I recently read a disturbing BBC report about the current state of a grassroots cricket club that is facing closure due to lack of players.

In the piece, it says that Glasshouses Cricket Club in Nidderdale had to withdraw earlier this year from the Theakston Nidderdale Cricket League - one of the biggest village cricket leagues in the country - because they could not get a team together for the season.

Club groundsman Ken Hainsworth, is quoted by the BBC, saying, "In olden days there was nothing else to do, but nowadays you have to beg them to play."

I feel this trend has been going on for a number of years now. I published an article by Tony Leach in TurfPro a little while ago about the same issues.

There was another similar article published in The Guardian that talked about the issues facing one of the oldest cricket clubs in the country, Hambleden CC, where the very first game of first-class cricket was played in 1772. It’s an historic club ground that I use to maintain in the 1980s. The article considers how the club, like several others, in Hampshire find it difficult to field a team.

There is no current central database or system that tracks all recreational cricket clubs disbanding across England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. So, to date we cannot find any relevant data to confirm the total number of clubs that have folded in in recent years.

Other sports like rugby union and bowls are also suffering from a lack of players. An article last December in The Telegraph stated that around 170 clubs have withdrawn from the RFU club competition structure over the past 22 years.

As an ex-rugby union player and coach, I have also witnessed the demise of player numbers. Many of the teams I played against in the 1980s often fielded several senior teams - these days most clubs struggle to run two senior teams.

How times have changed. Long gone are the days when you spent the whole weekend playing sport. It seems more people have less time on their hands and undertake many other hobbies and pastimes. Also, modern family life has changed.

As for bowls clubs, their plight has been an ongoing one for years. Many clubs have lost players due to old age, with no new strategies in place to attract new players. Club memberships have been dwindling with plenty of clubs having fewer than 100 members. Also, annual memberships and greens fees are now so low that clubs are not raising enough funds to remain economically sustainable to pay for the maintenance of the green and pay the bills.

For a long time clubs have relied heavily on members to carry out the maintenance of the greens. Latterly however, these volunteers are inevitably getting older and unable to physically do the maintenance work, This can be exacerbated by new members not being prepared to take on the maintenance of the green. Bowls clubs are struggling to remain open.

I believe that we as a nation cannot afford to continue to lose these valuable community sports facilities. Once lost, they are hard to be replaced. Ideally, we need all the different sports’ governing bodies to come together and get more people engaged in participation.

We also must be prepared to pay higher club fees and membership charges to keep the clubs functioning. I spent years playing club rugby and I cannot put a price on the value of my enjoyment, friendships and memories made during my playing career at the club.

Our grassroots clubs are the bedrock of British sport and wellbeing. We should be more prepared to support and find ways to ensure they stay operational - and here for the next generation of players. 

Little Aston Golf Club in Sutton Coldfield has signed its third five-year agreement with Toro and Reesink Turfcare, extending their partnership to a total of 15 years.

L-R: Reesink Turfcare’s Joshua Nash with Iain Burns and Dave Gibons from Little Aston Golf Club

Club manager Iain Burns highlighted the club’s confidence in the kit, saying the deal reflects “trust and satisfaction in the Toro brand and performance.” The agreement, valued at around £500,000, covers the club’s turfcare machinery needs and ensures long-term reliability and durability.

Course manager David Gibbons added that the equipment offers the best performance for the club’s maintenance requirements, particularly given the absence of an on-site mechanic. “The machinery is robust and well-made, and after five years it remains in good working order,” he said.

David also emphasised the role of Reesink Turfcare in the decision, noting the importance of warranties, parts discounts, training, and ongoing support. The club also said they continue to evaluate new machinery technology as it becomes available, citing the Reelmaster 3100 with SideWinder technology as a solution for maintaining bunker banks.

Bristol Golf Club has reported significant improvements to its playing surfaces and overall visitor experience following the introduction of DLF’s Johnsons J 4Turf 50 seed across all 27 tees earlier this year.

Course manager Dave Taylor worked with DLF regional technical manager Ian Barnett to address areas prone to wear, disease, and drought. The 50/50 blend of diploid and tetraploid perennial ryegrass was selected for its rapid establishment, deep rooting, and disease resistance. Despite a challenging season, the club says the tees have shown strong recovery, density, and wear tolerance, with no need for additional autumn overseeding or fungicide applications.

Beyond the course, Bristol Golf Club has also introduced a new wildflower display at its entrance using DLF’s Carnival mix. The display, designed to enhance visual appeal for members, visitors, weddings, and corporate events, has also supported biodiversity, providing habitats for insects and wildlife. The club plans to expand the wildflower areas across the course in 2026.

