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ICL helps to modernise Warrington Wolves

August 17, 2022/in News, Press Release/by Lucy Nicholls

ICL helps to modernise Warrington Wolves: From seed to nutrition – an ICL integrated turf management programme is helping Warrington Wolves modernise its grounds department. Before taking the position of Head of Grounds at Warrington Wolves Niall Hazlehurst had always been involved in football grounds management having worked at Bolton Wanderers FC, Rochdale A.F.C. and […]

GGM Group’s charity cycle challenge

August 17, 2022/in News, Press Release/by Alex Hallissey

GGM Group’s charity cycle challenge: This year Lancashire based business The GGM Group have pledged to fulfil 12 months of fundraising for their chosen charity the North West Air Ambulance, and have set an ambitious target of £10,000. Having kicked off this year’s fundraising with a 96km bike ride across the North West from the […]

ICL helps to modernise Warrington Wolves

August 17, 2022/in News, Press Release/by Lucy Nicholls

GGM Group’s charity cycle challenge

August 17, 2022/in News, Press Release/by Alex Hallissey

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ICL helps to modernise Warrington Wolves

August 17, 2022/in News, Press Release/by Lucy Nicholls

ICL helps to modernise Warrington Wolves: From seed to nutrition – an ICL integrated turf management programme is helping Warrington Wolves modernise its grounds department.

Before taking the position of Head of Grounds at Warrington Wolves Niall Hazlehurst had always been involved in football grounds management having worked at Bolton Wanderers FC, Rochdale A.F.C. and Fulham FC.

ICL helps to modernise Warrington Wolves

However, the job at Warrington Wolves, a Rugby League club signalled the prospect of a new and exciting chapter which would allow him to put his own stamp on the project.

“I had a chat with the management team, and it became apparent that I would be working with a blank canvas,” said Niall. “There were so many old machines and so we cleared everything out and started fresh. It was time to modernise the department and also the pitch.”

With the full backing of the owners, Niall got to work, and his first action was to investigate new grass seed options at the Halliwell Jones Stadium. After recommendations from fellow groundstaff at Doncaster FC and seeing it perform well at other venues, Niall decided to go with ICL’s ProSelect 1 Premium Pitch.

Combining four top-ranked perennial ryegrasses and with rapid establishment, it provides a fast-recovering, dense, hard-wearing surface.

“My plan was to use ICL’s nutritional products, so I thought it made sense to use the seed as well,” he said. “I liked the fact the cultivars in ProSelect 1 rank very highly in the BSPB ratings. Last season we scarified as much as possible and overseeded with the ProSelect 1, and we had really good results.

“It helped keep Poa at bay, and the germination and establishment are quick. What stands out to me is how well the pitch plays. Now the seed has had a chance to establish we no longer get those big divots when the rugby players all come together.”

After seeing successful results from the seed, Niall and Phil Collinson, North West Key Account Manager for ICL, started to explore the possibility of introducing ProSelect Sport TRT into the seeding programme.

“We took the next step, and we are now using a combination of ProSelect 1 Premium Pitch and ProSelect Sport TRT,” said Niall. “ProSelect Sport TRT is a hard-wearing creeping ryegrass mix and will bring a lot of benefits to a pitch that doesn’t have full surface removal each year.”

Phil offered his thoughts: “By using a combination of both seeds, you get the high ranked cultivars from ProSelect 1 Premium Pitch along with the benefits of Torsion – one of the cultivars in ProSelect Sport TRT. We all crave that dark green colour that we see so much on TV and with Torsion in Sport TRT genetically being a darker variety it gives you an advantage over some of the other cultivars. And when you consider its wear tolerance then it makes sense to introduce it to a situation like Niall is managing.”

With confidence in the seed, Niall’s focus quickly turned to nutrition and specifically a feeding programme.

“I wanted to move away from a scenario where the pitch was getting fed when it looked like it needed to,” he said. “I felt we needed a more pro-active approach which would avoid peaks and troughs. This pitch needs to be always ready and playable because the club can agree to put a game on at any time – it brings in revenue. This is fine now because the pitch is continuously good, and I think ICL’s Sierraform GT Spring & Summer CalMag14.0.7 fertiliser has played a part in this.

“Because of its micro granulation, you can use low rates more frequently, fortnightly for example, to help level out that nutrition and avoid lots of lush growth. With it being predominantly slow release, we can rely on it to give great longevity out of the product and the colour it provides is unbelievable.”

