The Belfry Hotel & Resort is an award-winning hotel situated in the heart of the country in Royal Sutton Coldfield, North Warwickshire. The resort is home to three golf courses, including The Brabazon and PGA National and Derby, with the Iconic Brabazon recognised as world-class, and has hosted The Ryder Cup four times – more than any other venue in the world. The Belfry is also set to host this year’s Betfred British Masters for the third consecutive year. 

Being one of the largest hospitality venues within the region, The Belfry recognises its responsibility within the local community and surroundings, which is why the team is committed to protecting the environment and is proud to have received a silver award from Green Tourism. 

Angus Macleod, Director of Golf Courses and Estates at The Belfry, ensures his team is taking the right steps to place sustainability at the heart of everything the team does on the courses and ensures they are making a positive impact on the environment. 

A healthy environment 

With over 550 acres of rolling countryside, 700 team members, over 300 bedrooms, multiple bars and restaurants, and three golf courses, my team and I are custodians of an amazing destination. Not only do we want to protect and provide a fantastic environment for our team, the environment, wildlife, our predecessors, and the local community, but also for the hundreds of thousand visitors we attract every year, with around 110,000 golfers alone.

There are a number of ways to look after a golf course, but we ensure that we take a sustainable and holistic approach when it comes to the soil and turf at The Belfry. We are here to create a healthy and disease resistant turf while also creating natural habitats for the wildlife which call our resort home, as well as maintaining good and well managed waste reduction and water resource management systems.

The resort has secured significant funding for future development, work on which is starting imminently. Development plans ensure that we won’t take away, but instead will increase habitats and planting around the resort. The new development has a real focus on ESG, and several sustainability initiatives are already underway. This includes the installation of waterless urinals; additional electric vehicle charging points, plus the introduction of onsite electric vehicles, such as electric golf buggies; switching 80% of the resort’s lighting to LED, with many of the areas now lit by motion sensor lights; a focus on wildlife enrichment areas; and switching to biodegradable and recyclable material for marketing and promotional products.  

We are also aiming to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2030, having saved 3 million kWh of energy combined across electricity and gas in 2022 when comparing its usage with 2019. 

We are working on our environmental quality through reducing negative impacts on soil, water, and air quality, with limited nitrogen use and pesticide inputs. We use data to determine nutrient inputs, which allows us to reduce applications, helping save costs with reduced machinery, diesel, and petrol usage. 

Looking after our turf

We have a responsibility to do things right. We don’t want our golfers or wildlife being exposed to pesticide products, so we use a variety of turf across the resort with many being pest resistant. When we do need to target weeds, we use Integrated Pest Management (IPM), an effective and environmentally sensitive approach to pest management to ensure our turf stays healthy, as well as our guests and environment. The greenkeeping team utilise ‘buffer zones’ around water sites when using any products which might impact water quality and herbicides are not blanket sprayed. The team spot treat or cultural control to dig weeds out completely to lower the environmental impact. 

The Greenkeeping team also use our existing greens to produce up to 1000sqft of new turf within our Turf Nursery. We use all products that have grown on site enabling us to cut down our carbon footprint.

Each year we have committed to managing tree health across the resort and to planting additional trees annually. Trees form part of the VTI process of safety and are only removed or pollard if deemed unsafe and we plant new trees out on the course to impact any losses. 

Reducing waste and water management 

We have a fantastic waste segregation system which means we send zero waste to landfill. Our system allows all waste to be separated so materials can be recycled and disposed of correctly. In 2022, we recycled 46 tons of cardboard, 110,175 tons of glass and 151.95 tons of food waste. We are in the process of introducing a new waste system around the Resort which will include new internal and external bins, improved signage, and training for all staff.

Our Waste management system filters waste water, enabling the used water to return to the resort’s reservoirs and lakes, or to be sprayed directly onto the golf courses. Our new car park allows water to drain and soak through to the waterways to ensure any water doesn’t get lost and can be reused. The Brabazon golf course operates an irrigation system whereby rainwater is collected in our reservoirs and used to water the golf course. In 2022, we introduced waterless urinals which reduces our water usage and, by implication, our site’s carbon footprint. We are one of the very few golf courses in the UK where every single drop of water used on our turf has been recycled and reused on site. 

