First Cricket Edition Of Schools Into Stadia

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First Cricket Edition Of Schools Into Stadia: The Grounds Management Association’s (GMA) NextGen group bowled over students at Lord’s Cricket Ground on Friday 27 June, as the Schools Into Stadia initiative delivered its first ever cricket-focused edition.

Local school students were offered a rare behind the scenes look at one of the world’s most iconic sporting venues, whilst getting a hands-on introduction to the world of grounds management – a profession that plays a vital yet often overlooked role in sport.

First Cricket Edition Of Schools Into Stadia

First Cricket Edition Of Schools Into Stadia

The students got stuck in with practical activities led by the Lord’s grounds team, learning how to prepare a pitch and apply turf care techniques used at the highest level of the game.

They also had the unique opportunity to hear from industry professionals about their career journeys, gaining real insight into the skills and science that make sport possible.

Jack Langley, GMA NextGen Co-Chair, said: “Giving people an opportunity to come into professional venues in the first place is key. It’s great to show off what we’re doing and show the students that this career is a great opportunity.

“It’s second to none being outside, working outdoors, meeting people, learning science of the grass.”

The Schools Into Stadia initiative, supported by GMA NextGen sponsor Reesink UK, has now reached students at top-tier venues including Wimbledon’s All England Club, Anfield Stadium, Goodison Park and Ashton Gate.

Meg Lay, GMA NextGen Co-Chair and Groundsperson at Lord’s, said: “If you want to be out in the middle of an iconic venue like Lord’s or the Emirates, Anfield, Wembley, wherever it may be, there’s only a few ways you can do that – one of those is playing, you might be a coach, or you’re cutting the grass.

“We’re bumping shoulders with some of the biggest athletes in the world every day and it’s one of the only ways you can do it.”

With under 35 representation now on the rise in grounds management, initiatives like this are helping to future-proof the industry, making sure young people know that careers in grounds management are not only possible, but exciting and vital to sport at every level.

Gillian Haverson, Marketing & Communications Manager at Reesink UK, said: “The fact the students have been able to walk out onto the playing surface and see the place where in two weeks’ time, England will play a test match, is incredible. They’ve been able to do the pitch tests themselves, and I think that practical element is crucial for young people because they really get something out of that. It gets them thinking what the role of a groundsperson actually entails so it’s been very valuable.”

To find out more about the GMA NextGen group, visit thegma.org.uk/nextgen.

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Broomieknowe gets instant drainage improvements

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Broomieknowe gets instant drainage improvements: Following a successful year-long trial, Broomieknowe Golf Club in Scotland made the decision to permanently add the Air2G2 336 from Campey Turf Care Systems to its turf maintenance fleet, after seeing significant improvements in drainage and root development across its greens.

Broomieknowe Golf Club, located in Bonnyrigg, just outside Edinburgh, is a picturesque parkland course that has been a staple of the Midlothian golfing scene since its establishment in 1905. With its mature tree-lined fairways and testing greens, the course presents a fine balance of challenge and playability for its members and visitors.

Broomieknowe gets instant drainage improvements

Broomieknowe gets instant drainage improvements

Whilst, under the care of Head Greenkeeper Billy Hudson, who joined the club just under a year ago, the challenge has been slow drainage in the 18 greens. Billy knew the half-sand, half-soil composition needed to be addressed to make progress, and he turned to STRI consultant Gary Smith during the club’s annual agronomy visit for advice.

Gary suggested a trial programme using the Air2G2, a machine Billy was already familiar with from his time at Ratho Park Golf Club, where he first purchased one in 2017.

“When Gary came to the club in June 2024, he suggested we use the Air2G2 once a month on the greens over five months to improve the rooting and drainage, and we noticed significant improvements,’ Billy explains.

“It was clear the greens needed attention, but after speaking with Gary, we agreed that simply applying more sand wasn’t the answer. Instead, we needed to explore alternative forms of aeration, and that’s when Gary suggested the Air2G2.

“For the trial, we got someone in to do the work for us, but the results were so impressive that we knew we needed to get a machine of our own to continue the progress.”

