Duncan
Toon, Grounds Manager at Warwick Independent Schools Foundation, believes that
both his new SISIS Flexibrush and SISIS TM1000 have helped produce significant
improvements to the schools’ sports surfaces.
Duncan is
nine months into his new position after joining the Foundation from Birmingham
City FC and is responsible for the grounds at Warwick School, Warwick Junior
School, King's High School and Warwick Preparatory School – which all fall
under the Warwick Independent Schools Foundation umbrella.
The
schools are justly proud of their sporting success, including national awards,
and ability to provide all its pupils the opportunity to play their chosen
sport. Essential to their achievements are high quality and
well-maintained sports pitches. The appointment of Duncan was part of the
Foundation’s commitment to improve the grounds at its schools, alongside making
additional investment in its grounds equipment.
“We have a
great team in place now and we have started to build a fantastic line-up of
maintenance equipment. Personally, I was looking for reliable and trusted
machinery and that is why I chose the SISIS Flexibrush and the SISIS TM1000,”
Duncan said.
The SISIS
Flexibrush is a tractor-mounted brush which is equally effective at dispersing
top dressing, removing excess material on natural turf and synthetic surfaces,
dew dispersal and improving presentation. It has a 5.35 metre working width,
its brush sections float to follow ground contours and the outer sections fold
for transport and storage.
“For us it
has eliminated the previously time-consuming task of dew removal,” said Duncan.
“Everything gets a bit hectic here on a school day but the Flexibrush gives us
a big head start because we can start nice and early at 7am and knock all the
dew off the grass before the children start classes. It has helped us to reduce
disease and I also use it for presentation.”
The SISIS
Rotorake TM1000 is a tractor-mounted heavy-duty scarifier and linear aerator
and is unrivalled when it comes to removing and controlling thatch. It includes
a collector box and floating unit to follow ground contours and its
contra-rotating reel throws debris forward ensuring a clean, consistent groove
resulting in an excellent finish. The TM1000 also features interchangeable
blades and a quick, simple depth setting without tools.
“We mainly
bought the TM1000 for in-house cricket renovations but it is also used for
regular maintenance work on the squares,” Duncan explained. “It is great for
verticutting and we also have the 2mm scarifying removal reel and the brush
reel which we use for cleaning up. It is such a simple, yet effective piece of
equipment – in fact I would say it is a must-have tool for any groundsman to
have in their armoury.”
