H AV E YO U R S AY
INDUSTRY SURVEY
GaNTIP U P D AT E
By Geoff Webb IOG chief executive
THE HIDDEN O IO REVISITED
Find out the latest on the GaNTIP programme page 16
The IOG is set to repeat its industry-wide research into all aspects of groundscare, and this time it is looking to extend its investigations to embrace Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland and Eire
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n 2008/09, the IOG commissioned consultancy TrioPlus and Sheffield Hallam University’s Sports Industry Research Centre (SIRC) to provide an overview of England’s grounds management market in terms of its annual value, numbers employed and volunteers – as well as industry attitudes and trends. This resulted in the first definitive report – Grounds Management: The Hidden Profession – that highlighted trends, professional employment, volunteering, economic value and attitudes. For the first time it also presented an economic assessment of the sports turf sector. Further research in 2009 by SIRC looked at industry perceptions and trends, and while highlighting how little hard data existed, this also confirmed that there are/has been:
“The industry attracts dedicated, hard-working professionals” 36 THE GROUNDSMAN November 2017
Limited conditions in many parts of the sector Low intake of young people in an ageing sector An increase in the contracting out of basic grounds management routines A reduction in fine turf provision, particularly at local government level The action of ‘grass cutting’ rather than quality grass pitch provision More reliance on synthetic surfaces More pressure on grounds managers in respect of needing/using additional skills such as management, training, budgeting and cost reduction, and technology, as well as communications and ‘meetings’ expertise. SIRC confirmed that the groundscare industry attracts dedicated, hard-working professionals and volunteers, people who are prepared to – and do – work, long unsociable hours. It also confirmed that there is a group of professionals within the industry who have a reputation worldwide for quality and innovation.
THE IMPACT
The IOG responded positively to this
The IOG's work continues year-round
research. It has, for example, provided a ‘voice’ for the industry with some success. It has also taken positive action to resolve individual issues, as well as action to: promote improved pay and conditions; attract more young people through its Young IOG Board initiatives; and introduce a significantly revised training and education structure that provides improved career progression pathways. The IOG has also established partnerships with grounds managers working across professional sports, as well as partnerships with the education and volunteer sectors, so much so that the IOG also now has ambitious plans to introduce a nationallyrecognised Pitch Grading System that will link the technical requirements of sports surface maintenance to the required levels of education and learning. In addition, the IOG-led Grounds and Natural Turf Improvement Programme (GaNTIP), an England-wide scheme designed to significantly improve natural turf pitches,