Turf Britannia
Global developments are opening doors for British businesses and turfcare professionals to roll out UK turf standards internationally... Here, we look how governing bodies and influential individuals are progressing standards of turfcare globally.
Firstly, we to get a perspective on the global influence of UK groundsmanship with Dean Gilasbey - a man who has accrued more miles than Richard Branson in the pursuit of global turf excellence. Dean is currently The Director of International Pitch Management at Natural Grass, has undertaken grounds training for FIFA on a number of continents and is co-founder of ISTMA.
What influence has the UK had on worldwide turfcare management?
It’s crazy! Wherever you go, be it Africa or India, everyone wants a pitch to look like an English Premiership pitch. Look at Spain, there are some great ground staff, always has been and always will be. However, we cannot ignore the fact that the Spanish market started to invest in sports pitches once Paul Burgess joined Real Madrid, this was one of the best signings of the season. Paul has a fantastic mind, he thinks outside of the box, and he can bring things back to basic techniques. His simplistic approach has seen some of the smaller clubs succeed.
Another example is Jonathan Calderwood who joined PSG seventeen years ago. The French market is one of the best, which has no doubt improved since his appointment. Previously, the French market was a municipal-run structure, with little money being invested into sports pitches. After Jonathan showed the French market how good pitches could be in France, the organisations changed their approach. Now they invest more in pitches, and fortunately, there are now some great contracting companies such as Parc E-Sports, Natural Grass and ID Verde that maintain the pitches across the country.
Also we have the influence of turfcare professionals within the UK. Amongst many, we have to highlight individuals such as John Ledgwidge who has created a powerful awareness of what ground staff are doing in the UK. Without exceptional turfcare teams, sport wouldn’t have the best playing surfaces to provide optimum playability.
How/what UK practices have been introduced into global turf maintenance?
Unfortunately for the UK, and fortunately for the rest of the world, we have always had the eyes of the world upon us; from muddy FA Cup semi-final pitches in the 80s, to fantastic pitches from the days when Steve Braddock took over at Highbury.
We have had to adapt our approach to groundsmanship. We have been fortunate enough to have worked on the old soil-based pitches in extremely wet conditions, to the current hybrid pitches that can cope with extreme conditions.
In every form of life, the evolution process always serves to improve. There is no difference when it comes to grass!
Huddersfield Town Football Club was one of the first-ever pitches to be installed using the hybrid system in 1996 by Hewitts SportsTurf - which was highly successful. One slight variation after this original instalment was the introduction of sand. A simple component, which has changed the maintenance process for the rest of the world, and now we mainly stitch into sand-based constructions.
The UK is one of the wettest countries in the world, it rains most days throughout the year. As a result, the investment in sand-based pitches was a stroke of genius and has certainly aided with the pitches we produce to this day.
Dean Gilasbey (right) with Attai Emaeyak from Nigeria.
“In the UK, we have the ease of interacting with suppliers and it’s great when you want to discuss jobs with contractors, it’s easy to get into contact with machinery manufacturers, and they are constantly looking to evolve to make our pitches better.
Lighting rigs originated from the Netherlands when founders SGL noticed the grass was reacting to the lights used to grow flowers. How would they make this market work for them? They had to bring the lights into the UK and, once the Premiership loved them, the rest of the world was always going to invest!
How does UK turfcare help global trading?
The UK has a vast amount of knowledge in all aspects of turf maintenance, from mowers to machines designed to conduct renovations etc.
In some instances, working in the UK can be less challenging than in some of the more tropical countries, where temperatures can fluctuate overnight. It can be 20 degrees one day then -10 degrees within a few days. The UK will never see these differences drop overnight, however, what we are particularly good at is adapting instantly. UK ground staff are some of the best in the world at adapting.
What are some of the challenges with working outside of the UK turfcare market?
Without doubt, the biggest challenge is the aftercare of machinery. I think it is imperative that a dealer/distributor is present in a country to offer initial demonstrations and continued aftercare/servicing/parts for each machine. It is important to remain impartial with machinery and recommend multiple products for venues to assess and decide based on their budget. The likes of John Deere and Toro are great machines, used widely in places like India with representatives on hand.
Fertilisers are also exceedingly difficult to buy globally. In the UK we have over 2200 golf clubs, approximately 30,000 football pitches and a further 56,000 rugby league and union pitches - therefore, there is a market for amenity fertilisers here. In places like Africa, the demand for professional sports pitches is a lot lower, with emphasis on just a handful of pitches when major tournaments are being held and the only products available are for agricultural use.
What opportunities and positives are there for working internationally?
There are always opportunities working overseas, however, these opportunities can also have some detrimental effects on you and your personal life. Do some research on the country, understand the culture and embrace it.
The UAE was one of the first ever countries to invest in UK ground staff; Ben Corby, otherwise known as LinkedIn Corby, is probably the best example of a success story. Ben is always willing to share his knowledge and observations for others to learn from.