Dave Taylor said the combination of resilient turf and vibrant planting has strengthened both the playability and presentation of the club, creating a positive first impression on and off the course.

GreenTec A/S, manufacturer of groundcare and agricultural equipment, has announced a new dealer agreement with Ireland's Farm Machinery Ltd.

The manufacturer says the partnership marks an important step in their continued expansion across the UK, ensuring farmers and contractors in Lincolnshire and the surrounding counties have direct access to their professional vegetation management equipment. All supported by a trusted, well-established local dealer.

Josh Allen, UK sales manager at GreenTec said, “When selecting a new partner, we look for more than sales capability. We look for a team that knows their customers, understands their needs, and provides exceptional after-sales support. Ireland's Farm Machinery has built exactly that reputation, and we’re confident they are the right partner to help us strengthen our presence in the UK”.

Founded in 1994, Ireland's Farm Machinery is a family-owned business with depots in Carrington and Sutterton. The company serves a wide area across Lincolnshire, Rutland, Nottinghamshire and Cambridgeshire.

“We’re excited to bring the GreenTec range to our customers,” said Daryl Dunn, group sales manager at Ireland's Farm Machinery. “Their products fit perfectly with the demands of modern farming and contracting in our region. We look forward to offering our customers more choice and backing that up with the service and support we’ve become known for.”

Boss Off-Road Vehicles has added another AODES dealer to their growing network across the UK.

The latest dealer to sell and support the range of quads and side-by-side utility vehicles is East Kent-based Agri Service.

A family business, Agri Service was started in 2020 by Michael Lloyd-Yates, building on his thirty-five years in the agricultural industry, mostly with a John Deere main dealer. He founded the business as a ‘man with a van’ mobile servicing and repair, which is the foundation of the company today, with three vans permanently on the road. Agri Service has expanded with Michael’s son, Alex, joining as a third-year apprentice together with apprentice Toby Walters, service engineer Peter Bates, and Michael’s wife, Nicky. While they have a workshop near Canterbury, they continue to build on the good name they have for providing full support and repair services, attending customers’ farms and agricultural businesses.

Neil Everett, Boss ORV national sales manager, said, "We were aware of the excellent reputation Agri Service enjoys and welcome Michael and his team as an AODES dealer. They will be covering the Kent and East Sussex area for us, and we look forward to developing sales and service together."

CLIMATE, COLLABORATION AND CHANGE

EARLY AUTUMN COLOUR

A ROBOTIC GAME CHANGER

AN ENJOYABLE, VALUABLE TWO DAYS

KEEPING COOL UNDER PRESSURE

FUNDING, SKILLS & STANDARDS

THE BUSINESS OF SHOWS

COMBATTING SUMMER STRESSES

MERE-LY ROBOTS

GROUNDS FOR RESPECT

DIFFICULT TIMES FOR PARK FUNDING

TURF PROFESSIONALS IN THE SPOTLIGHT

TIME FOR EFFECTIVE COLLABORATIONS

THE HEAT IS ON!

A GROWING BUSINESS

INVESTMENT, SUCCESSION & EXPANSION

ROBOTS TAKING THE STRAIN ON COURSE

MAINTAINING WEED FREE SURFACES

ROBOTIC LINEMARKING IN ACTION

HABITAT, HERITAGE & HANDS-ON SKILLS

DRYING TIMES

GUARDIANS OF THE ESTUARY

INVALUABLE PUBLIC GREEN SPACES

DRIED OUT

A CHANGING PARKS ENVIRONMENT

A FLUSH OF GROWTH

LATEST DEVELOPEMENTS

CHANGING THE MINDSET OF SPORTS CLUBS

FLUSH OF SPRING

TEN-DAY PREP

SQUARE PREPARE

BUSY TIME ON THE COURSE

WEATHER TO SPRAY?

SPRING IS ON ITS WAY

BUZZY BTME

SHOW WEEK AGAIN

ROBOT WARS

WHAT WILL THE NEW YEAR BRING?

