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Forest green FC groundsman wins another IOG award for environmental achievements
Wed 20 April 2016
Stewart Ward, head groundsman at Forest Green Rovers FC, has collected another award for environmental achievements at the Nailsworth football club by winning the 2014 IOG British Sugar TOPSOIL Environmental/Innovation of the Year Award at the Institute of Groundsmanship (IOG) Industry Awards, being held in partnership with the British and International Golf Greenkeepers Association (BIGGA).
This year’s success for Stewart follows his winning of the IOG award for Environmental Project/Innovation of the Year in 2012, and being shortlisted for the same category last year.
In a prestigious ceremony at Milton Keynes’ Stadium mk, hosted by talkSPORT Radio presenter Mark Saggers, the 2014 award was presented to Stewart by British Sugar National Topsoil Manager Andy Spetch, in front of an audience of more than 400 of the UK’s and Europe’s leading groundscare experts, as well as dignitaries from the governing bodies of sport and influential sports administrators.
Stewart is clearly continuing his quest to produce a superb 100 per cent organic playing surface for Forest Green Rovers FC. This he does by using the most sustainable methods and ingredients, by replacing non-organic products with their organic counterparts.
These include: cutting the pitch using an electric ‘robot’ mower that is charged from solar panels on the stadium roof; the use of an electric pedestrian sprayer also helps reduce the club’s CO2 footprint; a compost tea system to encourage the growth of beneficial bacteria, fungi and nematode levels; and an irrigation strategy to minimise water usage/costs.
A high level of computer technology is used to maintain meticulous records to monitor and control the use of treatments, the machinery and its service and maintenance, plus pitch condition reports. Also, specific strategies are in place for testing and monitoring the soil (pitch) profile.
The club is also involved with a local secondary school undertaking a biology project on the school’s football pitch, and with A Level students on how biology can solve environmental problems.
Forest Green Rovers contested the 2014 award with the University of Warwick, Coventry.
The prestigious UK-wide IOG Award scheme highlights the high standards of volunteer and professional grounds professionals and facilities, from grass roots to professional stadia level. Embracing categories of entry covering sport, young people and the environment, the awards are judged by an independent panel on criteria that include effective use of resources, budgetary control, presentation and housekeeping standards, as well as environmental considerations.
Commenting on the high standard of award winners, IOG chief executive Geoff Webb, says: “This year’s winners demonstrate the high standards of groundsmanship within the UK. To win the award against such stiff competition is testament to the skill and dedication of the teams and individuals who - week in, week out in all weathers - make such a vital contribution to sport.”