Saudi Arabia is investing heavily on new pitches over the next few years which could be a wonderful place to work - but it might not suit everyone! Whilst it’s an amazing opportunity, you cannot underestimate relocating your family - if it doesn’t work out, you could have left a fantastic job in the UK in the hope of success overseas, only to return stuck looking for work.
What are some of the things you have learnt while working in countries around the world?
Adapting to the environment is vital to your success and understanding what you are dealing with as quickly as possible is also important. You WILL be told what others want you to hear, which doesn’t help when it comes to preparations of pitches! It is better to be honest, regardless of how bad it might sound, you will be able to react better and quicker! There are very few circumstances where the client does not want to hear your comments, regardless of how many years’ experience you have, but you need to educate them a little differently. You are there to help and no consultant would ever enter a country or a venue with the view to make the pitch worse, (it’s bad for business)!!! The more informed a consultant is, the more informed a newly appointed member of staff is, which will speed up the process for the quest of perfection.
Working with Bermuda and Paspalum is awesome, both can be your best friend, or your biggest enemy. Educating local staff of the benefits of single plant growth can be difficult, however once they realise what you’re saying (in simple terms) they get it and see the benefits.
What is ISTMA and what are you trying to achieve?
ISTMA’s aim is to become global leaders in training and development. We want to invest in the industry we love and we are always looking for trusted patrons (reputable companies) that are like minded and want to give back to the industry that has served us so well.
With the support of our patrons, we offer discounted courses to developing countries, written by experts that have worked in some of the biggest tournaments across the globe and have worked in over eighty countries and over 300 stadiums. Why not use this knowledge to pass on more target specific courses to a market that gets very little opportunities to learn?
The UK turf industry is considered one of the best in the world
In his role as FIFA Senior Pitch Management Manager, Alan Ferguson has travelled the world to deliver tournaments from U17 level to full men’s and women’s World Cups. One thing all of these tournaments have in common is the presence of British-made machinery and personnel who have been trained in the UK.
The presence of these people and machines has been pivotal in the consistent success of the pitches at FIFA tournaments, and with the creation of the new FIFA Equipment Hubs, it will continue to be so.
Alan explains, “One thing that became evident when we were evaluating stadium and training sites for tournaments was the lack of equipment. To address this issue, we formed the FIFA Equipment Hubs, which support the procurement of key turf machinery to allow pitch renovations to be fully undertaken.”
“Where possible, we wanted to support local manufacturers, but it became apparent very quickly that a lot of the specialist machinery needed came from Britain and Europe.”
“In terms of groundsmanship, the world isn’t on a level playing field, and one of the best things we get to do is address that and raise standards globally.”
Working globally is not easy, but Alan says several UK companies have done it for years and do it well. Many outside the industry don’t see the challenges of global shipping, customs and exports, and, most importantly, product support. Companies such as Campey Turf Care, Linemark Global, Redexim, SIS Pitches, Dennis, and Harrod UK, to name a few, all fly the UK turf industry flag well.
For FIFA, any company supplying equipment to countries hosting tournaments must support the pitch management workshops, where Alan’s team transfers knowledge to local groundskeepers.
“Having state-of-the-art equipment is one thing, but being able to use it another,” Alan explains. “The UK turf industry is considered one of the best in the world, especially where pitches are concerned. You can turn on the TV and watch any game from the Premier League to League 2 or below, and you’ll see high-quality surfaces. That’s what we’re known for, so that’s what we’re trying to achieve everywhere we go.”
“Our workshops have become one of the highlights of the tournament build-up, where not only are the companies represented but some well-known faces from the turf industry as well.”
“I can say without fear of contradiction that since 2018, when the new model for pitch delivery was introduced, the pitch quality has gone from strength to strength.”
Alan summarises, “I am really proud of the above stats, and the UK industry should be rightly proud of its involvement. Without the industry, there is no way we would have turned around the pitch management delivery so quickly. What makes our industry so great is that we keep pushing forward and innovating, so we’ll continue to raise the bar as the industry in the UK does.”
Dave Roberts is widely respected in our industry and, in his impressive 43 years in the industry, has travelled the world. He shares his opinion of the UK infleunce on the rest of the world, in terms of turfcare and grounds management.
What I have seen is that the UK is regarded as one of the top countries for turfcare especially in Professional sports. However, many countries are adapting and developing some really good practices.
Recognition of skills
One of the really big differences I have seen is how our profession is regarded in the UK compared to other countries. I know this can be seen as a controversial topic as we are still facing a decline in recruitment and retention in the UK, however it is a lot worse in Europe from my personal views!
In the UK, most clubs employ their own grounds teams. These grounds teams care passionately about their sports surfaces and will constantly push boundaries.
Challenging their teams to think out of the box, try new techniques, break rules of turfcare and recreate new ones. Finding ways to innovate and come up with new solutions.
