MM Seed to be showcased at GroundsFest: An impressive range of MM grass seed mixtures will be showcased at GroundsFest 2024, and visitors will get the chance to find out how the innovative seed technology could vastly benefit their sports pitches.

Here’s a snapshot of just some of the mixtures on display at GroundsFest.

MM Seed to be showcased at GroundsFest

MM Seed to be showcased at GroundsFest

MM50

MM50 is perfect for cricket squares, tennis courts and also golf tees and fairways. This hard-wearing mix has rapid germination, extremely fine leaved appearance, high shoot density and is tolerant to very close mowing, as low as 5mm, along with high disease resistance. All these attributes together produce a fantastic sward.

MM60

MM60 is a 100% Ryegrass formula and the UK’s leading winter sports renovation mixture. It is well-known for its extremely fast germination and its high wear tolerance, fast recovery plus excellent disease resistance.

MM Tetrasport

A Tetraploid based Ryegrass mixture, especially useful for seeding and overseeding of high quality sportsfields to improve sward composition, disease resistance with fast recovery from play and damage. Tetraploid Ryegrasses also provide high drought tolerance along with good colour.

All mixtures in the MM range, are treated with HEADSTART® GOLD – a revolutionary grass seed treatment that ensures rapid, even germination.

PRO Flora Wild Flower & Colour Boost Flower Seed Mixtures

Pro Flora is a range of Native Origin Wildflower Mixtures that can bring colour, biodiversity and interest to any landscape area and also benefit the environment, pollinators and conservation.

Colour Boost is a range of high impact flower mixtures designed to create a dazzling display of colour and interest in many different landscape’s sites and situations.

If you are seeking advice for your natural turf projects – no matter how big or small, then pay a visit to the DLF stand where the MM Sports Seed specialist team will be on hand.

For further information, please contact MM Sports Seed on 01386 791102 or visit the company’s website www.mm-seeds.co.uk.

You can also follow the company on Twitter: @MM_Seed.

You can also follow the company on Twitter: @MM_Seed.

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

Get all of the big headlines, pictures, opinions and videos on stories that matter to you.

Follow us on Twitter and Instagram for fun, fresh and engaging content.

You can also find us on Facebook for more of your must-see news, features, videos and pictures from Turf Matters.