Deutz-Fahr secures partnership with RFU
Deutz-Fahr Secures Partnership with Rugby Football Union
By Mike Bird
Warwickshire-based tractor distributor, SAME Deutz-Fahr UK Ltd, has been awarded a contract to supply 15 Deutz-Fahr Agroplus 60 tractors to community rugby clubs throughout England to assist with the improvement of natural turf surfaces.
Each equipped with a Soil Reliever 75 HD deep-tine aerator from David Jenkins Turfcare Equipment Ltd, the four-wheel drive 60hp tractors and their attachments have been funded by the Community Club Development Programme, a £60 million three-year collaboration between the Government, Sport England and the national governing bodies of 16 separate sports including tennis, cricket, football and rugby union. The aim of the programme is to enhance sports facilities at grass roots level and increase participation within local communities, particularly in areas of sporting and social deprivation.
Under the programme, the RFU has been allocated a total of £9.4 million to invest in community rugby club projects such as the provision of synthetic training areas, installation of floodlights and the improvement of existing turf playing surfaces - all designed to enable more people from more communities to take part in the game.
RFU Funding and Facilities Manager, Simon Winman, explained that the newly-acquired equipment will be based at 15 selected community rugby clubs located close to other clubs and schools where rugby is played.
"Within this pilot project, the groundstaff at the 15 key clubs will receive full training at SAME Deutz-Fahr's Rugby headquarters in the safe and effective operation and maintenance of the tractors and aerators," he said. "We would expect the selected clubs to use the tractor and deep aerator to help their neighbours keep their playing surfaces in the best possible condition also. By providing a local resource, clubs will be able to cut costs and raise standards, encouraging more people to become involved in the game of rugby."
For further information, please contact: Michael Bird Communications Manager SAME Deutz-Fahr UK Ltd
Tel: 01453 887999 Mobile: 07717 661886 e-mail: mike_bird@lineone.net
Photographs
Twickenham head groundsman, Keith Kent, with Rob Edwards, sales manager for SAME Deutz-Fahr UK Ltd, and the Deutz-Fahr Agroplus 60/Soil Reliever 75 HD combination selected for placing at 15 community rugby clubs around England.
Ian Ayling, assistant head groundsman at Twickenham, aerates the pitch with the Deutz-Fahr Agroplus 60/Soil Reliever 75 HD combination ahead of the Zurich Premiership Final on 29 May.