Protecting and encouraging wildlife

Our resort is home to a diverse range of wildlife from birds, bats, and barn owls to snakes, badgers, foxes, and otters, and protecting them is a cause very close to my heart. My team and I plant and maintain a range of plants, flowers and trees and use leaf litter and tree felling to create habitats and encourage wildlife and biodiversity. Any waste which cannot be used will be recycled as compost. 

We have multiple bird and bat boxes throughout our golf courses and surrounding areas to provide a safe space for these animals to lay and help raise their young. We have created bug and bee hotels and log piles which create a lovely home for insects, and also help teach our younger guests all about the importance of wildlife and their natural habitats during their visit with us. 

We are home to a family of swans who have been at the resort for ten years now, and we work with the Barn Owl Trust to house the owls which can be found around the resort’s grounds. We have eight hives on site which are home to over 100,000 honey and bumble bees. We provide the bees with a strong base to feed on seasonal flowers throughout the year and spread pollen throughout the area. The honey is used by our chefs who feature it in dishes across our menus, and our own signature gin, 1960. The gin is a delicious and distinct blend of home-grown botanicals and flowery notes and includes honey from the ‘Belfry Bees’.

Golf courses do not need to be too manicured, so we don’t cut certain areas as not to disturb habitats. We have naturalised parts of the courses, especially on the PGA course, where we let the grass grow high making it a great place for wildlife to thrive. 

Reducing our carbon footprint

We are always looking at ways to reduce our carbon footprint. Right now, we are implementing ways to reduce the need for fossil fuels. We have introduced electric vehicles, including electric golf buggies, across our Resort. This includes the vehicles for the housekeeping, maintenance and greenkeeping teams, and we plan to continue adding more.

We are curating a herb garden which will be growing organic herbs for our chefs to use in the food as well as cocktails in the Brabazon bar. Next, we will be looking at electric methods of cutting turf rather than petrol. 

We work with local businesses wherever possible and ensure our suppliers and partners all share a strong environmental responsibility, like us. Together, we are helping to create a greener future and positive impact as we continue to develop innovative ideas to protect our environment and place sustainability at the heart of everything we do. 

Reesink Turfcare has launched a new Electric Powered course, designed to help customers get the best from their machinery.

When it comes to mowers, the manufacturer offers three relevant training courses: Turfcare Mechanics to include cutting technology, the Safe Use of Ride-On Mowers and the new Electric Powered Training.

Lee Rowbotham, service and training manager at Reesink UK, explains that having well-trained operators and mechanics can make machines go even further in both performance and longevity: “Reesink training provides customers with the confidence to operate and take care of their own machines so that operations can continue to run smoothly no matter what. It’s about investing in people as much as it is the machines themselves, but ultimately the two are always linked.”

With the rapid development of electric and hybrid technology, the company say it’s important that skills and knowledge in those areas progresses at an equivalent rate so that technicians and dealers can better serve their customers and the Toro product. Hence the introduction of the new course. 

Lee explains: “The Electric Powered Training course covers calibration and troubleshooting in Toro electric machinery, understanding how the electric system works and how each electrical component fits into the system. It is aimed at end users who currently have electric Toro products in their fleet.”

The company says course material and assessment are included in the fees, and manufacturer backed certification is provided at the end. Each of the courses range from one to two days of training and can be conducted on an individual basis or in small groups.

Toro U.K. Limited have honoured their long-term employee, territory sales manager Alistair Tod, who recently celebrated his 35th anniversary with the company - with the manufacturer holding a surprise celebration at the Douglas Hayter Visitors’ Centre.

L-R: Alistair Tod and Craig Hoare
 
Alistair started his career in 1988 as a technical service assistant and 8 months later was promoted to be a territory sales manager. Craig Hoare, sales & marketing manager at Toro U.K., said, “Alistair is synonymous with the Hayter brand and has a wealth of knowledge. He is so well liked and respected by dealers and we were proud to celebrate his milestone."
 
Reminiscing on his time with the business, Alistair recalls that his first day in the office was “a very friendly and welcoming atmosphere, and the sales and service departments worked closely together. Everybody was so helpful which made it reassuring that I had joined a great company.” 
 
Alistair’s career has spanned many product developments from the Hayter Jubilee range, the growth of the Commercial range, including Prostripe and zero-turn mowers, and the more recent transition to battery power.
 
For anyone thinking of joining the industry, Alistair’s advice would be to “jump on board because you will be surprised where it can take you. The industry is so diversified, the opportunities are endless.”
 
