UPDATE
UPDATE | NEWS
NEWS IN BRIEF
THE LATEST HEADLINES FROM GMA AND THE INDUSTRY
Groundsman honoured with stadium name Southern Counties East football side Punjab United has renamed its Gravesend home ground in memory of former groundsman Steve Cook, who passed away in July. The club said: “He was a fantastic guy, loved by everyone at the club and by all who knew him. The owners, Chipie and Sonny Sian, wanted his legacy at the club to continue. Cookie was there from the beginning and he helped transform the ground and make it what it is today.”
Photo: The FA
Government moves to change red diesel rules
Paul Wade says his work comes from “a love for the club”
AWA R D
Orpington FC’s Paul Wade scoops FA Grassroots win PAUL WADE, GROUNDSMAN at Orpington FC, has collected the Grounds Team of the Year award for the club in the FA Grassroots Football Awards, which were announced in August. Paul has been with the club for over 15 years in a variety of roles including club secretary and safeguarding officer, but these days he spends three days a week managing the 16 pitches at the club’s Goddington Park home in Kent. His work includes dealing with the borough council and other park users, and making tough decisions about when to call off activities for safety or to protect the grounds.
He also takes responsibility for the upkeep of the pavilion, changing rooms and toilets. Dean Francolini, under 10s manager, told The FA: “Green space is crucially important for kids to be outdoors and active. To maintain these as Paul does is really important because without pitches there’s no football. Paul is one of those people that if you take him out of the club, everything falls apart.” Paul said: “It’s more than just about football, it’s about everybody in the community getting something out of this space and what the club can give back to the community.” Find out more about the awards at www.thefa.com
NOTICE OF ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING Notice is hereby given that the AGM of the Grounds Management Association will be a ‘virtual’ online meeting held on
4 GROUNDS MANAGEMENT | SEPTEMBER 2020
Use of red diesel may be restricted to workers in the agriculture, rail and non-commercial heating sectors under new proposals from the Government. This could have serious consequences for grounds care workers who currently use red diesel in their vehicles or equipment. The Government is currently seeking input into a consultation on the changes, and anyone who would like to get involved can contact Max Nicholls at the Sport and Recreation Alliance on mnicholls@sportandrecreation.org.uk
BTME 2021 cancelled BIGGA has cancelled BTME, which was due to take place in January 2021 in Harrogate, North Yorkshire. The show’s education programme, Continue to Learn, will go ahead as an online event. BIGGA has also revealed that it intends to host a ‘festival of turf’ during summer 2021 to allow networking and interaction between exhibitors and prospective clients. Details of the revised programme will be released via the website and social media channels. In the meantime, don’t forget that the GMA’s SALTEX event will provide a fantastic networking and education opportunity for the industry in March.
Read more on page 9
Wednesday 25 November 2020 from 12pm to 1.30pm Further information will be provided in the magazine, website and social media pages during the coming weeks.