IOG Saltex 2012 – Show Review

by Michael Smith (Veshengro)

This year saw a rearrangement of the display areas are the usual top area close by the river could not be used as it had be rather churned up during the 2012 London Olympics boat races.

However, in my opinion, and that of many others, the fact that one directly entered the show when arriving by river taxi which, as per usual, was provided by French Brothers, the new layout of the show is very good indeed.

This view appears not to have been shared by many of the big companies, such as Toro, Husqvarna and Johnsereds, to name but a few, who were conspicuous by their absence and, as far as I understand, due to the fact that they could not have their usual spaces in the top area by the river.

Stihl took a space in the area just from the entrance from the river taxi side and it was, I would think, very well placed there and others would have been equally well served in the other zones.

The weather was glorious which, unfortunately, seems to have kept many groundsmen and -women and contractors away as they were trying to catch up with work that they could not do during this year's wet season, aka the wettest drought in history.

It was good to see an old face in a new dress, so to speak, in that Rolcut has come back to the British market though its original, should we say, parent, company, namely Original Loewe. I am sure that those of us who used to love good ol' Rolcut will be very much pleased with this.

Original Loewe is 100% Made in Germany and is represented in the UK though its sole agent Quality Garden Tools of Virginia Water in Surrey.

As usual the show gave me an opportunity to see new products and catch up with old friends in the industry and also writer colleagues.

Campey and Trimax both had some new exiting grounds- and turf care equipment on show, as did a number of others, and the display of turf care though a century plus of Olympic Games held in Britain gave a great insight in how things have changed over the decades but also how things might end up again if and when we are, finally, running out of cheap oil.

Trimax now has also, which is good news, begun manufacturing in the UK itself and thus the lead time for products should become smaller.

Trimax Striker

Their latest additions to the range, such as the new hydrological flail mowers for the John Deere and other kinds of ride on mowers and the Striker, a rotary mower specifically designed for low powered compact tractors will be most welcome by many users.

The Grass Group presented the latest addition to the Trilo vacuum sweepers, the S3, the little brother to the S4 (seen side by side in the photo), aimed for use with compact tractors of 25HP and above, and also the newest version of the InfiniCut pedestrian mower that can run on battery and either Honda or Kohler engine, and which can be interchanged in a very short space of time.

Another product and service that has to be mentioned especially as going green is now definitely the order of the day is the non-poisonous weed control by WeedingTech called Foamstream. While this is, by no means a cheap system it is superior to all other systems as it is not harmful to the environment, can be applied in almost all weathers and operators require no certification, as no poisonous chemicals are being used.

DJ Turfcare used Saltex 2012 to launch Viano MO Bacter in the smaller 7.5 kg pack designed for the domestic gardener wishing to give his lawn the same treatment as for the large greens on gold courses and bowling greens.

And another range of products that caught my interest almost immediately were Portek's bird scaring devices, and this case the kites, Terror Hawk and Terror Eyes, the Crop Gard and the Hawk Eyes, the latter being rotating globes in two different colors to scare away the birds silently, economically and environmentally friendly. The globes are definitely a must for those of us who have allotment gardens and who grow vegetables at home.

Well, this about wraps it up, except to say that it would appear that visitor numbers were rather down this year, at least on the first day. The second day things looked like they were picking up somewhat. But, as I said before, this is probably down to the fact that this were the first good days in a long time and both councils and contractors had to concentrate on the work in hand rather than a visit to a show, I would guess.

In addition to that, with the economy as it is and reduction in funding for councils, there is also very little money available for new products and machinery and thus visitor number also may have been down to that factor.

© 2012

IOG Apprenticeship in Groundsmanship

IOG breaks new ground with the launch of groundsmanship apprenticeships

by Michael Smith (Veshengro)

The Institute of Groundsmanship (IOG), the leading membership organization for everyone involved in the management of sports pitches, landscape and amenity facilities in the UK, has announced the IOG Apprenticeship in Groundsmanship – a work-based program available to aspiring groundsmen and women.

Providing a choice of options – Apprenticeship Level 2, Advanced Apprenticeship Level 3 and Higher Apprenticeship Level 4 – and routes (ie work-based diploma, foundation learning, GCSE/A Level and employment with training), the programme is targeted at anyone aged from 16 years. The IOG Apprenticeship will take between one and three years, depending on the Level chosen.

