COLLEGE CUP RETURNS TO SALTEX Even bigger at November's event
The organisers of IOG Saltex, November 1-2 at Birmingham NEC, have announced that the College Cup, the national, student-led sports turf challenge will be back, bigger than ever at this year's event.
Sponsored by Ransomes, the competition made its debut at last year's event where five teams, each comprising four students from UK-based horticultural colleges, competed against one another in their knowledge of horticulture and grounds management know how.
SALTEX College Cup 2016 winners CAFRE College at Wembley Stadium
The winning team last year of Gavin White, Jon Crawford, Michael Dundee and John Kennedy from CAFRE College in Antrim, Northern Ireland, experienced an unforgettable day as part of their prize when they won the opportunity to be part of the Wembley grounds team for the FA Cup Final. They also received a cash prize.
Dan Prest, the IOG’s head of membership services, has confirmed that the SALTEX College Cup will be even bigger at the 2017 event.
“We’ve gone from five participating teams in 2016 to a potential nine or ten teams this year. For the individuals it is a fantastic CV builder. At some time in the near future many sports turf students are all going to be going for the same jobs, and it is whoever stands out the most – so this kind of experience will really help them on their career path.
"For the 2017 SALTEX College Cup, we have a prize lined up that will be equal in stature and reputation to the FA Cup Final experience – so watch this space!”
IOG CEO Geoff Webb said the initiative is all about raising industry standards. “The SALTEX College Cup is something that we feel very strongly about in terms of raising standards across the industry and creating interest, developing individual skill, and hopefully giving people the confidence to go for the big jobs such as Wembley itself.”
All colleges interested in participating in the 2017 SALTEX College Cup should email Dan Prest at dprest@iog.org for more details
