The first ever GroundsFest Academy event took place recently, as delegates from across the industry gathered for a free day of hands-on education at DLF UK’s facility.

The organisers said with a schedule of insightful sessions and interactive learning, the event marked the beginning of a new era in accessible, high-quality training for the grounds care and landscaping sectors.

The day kicked off with a welcome reception and a full introduction to DLF and the hosts for the day, followed by a series of educational activities including seed and grass plant identification, germination tests, and a pre-germination session. After a tour of the DLF site, the afternoon was dedicated to sowing, aftercare and maintenance techniques, rounded off with a recap and open Q&A.

Organisers said each session was designed to give attendees practical skills and a deeper understanding of seed science. 

David Newell, deputy head groundsman at Reading FC, praised the event saying, “You never know what to expect from a new event but it has been really educational. It’s different to anything you get anywhere else - learning all about the different varieties of seed, what they do and why they do it, has been fantastic. The wildflower seeding talk was very educational too. Our football club wants to start doing that, so hopefully I can take that back and give something back to Reading FC.”

Mike Green, a volunteer groundsman at Winterborne Cricket Club, represented the grassroots level of the industry and found the day equally rewarding. He said, “Free educational days like this are a massive help for volunteers like me. I picked up loads of useful info, spoke to people working in sports turf, and just found the day incredibly beneficial. It’s been a really successful day for me.”

Bradley Tennant, director of education for GroundsFest Academy, said, “There’s a big skills gap in the industry, and the GroundsFest Academy has been created to help address that. Whether someone is new to the sector or has decades of experience, these events are designed to support ongoing development. Seeing everyone smiling, learning and sharing knowledge today has been incredible - and it’s just the beginning.”

Organisers say this was the first of many free educational events from the GroundsFest Academy, with future events already planned.