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NEWS ARTICLES

Wembley pitch gets helping hand ahead of FA Cup semi-finals

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A 10-year-old boy from Birmingham has played a major role in helping get the Wembley pitch ready for the two FA Cup semi-final showdowns this weekend.

The big guns are in town as Chelsea face a big London derby against title rivals Tottenham on Saturday, while Arsenal face Manchester City just 24 hours later.

The Wembley pitch will need to be in perfect condition and budding groundsman Harry Kness was given a once in a lifetime opportunity to work on the hallowed turf in the build-up to one of the biggest weekends in the football calendar.

Young Harry become something of a social media sensation when he was captured by his father Gerry, painting the white lines of his local pitch.

The Football Association spotted the video and invited him along to the national stadium to hold a master class with Wembley’s Head Groundsman Karl Standley.

Harry has played his part alongside Karl and his permanent team in getting the pitch in pristine condition for the two big games this weekend.

Sporting his own Wembley Stadium groundsman jumper, the 10 year old helped to paint the pitch markings and was then given an extra treat as he got his hands on the Emirates FA Cup trophy.

Kness said: “It started with me painting the lines of my local pitch. My dad put it on Twitter and quite a few people seemed to like it.

“I couldn’t believe it when my dad told me I was invited to come to Wembley. It’s been such a cool day.”

Wembley’s Head Groundsman was pleased to see Kness get his hands dirty and hopes he will become a big groundsman in the future.

Standley said: “The Emirates FA Cup Semi-Finals are two of the biggest events in our calendar and eyes from all over the world will be on our pitch this weekend.

“We were delighted to invite Harry to Wembley after noticing his diligence in painting his lines at his local pitch. It’s been great to introduce him to what we do and perhaps even inspire a groundsman of the future.”

Harry and dad Garry will return to Wembley on Saturday to watch the first of the Semi Finals, as Chelsea take on Tottenham Hotspur.

To read the original article, click here

Hybrid Pitch Technology Set To Revolutionise Football

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Parched touchlines, bobbly goal mouths and penalties struck into Row Z – as entertaining as it might be for rival fans – are set to become a thing of the past.

Combining speed, mobility and laser precision, SIS Pitches’ game-changing hybrid pitch system, SISGrass Universal, is the latest addition to the company’s award-winning technology.

After a soft-launch at the Cobham training ground of Premier League highflyers Chelsea F.C. late last month, the global pitch specialists are now rolling out the compact machine for wider use.

SISGrass Universal is an advanced reinforced turf system featuring patented fibre injection technology, utilising yarn that is tested to FIFA recommendations, which offers increased pitch stability, more playing hours and faster recovery than 100% natural grass surfaces.

Just 1.20m wide, 2m in length and weighing a maximum of two tons, SISGrass Universal offers flexibility of stitching at every location quickly and accurately, with different depths, spacing or size using precise laser guidance, making it the perfect solution for groundskeepers who are challenged to maintain uniform grass quality in high-wear areas such as goalmouths, touchlines and warm up areas.

Phil Blackwell, UK Projects Director, commented: “On-going innovation, simplicity and a passion for performance is central to everything we do, and SISGrass Universal is the embodiment of that.

“We have taken the qualities of our award-winning flagship hybrid pitch system, SISGrass, to develop a fully electric, mobile and multifunctional machine open to football and a wider market, opening new possibilities for landscaping, golf, cricket and tennis. This is a unique and bespoke solution, that every club needs.”

SISGrass Universal is 100% electric, mobile and easy to transport. The machine is operated by two members of trained crew, under experienced supervision to deliver the best quality of reinforced turf surface, and is able to strengthen any natural grass surface such as:

  • Goalmouths
  • Touchlines
  • Warm up areas
  • Training grids
  • Golf tees
  • Tennis courts
  • Walkways
  • Cricket wickets and run-ups

ESSMA Pitch Management Workshop

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The European Stadium & Safety Management Association (ESSMA) will assemble for the Pitch Management Workshop taking place at the King Power Stadium in Leicester, England, from May 10 to 11, 2017. Delegates will enjoy panel discussions, pitch visits and workshops, as well as in-depth presentations and a networking dinner.

