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Andy Jackson inducted into GMA Hall of Fame

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Andy Jackson inducted into GMA Hall of Fame: The Grounds Management Association (GMA) is proud to announce the induction of Andy Jackson, Grounds Manager at Stoke City Football Club, into the prestigious GMA Hall of Fame as part of its 90th anniversary celebrations.

This honour recognises Andy’s outstanding contributions to both professional and grassroots football over the past three decades.

Andy Jackson inducted into GMA Hall of Fame

Andy Jackson inducted into GMA Hall of Fame

Andy has been a cornerstone of the grounds management industry, dedicating almost 30 years to ensuring the pitches at Stoke City’s bet365 Stadium and Clayton Wood Training Ground are among the best in the country. His commitment to the industry has earned him a reputation beyond Stoke City, including the recruitment by FIFA to manage pitches for high-profile international events such as the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar and the 2024 Olympics in Paris.

Andy’s impact extends far beyond the professional arena – for more than 12 years, he has been a driving force in improving grassroots football pitches across Staffordshire, providing invaluable support and mentorship to local clubs and volunteers. His involvement in grassroots football began with the early incarnation of the FA Pitch Improvement Programme (PIP) in 2012 and has since continued with the Pitch Advisory Service (PAS), formerly the Grounds and Natural Turf Improvement Programme (GaNTIP).

During this time, Andy has made incredible contributions to the football community in Staffordshire, assisting in the improvement of around 65 grassroots football sites, equating to more than 150 pitches. His work has not only involved hands-on pitch care but also the preparation of detailed reports offering clubs actionable advice and access to his network within the turf maintenance industry.

Geoff Webb, Grounds Management Association Chief Executive Officer said: “Andy’s induction into the GMA Hall of Fame is a testament to his dedication to the grounds management industry.

His passion, not only at Stoke City but also in grassroots football, has left a lasting legacy that clubs will benefit from in years to come. His contributions go beyond the technical aspects of the job; he has been a mentor and an advocate for raising the standards of pitches across Staffordshire and surrounding areas for over a decade. We are incredibly proud to honour him as part of our 90th anniversary celebrations and look forward to seeing his continued influence on the next generation of groundskeepers.”

Andy has been instrumental in supporting Staffordshire FA through initiatives such as CPD evenings at Stoke City’s facilities and by assisting with the delivery of pitch improvement workshops for volunteer groundskeepers. His willingness to voluntarily give up his time to share his expertise has made a lasting impact on the quality of grassroots football in the county.

Kevin Staples, Head of Delivery at the Staffordshire FA said: “Andy has been an integral part in Staffordshire FA’s Pitch Improvement programme since 2012. His knowledge, expertise and commitment to the programme has enabled numerous clubs, leagues and individuals to improve their grass pitches and the overall experience for participants in the game. The impact he has had on volunteers across the county has been immeasurable, with the time he has taken to educate and advise something we cannot thank him enough for. On behalf of the Staffordshire FA and Grassroots Football we are proud to see Andy being inducted into the GMA Hall of Fame.”

Andy Jackson, Stoke City Grounds Manager and GMA Hall of Fame Inductee said: “I’m incredibly honoured to be inducted into the GMA Hall of Fame, especially during the Association’s 90th anniversary. It is a privilege to come to work here at Stoke City every day, where we take great pride in the work we do within the grassroots football community. To see the impact we’ve made together, improving pitches and the game for players at all levels, is really rewarding.”

Kevin Duffill, former GMA Regional Pitch Adviser said: “This award is fantastic recognition of Andy’s dedication to the profession and his achievements over the last 29 years. Beyond his exceptional work on the stadium pitch, he has played a pivotal role in the development of Clayton Wood, especially as the number of teams has grown, including female football. I also recall the many Staffordshire FA workshops hosted there under Andy’s guidance. One standout memory is when a club with a 12-acre site attended a session and asked how to best spend their £500 budget. That same club went on to win both County FA and GMA awards.”

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The R&A Sustainable Agronomy Service expands into Europe

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The R&A Sustainable Agronomy Service expands into Europe: The R&A Sustainable Agronomy Service has agreed a strategic partnership with SURTEC – a multi-disciplinary agronomy team offering consultancy across the maintenance and development of golf courses – to expand its operations in Europe, with Spain and Portugal regions now benefiting from its expertise.

The new partnership will offer knowledge and experience to facilities in the continental European market, providing support in relation to sustainable agronomic practices to golf clubs.

The R&A Sustainable Agronomy Service expands into Europe

The R&A Sustainable Agronomy Service expands into Europe

“The development of The R&A Sustainable Agronomy Service and Sustainable Championship Agronomy is supported by our Research and Education initiatives, which are the foundations of our work” said Daniel Lightfoot, Director – Sustainability at The R&A.