Alistair continues to look after the South-East region, with new and established dealers who join us in congratulating Alistair on this milestone.

EGO say they partnered with the Eden Reforestation Projects last year with the aim of planting as many trees as possible.

Fast forward to now, and customers of the battery-powered equipment specialist can say that they have helped contribute to the thousands of trees that the global environmental initiative has planted in the manufacturer's name.

The Eden Reforestation Projects plant millions of trees each month across its global restoration network spanning regions such as Latin America and South-East Asia. The scheme says that not only are they helping the environment, but they are also providing local communities living in extreme poverty with the opportunities to become economically self-sufficient and earn fair wages.

Eden has different partnership levels, depending on the number of trees that have been planted. EGO began its partnership with Eden at the Sapling level, and with the support of its customers and regular donations, has moved up to the Grove level in just over 12 months.

Steve Roskell, director of marketing (EMEA) for EGO, said, “Our commitment to fighting climate change and leaving this world in a healthy state for future generations is important to us, and so partnering with such an incredible charity who shares the same values is crucial. We are thrilled to announce that we are officially a Grove level partner with Eden Reforestation Projects, and we would like to extend thanks to our loyal customers, who helped us make our biggest donation to the charity so far.”

EGO launched their Challenge 2025 campaign in 2020 that aims to "educate and empower people to make batteries the principal power source for outdoor power equipment."

Steve added, “We are very proud of our work with Eden as not only does it build on the success of Challenge 2025, but the two projects are very much working towards a similar goal, which is to create a greener and safer world for years to come. Having seen what we can achieve in only one year of partnership, we are very excited to see what more work can be done.”

Yamaha say they have pledged to help improve farm safety by offering free ATV rider competency training from the European All-Terrain Vehicle Safety Institute (EASI) to anyone purchasing a new Yamaha ATV.

“We have always advocated training for ATV operators, so to help improve driver competency we offer these courses free of charge with a new ATV,” says Yamaha’s area sales manager, Carl Stuart.
 
According to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) 2022 report, "Agriculture has the worst rate of worker fatal injury (per 100,000) of the main industrial sectors: 21 times higher than the average five-year annual rate across all industries."
 
Machinery and vehicles accounted for almost half of fatalities (48%). To reduce risk, improve operator competence, and help safeguard workers, the HSE strongly advise that ATV operators complete a training course.
 
Amy Morris, EASI UK regional operations manager says, “ATVs, when used properly, can save time and money. Our training courses highlight general machine checks, upkeep, weight distribution and active riding, which is imperative when operating on uneven, rutted terrain which is so often found on farms."
 
Taking a basic course to learn riding skills and use the correct equipment can help prevent the risk of accidents. “With the ever-increasing popularity of ATV’s, many operators have little or no experience. ATVs handle very differently to cars and motorcycles, so it is vitally important that all users should learn how to safely operate an ATV by taking an operator course,” says Mrs Morris.
 
The training can be completed in one day and there are 38 centres throughout the UK to do so. EASI advises that all riders, including those with years of experience, make the most of this offer.

“Even experienced riders can find themselves in potentially hazardous situations that can, without the correct training and knowledge, result in serious accidents. We welcome this move by Yamaha and hope that its customers will take advantage of this offer,” adds Mrs Morris.

TURF HARVEST FESTIVAL

FEEDING TIME

TIME TO GET TOUGH

STAY CURIOUS!
by guest editor, Alex Vickers

A TRANSISTIONAL MONTH

SPRING IS UPON US

HEDGE YOUR BETS

PEOPLE'S PARKS, PUBLIC PARKS - IN PERIL?

by guest editor, Paul Rabbits

TESTING TIMES AHEAD

ROBOTIC POTENTIAL

CHANGEOVER TIME

WE MUST DEVELOP OUR OWN STAFF

by guest editor, Karl McDermott

DOUBLE CENTURY CELEBRATED

OUR PARKS IN CRISIS

AN OUTSTANDING SUCCESS

OPTIMISM RETURNING
By Guest Editor, Roy Rigby

WATERLOGGING ISSUES

NEW YEAR, NEW FEATURES

View all of 2022's blogs here

View all of 2021's blogs here

View all of 2020's blogs here

View all of 2019's blogs here

View all of 2018's blogs here

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?