Last year’s keynote speaker, John Ledwidge, Grounds Manager at Leicester City Football Club (LCFC) and his team will welcome ESSMA members to the King Power Stadium and LCFC training centre. Official host of the event is Jonathan Calderwood, Grounds Manager at Paris Saint-Germain (PSG), Chairman of the ESSMA Pitch Management Expert Group and member of the ESSMA Advisory Committee.

After last year’s edition in Paris, which drew 36 pitch industry experts, the ESSMA Pitch Management Workshop will now take players to the home of Leicester City, visiting both the King Power Stadium and the LCFC training centre.

About the event:

What: ESSMA Pitch Management Workshop

Where: Leicester, Leicester City Football Club (King Power Stadium and LCFC training centre)
Date: 10-11 May 2017

Goal: To share valuable content, organise discussions on the future of pitch management and create strong networking opportunities between pitch industry peers

Topics: Pitch renovation, tools & technology, player injury management, budget control (pitch management & finances), training centre pitch management and managing & delivering events

Speakers: Arsenal FC, Manchester City, Leicester City FC, Paris Saint-Germain, the Institute of Groundsmanship,..

Participants: Representatives of ESSMA Leagues, Federations, Clubs, Stadiums & Stadium Partners, Strategic Partners

More information:

Speaking after the 2016 Pitch Management Workshop, Jonathan Calderwood, Grounds Manager, Paris Saint-Germain (PSG), said:
ESSMA’s Pitch Management Workshop is a perfect platform for all European Grounds Managers to come together to share ideas and knowledge. The pitch has become a very important part of the stadium and ESSMA is building up awareness of the Grounds Manager’s role and the industry as a whole.

John Ledwidge, Grounds Manager, Leicester City FC (LCFC), said:
Events like these are really important for the networking element of the day, as I’ve been able to meet people I really wanted to meet. I’m sharing experiences with them about what we do and listening to how they manage things. Sharing experiences on how to overcome certain obstacles within pitch management with a group of experts was a big eye-opener for me.

For further information and the full program, visit the ESSMA Pitch Management Workshop page by http://pitch.essma-events.eu/

Etesia Launch MSC45 Pedestrian Scarifier

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Etesia has launched the MSC45 – a powered pedestrian scarifier for domestic and professional use on lawns and amenity areas.

The machine has a working width of 45cm comes complete with a Honda GX160 5.5hp engine ensuring that it will be suitable for applications ranging from treating the average lawn to rejuvenating estates and formal grounds.

Scarification is one of the most essential lawn care tasks. The Etesia MSC45 pedestrian scarifier can be used for regular use or as part of a maintenance programme at different depth settings with the use of interchangeable reels that can be swapped without the use of any tools allowing the spring mounted tine reel to remove thatch and the scarifier unit to take out more of the bulk. The raking action removes thatch and organic debris to improve drainage characteristics and to allow more oxygen and water into the root zone.

The new model in the new scarifier range has been built for dependable operation and durability which has become synonymous with the Etesia brand.

Specifications include:

Working width

45 cm

Area coverage

up to 1500 m²/h

Motor

Honda GX 160

Capacity

5.5hp

Scarifier unit

Scarifier unit with fixed blades and torque overload safety clutch

Accessories

Scarifier unit with loose blades or spring mounted tines

Special features

Steel rims with ball bearings, step-less adjustment of operating height

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

Laurence Gale Joins Turf Matters

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Turf Matters is delighted to announce that Laurence Gale has joined the editorial team as Executive Editor.

Laurence, pictured right, is a respected and familiar figure within the sports turf industry and his knowledge, experience and contacts will be a very welcome addition to both the Turf Matters magazine and the website www.turfmatters.co.uk

“Laurence and I have been friends for almost 15 years and I know that he will bring a great deal to Turf Matters as we develop and grow over the next few months and years. His love of the industry, and those people who participate within it, is there for all to see while, as we all know, his enthusiasm is downright infectious,” said Scott MacCallum, Turf Matters Editor.

“With Laurence on board we will be featuring more of the work of sports turf professionals in different areas of the industry and it will help us meet our objective of ensuring that Turf Matters really is the must read title in our industry,” explained Scott.

“I am really delighted to be joining Scott and the team at Turf Matters. While we are both all-rounders Scott is best known within the golf sector, while I am known best in the groundsman side, so I believe that we will make a formidable team,” said Laurence.