INTERVIEW
A YEAR IN THE LIFE OF THE IOG
Chief executive Geoff Webb highlights some of the IOG’s biggest achievements over the past 12 months and how they will impact the industry
What has the IOG been working on over the past 12 months and how do you hope it will benefit the industry?
We constantly work to keep up momentum and to raise our standards. We have a small team of dedicated staff and a strong Board of Directors, and the recent appointment to the Board of the AELTC’s Neil Stubley underlines our intent to continually attract respected industry figures who can help elevate our thinking and approach. What has been achieved in the past years through SALTEX at the NEC and through the annual Industry Awards has certainly raised the profile, status
and standing of the profession. And on a day-to-day basis, the visits and advice from the Grounds and Natural Turf Improvement Programme’s (GaNTIP) regional pitch advisors is having an impact on grassroots facilities. One club recently reported: “Our under-13s loved the playing surface today; well done to whoever maintains and looks after it.” This simple comment highlights our increasing knowledge and understanding of how to maintain a natural turf surface effectively and affordably. The impact of GaNTIP using evidence-based research is not only set to significantly alter the
MEET GEOFF WEBB
Geoff is responsible for all aspects of IOG business. He was previously employed by the Football Foundation as head of grassroots in January 2001, before being promoted to director of facilities and stadia development in January 2003, a role that saw him develop the grassroots facilities and football stadia grant aid programme.
24 THE GROUNDSMAN November 2018
“SALTEX and the Industry Awards have raised the profile, status and standing of the profession” investment in and understanding of how to manage these surfaces but, more importantly, increase the priority given to future investment in natural turf. The National Framework for Natural Turf Surfaces incorporates a pitch-grading system that links technical levels to courses available, for volunteers and professionals. It provides tangible guidance for anyone wanting to learn more or advance their career, or to simply take that first step to learning about turf. Our wide-ranging education portfolio is soon to be detailed in The IOG Prospectus – a publication that will summarise information on all our courses and the ways in which users can engage.