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Jayne Leyland inducted into Hall of Fame

November 5, 2024/in News, People, Press Release/by Admin

Jayne Leyland inducted into Hall of Fame: The Grounds Management Association (GMA) is proud to announce that Jayne Leyland, Portfolio Director at Origin Amenity Solutions, has been inducted into the prestigious GMA Hall of Fame. As part of the GMA’s 90th anniversary celebrations, this honor recognises Jayne’s outstanding contributions and long-standing dedication to advancing the […]

OAS Products and Formartine FC’s Journey to Gold

November 5, 2024/in News, Press Release/by Admin

OAS Products and Formartine FC’s Journey to Gold: In the rugged terrain of Aberdeenshire, where the winds howl and the rains pour relentlessly, lies Formartine United Football Club, a beacon of grassroots football passion in the Scottish Highlands. Despite a modest budget and a mere two months of sun (if they’re lucky!), Formartine FC has […]

Jayne Leyland inducted into Hall of Fame

November 5, 2024/in News, People, Press Release/by Admin

OAS Products and Formartine FC’s Journey to Gold

November 5, 2024/in News, Press Release/by Admin

Full Sized Blog Element (Big Preview Pic)

Jayne Leyland inducted into Hall of Fame

November 5, 2024/in News, People, Press Release/by Admin

Jayne Leyland inducted into Hall of Fame: The Grounds Management Association (GMA) is proud to announce that Jayne Leyland, Portfolio Director at Origin Amenity Solutions, has been inducted into the prestigious GMA Hall of Fame.

As part of the GMA’s 90^th anniversary celebrations, this honor recognises Jayne’s outstanding contributions and long-standing dedication to advancing the turfcare industry.

Jayne Leyland inducted into Hall of Fame

With over three decades in the sector, Jayne Leyland is widely regarded as one of the most knowledgeable and influential grass seed specialists in the field. She has become a trusted resource for countless groundskeepers and turf professionals, who have come to rely on her expertise. Her work has helped shape turf management practices across the UK and beyond.

Born in Cheshire, Jayne began her journey at Reaseheath College, where she earned a Higher National Diploma in Horticulture (Golf Course Management). She first stepped into greenkeeping in 1993 at East Sussex National Golf Club and later held a role as assistant course manager at Chart Hills in Kent.

She transitioned into advisory roles by joining Barenbrug as an area manager, where she provided expert technical support and helped launch several landmark grass seed products, including RTF, SOS, and RPR.

Currently with Origin Amenity Solutions, Jayne continues to make significant contributions to turf management education, working closely with clients such as St Andrews Links Trust and Manchester City. She remains an active member of the BSPB Amenity Crop Group, overseeing turfgrass seed trials at STRI in Bingley and serving multiple times as chair.

Geoff Webb, Grounds Management Association Chief Executive Officer said: “Jayne’s dedication to advancing turf management through her research and product development has had a profound and lasting impact on our industry. Her work has not only enhanced the quality of our green spaces but also inspired those around her to strive for the same high standards. Jayne’s award exemplifies the expertise that the GMA Hall of Fame celebrates, and we are genuinely honoured to recognise her achievements and contributions as part of our 90th anniversary celebrations. We look forward to seeing her continue to shape the future of turfcare for years to come.”

Jayne Leyland, Hall of Fame Inductee, said: “I’m truly overwhelmed and deeply honoured to receive this recognition. I never set out for awards – I’m just doing a job! A job I love in an industry that’s meant everything to me. It feels strange to be celebrated for something that has always been a passion and a privilege. I hope this inspires others to find joy and purpose in what they do, just as I have over the years. I’m grateful to be part of this community and share in something so special.”

To find out more about the Grounds Management Association Hall of Fame, please visit: www.thegma.org.uk/who/hall-of-fame

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

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OAS Products and Formartine FC’s Journey to Gold

November 5, 2024/in News, Press Release/by Admin

OAS Products and Formartine FC’s Journey to Gold: In the rugged terrain of Aberdeenshire, where the winds howl and the rains pour relentlessly, lies Formartine United Football Club, a beacon of grassroots football passion in the Scottish Highlands.

Despite a modest budget and a mere two months of sun (if they’re lucky!), Formartine FC has defied the odds with their pitch, recently bestowed with the prestigious Gold status by the Scottish Football Association (SFA).