“The partnership with SURTEC allows us to expand our operation into Europe alongside a team which has a wealth of knowledge and understanding of the market, our goals and golf course agronomy. We look forward to bringing our collective expertise and guidance to European golf clubs and resorts together with local insight to help educate, support, and encourage their commitment to a more sustainable future for the game of golf.”

SURTEC, based in Seville, consists of a team with over 15 years of independent experience within the industry in Spain, Portugal and further afield. Its team provides golf course agronomy consultancy to over 30 clubs, offering a broad range of services for golf courses covering consultancy, project engineering, irrigation, and project management.

Pablo Munoz, co-founder of SURTEC, commented, “Collaborating with The R&A undoubtedly represents our most significant step forward since the foundation of SURTEC. We believe that with the knowledge and support of The R&A’s qualified and experienced agronomists and with the help of the latest technology, we can reach more clubs and people within the industry, share our know-how, broadcast our message for sustainable agronomy widely, and truly fulfil our commitment to the golf industry in our region. This commitment is based on responsible use of resources and the conservation and enhancement of the environment.

“Our mission alongside The R&A, is to achieve the best playing surfaces with minimal labour and sustainable use of material and water resources.”

Whilst this partnership first sees the offering expand into Spanish and Portuguese territories, it marks the start of the continental European operation for The R&A Sustainable Agronomy Service.

To find out more about the Sustainable Agronomy Service, please contact sustainableagronomy@randa.org or head to https://www.randa.org/en/sustainability/agronomy

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STIGA will be trucking into GroundsFest

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STIGA will be trucking into GroundsFest: STIGA will be exhibiting at GroundsFest on 10th and 11th September. They will be showing a cross range of garden machinery from the STIGA, Mountfield and ATCO brands highlighting the new product ranges and upgrades for the 2025 season…10-4 Roger that!

But why do we sound like something from Smokey and the Bandit?  Well, the STIGA touring truck will be on site showcasing the extensive range of battery tools, mowers and the popular autonomous robot mower range – products to suit novice gardeners right up to professional users.

STIGA will be trucking into GroundsFest

STIGA will be trucking into GroundsFest

And not forgetting the large petrol range which includes the iconic petrol-powered Park Pro front mower that offers supreme cutting quality, exceptional performance and unbeatable manoeuvrability – perfect for cutting complex large areas. To the STIGA battery powered Gyro, with a 360° turning circle and unique drive-by-wire joystick controls which can mow grass quickly and efficiently.

The STIGA team have invited their large dealer network to the event and will be unveiling the new upgraded Mountfield tractors for 2025 plus a few other surprises.

During the show STIGA will be holding a competition to win their award-winning battery pruners SC 100e.  Make sure you visit stand OSA 790, chat with the team and simply pop your name into the raffle. The draw will be held at 11.30 and 3.30 daily and 4 lucky people each day will receive this fantastic prize to take away with them.

Plus, every entry will also be included in an end of Show draw, where one lucky winner will win a SWIFT 372e battery garden ride-on.

GroundFest is the largest annual, must-attend event for grounds staff, greenkeepers, landcapers, designers & architects, gardeners, local authorities, estate managers and contractors as well as specialist garden machinery dealerships.

Registration is FREE, it is not too late to register.  www.groundfest.com

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Get your course back into play

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Get your course back into play: Greenkeepers must battle with a wide variety of challenges when it comes to turf health, and aeration is no different.

To simplify this important task, Toro’s high-quality tines were designed to make aeration remarkably easy with durable parts that maximise performance. Available only through Reesink Turfcare, its branches and approved dealer and service centres, now is the time to ensure your aeration equipment is ready.

During the hot summer season, soil can become dry and compact, reducing pore space that conveys water, oxygen and vital nutrients to your turf. Unfortunately, this phenomenon can degrade grass quality even on healthy and resilient golf courses.

Get your course back into play

Get your course back into play

While punching holes in the turf to increase pore space (aeration) addresses soil compaction and helps you prepare for autumn, to ensure optimal results you need high-quality tines that won’t let you down. And when it comes to quality it doesn’t get better than Toro’s Titan tines, with over 150 to choose from.

Whether you’re coring, slicing, spiking, or using hollow, solid or deep tines, the Titan range allows you to meet all of your aeration needs.

These tines aren’t just designed for Toro machines – they can also be adapted to fit equipment from most manufacturers thanks to special conversion sleeves. This way, Toro tines can be used with both current and older aerator models by converting a 9.5mm mount to a 12.7mm or 15.9mm mount.

Authentic Toro tines are engineered for exceptional performance and durability. They ensure uniform aeration depth, creating clean holes that enhance aeration effectiveness and lead to a faster return to play.

According to Michael Hampton, Purchasing & Sales Processing Manager at Reesink UK, “Toro’s genuine tines aren’t just versatile tools that will increase your productivity from the start – they can deliver significant savings in the long term, too. Thanks to their durable design, Toro Titan tines last longer and minimise costly downtime.”

