Blog Elements - Turf Matters

Half Sized Blog Element (Single Author Style)

Half Sized Blog Element (Multi Author Style)

Volunteers hosted at MKM Stadium

November 14, 2024/in News, Press Release/by Admin

Volunteers hosted at MKM Stadium: In a first-of-its-kind event, the Grounds Management Association (GMA), Hull City FC and East Riding FA have come together to welcome over 60 local grassroots volunteers to the MKM Stadium. This behind-the-scenes experience offered participants a unique insight into professional grounds management and enabled grassroots volunteers the opportunity to learn […]

Leaf Reducer solves parkland problem

November 14, 2024/in News, Press Release/by Admin

Leaf Reducer solves parkland problem: Formally part of the Bishops of London hunting estate, the 83 acres of leafy, parkland that make up Highgate Golf Club are proving no match for the quick and effective leaf clearance offered by a GKB Leaf Reducer. Course Manager Russell Ling was looking for a sustainable solution to the […]

Volunteers hosted at MKM Stadium

November 14, 2024/in News, Press Release/by Admin

Leaf Reducer solves parkland problem

November 14, 2024/in News, Press Release/by Admin

Full Sized Blog Element (Big Preview Pic)

Volunteers hosted at MKM Stadium

November 14, 2024/in News, Press Release/by Admin

Volunteers hosted at MKM Stadium: In a first-of-its-kind event, the Grounds Management Association (GMA), Hull City FC and East Riding FA have come together to welcome over 60 local grassroots volunteers to the MKM Stadium.

This behind-the-scenes experience offered participants a unique insight into professional grounds management and enabled grassroots volunteers the opportunity to learn more about the skill and techniques utilised to maintain an elite playing surface.

Volunteers hosted at MKM Stadium

Attendees, who are all part of East Riding’s ‘Pitch Partners’ programme, were given a guided tour of the stadium, oversaw different aspects of pitch testing and were provided insight into the science behind pitch care. There was also the opportunity to learn about the GMA’s Pitch Advisory Service and how it supports grassroots organisations such as clubs, local authorities and educational institutions to ensure that playing surfaces meet the highest standards possible.

Chris Hunter, GMA Regional Pitch Advisor said: “This event really shows how important it is for everyone involved in sport, from volunteers to professionals, to come together and share ideas. To see so many grassroots volunteers here today has been fantastic. An event of this scale would not have been possible without the work of all the stakeholders involved.

“It’s not often that these individuals, who work so hard behind the scenes to make sport possible, get to experience the professional side of grounds management. We’re grateful to Hull City and all the partners for providing such an enriching experience and showcasing the importance of community.”

The ‘Day in the Life of Hull City’s Head Grounds Manager’ not only highlighted the practicalities of maintaining grass surfaces but also enabled the community-focused attendees to network with like-minded volunteers as well as professional grounds people and grounds care experts.

Representatives from the Football Foundation were on hand to provide information about potential funding grants and further avenues of support that could be taken away to help community clubs across the region.

Adam Lowthorpe, East Riding County Football Association Chief Executive Officer said: “It is with great delight that we have been able to welcome so many volunteers from across the breadth of our county to this fantastic workshop today. Our collaboration with the Grounds Management Association and Hull City AFC is another significant step in our attempts to provide more high-quality grass football pitches for people to play on and enjoy grassroots football in East Riding.”

Aaron Tong, Head Groundsman at Hull City, said: “Grassroots football is close to my heart, and it was a pleasure to host the event at our stadium and give something back to grassroots in the community. We showed them our equipment and a few of the jobs we do on the pitch, shared our matchday operations and post-match procedures, as well as giving them a stadium tour. They asked questions on what to do in different scenarios and asked for our advice on their pitches. We hope they found our outside perspective useful and that everyone left having learned something new.”

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.

Leaf Reducer solves parkland problem

November 14, 2024/in News, Press Release/by Admin

Leaf Reducer solves parkland problem: Formally part of the Bishops of London hunting estate, the 83 acres of leafy, parkland that make up Highgate Golf Club are proving no match for the quick and effective leaf clearance offered by a GKB Leaf Reducer.

Course Manager Russell Ling was looking for a sustainable solution to the time-consuming task when he discovered the GKB machine – which has eliminated the need to collect and dispose of the waste in exchange for delivering all-important nutrients back into their roughs.

Leaf Reducer solves parkland problem

Managing the leaf fall from the many large oak trees which line the Highgate course has been a mammoth annual task for Russell, who has been at the club for 33 years, and his team of eight. Compact in design, areas once designated for leaf piles were either being re-allocated for new purposes or becoming increasingly inaccessible due to the wetter winters. “I saw the Leaf Reducer on the GKB stand at BTME and could immediately see how it could solve multiple problems for us” he explains.

“After a demonstration I had no doubt it was the way to go.” The unit was delivered by GKB’s Tom Shinkins and local dealer Ernest Doe at the beginning of September – in time for the new leaf fall season!

“We have a blower working out in front, moving the leaves into the roughs. We then pass over with the Leaf Reducer which mulches the leaves into such fine particles that you can hardly see where the leaves had been. In addition to leaving a clean and tidy finish, it also provides some additional nutrients back into areas which we wouldn’t usually feed.”

A unique circular system, the Leaf Reducer uses paddles to lift the leaves and a combination of turbines and milling blades to finely process the leaf waste, converting it into fine mulch before redistributing it back to the surface. Eliminating landfill costs and significantly reducing C0₂ emissions, it offers a sustainable alternative to leaf collection for local authorities, parks managers and greenkeepers maintaining off-play areas around the golf course.

“Tom has been brilliant throughout the purchase process and spent the time to ensure the whole team got to grips with the machine. A few weeks in and it’s already proving itself to be a great purchase! As we move through the season, it’ll be out everyday to keep on top of all the leaves.” Russell concludes, “It’ll become one of our most used machines and one of the most important for retaining both presentation and playability as we host more and more golf through the autumn and winter months.”

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)

Volunteers hosted at MKM Stadium

Leaf Reducer solves parkland problem

Volunteers hosted at MKM Stadium

Leaf Reducer solves parkland problem

Full Sized Blog Element (Big Preview Pic)

Volunteers hosted at MKM Stadium

Volunteers hosted at MKM Stadium: In a first-of-its-kind event, the Grounds Management Association (GMA), Hull City FC and East Riding FA have come together to welcome over 60 local grassroots volunteers to the MKM Stadium.

Leaf Reducer solves parkland problem

Leaf Reducer solves parkland problem: Formally part of the Bishops of London hunting estate, the 83 acres of leafy, parkland that make up Highgate Golf Club are proving no match for the quick and effective leaf clearance offered by a GKB Leaf Reducer.

RESOURCES

CONTACT

CONNECT