Data management and interpretation are key skills now, making shades of green into black and white that our line managers and end users can understand.
Working closely with coaches and sports science to understand player and sports needs, and look at ways to provide consistency and durability to the surfaces in changing climates and challenging stadiums.
These are many of the key strengths I see of the UK sports turf industry. The challenge in many other countries is that sports turf management isn’t seen as a skill. With many countries still referring to ground staff as gardeners.
Employer v contractor
In Europe, many venues employ contractors to manage the sports turf, and although I have seen many examples of this working well, I do feel it is still not as strong a system as employing your own grounds team, investing in training and rewarding them.
I feel there becomes a bond between employed grounds teams and their pitches, where the pitches become their babies that they want to nurture and care for, and will find solutions to many challenges.
Education
Other observations are the UK has a great education system when it comes to turfcare. The UK, USA and Australia and New Zealand are countries that I have seen that have long established sports turf training courses. These can be quite generalised covering all sports turf especially golf, however sports turf principles are generally the same with adapting to the sport and environment it is being played in.
Sharing knowledge
The UK is also very open when it comes to sharing knowledge and experience. When you are employed by a professional club such as football, cricket and rugby. You don’t mind helping others if they have challenges and there tends to be a good solidarity in the UK when it comes to seeing people struggling.
If you are a contracting company, knowledge is a commercial strength. You wouldn’t want to share it with your competitors as you could lose contracts to them. So, knowledge and experience sharing isn’t quite so forthcoming.
I have also seen this in golf, of other member sports where it isn’t advisable to give your neighbours too much advice as the paying members can move to another venue if they feel the surfaces are better.
Global Awards winners Campey
Campey Turf Care Systems’ impact on the world stage was recently recognised by the Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce (GMCC) with the 2024 Global Star Award.
As sport has grown globally, so has the demand for high-quality surfaces. Campey has developed with an ethos of solving the challenges turf professionals face in the UK and, by applying that worldwide, they have built a reputation as a leader of innovation.
Campey’s place as the winner was secured due to its history, progress and innovation in the global turf market and they were presented with the 2024 Global Star Award for its outstanding achievements in innovation and global business growth.
From FIFA World Cups to Wimbledon and Salford City FC to Manchester United, there is rarely a tournament or event played on turf that hasn’t been prepared using a Campey machine.
What initially started out as a business offering sports turf maintenance work within the North West of the United Kingdom has now grown to be one of the UK’s leading independent distributors. Machinery is available from over 70 dealers throughout Europe, Asia, Africa and the USA. Campey continues to strengthen its international presence by establishing Campey Australia and new dealer networks around the world.
Campey Turf Care Systems has conducted numerous European roadshows and demo days worldwide, offering country-specific training to esteemed professionals and volunteers, thereby consistently elevating the standard of play.
Much of the Campey global success can be attributed to these key areas:
- Listen to customers – hear their arguments and work with professionals in different international markets. They are on the front line and know what is needed. Look for gaps in the market – see the challenge and look for the solution.
- Be open to new ideas and innovations – test theories and machinery in the countries we export to.
- Education and communication - invest in education at all levels. Engage with young people and engage with grassroots clubs, as well as the higher established levels.
- Work as a team – deliver on the promises of service and quality.
- Be ready and willing to expand into new markets - whatever the challenges.
Campey’s innovative machinery, combined with education and customer service, is what has led to the exponential and continued growth of a family business from Macclesfield, which is now the number one supplier and manufacturer of specialised sports turf equipment in the world.
A statement from FEGGA
The global Golf industry is undergoing a transformative phase, with Europe playing a pivotal role in setting new international standards.
As Chairman of the Federation of European Golf Greenkeepers Associations (FEGGA), I am proud to see how all of Europe is advancing the quality, sustainability, and professionalism of turf management on a global scale.
While the UK has historically been a leader in turfcare, today we are witnessing impressive developments across the entire continent. National governing bodies and industry leaders from multiple European countries are working together to create and promote best practices in turf management that are being adopted worldwide. This collaborative effort is driving innovation and ensuring that Europe continues to be a global hub of expertise.
Supported by organizations like FEGGA and The R&A, Europe is at the forefront of initiatives that emphasize sustainable greenkeeping - prioritizing biodiversity, efficient resource use, and resilient playing surfaces. These efforts align with global sustainability goals and reflect Europe’s commitment to elevating standards around the world.
FEGGA provides a unique opportunity for businesses and professionals to contribute to this global movement. Joining or as a member of FEGGA, you become part of a network that promotes knowledge exchange, professional development, and the widespread adoption of European turf standards on the international stage. Together, we are shaping the future of the Golf industry, ensuring that European expertise continues to lead and inspire progress globally.
This is a crucial moment for our industry, and I look forward to seeing how these developments will further advance turf standards.