Explaining that the new Apprenticeship is the latest in a comprehensive range of affordable education services delivering high quality and accredited qualifications at every level of groundscare Ian Lacy, the IOG’s Head of Professional Services, says the new scheme follows the successful recent launch of the IOG Young Apprenticeship Scheme as a curriculum option for students aged 14 at Harefield Academy, St Albans.

“The IOG Apprenticeship, a work-based (on- and off-job) programme designed around the needs of an employer, leads to nationally recognised qualifications such as diplomas in Groundsmanship and greenkeeping accredited by City & Guilds land-based services,” he says. “The majority of the time is spent in the workplace and supported by a mentor (usually the head groundsman or a fellow member of staff) and the remaining time is delivered by the learning provider, the IOG.

“To support the new scheme, the IOG is offering a ‘one-stop shop’ apprenticeship service which includes screening literacy and numeracy, assessment of occupational skills, advice on learning styles and psychometric testing, plus help with the induction and sign-up and the assessor visit, and ongoing monitoring of progress.

“Apprenticeships are the Government’s primary route to skills and employability, and such a formal springboard for a career in groundscare has been sorely missing – until now.”

This scheme is something that we all in the industry, and especially those that wish to enter this field, have been waiting for for a long time. While it is possible to study groundsmanship at a number of agricultural colleges this is a much better way, as are apprenticeships in general and we need many more, in the parks and gardens field as well as in others.

© 2011

OFF TO A TEE AT IOG SALTEX

IOG SALTEX HAS THE ANSWERS TO MOLES, MAN-MANAGEMENT AND GOLF COURSE MAINTENANCE

by Michael Smith (Veshengro)

Les Shrubb is not the only greenkeeper who has nightmares about moles. But after visiting last year’s IOG SALTEX show, where he gained an all-important update on the safe handling and use of Talunex tablets, he now sleeps a lot easier!

“Moles – and rabbits – are a constant problem here, particularly during the winter months,” says the Sussex-based Head Greenkeeper of the privately-owned Wellshurst Golf & Country Club.

“But after visiting the Windsor show, the team can now control the pests in-house without the expense of specialist contractors. We have managed to reduce the mole population, for example, but it is an ongoing problem.

“I try to go IOG SALTEX at least every other year – last year we all went, and it was my greenkeepers’ first ever visit - because in addition to timely updates on things like pest control, it’s a great place to keep on top of developments across the industry. For example, I like to keep abreast of the latest machinery and its capabilities – though equipment funding is always a problem - and IOG SALTEX is the ideal venue for that.”

Having been involved in grass and sports surfaces since he left school, 48-year-old Les is responsible for the maintenance and management of a driving range, and various soft and hard landscaping in addition to the 18-hole course which, being built on Wealden clay and former farmland, creates its own problems in terms of drainage.

“In the early years – Les has been at the club since1992 – this was a major headache,” he says, “but we are on top of it now after lots of spiking and the installation of open ditches and paths, for instance. The course is a ‘grass factory’ and whenever we have a wet Spring, we have trouble getting the mowers out.”

With four greenkepeepers (reduced to two during the winter months), inter-personal/management skills is a key attribute complementing Les’ raft of training and education accreditations that include NVQ Level 3 supervisory and management, and a range of health and safety courses as well as IOG golf course and turf management training.

In addition to regular communication with his club members and committee concerning course maintenance routines, he also obviously handles any man-management issues with his team of greenkeepers.

“This is another very good reason for attending events like IOG SALTEX,” he says. “There’s so much advice on offer there concerning every aspect of the job that anyone involved in grounds care can’t fail to learn something on every visit.”

Obviously, many greenkeepers and groundmen and -women can but benefit from a visit to IOG SALTEX and to have a closer look at, say, mole control, for which golf course, park, and such does not suffer from moles, and heavily.

Rabbits are another such issue but the latter can, if necessary and feasible, dealt with by hunting, even with air guns, and netting, as they also can be a source on income being sold as meat.

Register NOW at www.iogsaltex.co.uk to receive your FREE entry badge and information about IOG SALTEX, or call the Ticket Hotline on 0845 272 8782 for FREE tickets, but hurry, the show is in less that 2 weeks.

IOG SALTEX 2009 is being held on 8-10 September at Windsor Racecourse, Berks, and will embrace fine turf and sports surfaces, turf maintenance equipment, children’s outdoor play and safety surfacing, landscaping, contractors, commercial vehicles, outdoor leisure and facilities management, as well as software and security equipment. The show is attended by open space management professionals and contractors – from groundsmen and greenkeepers through to play officers, architects, designers and surveyors as well as local authority and outdoor leisure facility managers.

