Nominations
are now being accepted for the 2018 Institute of Groundsmanship (IOG) Industry
Awards, with 21 categories of entry recognising the passion, dedication and
challenges faced by grounds staff in both grassroots and professional sports at
clubs of every size and from all corners of the UK.
This
year’s awards - the 10th in the series and being held on October 31 at the
Hilton Metropole hotel at the Birmingham NEC, on the evening of the first day
of SALTEX – includes the introduction of new awards and enhancements to
existing categories.
To
celebrate the anniversary, the IOG is planning some exciting changes to the
awards event which has continually grown in status for acknowledging the
achievements of volunteer and professional grounds teams, as well as community
clubs and national stadia.
(The 2017 winners)
Commenting, IOG chief executive Geoff Webb says: "We are
planning some exciting developments for the awards presentations to mark the 10th anniversary. We have added new categories and enhanced the
entry criteria – opening up the awards to more potential winners from all
sectors of society – at all levels of the sporting spectrum.
“The
awards continue to provide the only national stage for the achievements of
everyone involved in groundscare across all levels of sport – whether
professional teams at stadia or, indeed, the lone volunteer groundsman at a
small village club.
“Importantly,
applications to every category are encouraged from Scotland, Ireland and Wales,
as well as England.
“These are
the only awards for groundsmen that are judged by groundsmen, and we are lucky
to have a dedicated group of volunteer judges with a range of backgrounds that
encompass the diversity of the industry and profession today.
“Please
take the time to nominate as you must know many deserving candidates and great
examples of sports turf management at every level.”
The 2018
IOG Industry Award categories are:
- IOG Toro
Most Promising Sports Turf Student of the Year
- IOG Rigby
Taylor/Top Green Young Grounds Person of the Year
- IOG
Redexim Charterhouse/AMS Volunteer Sports Grounds Person/Team of the Year
- IOG
National Governing Bodies’ Community Sports Club Grounds Team/Individual of the
Year
- IOG Public Sector Sports Grounds
Team of the Year
- IOG Bowling Greenkeeper/Team of the Year
- IOG Best
Managed Artificial Surface Award
- IOG
Ransomes Environmental and Ecology Strategy Award
- IOG
National Governing Bodies’ Professional Multi- Sports Ground/Facility
- IOG
Headland Amenity Professional Cricket Grounds Team of the Year
- IOG
Professional Tennis Courts Grounds Team/Individual of the Year
- IOG John
Deere Professional Horse Racing Grounds Team of the Year
- IOG
Professional Rugby Football League Grounds Team of the Year
- IOG Kubota
Professional Rugby Football Union Grounds Team of the Year
- IOG
SISGrass Professional Football Grounds Team of the Year - for English
Leagues 1 & 2, National League, National League North/South, Scottish
Championship & Leagues 1 & 2, Ireland & Wales Professional Leagues
- IOG SGL
Professional Football Grounds Team of the Year - for the Premier League,
Championship and Scottish Premier League
- IOG
University/College Grounds Team of the Year
- IOG Growth
Products Independent School Grounds Team of the Year
- IOG
International Ambassador of the Year
- The IOG
Ransomes/DLF Johnsons Alex R Millar Award – to the person chosen as the
outstanding winner across all award categories
- IOG
GrassMaster Solutions Lifetime/Outstanding Achievement Award.
To make nominations, visit the website where you can also find full details of
entry criteria for each award.