I visited Stratford-Upon-Avon recently and found myself going on one of those large Ferris wheels, with the aim to get a bird’s eye view of Shakespeare’s birthplace town. The views were spectacular and I was extremely pleased to enjoy an overhead view of Stratford Cricket Club, who were hosting a Saturday afternoon league game. 

A view from above affords a sense of the scale of work involved in preparing and maintaining a cricket ground. More importantly though, seeing it being used makes it all worthwhile. 

We often forget the value of community sport and what it brings to the table. How can you put a value on what these facilities achieve in terms of bringing together and supporting local communities? Natural turf grassroots sports clubs - and within these I’m including rugby, football, cricket and bowls - all provide a vital access to competitive sport. 

Community sports clubs bring numerous values to the table, positively impacting individuals, communities, and society as a whole. Here are some key values associated with community sports clubs:

Physical health and well-being: Sports clubs promote physical activity, encouraging people to engage in regular exercise and leading to improved fitness levels and overall health. Regular participation in sports can help prevent chronic diseases, enhance cardiovascular health, strengthen muscles and bones, and contribute to weight management.

Mental health and emotional well-being: Sports clubs provide opportunities for individuals to engage in physical activity, which has proven benefits for mental health and well-being. Participation in sports can reduce stress, alleviate symptoms of anxiety and depression, boost self-esteem, and improve mood by releasing endorphins. Additionally, being part of a sports community fosters social connections, support networks, and a sense of belonging, which are crucial for mental well-being.

Skill development and personal growth: Community sports clubs offer a platform for individuals to develop and enhance their athletic skills. Participants can learn new sports, improve existing skills, and acquire valuable teamwork, communication, leadership, and problem-solving abilities. Through the challenges and successes experienced in sports, individuals develop resilience, discipline, perseverance, and goal-setting skills that can be applied in various aspects of life.

Social integration and inclusion: Community sports clubs bring people from diverse backgrounds together, fostering social integration and inclusion. They provide opportunities for individuals of different ages, genders, ethnicities, and abilities to participate and collaborate, breaking down barriers and promoting understanding, tolerance, and respect. Sports clubs often create a sense of community pride and identity, strengthening social cohesion.

Education and lifelong learning: Sports clubs often prioritise the development of young athletes and provide educational opportunities. Coaches and mentors impart knowledge and skills related to specific sports techniques, tactics, and strategies. Furthermore, sports clubs may emphasise the importance of education, offering academic support, scholarships, or mentorship programs that encourage athletes to balance their studies and sports commitments.

Volunteerism and community engagement: Community sports clubs rely on volunteers who contribute their time, expertise, and passion. By engaging in volunteer work, individuals develop a sense of civic responsibility, leadership, and empathy. Sports clubs often organise community events, tournaments, or charity initiatives that bring the community together, creating a positive impact beyond the boundaries of the club itself.

Healthy lifestyle promotion: Community sports clubs advocate for healthy lifestyles beyond the sports field. They raise awareness about nutrition, hydration, injury prevention, and the dangers of substance abuse. Sports clubs serve as role models and inspire individuals to adopt healthy habits, leading to better overall well-being.

And for a chosen few, they can provide a career pathway into becoming a professional sportsperson. 

These values collectively contribute to the personal development, social fabric, and overall health of individuals and communities, making community sports clubs an integral part of society.

 
The work of the people looking after and maintaining these grounds must not be overlooked. We should ensure they continue to get the resources, support and funding required to improve and sustain these wonderful theatres of sport.

We are now lucky to have via the Grounds Management Association a new grounds management framework set up to support clubs in their efforts to maintain their playing surfaces.

This, along with the GMA Pitch Advisory Service, go a long way to helping community sports clubs thrive. Potential funding is also available for clubs to improve their facilities or buy much needed new machinery and equipment. 

As a Pitch Advisor for the RFU myself, there never been a better time for clubs to improve their playing surfaces. Rugby Grounds Connected (RGC) for example, is an easy access, two-way communication network between the RFU and rugby union grounds people. It is the main communication channel for the RFU to provide information and advice to grounds people and has special offers and exclusive benefits for members. Everything the RFU does with relation to pitch maintenance comes under the banner of Rugby Grounds Connected.

There is also a series of events being held at several clubs up and down the country Honda Rugby Grounds Connected - Regional Events 23 | Eventbrite I will be attending the one at Stafford RFC on the 14th June starting at 9am. 

I look forward to seeing any midlands clubs who may be attending.