Organized by The Institute of Groundsmanship, the first IOG exhibition was staged in 1938, the forerunner to today’s IOG SALTEX Sports, Amenity & Landscape Trade Exhibition. Held annually at Windsor Racecourse, IOG SALTEX is the annual extravaganza for everyone who cares for and/or manages open spaces – including groundsmen, greenkeepers, contractors, local authority and leisure facility managers. The Institute of Groundsmanship (IOG) is the leading membership organization representing grounds managers, groundsmen, grounds maintenance managers, greenkeepers and all others involved in the management of sports pitches, landscape and amenity facilities in the UK. As well as maintaining the IOG Performance Quality Standards and providing a consultancy service for sports grounds, lawn maintenance and amenity horticulture, the IOG’s extensive Training and Education programme includes cricket, football, tennis, horseracing, bowls, artificial surfaces, turf science and many other specialist subjects. For more information visit www.iog.org

© 2009
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IOG SALTEX VISITORS SPEND TO THE TUNE OF A CREDIT-CRUNCHING £1.2 BILLION!

Visitors to last year’s IOG SALTEX will collectively spend around £1.2 billion as a result of visiting the UK’s leading open space management exhibition.

Independent research at the three-day show revealed that:

• Almost 1,000 visitors were from organisations that spend over £1 million each year on open space management products and services
• 410 were from organisations that spend over £500,000
• Nearly 800 visitors spend up to £500,000 each year, and
• Over 1,000 spend up to £50,000.
• The survey also showed that spending power has increased (to an average of £183,000 for each visitor with spending power) compared with visitors to the 2007 show, and that:
• Nearly 70 per cent of visitors to the show had buying power
• 68 per cent of these said IOG SALTEX influenced their purchasing decisions, and 73 per cent considered IOG SALTEX as the most important event for their business, and
• 59 per cent of visitors DO NOT usually see any non-supplier sales representatives.

Also:

• 77 per cent of visitors went to the show to look for new ideas or products – and 84 per cent said it was important to see equipment working in an outdoor environment
• 60 per cent of visitors do not plan to visit any other UK exhibition – and over 95 per cent do not plan to visit any overseas exhibition, and
• 28 per cent were looking for new or alternative suppliers.

The research also reveals that around a third of the audience were new visitors to the show, thus enabling exhibitors to meet thousands of ‘new faces’ every year.

Commenting, IOG SALTEX Sales Director Clare Johnson says: “The figures certainly reinforce that IOG SALTEX is the most important show for the whole of the open space industry – from fine turf and sports surfaces through turf maintenance equipment to outdoor play, for example – and the visitor feedback gives us every confidence that despite the credit crunch the spending trend will continue at this year’s show, which is already nearly 90 per cent sold out.”

IOG SALTEX 2009 will be held on 8-10 September at Windsor Racecourse, Berks, and will embrace fine turf and sports surfaces, turf maintenance equipment, children’s outdoor play and safety surfacing, landscaping, contractors, commercial vehicles, outdoor leisure and facilities management, as well as software and security equipment. The show is attended by open space management professionals and contractors – from groundsmen and greenkeepers through to play officers, architects, designers and surveyors as well as local authority and outdoor leisure facility managers.

Colin Hoskins, Wildish Communications Ltd
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IOG EMBARKS ON SECOND-STAGE INDUSTRY-WIDE RESEARCH TO ADDRESS ‘GROUNDS FOR CONCERN’ OVER MANAGEMENT ATTITUDES

The Institute of Groundsmanship (IOG) has warned there is ‘skills time bomb’ facing the grounds profession after its industry-leading study revealed that the sector is largely staffed by 40- to 49-year-olds who are underpaid, under-trained and underrated.

Now, following the results of the IOG’s ‘Grounds management – a hidden profession’ research* that for the first time profiled the industry and the people within it – their entry, careers, salaries, job satisfaction levels and training – the IOG is embarking on a second-stage study designed to identify the relative standing of grounds staff within their organisations and the reasons for this perception.

Funded by the IOG 2012 Fund, the aims of the ‘Grounds for Concern’ study are to:

• Identify attitudes of senior management to grounds staff.
• Identify senior management perceptions of actual and potential skills shortages and skill gaps in groundsmanship.
• Understand the qualifications held by staff and their pay.
• Identify senior management strategies for the utilisation of grounds staff in the future.
  

