Hat trick for Toro at Middlesbrough

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Hat trick for Toro at Middlesbrough: Four pitches at Middlesbrough Football Club’s training ground at Rockliffe Park are seeing the results from improved accuracy, full coverage and the powerful control from a new Toro irrigation system.

According to Jack Cunningham, senior grounds supervisor, the growing-in process was the best it’s ever been, management and players, including the first team, have nothing but good feedback and the problems caused by having a windy site have become a thing of the past.

Hat trick for Toro at Middlesbrough

Hat trick for Toro at Middlesbrough

The club invested in the Toro Lynx LAC control system, 54 Infinity sprinklers and 74 B Series sprinklers with Turf Cups in phase one of a project which will, in time, see another two pitches follow suit.

Here, Jack discusses the highlights of the new system: “There’s a lot to like about this combination,” he says. “We’ve never had this level of consistency. The LAC system and being able to control the water application with pinpoint accuracy from a desktop or mobile device is a game-changer.”

Then there’s the B Series sprinklers with their trajectory settings, about which Jack says: “We have a windy site and the B Series trajectory settings means that’s now not a problem. They’re easily altered to counteract the wind and achieve consistent coverage.

“We also love how using the back nozzle doesn’t affect the front nozzle and how we can use the same set of parts for the perimeter and in-field sprinklers. It makes life really easy.”

As expected a highlight of the Infinity sprinklers is that they’re top accessible: “Being able to take the top off, which is easy by the way, change the decoders, alter trajectories, all without having to dig the heads out and risk damage to the turf is very very good,” Jack explains. “On top of that, it’s possible to turn the sprinkler by hand and not damage the gearing.”

All in all, it’s a winning combination for the club as Jack confirms: “Getting the surfaces ready for day-to-day training now is easy and we’ve benefitted massively from essentially being able to personalise the irrigation to suit the site and its specific requirements.

“Using the moisture control I put the water where I want it, in the quantity I want it, which means it’s not just the grow-in which has been the best ever but the subsequent maintenance of the quality of the playing surfaces.”

Choosing Toro was an easy decision for Jack, fueled by the relationship, back-up and aftercare service he knew he’d get from distributor Reesink Hydro-Scapes, says Jack: “We trialled the sprinklers and they were the most effective, and that coupled with the technical support and how nothing was too much trouble meant I just had faith in them from the beginning.”

To see how Toro irrigation can benefit your course, call Reesink Hydro-Scapes on 01480 226800, email info@reesinkturfcare.co.uk or visit reesinkturfcare.co.uk.

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GMA appoints two new board members

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GMA appoints two new board members: Following the Annual General Meeting for GMA members, the GMA appointed two new members to its Board of Directors – Jim Buttar, Grounds and Technical Operations Lead at the Rugby Football Union, and Phil Fifield, Head Grounds Person at Brighton & Hove Albion Football Club.

The Annual General Meeting took place on 22 November, where GMA members were invited to vote on several resolutions including two nominations for new appointments to the GMA’s Board, as well as one nomination for re-appointment.

GMA appoints two new board members

GMA appoints two new board members

The first Board position up for nomination was for Sector Director for Professional Sport, currently held by David Roberts of Training Unlimited, previously Senior Manager of Grounds at Liverpool Football Club. With David having reached the end of his 9-year tenure in the role, his position was open for new nominations where Jim Buttar was voted-in to fill the vacant position.

Jim has over 26 years’ extensive experience of hands-on management in the sports turf industry, which began as an apprentice at a private school in Cambridgeshire.

Through his journey in elite football, combining his passionate approach, leading by example and with his management ability, Jim has successfully delivered surfaces for several leagues and competitions across the world. Including the English Premier League, UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League, UEFA European Championship qualifiers and World Cup qualifiers, and recently the African Nations Cup.

His latest role is leading the grounds team at the RFU managing the Twickenham stadium pitch, producing high quality surfaces for international and domestic competitions. Alongside this he has the responsibility of advising on strategy for the Rugby Grounds Connected programme for volunteer grounds people.

The GMA’s Board also approved the addition of another Independent Director, Phil Fifield. Phil has worked in the grounds management sector since his first day as an apprentice at Portsmouth FC in 2005 to his present role as Head Groundsperson at Brighton and Hove Albion FC.