“On the other hand, using low-quality tines can create new challenges and make aeration a time-consuming process,” he continues. “Imagine having to frequently replace broken tines, unclog cores and repair post-aeration damage. Instead of simplifying your operations, your problems are multiplied.”

With a lifespan of up to four times longer than other tines, Toro Titan’s range prevents these headaches, reducing the need for frequent replacements and adding certainty to your aeration process. Moreover, the durable tungsten carbide tips consistently deliver precise holes that promote quicker turf recovery and simplify de-compaction.

When you’re using original Toro machines, genuine parts ensure maximum performance and take the guesswork out of turfcare – there’s no need to wonder if the new part will work. You can also count on Toro’s commitment to user safety through extensive testing and swift parts delivery to your doorstep whenever you need it.

Want to learn more about the benefits of using original Toro tines? Discover how Reesink Turfcare and Toro can support your aeration initiatives by calling 01480 226800, emailing info@reesinkturfcare.co.uk or visiting reesinkturfcare.co.uk.

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A journey into the Green Heart of Innovation

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A journey into the Green Heart of Innovation: In his role as bridge between R&D and consumers, the expert agronomist Fabio Banin is the voice of the first chapter of “Green Talk,” the project to discover STIGA’s innovations designed for more sustainable and accessible garden care.

STIGA, leader in the garden care sector, presents its new, innovative project “Green Talk”: a journey into the heart of innovation, technology, design, and sustainability through the renowned voices of industry experts.

A journey into the Green Heart of Innovation

A journey into the Green Heart of Innovation

With the experience of STIGA experts, “Green Talk” is designed to discover the valuable stories behind the brand’s innovations, demonstrating the strong connection between man and nature and how important the care for green spaces is for our planet. As sustainability and environmental awareness are increasingly in the spotlight, “Green Talk” aims to inspire and educate, offering a unique perspective to explore the interplay between nature and technology.

The first chapter of this journey features Fabio Banin, an expert agronomist in the field of green innovation, who likes referring to himself as a “grass advocate” because of the fundamental message that guides his work: “Greenery is alive and therefore needs to be cared for, not maintained.” Currently part of the STIGA team, Banin holds a wealth of experience in the industry, a cutting-edge vision, and his passion for environmental sustainability.

In this exclusive interview, Banin explored the fascinating world of garden care, sharing his experience, the challenges he faced over the years, and his vision for the future of the industry. As an advisor at STIGA, Fabio Banin brings a unique perspective by playing a crucial role as a bridge between R&D and customers, offering specialized technical assistance and gathering valuable feedback to improve STIGA’s products and services. “Within the company, I like to describe myself as a “joker”, a role that allows me to act as a connector between the different departments and the sales network, providing a cross-functional perspective that fosters collaboration and development.”

Reflecting its green soul, Fabio Banin addressed the constant focus on innovation and sustainability in STIGA’s approach – factors that make this company truly unique in its sector. “It is the winning combination of a future-oriented attitude and a deep commitment to sustainability. This is evident not only in the research and development of cutting-edge products, but also in the company’s practices that put environmental stewardship at the heart of its actions.”  Fabio continues “Among the most significant projects in which I am involved, I am particularly proud of the multi-year project on mulching in collaboration with the University of Padua, aimed at exploring the benefits of this practice for lawn health and for reducing fertilizer use. Preliminary results indeed demonstrate the effectiveness of mulching in improving lawn quality and in reducing the environmental impact of excessive or incorrect use of polluting fertilizers. In addition, from a resource-saving perspective, the results prove that mulching can work in synergy with fertilizer, enhancing its effectiveness and therefore requiring less of it (up to -60%) for a more lush, healthy lawn.”

Besides showing STIGA’s commitment to sustainable and advanced gardening solutions, this research project also has an educational objective aimed at the end consumer, so that the company’s efforts translate into innovative practices adopted by individuals to generate a positive impact together.

Moreover, Fabio Banin analyses the changes and challenges in the market, which are essential to adapt to environmental and consumer needs, underlining the importance of innovation and ongoing research to maintain leadership in the garden care sector. In this context, STIGA is constantly striving to remain at the forefront of current trends, starting from the transition to electric solutions and the integration of advanced technologies into products, ensuring effective and sustainable solutions for customers.

“Looking to the future, my hope is that STIGA will continue to be recognized for its commitment to sustainability and innovation as hallmarks, thus establishing itself as a pioneer in the garden care sector, designing machinery and equipment that can make gardening more efficient and accessible to all, and guiding the market towards more conscious choices.”

This is just the first of the stories from STIGA experts’ first-hand experience. A journey into the green world of innovation, guided by the passion and expertise of people like Fabio Banin and STIGA’s longstanding commitment to the care of greenery.

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