The finalists have been announced for the prestigious Institute of Groundsmanship (IOG) Industry Awards 2014 being held in partnership with the British and International Golf Greenkeepers Association (BIGGA).
Now in their sixth year, the awards acknowledge the high standards achieved by volunteer and professional teams as well as individuals at facilities ranging from grassroots to professional stadia level.
The awards’ judging process recognises achievement, innovation and fresh thinking as well as examples of best practice from the leaders in the world of groundsmanship. The judging process, headed by Jason Booth, national manager of the Grounds and Natural Turf Improvement Programme, was based on a strict marking system. Each finalist will now be visited by an independent judge.
The aim of the awards is to raise standards and encourage greater professionalism within the industry. The winners will be announced Oscar-style by Industry Awards ceremony host Mark Saggers from talkSPORT radio at stadiummk, Milton Keynes, on Thursday 4 December. The finalists are:
Sports Team Awards
IOG Professional Rugby Union Grounds Team of the Year
Harlequins RUFC, Twickenham
Worcester Warriors, Worcester
IOG Professional Rugby League Grounds Team of the Year
Castleford Tigers, West Yorkshire
Wigan Warriors
IOG Headland Amenity Professional Tennis Grounds Team of the Year
Edgbaston Priory Club, Birmingham
Nottingham Tennis Centre
IOG Souters Sports School, College, University or Sports Club Grounds Team of the Year
Harrow School, Middlesex
The Honourable Artillery Co, London
Whitgift School, South Croydon
IOG Campey/Imants Professional Football Grounds Team of the Year
Burnley FC, Turf Moor
Manchester United FC, Old Trafford
IOG John Deere Professional Horse Racing Grounds Team of the Year
Ripon Racecourse, North Yorks
York Racecourse, North Yorks
IOG National Governing Bodies Grassroots Sports Grounds Team of the Year – co sponsored by the AELTC (All England Lawn Tennis Club), ECB (the England and Wales Cricket Board), the Football Association (The FA), the Football Foundation, The Lawn Tennis Association (the LTA), the Premier League, the RFL (Rugby Football League) and the RFU (Rugby Football Union).
Beversbrook Sports Facility, Calne, Wilts
One Leisure, St Ives, Cambridgeshire
Individual Awards
IOG Vitax Grounds and Natural Turf Improvement Programme Volunteer of the Year
Robert Stretton, Aylestone Park FC, Leicester
Ian Williscroft, Potton UFC, Bedfordshire
IOG Rigby Taylor/Top Green Young Groundsman of the Year
Josef Farrow, Oakham School, Rutland, Leicester
Alex Hudson, Nottingham Forest FC
Martin Stephenson, Ashbrooke Sports Club, Sunderland
IOG Toro Most Promising Sportsturf Student of the Year
Dean Bryce, Campbell Park, Milton Keynes
Michael Crew, The Hurlingham Club, London
The IOG Alex R Millar DLF Johnsons & Ransomes Groundsman of the Year
This coveted award is named after the inspirational chair of the IOG, who held the post from 1991-1993 and 2002-2009. The winner will be announced at the awards ceremony.
IOG Everris & Syngenta Lifetime Achievement
The winner of this award will be announced at the awards ceremony.
Project Award
IOG British Sugar TOPSOIL Environmental Project/Innovation of the Year
Forest Green Rovers FC, Nailsworth, Glos
University of Warwick, Coventry
Sports Grounds Awards
IOG Kubota/Redexim Charterhouse Best Maintained Artificial Pitch of the Year
Hampton School, Middlesex
St George’s Park, Burton upon Trent, Staffs
IOG National Governing Bodies Spectator Sports Ground of the Year – co sponsored by the AELTC (All England Lawn Tennis Club), ECB (the England and Wales Cricket Board), The Football Association (The FA), the Football Foundation, the Lawn Tennis Association (the LTA), the Premier League, the RFL (Rugby Football League) and the RFU (Rugby Football Union).
Goodison Park (Everton FC) Liverpool
Boldon Community Association Sports Ground (Jarrow Roofing FC) Sunderland.
*The finalists for the IOG Professional Cricket Grounds Team of the Year and for the BIGGA awards will be announced shortly.
