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Contributors
Karen Maxwell Managing editor
The evidence is clear! If ever there was a need to proactively invest in the mass of grass pitches that predominate the landscape of football, the evidence that is emerging from the Grounds and Natural Turf Improvement Programme proves the necessity for accelerated investment. Because 65 per cent of the pitches surveyed were compacted, a large majority of sites visited were not meeting adequate standards as defined by the IOG’s pitch grading standards and many clubs are unaware of the opportunities for training. This evidence-based research has been used by The Football Association as part of the recent select parliamentary hearing regarding the sale of Wembley Stadium. This sale appears to be edging to a conclusive yes (with conditions) despite Gary Neville’s passionate defence and suggestions of alternatives, which included a levy on agents’ fees or Premier League clubs offering to reduce the seasonal prize money and re-direct some of it to the grassroots game. It’s a bold challenge and it will be interesting to see the reactions these suggestions receive. Whatever the outcome, it’s imperative that natural turf pitches receive the investment they need and deserve. But it will take a decade of investment to ‘bring them back’ as regrettably without statutory investment in sports provision funding and frontline pitch maintenance skills, many pitches have been decimated. In large, this factor can be traced back to the implementation of compulsory competitive tendering, followed by best value while, in parallel, local authority leisure departments are largely a thing of the past and are now consumed within a wider social services directorate. The erosion of investment in sports facilities coupled with austerity and a lack of focus has led to the quick-fix approach; a mass investment over the past 18 years into 3G surfaces has been seen as the panacea. But is it? Surely there should be parity of investment into natural turf? With an estimated 44,000 pitches, of which some 92 per cent are natural turf, our evidence shows that pitches can be significantly improved with good advice, knowledge, understanding and training.
Colin Hoskins Features editor
Chris Bennett SALTEX press officer
Chris Gray IOG learning programme architect
Tom Grafen Technical sales engineer, SGL
Whatever comes of the sale of Wembley, and regardless of whether it’s sold, the evidence is clear: natural turf investment is of paramount importance to ensure more matches take place and there are fewer cancellations. It’s not rocket science, it’s just understanding the problem and doing something about it.
Andy Spetch Volunteer head groundsman, Bury St Edmunds RUFC
Geoff Webb Chief Executive The Institute of Groundsmanship
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Kevin Duffill GaNTIP regional pitch advisor