Throughout his time in the industry, Phil has worked in all four professional leagues as a Head Groundsman and has also worked in consultancy and advisory roles. His time in the industry has seen him visit 30 countries across 5 continents as a turf-care professional.

His passion and drive to push himself and grow in his professional role has taken Phil to positions where he has been able to provide services, offer staff training, support tournament delivery and pitch development programs for a number of iconic sporting institutions, including FIFA, UEFA, CAF and AFC for men’s, women’s and youth events.

With a belief that the key fundamentals for growth and development in the sports turf sector are education, sustainability and staff welfare, Phil hopes to lend his expertise and experience to the GMA in helping build on these three foundational pillars, helping to develop the grounds care industry, and those within it, for a better future.

Along with Jim and Phil’s additions to the Board, existing Board member, Kimyo Rickett was successfully re-elected in her position as Sector Director for Local Authorities.

Commenting on the changes to the Board, GMA CEO, Geoff Webb says:

“Our Board is essential in steering the direction of the GMA and ensuring activity aligns to our strategy, so it is vital that we have experienced and knowledgeable Directors on the Board.

“Jim and Phil fit that description perfectly – both will bring insights and perspectives to the Board that will ensure the GMA delivers what it is that our members, and the wider industry, want from us. I’m also delighted that Kimyo will be staying on as Sector Director for Local Authorities. Her experience gained from over 30 years spent working for various Local Authorities and sporting bodies will ensure that this important sector within the wider grounds management community remains central to future GMA activity.

“Finally, I want to say a huge thank you to David Roberts who leaves the Board having come to the end of this 9-year tenure as a Board member. David has supported the GMA in making significant progress during this time and we are all extremely grateful for his contribution.”

You can find out more about the GMA Board, and its members, at: https://www.thegma.org.uk/who-we-are/whos-who/meet-board

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Talent recognised at inaugural LBEL awards

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Talent recognised at inaugural LBEL awards: Aspiring turf specialist, Martin Foster, an apprentice at Askham Bryan College, was rewarded for his learning excellence at this week’s glittering Land-based & Environment Learner Awards Ceremony.

The Land-based & Environment Learner (LBEL) Awards were launched this June by leading land-based training & qualification awarding body Lantra, and the representative body for land-based colleges and universities, Landex.

Talent recognised at inaugural LBEL awards

Talent recognised at inaugural LBEL awards

The Awards were open to apprentices, further education and higher education learners working and studying in land-based and environmental sectors between September 2021 and September 2022.

The aim is to reward top candidates in industries including agriculture and horticulture, forestry, environmental conservation, turf management, landscaping, and equine, amongst others.

These sectors face skills shortages and low levels of diversity, and both Lantra and Landex working hard to attract new blood and equip recruits with the key skills they need to succeed.

With the celebration of new talent at the LBEL Awards, it is hoped more potential entrants will recognise the various land-based industries as rewarding career choices with exciting long-term prospects.

In its inaugural year, organisers received over 120 nominations across 10 categories and a panel of industry professionals picked, where appropriate, an outstanding apprentice and an outstanding learner in each category.

This year, the judges picked just an outstanding apprentice in the Sports Turf & Greenkeeping category, Martin Foster. The oldest candidate to be nominated, the judges praised Martin for his motivation to change careers later in life and his complete passion and enthusiasm for his role.

The Awards ceremony, held at Reaseheath College on 22 November 2023, was attended by Minster of State for Food, Farming and Fisheries, Mark Spencer MP, celebrity farmer Adam Henson, and more than 200 guests.

On receiving the Award, sponsored by GroundsFest, from Adam Henson, Martin commented:

“I’m confident that undertaking my apprenticeship, albeit somewhat later life, has truly set me on my career path for the future. Winning this Award has reinforced that I’m actually really good at what I do, and being celebrated by so many industry professionals has certainly given my confidence a boost”.

Chair of the judging panel, and land-based business consultant, John Moverley of JMM Solutions, said he was honoured to help identify the very best of learners, like Martin, who are now making their mark on the industry.