According to Geoff Webb, IOG Chief Executive: “It is clear there are certain barriers to entry to the profession – such as poor perception and low pay, as well as the need for more promotion of the sector within schools and colleges. Our attention must therefore firmly focus on addressing these obstacles in order to encourage more young people into the profession – and we need to determine then understand senior management’s perception of the industry, because we must ensure there is a new generation of skilled grounds professionals coming through.”

The study – which has received input from Lantra and will be carried out by the Sport Industry Research Centre at Sheffield Hallam University - will involve a large-scale online survey of organisations such as professional clubs, voluntary sector, schools, national governing bodies, local authorities and private contractors. This will be followed up with in-depth interviews with key personnel within these organisations.

A final report will be available by the end of March 2009, which will detail the findings and suggest future actions.

* Carried out in 2007/08, the IOG’s ‘Grounds management – a hidden profession’ survey valued the grounds management and maintenance sector in England at around £580 million and revealed that, for example:

Salaries are low compared to other industries;

• Forty per cent of grounds professionals had not had any training during the past 12 months – and a similar number felt they would benefit from additional training;
• Less than half of respondents suggested their employers had a “very good” understanding of the skills required by their jobs;
• The industry has approximately 20,000 full-time employees plus over 20,000 volunteers; and
• That only 0.4 per cent of workers are women.

Source: Wildish Communications Ltd
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GLAMORGAN’S LEN SMITH JOINS IOG’S NETWORK OF REGIONAL ADVISERS

After 20 years at Glamorgan County Cricket Club, Len Smith has been appointed by the Institute of Groundsmanship (IOG) as Regional Advisor for Wales. He will be responsible for developing training, education and membership in the area as well as forging strong links with governing bodies, colleges and local authorities.

His appointment – which is jointly funded by the IOG and ECB and is designed to give ongoing support to IOG regional members – complements the existing IOG’s Regional Adviser network that embraces Ireland and the North of England.

“Training and education is the foundation of the IOG,” comments Len, “and there’s a big market for it in Wales. I’m very excited about getting on with the role and delivering results in the area.”

After starting out as a greenkeeper at Radyr Golf Club, Len has also been responsible for grounds at Pennylan bowling and lawn tennis club, the Polytechnic of Wales (now the University of Glamorgan), Cardiff Athletic Club, Cardiff City and most recently at Glamorgan CCC.

His vast experience as a groundsman is backed up by a host of training and qualifications including the coveted IOG NDT.

Ian Lacy, Head of Professional Services at the IOG, is delighted to welcome Len to the team: “It’s rare to come across someone of Len’s experience and qualities, so we are very pleased that we can now count him as a key player in our regional network of advisors.

Len takes up his role on 2 February 2009.

The Institute of Groundsmanship (IOG) is the leading membership organisation representing grounds managers, groundsmen, grounds maintenance managers, greenkeepers and all others involved in the management of sports pitches, landscape and amenity facilities in the UK. As well as maintaining the IOG Performance Quality Standards and providing a consultancy service for sports grounds, lawn maintenance and amenity horticulture, the IOG’s extensive Training and Education programme includes cricket, football, tennis, horseracing, bowls, artificial surfaces, turf science and many other specialist subjects. It also stages the annual IOG SCOTSTURF and IOG SALTEX exhibition, Europe’s leading show for the open space profession. For more information visit www.iog.org

Source: Wildish Communications Ltd
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INSTITUTE OF GROUNDSMANSHIP CELEBRATES 75TH ANNIVERSARY IN 2009

The Institute of Groundsmanship (IOG) will celebrate its 75th anniversary in 2009 as the world’s largest membership organisation for grounds professionals with nearly 10,000 full and e-members.

A number of events will take place through the year including the first all-encompassing industry awards ceremony for grounds staff taking place at the Emirates Stadium on 15 October. This will be preceded by the IOG’s one-day Sports Turf Conference during the day.
Over the last two years the institute has transformed itself with the establishment of the IOG Academy – an apprenticeship through to retirement training programme to enable grounds staff to gain the professional qualifications they need throughout their career.

“Having doubled the membership over the last two years we will continue to follow the institute’s original mission to improve the status of groundsmen and the standard of groundsmanship,” says Geoff Webb, IOG Chief Executive.

“To this end we have been working with the national governing bodies of sport such as The Football Association on a soon-to-be-launched training initiative for grassroots grounds professionals, and the England and Wales Cricket Board on fine turf issues,” he added.
There is still much to do. Grounds staff are still not paid well and work in difficult conditions. The IOG therefore needs to evolve to meet the demands faced by its members in this ever-changing industry.

