STIGA Hits the Ground Running with RFU Partnership

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STIGA Hits the Ground Running with RFU Partnership: The STIGA team have been hard at work delivering innovative ground-care solutions to rugby clubs across England, following its appointment as Official Groundskeeping Partner of England’s Rugby Football Union (RFU).

The multi-year partnership with the RFU underlines STIGA’s commitment to taking the pressure off volunteers and grounds teams, while helping to create world-class playing surfaces at every level of the game, from grassroots to the elite.

STIGA Hits the Ground Running with RFU Partnership

STIGA Hits the Ground Running with RFU Partnership

As part of the agreement, STIGA has already begun rolling out equipment to clubs and sports facilities nationwide. From England Rugby training centres to local community pitches, the garden care brand is supporting the upkeep of green spaces across the country.

Clubs have welcomed STIGA’s cutting-edge autonomous robot mowers and battery-powered equipment, designed to help deliver professional-quality results with minimal effort. Early feedback from clubs has been overwhelmingly positive:

“We are really excited to be part of this initiative.”

“Thank you for giving us the opportunity to use your robot mowers.”

“We’re looking forward to seeing what this super kit can do.”

Further demonstrating its commitment to the wider rugby community, STIGA has also launched an exclusive discount programme for all England Rugby clubs, players and members, available via stiga.com. A portion of proceeds from these purchases will be reinvested directly back into the RFU community, reinforcing STIGA’s mission to support rugby from the ground up.

This landmark partnership strengthens STIGA’s growing presence in the sports sector and builds on existing collaborations with leading clubs across Europe, including Stade Toulousain in France, Bayer 04 Leverkusen in Germany, Benetton Rugby in Italy and Lech Poznań in Poland. With more than 90 years of lawn-care expertise, STIGA continues to expand its footprint in the professional sports market, helping pitches perform at their very best, match after match.

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Bunker Solution Expands Internationally

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Bunker Solution Expands Internationally: Bunker Solution, the fast-growing bunker liner system that’s helped courses across North America achieve better playability and reduced maintenance costs, is now available in Europe, the Middle East and other global golf markets.

“We’ve had a ton of interest from clubs around the world that are doing renovations, so we decided the time was right to expand our distribution,” said CEO Kevin Clark. “It’s a great fit for a global golf market that faces tough labor challenges and high expectations for bunker quality.”

Bunker Solution Expands Internationally

Bunker Solution Expands Internationally

Long-time golf industry executive Anthony Mocklow has joined the Bunker Solution team as their International Sales Director. “I’m really excited to share this technology with facilities in Europe, the Middle East and elsewhere that desperately need better bunker performance,” he said.

Mocklow brings extensive knowledge of golf facilities and trends around the globe. “We’re seeing more clubs updating and remodeling their courses and Bunker Solution is exactly the right option for many of them. It’s a great fit for today’s market because labor is a huge challenge everywhere as is the demand for excellent playability.”

The patented Bunker Solution lining system was developed by Clark two decades ago when he was a Texas superintendent seeking better bunker construction methods. The system uses a liner that’s similar to synthetic turf. Bunker Solution prevents contamination, dramatically reduces washouts, holds sand on faces, eliminates the need for gravel, requires less sand, and doesn’t cause perched water tables. The system is now being used widely in the United States and Canada as the course remodeling and renovation market has grown over the past decade.

Learn more about the system at bunkersolution.com or contact our team at:

Kevin Clark (Headquarters): kevin@bunkersolution.com

Morris Johnson (North American Sales): morris@bunkersolution.com

Anthony Mocklow (International Sales): anthony@bunkersolution.com

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#GroundsWeek Returns for 2026: Join the Celebration

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#GroundsWeek Returns for 2026: Join the Celebration: The Grounds Management Association (GMA) has announced the return of its annual awareness campaign, #GroundsWeek, taking place from 23-29 March 2026.

Following a hugely successful campaign in 2025, which reached more than 20 million people worldwide, including audiences in Australia, #GroundsWeek is once again set to shine a spotlight on the professionals and volunteers who work tirelessly behind the scenes to keep the UK’s playing surfaces and green spaces thriving.

#GroundsWeek Returns for 2026: Join the Celebration

#GroundsWeek Returns for 2026: Join the Celebration

Last year’s campaign received widespread support from major sporting organisations including England Football, The All-England Lawn Tennis Club, Lord’s Cricket Ground, Wembley Stadium and England Rugby, helping to amplify the vital role of grounds staff across all sports and community environments.

CHAMPIONING A SKILLED AND ESSENTIAL INDUSTRY

#GroundsWeek is a nationwide celebration of the expertise that go in to creating and maintaining high-quality playing surfaces. The campaign aims to raise public awareness of the grounds management industry and encourage a deeper appreciation for the work involved.

The GMA is encouraging everyone connected to the industry – clubs, organisations, professional grounds teams, volunteers and anyone working in grounds care – to take part throughout the week.

DOWNLOAD YOUR GROUNDSWEEK ENGAGEMENT PACK NOW!

To make it easier than ever to get involved the GMA has launched a dedicated #GroundsWeek Engagement Pack, offering a suite of downloadable resources to make involvement simple and accessible. The pack includes social media graphics, editable templates and tools to help individuals and organisations celebrate.