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ONE OF THE GREATS

Sad passing of Stephen Bernhard

NEW STRATEGY

BASIS commits to amenity sector

RECRUITMENT & CAREER PROGRESSION IN GROUNDS MANAGEMENT
How the GMA is tackling the key issues

ON TEST
Segway Navimow

SUSTAINABLE PRACTICE IN THE SUPPLY OF FERTILISERS

To the amenity sector

50 YEARS OF GOLF STEWARDSHIP
Part four

REFLECTIONS ON A CAREER
A lifetime of dedication

CREATING AN INTEGRATED MANAGEMENT PLAN
Key steps

50 YEARS OF GOLF STEWARDSHIP
Part three

50 YEARS OF GOLF STEWARDSHIP
Part two

50 YEARS OF GOLF STEWARDSHIP
Part one

DEMONSTRATING AND APPLYING AN INTEGRATED APPROACH
Reviewing the tools available

CRICKET MANAGEMENT THROUGH THE DECADES
Part two

CRICKET MANAGEMENT THROUGH THE DECADES
Part one

A LOOK AT THE OPTIONS
When implementing an integrated approach

50 YEARS OF FOOTBALL MANAGEMENT
Part two

50 YEARS OF FOOTBALL MANAGEMENT
Part one

57 YEARS & COUNTING!
My life in the industry

DEMONSTRATING AND APPLYING AN INTEGRATED APPROACH
New series of articles for 2025

IMPLEMENTING SUSTAINABLE PRACTICE
Examples from across the year

VINTAGE PUSH MOWER USE
Enthusiast maintains lawn the old fashioned way

SUSTAINABLE AMENITY MANAGEMENT
Principles and practises

PLACING URBAN GREEN SPACES AT THE HEART OF INFRASTRUCTURE
Midlands Parks Forum's annual conference

RAISING THE VOICE
At the Amenity Forum's annual conference

SUSTAINABLE PARKS
Parks For London case study

WHY GRASSROOTS RUGBY IS IN DECLINE
A steady drop off in participation.

SEEDS OF SUSTAINABILITY
Focus on a major supplier of grass seed and related products to the amenity sector

ON TEST
STIHL BGA 300 cordless leaf backpack blower

ON TEST
EGO Multi-tool

PUT THEM ON THE TOOLS!
Time for an attitude change

SUSTAINABILITY IN THE TRAINING SECTOR
Grasping the challenge of encouraging more sustainable practice

SUSTAINABILITY IN LOCAL AUTHORITIES
Lessons learnt and experiences

SKILL SETS NEED RECOGNITION
Turf professionals are underappreciated

GREATER RESPECT FOR GROUNDS STAFF MIGHT MAKE ALL THE DIFFERENCE
To the recruitment crisis

A COMPETITIVE SALARY
Why employers should advertise the salary when recruiting new staff

ON TEST
Makita XGT UV001G lawn scarifier

AN EXAMPLE OF SUSTAINABILITY IN MACHINERY SUPPLY
Focus on Kubota

MY PERSONAL GREENKEEPING PHILOSOPHY HAS NEVER CHANGED
I don't follow any set program

SUSTAINABILITY IN LANDSCAPING
A substantial element of amenity activity

IS IT TIME TO SAY NO TO 'NO MOW MAY'?
Any real benefits?

SUSTAINABILITY IN OUR PARKS & PUBLIC GREEN SPACES
Meeting the challenge

THE PATH TO WIMBLEDON
For groundstaff member, Conrad Cavil

ON TEST
EGO LBP8000E backpack blower

SUSTAINABILITY IN THE LAWN CARE SECTOR
A key consideration

BEEKEEPING IN COMMERCIAL ENVIRONMENTS
The current situation

SUSTAINABLE PRACTICE IN THE AMENITY SUPPLY SECTOR
Optimising land use through integrated solutions

SUSTAINABILITY IN THE GOLF SECTOR
Focus on BIGGA

THE SEARCH FOR SUSTAINABLE PRACTICE
Bringing together key points

DEVELOPING SUSTAINABLE SOLUTIONS FOR GOLF
R&A are supporting clubs

GETTING THE MOST OUT OF EVERY POUND OF BUDGET
A course manager's view

A NEWFOUND APPRECIATION FOR ALL VOLUNTEERS
Who look after grassroots pitches

SUSTAINABILITY & THE UK ACTION PLAN
For weed, pest and disease management

CONCERN FOR PARKS FOLLOWING COUNCIL BANKRUPTCIES
What does the future hold?

TAKING A GLOBAL LOOK AT SUSTAINABILITY
Is the rest of the world also driving towards sustainable practice?

