The Playing Field Maintenance Sports division of States Of Jersey say they been so impressed with their new Toro ProCore 648 aerator that they made the machine the star of their stand at the Jersey Skills Show at Fort Regent in October.

Current apprentice at States Of Jersey Peter Ahier with the Toro ProCore 648 aerator at the Jersey Skills Show

The division was attending the show to encourage a career in sports turf maintenance, says Steve Landick, playing fields manager of the division of States Of Jersey and used the machine to visually represent the work the division does.

“We work closely with sports organisations, clubs and schools to grow sport in Jersey and we’re working on developing an integrated system that supports grass roots sports and its development to provide a pathway for performance athletes to go on and represent us in events such as the Island Games and the Commonwealth Games. Having a talented sports turf maintenance team is essential in achieving that.”

Steve, who attended the show with the division’s current apprentice Peter Ahier, said,“The ProCore is a new addition to our fleet of machines and has debuted on the Island’s cricket squares and bowling greens. The whole division has been very pleased with the way it has performed, it’s a great purchase.”

“There’s a fantastic opportunity in sports turf maintenance for school leavers, people wishing to change career or re-entering the workplace,” concludes Steve. “To have the opportunity to reach these people and explain that at the Skills Show has been fantastic and the ProCore did as good a job for us there as it has been doing out in the field!”