“Grounds teams are essential but too often unnoticed,” said Geoff Webb, CEO of the Grounds Management Association. “#GroundsWeek is our opportunity to change that narrative and celebrate the people who make sport and outdoor spaces possible.

“The incredible reach of last year’s campaign showed the strength of our community when we stand together. In 2026, we’re determined to build on that momentum and shine an even brighter light on the people whose work benefits millions every single day.”

INDUSTRY SUPPORT

#GroundsWeek is proudly backed by GMA Platinum Corporate Supporters Kubota (UK), Howardson Group, ICL Group, MJ Abbott, Premier Pitches, GKB Machines, ISEKI UK & Ireland and Cramer, alongside GMA Gold Corporate Supporters Rada UK, Aquatrols Europe, Redexim, RT Machinery, SGL and Husqvarna UK.

For more information and to download the Engagement Pack, visit thegma.org.uk/groundsweek.

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STIHL marks century with host of celebrations

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STIHL marks century with host of celebrations: The world’s best-selling chainsaw brand, STIHL, is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year. Since 1926, STIHL has defined the global standard for battery and petrol-powered forestry, landscaping, and residential gardening equipment for professional and domestic users alike.

Built to make work in nature easier, STIHL began as a one-man operation in a Stuttgart workshop. Today, it stands as an internationally renowned leader in dual technology solutions. The family-owned company, rooted in petrol-powered products, celebrates its centennial by continuing to lead innovation across both petrol and battery-powered technologies.

STIHL marks century with host of celebrations

STIHL marks century with host of celebrations

To mark the milestone, STIHL will host a range of celebrations in Great Britain and across its global network throughout the year. To kick off, STIHL will pay tribute to the famous MS 500i, the world’s first mass-produced petrol chainsaw with electronically controlled fuel injection, by launching a centennial edition of the model. The tool achieves an impressively low power-to-weight ratio of 1.24 kg/kW and features an elegant black design and distinctive centenary detailing. Remaining true to the performance of the original, the special edition model continues to set the benchmark for demanding forestry applications and will be available to buy later in the year from selected dealers.

Additionally, STIHL will run a series of competitions on its social channels throughout the year to reward its loyal customers and help them share in the celebrations.

Taking place at its Contra House headquarters on 25th June, STIHL will also host a special dealer conference with dedicated awards ceremony, recognising its valued dealer network. The STIHL 100 Awards will shine a spotlight on star dealers, acknowledging the contribution they make to the brand’s continued success.

Dr. Nikolas Stihl, Chairman of the Supervisory Board and Advisory Board of STIHL, said: “Any company that reaches the grand old age of 100 hasn’t got there by relying on tradition alone.”

“It can only stay successful for a century if it knows its roots, while also recognising when it’s time to start a new chapter. With that in mind, our anniversary is not just a time to look back, but also a moment to recognise the strength that comes from our combination of heritage, engineering expertise, and the courage to innovate.”

For more information on STIHL products, visit www.stihl.co.uk or contact your nearest STIHL Approved Dealer.

Find out more about STIHL’s historic milestone, here: https://100.stihl.com

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Greenmaster Liquid Advance sets a new standard

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Greenmaster Liquid Advance sets a new standard: ICL has launched Greenmaster Liquid Advance, a new liquid fertiliser range developed to support turf performance during periods of stress.

Building on the long-established success of the Greenmaster Liquid range, Greenmaster Liquid Advance represents a significant evolution in liquid turf nutrition, introducing new technology and performance capability beyond what has previously been available across liquid fertilisers.

Greenmaster Liquid Advance sets a new standard

Greenmaster Liquid Advance sets a new standard

Designed for professional turf managers, the range combines proven liquid nutrition with a biostimulant package containing MTU®, a patented molecule now available in turf for the first time.

MTU® has been developed to support plant efficiency when conditions limit normal turf response. Stresses such as low light, temperature extremes, and heavy wear can restrict nutrient uptake and recovery. By helping maintain key plant processes during these periods, MTU® supports turf resilience and more consistent performance.

Integrated into the Greenmaster Liquid Advance formulations, MTU® works alongside balanced nutrition to help turf make more effective use of applied nutrients under pressure. The range also contains pidolic acid, included to support nutrient uptake and stress tolerance, giving turf managers a practical way to feed surfaces when stress limits normal plant response.

Key benefits for turf managers

  • More consistent turf response under challenging conditions
  • Improved nutrient efficiency and colour retention
  • Stronger recovery and playing quality under pressure

Andy Owen, International Technical Manager at ICL, said: “Greenmaster Liquid Advance is designed to support turf performance when stress limits normal plant response. Conditions such as low light, temperature extremes and heavy wear reduce how efficiently turf can use applied nutrition. By combining proven liquid nutrition with MTU® and pidolic acid, the range helps maintain key plant processes under stress, supporting more consistent turf performance and colour through challenging periods.”

Jaroslav Nisler, Head of the Isotope Laboratory at the Institute of Experimental Botany in the Czech Republic and the lead scientist behind MTU®, added: “MTU® is a patented molecule with a clear mode of action. Even at very low concentrations it delivers results, helping turf maintain green leaf area and recover more quickly after stress. Its inclusion in Greenmaster Liquid Advance makes this technology available to turf managers for the first time.”

Availability

Greenmaster Liquid Advance is available now through ICL’s distribution network.

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Please contact ICL on 01473 237100 or visit www.icl-sf.co.uk or www.icl-sf.ie if you are in Ireland.

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