The impressive results observed at Broomieknowe are largely due to the innovative design of the Air2G2. The machine works by laterally injecting air into the root zone at three different depths using probes that penetrate the soil without surface disruption. This fractures compacted layers and increases pore space, promoting better water infiltration and oxygen flow to roots. It’s particularly effective on fine soil profiles, where traditional aeration might be less effective or more disruptive.

The club now uses the machine early in the mornings, rotating across six greens per week, allowing them to cover all 18 in three weeks. Because of the minimal impact on the surface, this is done without causing any disruption to golfers.

The relationship with Campey Turf Care Systems has also played a key role in the decision. Billy originally dealt with Campey’s Richard Heywood when buying the Air2G2 at Ratho Park and says the backup service has always been spot on, with support always there when it’s needed.

With the Air2G2 now an integral part of their maintenance programme, Billy is confident Broomieknowe’s greens will continue to thrive, especially during the wetter months, when drainage performance becomes critical.

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Baroness announce new 22,000sq foot facility

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Baroness announce new 22,000sq foot facility: Baroness UK, leaders in high-quality turf maintenance equipment, are pleased to announce a significant expansion to their UK facilities.

In direct response to continued company growth, the new 22,000sq foot facility will strengthen operational capabilities and provide enhanced support and training for partners in their UK, Irish and European dealer network.

Baroness announce new 22,000sq foot facility

Baroness announce new 22,000sq foot facility

The expanded facility, located in Basingstoke, becomes the third facility in the UK and marks a significant milestone for the brand as they seek to support their 18 dealers operating out of 46 sites throughout the UK, Ireland and across the EU. Together with underscoring their commitment to delivering exceptional service, the strategic investment also allows Baroness to streamline further machine imports, have a larger dedicated space for hands-on training and stock a wider range of spares and parts.

“As demand for our equipment continues to grow, it’s vital we are investing in the infrastructure that enables us to meet the needs of our dealers and end-users, not only in the UK but further afield” comments Baroness UK Director Adam Butler. “The new facility will support increased inventory and faster delivery but will also give us the space we need to run new and more frequent training programmes to ensure our dealers are equipped with the knowledge and resources they need to deliver the exceptional quality and reliability that Baroness is known for.”

“We see this as a necessary step to elevate our operation to the next level. It’s not just growing our footprint, it’s strengthening all elements of our manufacturer/dealer relationship which will put us in the best position to provide unmatched support in every aspect of the ownership and service of a Baroness and AgriMetal product.”

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SIS Pitches completes new hybrid pitch in Reykjavik

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SIS Pitches completes new hybrid pitch in Reykjavik: Global leader in sports surfaces SIS Pitches has completed the installation of a bespoke new hybrid pitch system at Laugardalsvöllur, Iceland’s national football stadium in Reykjavik.

The full design and construction of the new pitch will maximise elite-level football in Iceland, where the country’s subpolar climate has historically made high-standard playing surfaces difficult to maintain. The completion of the project builds on SIS Pitches’ status as the leading pitch builder in Iceland following its successful construction of the pitch at FH Hafnarfjorour in 2023.

SIS Pitches completes new hybrid pitch in Reykjavik

SIS Pitches completes new hybrid pitch in Reykjavik

Laugardalsvöllur’s full hybrid grass pitch benefits from three of SIS Pitches’ advanced concepts, each working in unison to keep the surface play-ready all year round. The SIS Grass Hybrid system features a 95% natural grass surface reinforced with polyethylene fibres to deliver significantly more playing hours than a fully natural pitch, which is especially important given Iceland’s harsh temperatures, high rainfall and limited daylight.

Installed below the pitch itself is the SIS Aqua pop-up irrigation system and the SIS Heat undersoil heating system, which optimises the temperature of the rootzone, encouraging better root growth and reduce the risk of long-term damage. The installation is completed by a bespoke irrigation and undersoil heating system.

Part-funded by the city of Reykjavik, the project was completed over a period of three months. During this period, the installation team successfully navigated challenges posed by snow, ice and temperatures as low as -16°C. Access to the site was also limited in December – a time when good daylight in Iceland can be as little as two hours per day.

After excavating the existing playing area 450mm down to a formation level, the new drainage, irrigation and undersoil heating systems were installed. This was followed by the installation of a lower rootzone, an upper rootzone and the playing surface itself, which benefits from the structured profile underneath.

