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GroundsFest Academy showcases sports surface expertise

July 8, 2026/in News, Press Release/by Admin

GroundsFest Academy showcases sports surface expertise GroundsFest Academy welcomed grounds professionals from across the industry for its latest CPD-accredited event, Preparing Surfaces for Sports, held at Plymouth Football Club’s Home Park Stadium. Delivered in partnership with leading industry specialists Fleet Line Markers, Net World Sports, and Husqvarna, the event provided attendees with practical knowledge, expert […]

Husqvarna becomes Friend of First Green initiative

July 7, 2026/in News, Press Release/by Admin

Husqvarna becomes Friend of First Green initiative Husqvarna has become the first major industry body in the UK to sign up as a Friend of First Green, reinforcing the robotic mowing manufacturer’s commitment to supporting the future of the golf industry through education and innovation. Delivered by BIGGA, First Green is an outreach initiative designed […]

GroundsFest Academy showcases sports surface expertise

July 8, 2026/in News, Press Release/by Admin

Husqvarna becomes Friend of First Green initiative

July 7, 2026/in News, Press Release/by Admin

Full Sized Blog Element (Big Preview Pic)

GroundsFest Academy showcases sports surface expertise

July 8, 2026/in News, Press Release/by Admin

GroundsFest Academy showcases sports surface expertise

GroundsFest Academy welcomed grounds professionals from across the industry for its latest CPD-accredited event, Preparing Surfaces for Sports, held at Plymouth Football Club’s Home Park Stadium.

GroundsFest Academy showcases sports surface expertise

Delivered in partnership with leading industry specialists Fleet Line Markers, Net World Sports, and Husqvarna, the event provided attendees with practical knowledge, expert guidance and hands-on experience covering the key elements involved in preparing and maintaining high-quality sports surfaces.

Bringing together professionals from a wide range of sectors including sports turf, education, local authorities, contractors and professional sports facilities, the event created an excellent opportunity for attendees to share experiences, build connections and gain valuable insight into the latest techniques, equipment and technology shaping the industry.

The practical, insight-led day featured a programme of expert sessions and demonstrations, covering everything from pitch preparation and line marking to equipment selection, safety procedures and the future of turf maintenance technology.

Delegates began the day with Fleet Line Markers, exploring the 3-4-5 method for setting out pitches, alongside the different types of paint available and how to select the right solution for different surfaces.

A facilities tour of Home Park Stadium then provided an insight into the requirements of maintaining a professional sporting venue, before the afternoon sessions focused on selecting the correct equipment, carrying out safety checks and best practices for storage with Net World Sports.

The event concluded with a session on robotic mowing and the role of automation in modern sports surface management, delivered by Husqvarna, before delegates reflected on the key learnings from the day and received their CPD certificates.

Reflecting on the success of the event, Bradley Tennant, Director of Education at GroundsFest Academy, said:

“It was fantastic to welcome such a diverse group of grounds professionals to this latest GroundsFest Academy event. Preparing sports surfaces requires a combination of knowledge, experience and the right equipment, and the aim of the day was to provide practical advice and insight that attendees can take back and apply in their own environments.

“The sessions delivered by Fleet Line Markers, Net World Sports and Husqvarna showcased the expertise and innovation available within our industry, while the discussions between delegates highlighted the value of bringing professionals from different sectors together. It was a great day of learning, networking and sharing best practice, and we look forward to continuing to deliver events that support the development of grounds professionals.”

GroundsFest Academy continues to provide valuable education and development opportunities for the industry, combining expert knowledge, practical demonstrations and networking to support the ongoing advancement of sports surface management.

The free sustainability assessment tool is now available at www.groundsfestacademy.com

You can also follow GroundsFest on X, Facebook and Instagram @GroundsFestAcademy for much more news, reviews and insightful views

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Husqvarna becomes Friend of First Green initiative

July 7, 2026/in News, Press Release/by Admin

Husqvarna becomes Friend of First Green initiative

Husqvarna has become the first major industry body in the UK to sign up as a Friend of First Green, reinforcing the robotic mowing manufacturer’s commitment to supporting the future of the golf industry through education and innovation.

Husqvarna becomes Friend of First Green initiative

Delivered by BIGGA, First Green is an outreach initiative designed to introduce young people to careers in greenkeeping and golf course management, using golf courses as outdoor classrooms to inspire interest in science, technology, engineering, maths and environmental stewardship.

Since launching in the UK in 2022, First Green has continued to build momentum across the industry, with 27 events delivered to almost 1,000 students involving 90 BIGGA members across the UK and Ireland. The programme supports both primary and secondary school engagement, helping clubs connect with local communities while showcasing the evolving role of modern turf management.

In becoming a Friend of First Green, Husqvarna will support the programme’s continued growth and help introduce more young people to the opportunities available within an industry increasingly shaped by technology and innovation.

“Supporting the future of the golf industry means helping inspire and educate the next generation about the opportunities available within modern golf course management,” said Jonathan Snowball, Husqvarna UK’s Head of Business Unit Professional. “First Green is playing an important role in introducing young people to the science, technology and innovation behind the industry, while helping challenge perceptions around what a career in greenkeeping can look like.”

Through its autonomous mowing solutions and continued investment in turf care technology, Husqvarna is helping golf facilities explore new approaches to long-term maintenance. Working directly with golf facilities, tournament venues and industry bodies across Europe to demonstrate how robotic technology can support high-quality playing conditions while helping golf facilities improve operational efficiency.

“It has been fantastic to see First Green continue to grow across the UK, helping introduce more young people to the world of modern golf course management,” said Jenny Bledge, BIGGA Workforce Project Manager. “Showcasing the science, technology and innovation behind the industry is a key part of the programme, and Husqvarna’s support is particularly valuable as robotics and autonomous technology start to play an increasingly important role in the future of greenkeeping.”

First Green continues to expand across the UK and Ireland, helping golf facilities connect with schools and local communities through hands-on learning experiences focused on ecology, machinery, technology and land management.

Husqvarna will be actively supporting First Green events across the UK over the coming 12 months and is keen to hear from any golf facility planning to host a session.

For further information on Husqvarna, visit https://link.edgepilot.com/x/0NiafhRmgKbXGY-AOnr_ca0?u=https://www.husqvarna.com/uk/

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)

GroundsFest Academy showcases sports surface expertise

Husqvarna becomes Friend of First Green initiative

GroundsFest Academy showcases sports surface expertise

Husqvarna becomes Friend of First Green initiative

Full Sized Blog Element (Big Preview Pic)

GroundsFest Academy showcases sports surface expertise

GroundsFest Academy showcases sports surface expertise

Husqvarna becomes Friend of First Green initiative

Husqvarna becomes Friend of First Green initiative

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