Ariens Appoint Masport

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Ariens Appoint Masport: Ariens Company has announced the appointment of Masport to represent the company and the Ariens and Gravely brands in New Zealand, Australia and Oceania countries. Ariens is a family owned business manufacturing snow blowers, lawn tractors and zero-turn mowers for commercial and high end consumer markets. The US company, which has been manufacturing since 1933, acquired the Countax and Westwood garden tractor business in the UK in 2010 and formed a UK and European base.

“Ariens are delighted to secure this new partnership with Masport in the Australia and New Zealand territories,” says Darren Spencer, Ariens Company Vice President EMEA and Asia, “during our discussions it quickly became apparent that Ariens Company and Masport Ltd’s principles of doing business are well-aligned, both companies share a commitment to forming long-term partnerships and creating responsible and sustained business growth.”

Ariens Appoint Masport

The Masport business began in New Zealand in 1910 and became an iconic New Zealand brand that is renowned in both New Zealand and Australia for being a leader in lawn mowers and barbecues. Masport also supplies under its Masport and Morrison brands’ other products such as ride-on mowers, various other outdoor power equipment and barbecues.

“Masport is excited about this new relationship with Ariens to distribute and provide after sales service for their products in our home region.” says Steve Hughes, Managing Director of Masport Ltd. “We see the Ariens and Gravely brands to be a perfect match with our current portfolio of quality products and this will allow us to offer an extended and wider product line to our specialist dealer base.

“Masport are proud to be commencing a partnership with a company that is aligned with Masport’s values and we see tremendous future growth opportunities in Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific Island region for their quality line of Zero Turn machines”.

In 2017, Masport became part of the AL-KO Gardentech Group based in Germany, which enabled them to add to their product offering with items such as water pumps & robot mowers. The company has offices in New Zealand and Australia and distributes to over 45 countries worldwide.

“Masport is a highly respected distributor of high-quality power equipment with an outstanding reputation within the local dealer network for exceptional service and support,” adds Darren Spencer, “I have no doubt that Masport will provide exceptional representation of the Ariens and Gravely brands.”

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Artificial Pitch Burnt By Vandals

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Artificial Pitch Burnt By Vandals: Kelty Hearts’ artificial pitch has been burned, seats have been vandalised days after being installed, and youngsters have been seen on the roof of the club’s new stand.

The damage to the community facilities could see the club, which turned senior last year, lose its SFA licence because of regular pitch testing.

Police are now patrolling the area around New Central Park in a bid to stamp out the problem.

Meanwhile, the club is going to be footing the bill for CCTV, something it says it can ill afford.

Treasurer George McTrusty said the spate of vandalism had been wrecking improvements almost as soon as they were completed.

“We’re building a new stadium and they are trying to destroy the seats as they are getting installed, and they’ve been burning the pitch.”

The park with a 3G pitch, a community asset that is open to the paying public, is witnessing trespassing and vandalism on almost a daily basis.

This week has seen burn marks left across the main and children’s pitches.

Council community use team manager for Cowdenbeath Sarah Roxburgh said: “It’s incredibly disappointing that this enjoyment is being spoiled by a thoughtless minority who are determined to cause costly damage.

“We will be working with the club and police to help tackle this issue and make sure the park is a safe place for all to enjoy.”

Fife Council has invested £665,000 in the park for the whole community.

Local councillor Alex Campbell expressed his disgust at the behaviour of a minority of youths.

He said the club serves the community, from five-year-olds to 75s, and it was sad that so many local people worked really hard to deliver facilities for the community and “these vandals come along and destroy such a fantastic project”.

He added: “It is totally and utterly unacceptable that some youths are causing this mayhem.”

Police Scotland inspector Gavin Cameron said: “The abuse of these facilities is hugely disappointing for the community, and we are working closely with Kelty Hearts FC to tackle this issue.

“We are carrying out patrols in this area and I would urge people to please report any anti-social behaviour or damage being caused while it is happening so we can respond quickly and appropriately.

“We want local children and young people to enjoy their summer holidays and to make use of facilities like this sensibly and responsibly.

“Parents and guardians have a vital role to play by ensuring they know where their children are, and reminding them that such behaviour as we have seen here is not acceptable.”

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Greenfields Awarded Constructionline Gold Certificate

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Greenfields Awarded Constructionline Gold Certificate: GreenFields (Sports Surfaces) UK Ltd have proudly received the Constructionline Gold Certificate, an accolade which is testament to the team’s commitment to excelling in project delivery, workplace and health and safety practices.

Constructionline is the UK’s leading procurement provider and supply-chain management service providing potential buyers with minimised risk combined with optimised supplier performance evidenced by businesses such as GreenFields meeting a range of crucial industry standards.

The gold (level 3) accreditation ensures that a company abides by current legislations in areas such as modern slavery, anti-bribery and corruption and equal opportunities as well as assessing high standards in environmental management, quality management, equality and diversity, governance and risk management. In addition, GreenFields were assessed for and awarded a Health and Safety SSIP Certificate in SMAS (Safety Management Advisory Services) demonstrating compliance in health and safety legislation to potential buyers.