The IOG has been highlighting its concerns with a number of key politicians and stakeholders, pointing to the vital contribution that grounds staff make to British sport. This has led to Minister for Sport Gerry Sutcliffe MP saying:
“Ensuring the long term maintenance of facilities is vital to the sustainability of sports provision. Grounds maintenance is a key element of this. I welcome initiatives by the IOG to raise skill levels in this area and the grounds maintenance profession as a whole.”
The IOG was founded by W H Bowles BEM, head groundsman of Eton College, and ten other founder members in 1934 at a pub by Cannon Street Station in London. Each of the founders put in £1 to set up the organisation.

Some of the IOG’s highlights include:

• The introduction in 1953 of the IOG examination system, the forerunner to today’s renowned training and education services;
• In 1990, the launch of the IOG Consultancy Service, which advises organisations worldwide on the development and management of sports and amenity facilities;
• The launch in 1938 of the IOG exhibition – now known as IOG SALTEX; and
• The launch of the 2012 Fund in 2007, which provides funding and bursaries to support industry development.
  

Geoff Webb continues: “As the industry looks towards the 2012 Olympics, the IOG will continue to enforce its ‘Challenging Perceptions’ six-year strategy dictum of ‘establishing the IOG as the leading professional organisation for grounds management, recognised by the National Governing Bodies of Sport and the public, private and voluntary sectors for its industry knowledge and technical expertise’.

“It is clear that health and the uptake of sporting activities is a major item on the Government agenda, as is the legacy that the Olympics (and other major sporting events including the Commonwealth Games in 2014) will create. As such, our activity within the political arena is focused here, to highlight the issues we face as an industry.

“This is one of a number of steps that the IOG is taking to voice concern and request action on matters that we as an industry are facing – for example, the encouragement of more young people into the sector, and to raise the pay and status of ground professionals.

“We will continue to lobby, with our partners who face similar issues, to address and raise the profile of these important issues with Government, those involved in sports governance and others in a position of influence.”

The Institute of Groundsmanship (IOG) is the leading membership organisation representing grounds managers, groundsmen, grounds maintenance managers, greenkeepers and all others involved in the management of sports pitches, landscape and amenity facilities in the UK. As well as maintaining the IOG Performance Quality Standards and providing a consultancy service for sports grounds, lawn maintenance and amenity horticulture, the IOG’s extensive Training and Education programme includes cricket, football, tennis, horseracing, bowls, artificial surfaces, turf science and many other specialist subjects. It also stages the annual IOG SCOTSTURF and IOG SALTEX exhibition, Europe’s leading show for the open space profession. For more information visit www.iog.org

Source: Wildish Communications Ltd
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PREMIER LEAGUE GROUNDSMEN KEEP UP TO DATE WITH SYNGENTA TURF MANAGEMENT RESEARCH

The Institute of Groundsmanship (IOG) recently collaborated with turf management specialist Syngenta over a recent fact-finding visit by Premier League groundsmen to the Syngenta Turf Research facility at Stein in Switzerland.

With 30 or so groundsmen in attendance – drawn from the Premiership as well as clubs such as Reading and Derby, and including grounds managers of the clubs’ main stadia and academy playing surfaces – the two-day trip provided exclusive insights into the company’s $850 million research and development programme, in addition to face-to-face discussions with officials from the Professional Footballers’ Association and the Premier League.

Chaired by IOG chief executive Geoff Webb, the first day’s programme enabled open discussions about the implications to the playing surface by such activities as warm-up periods.

On the second day, delegates toured the impressive facilities at Stein where Syngenta Turf Researcher Dr Eva Haensel explained that it can take over 10 years and cost around £100 million to create a new turf management product. She also highlighted how “it is crucial that each new innovation brings a significant advantage for groundsmen”.

She continued: “We rely on the direct feedback from groundsmen to ensure we are focusing on the development of products that are especially relevant to the issues being faced, as well as providing practical advice and techniques to ensure they can be used as effectively as possible.”

The research facility has been instrumental in developing the use of Primo MAXX on sports turf surfaces, as well as new turf fungicides planned for UK launch in 2009.

Darren Baldwin, grounds manager at Tottenham Hotspur FC, praised the Syngenta team for its hospitality and professionalism, and thanked the IOG’s Head of Sales & Marketing, Kevin Duffill, for such an appropriate programme of events.