RENOVATIONS, PLAY AND THANKS
On my mind this week

SUSTAINABILITY – IMPLICATIONS FOR TRAINING & EDUCATION
Set to play a crucial role going forward

TULIP TREE
Liriodendron tulipifera

LYDIA BROOM
Genista lydia

THE LAWN AND ITS VALUE
Changing attitudes

GIANT HOGWEED
Invasive and potentially harmful

LIFE-CYCLE ANALYSIS & SUSTAINABILITY
Considering every stage of the journey

NITROGEN USE EFFICIENCY
The most important nutrient

BERBERIS THUNBERGII
A shrub that has stood the test of time

ENSURING FUTURE PROSPERITY
Advice imparted at road shows

INNOVATION & SUSTAINABILITY
A key focus

PHOTINA RED ROBIN
A sensational flowering shrub

VALUING THE GRASSROOTS
We must not overlook those who maintain these grounds

MANAGING WEEDS SUSTAINABLY
In amenity spaces

DETECTING NUTRIENT DEFICIENCY SYMPTOMS
In turf plants

SPRING RENOVATIONS UNDERWAY
A crucial period

SUSTAINABILITY IN SUPPLY
A focus on those who supply essential inputs to our sector

CHANGING CLIMATE
Is a borehole the key for clubs?

SUSTAINABILITY AT THE SHARP END
How to put into practice when budgets are tight?

ANOTHER NAIL IN THE COFFIN OF GRASSROOTS RUGBY
Clubs are struggling

SUSTAINABILITY IN PRACTICE
Seeking transparent and robust supply chains is essential

TIME FOR ACTION
To reverse recruitment crisis

CONTROLLING COSTS
Planning is crucial

THE SEARCH FOR SUSTAINABILITY
What exactly does the term mean?

CARING FOR THE GRASSROOTS
From volunteers to contractors

DEFRA IS LETTING DOWN THE COUNTRY
Complete failure to address the plastic grass debate

WE CAN ALL DO MORE
To aid biodiversity

MY LIFE IN GREENKEEPING
With Bruce Cruickshank

LEVELLING UP, GETTING SMARTER & GETTING AHEAD
Parks require so much more funding

SWITCHED ON FOR HARD WORK
Putting trimmers through their paces

MACHINERY HIGHLIGHTS
At this year's show

MY SALTEX
Daniel Lewis​, Manchester City Football Club

AWASH WITH LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES
Two months till showtime

LOOKING BACK, LOOKING FORWARD
Priorities for the amenity sector

THE DECLINE OF ‘PARKITECTURE’
A symptom of the state of parks in 2022

DEVELOPERS SHIRKING GREEN SPACE RESPONSIBILITIES
Lack of financial commitment

TIME TO COME TOGETHER
For the good of the industry

THE DEATH OF GRASS ROOTS CRICKET
Gathering apace?

ROUTES INTO THE INDUSTRY MUST BE ENSURED
Q&A with David Fisher, Lantra’s head of industry partnerships

STRONG VIEWS ON CRICKET PITCH PERFORMANCE MARKING
A bone of contention

A PREMIUM PRODUCT
Delivered at Naas Golf Club

THE GREEN REVOLUTION
And Esker Hills

MAKING A CHANGE
Laytown and Bettystown Golf Links

A DAY AT THE RACES
Naas Race Course

WORKING TOGETHER AS ONE VOICE
How the industry needs to proceed

OVER 175 YEARS OF EDUCATION
Wesley College

ELECTRIC EXCITEMENT
Dennis's Ian Howard talks electrification

THE HOME OF CORK GAA
Páirc Uí Chaoimh

LONG POLE BATTERY HEDGE TRIMMERS TESTED
STIHL HLA 66 and HLA 86

OVER 800 YEARS OF HISTORY
Johnstown Castle and Gardens

A CLUB GONE WILD
Kilkenny Golf Club

A GOLF COURSE IN THE GARDEN OF IRELAND
Woodenbridge GC

80 YEARS YOUNG
Charleville Golf Club

AN UPLIFTING EXPERIENCE
Bunclody Golf & Fishing Club

GETTING BACK TOGETHER
Albeit gradually . .