GreenFields have held Constructionline Silver accreditation for over four years and their demonstration of professional practices has ensured a promotion to the advanced gold level.

Paul Milton, Director at GreenFields commented: “We are proud to have been awarded Constructionline Gold certification, this new accreditation displays to our potential customers that we are a committed and responsible organisation dedicated to building high quality sports pitches and to meeting industry standards as well as relevant legislation and practices.”

With over 300 high quality pitch installations across the UK at a number of educational institutes and high-profile sports facilities, GreenFields UK offer clients a turnkey ‘one-stop shop’ solution combining R & D, manufacturing, design and installation services with performance testing and ongoing pitch maintenance.

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1 In 3 Grassroots Pitches Adequate

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1 In 3 Grassroots Pitches Adequate: Only one in three pitches at grassroots level is of adequate quality, says the Football Association.

The figure is part of the FA’s written evidence for a Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) parliamentary hearing on Wednesday about the possible sale of Wembley Stadium.

The FA says it is “considering a sale because it represents a transformative opportunity” to change “the poor state of community football facilities”.

The DCMS hearing starts at 14:00 BST.

The FA has received an offer of £600m for the national stadium from Fulham owner Shahid Khan – the governing body would retain Club Wembley rights which it values at £250m-£300m.

Among those taking part in the DCMS hearing are Sports Minister Tracey Crouch and FA chief executive Martin Glenn.

Sport England chair Nick Bitel, former England and Manchester United defender Gary Neville and Katrina Law, co-chair of the Tottenham Hotspur Supporters’ Trust, will also answer questions.

The problems with grassroots football?

There are 21,000 grassroots clubs, 50 county FAs, 25,000 schools and 330 local authorities which are catered for by the FA and, along with the finding that only one in three grassroots pitches are of adequate quality, the FA’s written evidence also highlights:

  • 150,000 matches were called off last season due to poor facilities
  • One in six matches are called off due to poor pitch quality
  • 33 of 50 county FAs are without their own 3G pitch
  • Cancelled matches account for the equivalent of 5,000,000 playing opportunities lost this year because of poor facilities
  • There are half the number of 3G pitches in England than there are in Germany

“The word for grassroots football is ‘crisis,'” said Kenny Saunders, who runs pressure group Save Grassroots Football. “Government cuts to local councils are having a massive impact.

“Councils can’t maintain pitches and more of them are selling them off.

“I would welcome the sale of Wembley if the money is ring-fenced for grassroots football and used wisely. We need to build from the bottom.”

How much does the FA currently spend on grassroots football?

Since 2000, the FA says it has invested around £615m in grassroots football along with the Premier League, Sport England and the DCMS.

The FA has put £127m back into every level of football during the 2017-18 season and this will rise to £180m from the 2018-19 campaign onwards.

“In 2017, investments included £13m in coaching and participation; £17m to the county FAs for the delivery of community football; £4m in disability, equality and child protection; £20m investment in community football facilities; £5m for women’s football development (taking our total spend in women’s football to £13m); £36m in FA competition prize funds; £18m of investments in other football organisations and £14m of various other investments,” said the FA.

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What Happens In Amenity Management Impacts UK Citizens

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What Happens In Amenity Management Impacts UK Citizens: This is one of the statements made by the Amenity Forum Chairman in the Voluntary Initiative’s recently released Annual Report.

It covers the 12 months running up to June 30th 2018 and demonstrates the wide range of activity and development of this unified voice for the sector on all aspects of weed, pest and disease management. Organisations signed up to the Forum and committing themselves to best practice continues to grow and covers all areas of this diverse but highly important sector. http://amenityforum.co.uk/resources/2018-annual-report/

What Happens In Amenity Management Impacts UK Citizens

In reporting on key achievements, John Moverley, the Chairman, is keen to focus on what lies ahead and the need for everyone to embrace the Forum’s objectives. In the report, he says, ‘This has certainly been a year full of change, challenge and opportunity and all is set to continue at even greater pace. There is much going on at policy level with the Government publishing its 25 year environmental plan and ongoing consultations about its implementation and impact’.

In looking forward, the Forum identifies the following key priorities:
• Continuing activity to further increase understanding of our sector, not just by the public but by key stakeholders and all involved
• Further developing understand of Integrated approaches and what they really mean
• Ensuring the sector can maintain its current ability to manage weeds, pests and diseases and maintain the high standards and safe use of all sports surfaces and amenity areas
• Continuing to increase those engaged in continuing professional development and develop and promote strongly the importance of Assured standards

John says ‘The UK amenity sector sets a very high standard and is proud of its achievements. The Forum will continue to seek that all involved are at such standard and that everyone understands the importance and vital nature of this sector’

This year’s Forum annual conference and exhibition has the theme ‘Change, Challenge and Opportunity’. It has become very much a must attend event for all involved in or with an interest in amenity management and well known for the high quality of its speakers. It will be held once again at the Pirelli Stadium, Burton upon Trent, on Tuesday, October 9th. Delegate rates are kept as low as possible at £75 + VAT for supporter organisations and £85 + VAT for others. However there is a £10 discount for early bird registrations before September 1st.