GroundsFest Academy welcomed grounds professionals from across the industry for its latest CPD-accredited event, Preparing Surfaces for Sports, held at Plymouth Football Club’s Home Park Stadium.
Delivered in partnership with leading industry specialists Fleet Line Markers, Net World Sports, and Husqvarna, the event provided attendees with practical knowledge, expert guidance and hands-on experience covering the key elements involved in preparing and maintaining high-quality sports surfaces.
Bringing together professionals from a wide range of sectors including sports turf, education, local authorities, contractors and professional sports facilities, the event created an excellent opportunity for attendees to share experiences, build connections and gain valuable insight into the latest techniques, equipment and technology shaping the industry.
The practical, insight-led day featured a programme of expert sessions and demonstrations, covering everything from pitch preparation and line marking to equipment selection, safety procedures and the future of turf maintenance technology.
Delegates began the day with Fleet Line Markers, exploring the 3-4-5 method for setting out pitches, alongside the different types of paint available and how to select the right solution for different surfaces.
A facilities tour of Home Park Stadium then provided an insight into the requirements of maintaining a professional sporting venue, before the afternoon sessions focused on selecting the correct equipment, carrying out safety checks and best practices for storage with Net World Sports.
The event concluded with a session on robotic mowing and the role of automation in modern sports surface management, delivered by Husqvarna, before delegates reflected on the key learnings from the day and received their CPD certificates.
Reflecting on the success of the event, Bradley Tennant, Director of Education at GroundsFest Academy, said:
“It was fantastic to welcome such a diverse group of grounds professionals to this latest GroundsFest Academy event. Preparing sports surfaces requires a combination of knowledge, experience and the right equipment, and the aim of the day was to provide practical advice and insight that attendees can take back and apply in their own environments.
“The sessions delivered by Fleet Line Markers, Net World Sports and Husqvarna showcased the expertise and innovation available within our industry, while the discussions between delegates highlighted the value of bringing professionals from different sectors together. It was a great day of learning, networking and sharing best practice, and we look forward to continuing to deliver events that support the development of grounds professionals.”
GroundsFest Academy continues to provide valuable education and development opportunities for the industry, combining expert knowledge, practical demonstrations and networking to support the ongoing advancement of sports surface management.
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