GO WEST
Inishturk GAA pitch – one of the most westerly sportspitches in Europe

WORKING ON A TIGHT BUDGET
Nenagh Golf Club

ON A MISSION
Wrekin Golf Club aiming to enrich wildlife and fauna

WILD AND WONDERFUL
Design By Nature

LEARNING HOW TO SURVIVE
Abbey Par 3

TACKLING OBESITY
Vital that schools can provide sport

A LIFETIME OF LEARNING
Vital for turf professionals

CELEBRATING 125 YEARS
Tullamore Golf Club

UNIVERSITY CHALLENGES
At Trinity College Dublin

BLENDING THE OLD WITH THE NEW
Bray Golf Club

A WELL POLISHED COURSE!
Ierne Social And Sports Club

IDENTIFYING THE TRUE VALUES
Of grounds maintenance

THE INDUSTRY WILL CHANGE & ADAPT
But it will survive

WIRRAL GOLF COURSES SAVED
Renewed hope and optimism for the future

GREEN SPACE CONTRIBUTION TO WELLBEING IS UNDERVALUED
Parks invisible on national agenda

A SHINING LIGHT IN IRELAND'S SUNNY SOUTHEAST
Wexford Golf Club

GREEN SPACES DO NOT LOOK AFTER THEMSELVES!
Keith Kent says we must invest in people

WE SHOULD TELL THE WORLD ABOUT THE UK INDUSTRY
Right time for all sides to come together

SOIL LIFE IS PRECIOUS
Good-quality soil can help save the planet

MORE THAN JUST CUTTING GRASS
Encouraging the next generation

A BUZZ FROM DOING THE JOB
Wide experience of the turf grass industry

PAYING THEIR WAY
Low wages is the bane of the industry

AMENITY MANAGEMENT IMPACTS US ALL
Professor John Moverley

CARING FOR PARKS OF ALL TYPES
Mary Worrall

TOP FIVE FRUSTRATIONS FOR CRICKET GROUNDSMEN
What causes you the most frustration in your role?

PROFESSIONALS AT THE CUTTING EDGE
Vic Demain and Phil Sharples

BOWLS CLUBS IN PERIL
A sad decline

A VERY SPECIAL INDUSTRY
Loz looks back

SNEAK PEAK AT A ROBOTIC "GAME CHANGER"
Commercial model capable of covering 50,000 m2 teased

HALESOWEN PICK A BIG ROBOT UP FRONT
Invest in mowers

COMPRESSED AERATION
The new way

PARKS MATTER MORE THAN EVER
Recent sector developments

ON TEST
STIHL blowers

THREE CORE VALUES TO SHAPE OUR INDUSTRY
Real concerns for the future

ENGLAND'S GREEN SPACE GAP
A split along racial lines

ON TEST
EGO STX3800 strimmer with RTX2300 Rotocut head

A SECTOR FACING IMPORTANT TIMES
Review of the National Action Plan

PARKS MATTER
The role of public parks in the recovery: a discussion paper

A UNIQUE SPORTING VENUE
Wormsley private estate

A BTME OUTDOORS?
A good bet for the industry

PARKS NEED APPROPRIATE POLITICAL REPRESENTATION
Q&A with Philippa Reece, Parks and Foreshore Manager at Adur and Worthing Council

CRICKET LOAM
What does it mean?

A HERCULEAN EFFORT TO GET PARKS BACK TO NORMAL
Q&A with Chris Worman, Rugby Borough Council’s parks and ground manager

ON TEST
STIHL battery products

TURFGRASS STRESS MANAGEMENT
Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) and antioxidants during biotic and abiotic stress in turfgrass plants

AUTUMN DISEASE MANAGEMENT
The coming months are going to prove very difficult

THE ABUSE OF PARKS . .
Is the abuse of society

WHY PARKS MATTER?
A statement from the Parks Management Forum to the Prime Minister

THE 21st CENTURY PARKS MANAGER
Innovative, creative and entrepreneurial

EAT, SLEEP, CUT, REPEAT!
Cricket under covid

TIME FOR A SINGLE SHOW?
Debate brought back into focus

A CHALLENGING TWO MONTHS
Running golf design projects from home

PRESSURE SITUATION
Cementing the reputation

A CLUB TO BE PROUD OF
10 years at the helm of Olton GC

GAME CHANGERS IN TURFCARE
The day the Lord's outfield reconstruction proved its worth

THE ESSENCE OF ESSENTIAL
Finding a sensible way forward on defining "essential maintenance"

THAT WAS THE YEAR THAT WAS
2001

HOW TO LOOK AFTER A GOLF COURSE WITH NO GOLFERS
Fundamental to the survival of almost all courses, if not of the game itself

RAIN STOPPED PLAY WOULD BE WELCOME
. . along with ‘lunch is being taken early’