Niall also revealed that a tank-mix consisting of Greenmaster Liquid CalMag at 20 L/ha and Vitalnova Stressbuster at 20 L/ha is playing an integral part in his maintenance programme.

“We like to apply this 48 hours before a game,” he said. “It gives us everything we want, including outstanding presentation and great recovery. Since we have been using this tank mix there has been very little to no damage to the pitch under play. At the end of the day, it’s similar to the way you would prepare a player before a game – the pitch is a living thing too.”

Commenting on the progress Niall has made, Phil said: “It is a unique situation here at Warrington Wolves with very high usage and high pitch demands. A bespoke plan was needed, and Niall is working brilliantly towards taking the pitch in a new direction – it is evolving all the time.”

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

For more news and insightful views, you can follow ICL on Twitter @ICL_Turf

For the latest industry news visit turfmatters.co.uk/news

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GGM Group’s charity cycle challenge

August 17, 2022/in News, Press Release/by Alex Hallissey

GGM Group’s charity cycle challenge: This year Lancashire based business The GGM Group have pledged to fulfil 12 months of fundraising for their chosen charity the North West Air Ambulance, and have set an ambitious target of £10,000.

Having kicked off this year’s fundraising with a 96km bike ride across the North West from the depot in Haydock back to the Head Office in Colne via the Leeds and Liverpool canal.

GGM Group’s charity cycle challenge

19 team members, came together from across all departments ranging in age between 18 – 62, and took on the 95 kilometre route, despite sweltering heat, and a number of punctures the team finished the route together and enjoyed a well-deserved team BBQ to celebrate.

To date the cycle ride has raised over £2,600.00 and is continuing to rise, for this year’s chosen company charity partner The North West Air Ambulance, which are much needed funds during these difficult times. The business will be running further initiative over the coming months with their aim to raise £10,000 for the charity over the year. Since the launch of the charity in 1999, it has continued to operate 365 days a year and has responded to over 24,500 missions across the Northwest. The charity receives no government or NHS funding and must raise over £9.5m each year to remain operational.

GGM Group operates across the North West, is following hot on the heels of previous year’s highly successful charitable efforts, where the organisation raised over £10,000 for charities across the North West, and is keen to build on this success and keep the momentum running.

Managing Director Chris Gibson explains more:

“Every year we carry out a physical challenge to raise funds for our chosen company charity and it’s a huge highlight in our calendar. Previously we have completed the Yorkshire Three Peaks and in 2020 we didn’t let lockdown dampen our spirits, carrying out a charity walk and cycle ride in socially distanced stints.”

“I am hugely proud of what our staff have done in this year’s charity cycle and it is teamwork in the truest sense. Not everyone regularly cycles, yet they have committed to taking part in this challenge for our charity. As a family business, it’s fantastic for us all to come together.

“It’s a key part of our ethos at The GGM Group to give something back to the local community and North West Air Ambulance provide an essential service. Amazingly they receive no government or NHS funding so every penny we and others raise for the charity makes such a lifesaving difference.”

About GGM Group

The GGM Group operates two businesses across two sites. GGM Groundscare is a specialist supplier of tractors and high-quality professional land-based equipment for commercial and domestic use, servicing the North West and Yorkshire, it supplies a range of products from leading franchises including Kubota, Baroness and Amazone. PSD Groundscare is the national distributor of specialist landscaping equipment, including AS Motor, Eliet, Koppl and TS Industries.

To support the team and make a donation visit the Justgiving page: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/the-ggm-group

For the latest industry news visit turfmatters.co.uk/news

Get all of the big headlines, pictures, opinions and videos on stories that matter to you.

Follow us on Twitter and Instagram for fun, fresh and engaging content.

You can also find us on Facebook for more of your must-see news, features, videos and pictures from Turf Matters.

Half Sized Blog Element (Single Author Style)

Half Sized Blog Element (Multi Author Style)

ICL helps to modernise Warrington Wolves

GGM Group’s charity cycle challenge

ICL helps to modernise Warrington Wolves

GGM Group’s charity cycle challenge

Full Sized Blog Element (Big Preview Pic)

ICL helps to modernise Warrington Wolves

ICL helps to modernise Warrington Wolves: From seed to nutrition – an ICL integrated turf management programme is helping Warrington Wolves modernise its grounds department.

GGM Group’s charity cycle challenge

GGM Group’s charity cycle challenge: This year Lancashire based business The GGM Group have pledged to fulfil 12 months of fundraising for their chosen charity the North West Air Ambulance, and have set an ambitious target of £10,000.

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