The hybrid grass fibres were installed to a depth of 180mm and stitched at 2cm x 2cm spacing, increasing the long-term durability of the playing surface. All materials used through the profile of the pitch were tested before being independently verified by leading sports agronomists, OBI Sports, to ensure conformity with industry standards and high performance over their lifespan. The dedicated support provided by SIS Pitches’ team of experts to the stadium’s grounds staff during the grow-in stage ensured no issues were encountered during the quick turnaround from seeding to the first competitive fixture.

Carlos Reis, Director at SIS Pitches, said: “The project was a challenging one due to Iceland’s tough climate, but we always thrive on overcoming challenges. It was a real privilege to bring an elite level playing surface to Iceland’s national stadium. The configuration of the new hybrid pitch will power more play all year round, helping the country to further grow its footballing profile on the international stage.

Michael Walker, International Sales Manager at SIS Pitches, added: “Iceland isn’t necessarily conducive to the effective growth of natural grass, so the hybrid profile really is the ideal solution. Ultimately, it will mean a pitch free of discrepancies, promising uninterrupted play for the Icelandic national team.”

For more information on SIS Pitches’ sports pitch installation services, visit sispitches.com.

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Power the future of grounds management

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Power the future of grounds management: The Grounds Management Association (GMA) is proud to reaffirm what truly sets SALTEX apart: every penny generated by the show is reinvested directly into the grounds management industry, supporting the people that keep sport and community spaces thriving across the nation.

For nearly nine decades, SALTEX has existed with a singular purpose: to elevate and advance the profession of grounds management. As a not-for-profit, mission-led event, SALTEX reinvests every pound it generates back into the industry – supporting everyone from grassroots volunteers maintaining local pitches to elite professionals delivering world-class playing surfaces around the globe.

Power the future of grounds management

Power the future of grounds management

Revenue from SALTEX 2024 has enabled the GMA to subsidise approximately 63% of its membership base, delivering essential support to both professional and volunteer grounds staff. Community and the brand-new free student memberships have benefited most, strengthening the GMA’s promise to nurture new talent and ensuring the highest standards of grounds care are applied across the country.

SALTEX profits also support the funding of the industry’s gold-standard training. In the last financial year, income from the show subsidised over 2,000 GMA training courses and qualifications, helping more groundspeople to upskill and grow. The subsidised fees have attracted an extra 7% of learners this year, widening access and upskilling even more people across the sector. The GMA remains the only sector body accredited under the Department for Education’s matrix Standard – a testament to the quality of the association’s training and support.

The GMA’s work to champion the sector wouldn’t be possible without SALTEX. The exhibition enables key initiatives like the annual Industry Awards, recognising excellence at all levels, and #GroundsWeek, the GMA’s national campaign shining a spotlight on the vital work of grounds teams. This year’s #GroundsWeek reached more than 20 million people, the biggest audience to date, inspiring future recruits and building recognition for the profession.

For over ten years, SALTEX has served as a vital meeting ground for the UK’s leading sports governing bodies (NGBs) including The FA, Football Foundation, ECB, RFU and RFL, who consistently choose the show as a trusted platform to engage with the industry. Their presence enables a shared focus on improving facilities at every level. By aligning with the GMA and SALTEX, the NGBs are investing in the long-term sustainability and success of the spaces where sport happens.

Sarah Cunningham, Director of Commercial, Membership and Events at the GMA, said: “SALTEX is the engine room of our industry. Every exhibitor and every visitor helps us reinvest in the people who make sport possible, from the volunteers who keep local pitches playable to the professionals preparing world-class surfaces and green spaces.

“And the impact is far-reaching in helping fund the training, resources, initiatives and recognition our sector needs to thrive. When people choose to be part of SALTEX either as an exhibitor or a visitor, they’re directly supporting the future of grounds management, and that’s something we’re incredibly proud of.”

As the only event of its kind that gives back to the industry, SALTEX remains the professional choice for those committed to the future of grounds management.

SALTEX takes place at Birmingham NEC on 12-13 November 2025. Exhibitors wishing to secure their place at Europe’s cutting-edge grounds management show should contact saltexsales@thegma.org.uk.

For more information and to register for your FREE ticket, visit www.saltex.org.uk.

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