PHYSICAL CONTROL OF TURFGRASS PESTS
An urgent problem

A DIVERSE & ENTERTAINING WEEK
Successful BTME 2020

INTEGRATED PEST CONTROL
Opportunity to embrace new methods

ENVILLE ON THE UP
Major investments taking place

GREEN FLAG AWARDS 2019
A great success

U.S PROFESSIONAL EQUIPMENT SHOW EXCELS
Buoyant GIE+EXPO

LEGACY OF THE SOLHEIM CUP
At Gleneagles

A DAY OUT WITH THE LADIES
Behind the scenes at the Solheim Cup

COVENTRY UNIVERSITY'S EDIBLE GARDEN SUCCESS
2006 - present

HAIL THE GRASS MASTERS!
Boorish media comments about pitch quality are wide of the mark

CONTRACTOR SEES MULTI-DISCIPLINE SUCCESS
360 Ground Care serving professional facilities

BUSY TIMES
Judging the Green Flag Awards

TAKING AN INTEGRATED APPROACH
What does it all mean in managing turf surfaces?

UNDER PRESSURE
Dry weather conditions continue to keep turf managers focused on moisture management

EDDIE SEAWARD
Death of Wimbledon’s influential grounds manager

MAJOR NEW IRRIGATION PROJECT
At Top 100 classic Berkhamsted Golf Club

NEW HORIZONS FOR THE HATTERS
Investment paying off at Kenilworth Road

ELIZABETHAN RESTORATION
At Castle Bromwich Hall Gardens

WHAT IS BIOPHILIA?
The vital impact of parks and green spaces on health and well-being

WORM CONTROL
Without carbendazim

THE TRUE COST OF PETROL
Battery-powered outdoor power tools are now turning the heads of professionals

SANDS OF TIME
Sand-based pitches are now the norm in professional sports

WHY DO WE DO THE RIGHT THING?
We must maintain industry standards

CHASING GRASS PERFECTION?
11 things you need to know . . .

MAINTAINING STANDARDS
Q&A with BASIS ceo, Stephen Jacobs

STRI RESEARCH DAY 2018
Hosted at research trial grounds in Bingley

THE MECHANIC
Leicester City FC invest in new role

LORD'S 'GRASS-GUVNOR' TO RETIRE
Mick Hunt bows out after 49 years

HOLLOW CORING & DEEP SCARIFICATION
Is it really necessary?

At the recent annual Amenity Forum Conference, BASIS announced a major project to modernise and strengthen its amenity assurance and CPD offering, ensuring it continues to meet the evolving needs of the amenity sector.

Corrina Urquart, BASIS Chief Executive

The initiative, now underway, is designed to update, improve and develop the BASIS amenity framework, creating schemes that are fit for purpose in today’s dynamic sector. Through structured consultation, BASIS is actively engaging with stakeholders across the amenity industry to gather insights, validate direction, and ensure the enhanced offering reflects real user needs and expectations.

 At the heart of this project is a new Amenity Assurance Scheme, designed to bring clarity, consistency, and credibility to the sector. The scheme will:

• Certify amenity businesses while requiring operators and professional advisers to participate in Continuing Professional Development (CPD) programmes that demonstrate individual competence.
• Combine core standards under one comprehensive assurance scheme, with optional modules tailored to specific sub-sectors.
• Cover the full spectrum of weed, pest and disease management, extending beyond pesticide use to reflect modern integrated approaches.

The BASIS team is currently reworking the audit framework for amenity, which will be completed by January 2026 and launched in spring 2026.

The new structure will deliver a practical, transparent process:

• On-site audits in Years One and Four.
• Self-assessment audits in Years Two and Three.
• Generic questions supported by relevant activity-specific checks.
• Audits accredited by sub-sector and site type, including sports turf, lawn care, golf, and grounds maintenance - whether mobile, fixed-site, or depot-based operations.

Supporting this modernised approach will be a new digital portal and mobile app, enabling businesses to manage all audit interactions and requirements efficiently in one place. Each certified business will receive a digital certificate of assurance, clearly identifying the areas audited and approved.

To further enhance visibility, BASIS will maintain an online register of certified amenity businesses, helping customers and clients identify accredited professionals. Members will also receive a brand pack to promote their certification and demonstrate their commitment to quality and professional standards.

Working together for a stronger future

This project represents a significant step forward for the amenity sector. By collaborating with industry professionals and businesses throughout the process, BASIS aims to create an assurance framework that supports professionalism, sustainability, and trust across all areas of amenity management.

This project is about ensuring our assurance and CPD schemes evolve with the sector, reflecting best practice, embracing technology, and supporting everyone who plays a part in maintaining safe, sustainable, and high-quality amenity surfaces and spaces.

The new framework promises to deliver not just compliance, but confidence - helping the amenity sector raise its standards together.