OAS Products and Formartine FC’s Journey to Gold

Behind this remarkable achievement is not just hard work and dedication but a revolutionary approach to pitch management, rooted in organic principles and powered by Symbio products, a subsidiary of Origin Amenity Solutions (OAS).

Leading the charge is the Head Groundsman of Formartine United FC Paul Fiske. With 35 years of greenkeeping and grounds management experience, including a 22-year tenure as the former head groundskeeper at Aberdeen FC, Paul’s passion knows no bounds. For the past six years, he has tended to Formartine’s pitch, with unwavering support from committee members and volunteers who share his dedication to excellence.

Formartine United Football Club is a semi-professional Scottish senior association football club currently playing in the Highland Football League but with ambitious plans to make higher leagues through the pyramid system.

Despite operating on a modest budget, the football club based in Pitmedden prioritises the maintenance of its grounds above all else, thanks to a chairman who understands the importance of investing in quality infrastructure and spends more on the pitch than other teams in its league.

Paul’s partnership with OAS dates back 15 years to when he began working with Symbio’s technical representatives. He has a bespoke programme tailored to Formartine’s unique challenges which incorporates a range of biological products including Mycorrhizae Inoculant, Mycrogro fertiliser, Compost Teas and Liquid Aeration, and biostimulants like CMS Shoot and Seaweed.

“Our programme works,” says Paul Fiske. “It is well regarded that our pitch is the best in our league. It is a soil-based pitch with minimal disease. We tweak things as necessary. The changing weather means it is not an exact science. The Symbio Mycorrhizae Inoculant is truly an unbelievable product – It really accelerates grass establishment and speeds up the pitch renovation process. It’s not a cheap option, but the results speak for themselves. With the short window for pitch renovations, every day counts, and the Mycorrhizae Inoculant ensures that we get the job done efficiently.”

Complementing the Mycorrhizae Inoculant is Mycrogro fertiliser, which provides essential nutrients for robust plant growth, and Compost Tea, which promotes soil health and biodiversity. Liquid Aeration, a noninvasive alternative to mechanical aeration, helps alleviate soil compaction by stimulating microbial activity and improving water infiltration, ensuring optimal playing conditions throughout the season.

Navigating the unpredictable Scottish weather, where rainfall has reached unprecedented levels, Paul relies on OAS’s innovative solutions to keep the pitch in play. Liquid Aeration and products like HydroAid play a crucial role in managing water movement and promoting optimal soil health, ensuring that the pitch remains resilient despite adverse weather conditions. “I have needed to use more Liquid Aeration than usual, but it’s important to use it at the right time; I watch the forecast closely and apply products ahead of the weather. HydraAid and Liquid Aeration are fantastic for pulling the water off the surface and speeding up percolation.”

Looking ahead, Formartine United F.C. harbours ambitions of climbing the ranks. Paul reflects on their journey and says “The results speak for themselves. Despite the challenging climate and heavy usage, Formartine’s pitch boasted an impressive 90% grass coverage when the 2023/24 season drew to a close. It’s clear to see that the pitch is actually performing better than some topflight Scottish clubs, even ones in the same region with bigger and better resources and less usage” concludes Paul, “given the usage Formartine gets, it’s a credit to the unwavering support of the chairman, the organic products from OAS, hard work and good working practices carried out with professionalism.”

Formartine United FC is a shining example of what can be achieved with passion, innovation, and a little help from nature. As they continue to defy expectations and chase their footballing dreams, one thing is certain – their pitch will always be a source of pride and envy for many clubs in their league and higher across Scotland.

If you would like OAS to help compile a programme for you, call the team on 0800 138 7222 or email sales@originamenity.com

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)

Jayne Leyland inducted into Hall of Fame

OAS Products and Formartine FC’s Journey to Gold

Jayne Leyland inducted into Hall of Fame

OAS Products and Formartine FC’s Journey to Gold

Full Sized Blog Element (Big Preview Pic)

Jayne Leyland inducted into Hall of Fame

Jayne Leyland inducted into Hall of Fame: The Grounds Management Association (GMA) is proud to announce that Jayne Leyland, Portfolio Director at Origin Amenity Solutions, has been inducted into the prestigious GMA Hall of Fame.

OAS Products and Formartine FC’s Journey to Gold

OAS Products and Formartine FC’s Journey to Gold: In the rugged terrain of Aberdeenshire, where the winds howl and the rains pour relentlessly, lies Formartine United Football Club, a beacon of grassroots football passion in the Scottish Highlands.

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