“Being able to get so many Premier League grounds professionals together was an achievement in itself,” he said, “and we all found it really useful to exchange opinions and to present those views to the footballing authorities.

“In addition, of course, the visit to the research centre was a real eye opener – the level of Syngenta R & D is quite amazing, and it was really helpful for us to understand what goes into the development and testing of chemicals, for example, before they reach the market.”
Syngenta Turf Manager, Simon Elsworth, added: “We hope that having seen the investment and commitment that goes into developing products, visitors will have full confidence and assurance in the performance of Syngenta products on the pitch.”

The Institute of Groundsmanship (IOG) is the leading membership organisation representing grounds managers, groundsmen, grounds maintenance managers, greenkeepers and all others involved in the management of sports pitches, landscape and amenity facilities in the UK. As well as maintaining the IOG Performance Quality Standards and providing a consultancy service for sports grounds, lawn maintenance and amenity horticulture, the IOG’s extensive Training and Education programme includes cricket, football, tennis, horseracing, bowls, artificial surfaces, turf science and many other specialist subjects. It also stages the annual IOG SCOTSTURF and IOG SALTEX exhibition, Europe’s leading show for the open space profession. For more information visit www.iog.org

Source: Wildish Communications Ltd
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IOG SCOTSTURF SPEAKER ASKS: IS INDUSTRY READY FOR THE 2014 COMMONWEALTH GAMES?

With an exclusive keynote speech by the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games Bid Director and a comprehensive programme of informative seminars covering the latest in noise & vibration, corporate manslaughter, pesticides and training & education, the IOG Scotsturf show on November 5 & 6 at Edinburgh’s Royal Highland Centre offers an unrivalled opportunity to provide updates on all the issues affecting the grounds care and golf course industry in the north and Scotland.

The fact that the show will both enlighten and entertain visitors is also illustrated by the programme of live equipment demonstrations being planned alongside the IOG Scottish Football Groundsman of the Year and Cricket Scotland’s Cricket Groundsman of the Year Awards, also the Best New product Awards, plus more than 100 leading suppliers are displaying products which are being seen for the first time in Scotland.

One highlight of the show will be the keynote address on Wednesday 5 November by Derek Casey, Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games Bid Director, who will ask ‘Are we ready for the challenge of Glasgow 2014? Is the industry prepared and able to play its part in delivering world class sporting venues?’ Derek’s probing presentation is certain to stir the audience!

The IOG Scotsturf seminar programme – which qualifies for IOG CPD, BASIS and NRoSO points – will comprise a series of not-to-be-missed sessions, including:

• Noise and vibration assessments – where are we now in workplace controls? Presented by the Health & Safety Executive.
• The Corporate Manslaughter Act – get the facts, by HSE Solutions.
• Pesticides and the law – new EU legislation is scheduled to be announced. Presented by The Amenity Forum.
• Training & education - improving productivity and performance, by IOG and Lantra.
• Residual pesticides – the facts, by Indigrow.
• Health & safety law – an expert view, by HSE Solutions.
  

Visit www.iogscotsturf.co.uk for more details and to pre-register for IOG Scotsturf - which is co-located with Road Expo Scotland, the only dedicated event for the roads and traffic management industry in Scotland.

Source: Wildish Communications Ltd
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IOG MAINTAINS MOODLE VIRTUAL LEARNING ROUTE FOR NEW LEVEL 3 ADVANCED NATIONAL CERTIFICATE

The Institute of Groundsmanship has announced the new Level 3 Advanced National Certificate in Sports and Amenity Turf Management as an easy-to-use, online career progression from skilled groundsman (Level 2) to supervisor/manager.

Following the success of providing the Level 2 National Certificate via its innovative Moodle online virtual learning environment – which enables participants to study for the qualification in their own time, or a time set by their employer, at a convenient pace and place – the new Level 3 Advanced National Certificate is offered on a similar flexible learning basis.

Developed by the IOG in conjunction with City & Guilds and NPTC, the Level 3 Advanced National Certificate incorporates eight compulsory units and one optional unit. The mandatory units are:

• Plant physiology in relation to the horticulture industry
• Maintaining health and safety in the amenity horticulture industries
• Management of weeds, pests and diseases
• Turf machinery and equipment management
• Working in the Turf grass industry
• Construction of sports and amenity turf areas
• Sustainable management of turf.
  

The optional unit aligns with the participant’s specific interest and covers the management of amenity, cricket, bowling, tennis, football, rugby, golf and horseracing turf. The structure of the qualification is such that candidates will have CPD documentation that shows clearly the sport option achieved.