“To keep pace with the technological and environmental challenges we face in the land-based sector, it is crucial that the skills and knowledge of the current workforce are completed with a generation of forward thinking and enthusiastic new recruits, whatever their age.

“And what better way to establish this new generation than through hands-on apprenticeships,” he added.

Commenting on the Awards and paying tribute to all the winners, host Adam Henson said:

“I am absolutely delighted to have been invited to host the very first Land-based and Environment Learner Awards. In my various roles, I’m lucky enough to encounter some amazing people who are passionate about their jobs and are a complete inspiration. Tonight was no exception. The level of enthusiasm, professionalism and passion, blew me away – a big well done to everyone”.

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Plumpton Named Champion Groundstaff Team

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Plumpton Named Champion Groundstaff Team: Plumpton Racecourse has been named Champion Groundstaff team of the year, culminating another year of excellence in the field as part of the Racecourse Groundstaff Awards, jointly sponsored by Agrovista Amenity, DLF and Duralock.

Plumpton, already a winner in the Racecourse Groundstaff Awards as the jump racecourse of the year, faced off competition from the other two individual category winners (Hamilton Park, flat racecourse and Ayr, dual purpose racecourse) to receive the Champion crown.

Plumpton Named Champion Groundstaff Team

Plumpton Named Champion Groundstaff Team

The award was presented at the Racecourse Association’s (RCA) Showcase Awards ceremony held at Aintree Racecourse on Thursday 23rd November.

The Racecourse Groundstaff Awards judges commented on Plumpton’s proactive and forward-thinking attitude and their exceptional work on the track. The racecourse grounds team has been innovative and has invested time and energy into producing a safe track with equine welfare at the forefront. The team carried out drainage works, they changed all their hurdles to padded hurdles, in turn reducing their faller rate significantly and they have also installed a new surface on their two road crossings which can be manipulated to create a more consistent Going.

Ayr, Hamilton and Plumpton were visited by an independent agronomist, who reviewed their soil test results and fertiliser programmes as well as assessing each racecourse against the Performance Quality Standards (PQS), the results were very close and identified Plumpton as the Groundstaff Champion.

Marcus Waters, Clerk of the Course at Plumpton Racecourse, said: “Winning the Champion Groundstaff Award is an amazing achievement and I am so proud of all the team for all the hard work they out in through the year.

“The backing we have had from the managers and owners of the racecourse is second to none. It is clear that they truly value the importance of the racing surface. Thank you to all the sponsors and horsemen for all their support.”

Holly Cook, Racecourse Services Manager at the RCA, said: “The RCA is proud to manage and support the Racecourse Groundstaff Awards, which are run with the support of our sponsors at Agrovista, DLF and Duralock, to whom we are very grateful.

“This highly coveted award recognises the hard work and vital contribution of racecourse groundstaff teams, and our congratulations go to the team at Plumpton Racecourse.”

Dan Hughes, Agrovista Amenity, said “The Groundstaff Champion Award is a reflection of the efforts of hundreds of skilled and dedicated grounds professionals, that make racing happen.

“Agrovista Amenity as a joint sponsor would like to congratulate Plumpton Racecourse as the overall Groundstaff Champion 2024, which is testament to the outstanding understanding and application of turf agronomy and science, and the immense commitment of their team.”

Matt Gresty, DLF Seeds & Science, said: “DLF are proud to co-sponsor the overall Groundstaff Champion, the award to Plumpton Racecourse is a true reflection of the expertise, commitment and dedication to producing a first-class racing surface, in a very challenging environment.”

Jonathon McGovern, Duralock, said “Duralock are absolutely thrilled that Plumpton Racecourse have won this year’s award – it is testament to the hard work and dedication that their whole team have put into maintaining their wonderful racecourse so a big congratulations to all involved.”

For more information about Agrovista UK, visit www.agrovista.co.uk/amenity

For more information about MM Sports Seed, visit www.mm-seeds.co.uk.

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Hybrid pitches to be used in County Championship

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Hybrid pitches to be used in County Championship: Hybrid pitches will be used for the first time in the 2024 County Championship season.

Read the full article from The Guardian here

Hybrid pitches to be used in County Championship

Hybrid pitches to be used in County Championship

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