Staffordshire FA is pleased to announce that it will be hosting its next Groundsman Workshop at Newcastle Town Football Club on Wednesday 8 May between 6.30pm and 9.00pm.

Once again, the workshop will be supported by our two pitch advisors – Andy Jackson (Stoke City Grounds Manager) and Kevin Duffill (IOG Regional Pitch Advisor) – along with other local contacts from across the pitch maintenance industry.

In addition to what will hopefully prove to be another enjoyable and informative evening, it will also be a great opportunity to network with experts from across the industry, as well as other volunteer groundsmen from grassroots football clubs across Staffordshire.

Workshop Itinerary (timings are approximate and may change during the evening)

6.00pm – 6.30pm

Arrival time – a buffet and tea & coffee will be available during this time (workshop will start at 6.30pm)

6.30pm – 7.15pm  

Newcastle Town pitch renovation – live demonstrations, observations and discussions

7.15pm – 7.45pm 

Live demonstrations of renovation techniques for clubs with smaller budgets, to include:

• Scarification (using Raycam Sports Field Harrow)
• Collection of the debris (using a machine appropriate to smaller clubs)
• A general discussion of the relevant steps of a mini renovation, e.g. scarification, aeration, seed, topdressing fertilizer, etc.

7.45pm – 8.30pm  

Live demonstrations, observation and discussions of machinery suitable for grassroots football clubs, to include:

• 25HP Compact Tractor
• Trimax Roller Mower
• SISIS Quadraplay
• Dennis Mower PRO 34R
• Dragmat

8.30pm – 9.00pm

Discussions in the clubhouse (if time allows) to include:

• Staffs FA PIP
• Staffs FA Aeration Project
• Preparing for the 2019/20 Season
• General Q&A

9.00pm 

Opportunity to network, or depart at your leisure

To ensure that we have an accurate idea of numbers attending the workshop, and to also assist with the relevant catering/refreshments for the evening, please email Gareth.Thomas@StaffordshireFA.com if you plan on attending, confirming the name(s) of those who will be in attendance.