The Level 3 qualification can be accessed by anybody who holds an equivalent Level 2 qualification such as the IOG National Technical Certificate (NTC), City & Guilds NVQ in Sports Turf Maintenance, or by anybody who can prove that they are/have been operating at a Level 3 standard.

Commenting, the IOG’s Head of Professional Services, Ian Lacy, says: “The overwhelming success of offering Level 2 via Moodle – the virtual learning environment pioneered and funded by the IOG – has emphasised why the IOG is the industry’s training and education supplier of choice, and the new Level 3 will further reinforce that.”

Source: Wildish Communications
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DONAL KEARNEY APPOINTED IOG REGIONAL ADVISOR FOR IRELAND

After 12 months as the Institute of Groundsmanship’s (IOG) part-time Education & Development Officer, Ireland, Donal Kearney has now been appointed full-time IOG Regional Adviser, Ireland.

The move is another progressive step in the IOG’s Challenging Perceptions strategy and it complements the recent appointment of Ian Mather Brewster as Regional Advisor for the North. Both are new full-time positions created by the IOG.

As IOG Regional Advisor, Donal’s role as the ‘man on the ground’ for local IOG branches will also involve continual improvement to the current IOG education and training arrangements throughout Ireland.

Accredited with an MSc in Sports Surface Technology, a BSc in Turf Science & Golf Course Management and a Diploma of Sportsturf Management, Donal will also handle the IOG’s research and development programmes, as well as technical issues, liaising closely with the IOG’s Head of Professional Services, Ian Lacy.

Donal brings to the role an extensive background of golf course construction and maintenance, and turfgrass expertise. His job roles in the sports turf sectors began at apprentice level right up to management on some of the finest golf courses in Ireland, the UK and in the USA. His ‘hands-on’ practical experience complements his technical knowledge gained at university, most recently at a Department of Justice rehabilitation project in Dublin with the PACE organisation as Horticultural Instructor.

A keen sportsman and supporter of the G. A. A. – particularly Gaelic football and hurling – Donal says of his new role: “When I was appointed in 2007 as Education & Development Officer, I said then that Ireland’s grounds care professionals are very progressive and there is enormous potential for even further advancement in the industry.

“One year on and nothing has changed! These are very exciting times for the IOG especially in Ireland as it continually implements the developments outlined in its Challenging Perceptions strategy to improve both the professionalism and wider recognition of the industry.”

The Institute of Groundsmanship (IOG) is the leading membership organisation representing grounds managers, groundsmen, grounds maintenance managers, greenkeepers and all others involved in the management of sports pitches, landscape and amenity facilities in the UK. As well as maintaining the IOG Performance Quality Standards and providing a consultancy service for sports grounds, lawn maintenance and amenity horticulture, the IOG’s extensive Training and Education programme includes cricket, football, tennis, horseracing, bowls, artificial surfaces, turf science and many other specialist subjects. It also stages the annual IOG SCOTSTURF and IOG SALTEX exhibition, Europe’s leading show for the open space profession. For more information visit www.iog.org

Source: Wildish PR
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IOG SALTEX PITCH CONSTRUCTION DEMONSTRATIONS TAKE LESSONS FROM THE ROMANS!

A fascinating daily programme of ground stabilisation techniques for synthetic sports surfaces is being staged in the Pitch Construction Area at IOG SALTEX (Windsor, 2-4 September) by Smith Construction, a pioneer in applying the process in the sports surfacing industry.

Originally established in a basic form during Roman times, the technique now is a civil engineering discipline based on proven formula and widely used for large scale civil engineering projects like aircraft runways, highways, quays and railways.

The ground stabilisation process being demonstrated for the first time at IOG SALTEX will show the successive build stages of an all-weather pitch, beginning with soft and muddy ground and progressing through the stabilisation sequence using stone, tarmac and rubber shock pad and, finally, various synthetic grass sports surfaces.

According to Smith Construction’s project development manager Jeanette Munton: “Being the only company offering this stabilising technique as well as traditional build methods, we know IOG SALTEX is the ideal venue to demonstrate the capabilities of a cost-effective process that reduces environmental impact and provides excellent results all year round, even on poor ground.

“With visitors from across the open space spectrum – including decision-makers responsible for all types of sporting venues and surfaces - the demonstrations will undoubtedly appeal to the show’s wide-ranging audience.”

Register NOW at www.iogsaltex.co.uk to receive your FREE entry badge and information about IOG SALTEX, or call the Ticket Hotline for FREE tickets on 0844 557 2724.

IOG SALTEX 2008 will be held on 2-4 September at Windsor Racecourse, Berks, and will embrace fine turf and sports surfaces, turf maintenance equipment, children’s outdoor play and safety surfacing, landscaping, contractors, commercial vehicles, outdoor leisure and facilities management, as well as software and security equipment. The show is attended by open space management professionals and contractors – from groundsmen and greenkeepers through to play officers, architects, designers and surveyors as well as local authority and outdoor leisure facility managers.

Source: Wildish PR
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AEA MACHINERY DEMONSTRATIONS HELP IOG SALTEX COME ALIVE!

NEWS RELEASE

An exclusive series of daily demonstrations of machinery and equipment from AEA member companies combines with the Ernest Doe Specialist Dealer Centre (featuring Acacia Groundcare Rental) to create the new AEA Live Machinery feature area at this year’s IOG SALTEX open space management show on 2-4 September at Windsor Racecourse.

Showcasing a wide range of machinery, the programme of demonstrations organised by the AEA (Agricultural Engineers Association) will include:

• Amazone’s Profihopper scarifier/mower
• Bomford Turner’s Golfmaster Buzzard 8 mower;
• Charterhouse’s Vertidrain aerator;
• The Countax Bear Cut chipper;
• Ernest Doe – EP Barrus’ UTV Plus tractor and outfront mower (plus equipment from Wiedenmann, and IPU’s Ferris 5100 and Dual drive 36 inch mowers);
• Martin Lishman’s ML Promidi Spray skid and ML Pro tractor-mounted midi spray
• McCormick’s CT 28 compact tractor;
• New Holland’s Boomer compact tractor (featuring Supersteer); and
• Reco’s zero turn mowers.
  

In addition, the AEA Live Machinery Demonstration Area will also incorporate the Ernest Doe Specialist Dealer Centre, featuring Acacia Groundcare Rental, where a wide range of machinery and kit will be on show to illustrate Ernest Doe’s activities and expertise. The area will also include parts and service workshops.

Register NOW at www.iogsaltex.co.uk to receive your FREE entry badge and information about IOG SALTEX, or call the Ticket Hotline for FREE tickets on 0844 557 2724.

IOG SALTEX 2008 will be held on 2-4 September at Windsor Racecourse, Berks, and will embrace fine turf and sports surfaces, turf maintenance equipment, children’s outdoor play and safety surfacing, landscaping, contractors, commercial vehicles, outdoor leisure and facilities management, as well as software and security equipment. The show is attended by open space management professionals and contractors – from groundsmen and greenkeepers through to play officers, architects, designers and surveyors as well as local authority and outdoor leisure facility managers.

Source: Wildish PR
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IOG SCOTSTURF TEAMS UP WITH ROAD EXPO TO HELP LOCAL AUTHORITIES SINGLE-SOURCE BUSINESS DECISIONS

With over 70 exhibitors already confirmed, plus an unmissable series of education presentations and exciting live product demonstrations, as well as award ceremonies including the Institute of Groundsmanship’s Scottish Football Groundsman of the Year, this year’s IOG Scotsturf exhibition on November 5 & 6 at Edinburgh’s Royal Highland Centre is on course to be more beneficial than ever to open space professionals across all sectors.

In addition, because the show is this year co-located with Road Expo Scotland – the only dedicated event for the roads and traffic management industry in Scotland – IOG Scotsturf will forcibly reinforce its relevance to all local authority decision-makers, complementing its standing as a must-see event for all golf course and grounds care professionals.

Last year’s IOG Scotsturf was attended by more exhibitors and visitors than ever before, and Show Manager Roy Daniels says the year-on-year support for the event is founded on the presence of a varied mixture of exhibitors – many of which display products for the first time in Scotland - as well as a programme of show features designed to add tremendous value to the time spent there by visitors.

“In addition to a comprehensive range of products to suit every budget and designed to make life easier and more effective, IOG Scotsturf works hard to ensure that its free education seminars address all the issues of relevance,” he says.

“With Road Expo taking place simultaneously in an adjoining hall, the multi-discipline decision-makers from local government throughout Scotland and the North of England this year have the ideal showcase to see, source and secure everything they need in one place and at the same time.”

Visit www.iogscotsturf.co.uk for full details of IOG Scotsturf, including an up-to-date exhibitor list.

Source: Wildish Communications Ltd & IOG Saltex
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