Dear Colleague

RE: Groundsmen Training

I am writing to you with details of a freeone day course for your groundsmen. Sport Wales, in partnership with Welsh Rugby Union and Football Association for Wales,have identified a need to support Clubs in the maintenance of their pitches. Groundsmen are often volunteers with little or no formal qualifications in maintenance of pitches. The aim of this course is to enhance knowledge and skills base in grounds maintenance, with much of the course beingaimed at the demonstration and use of equipment.

The courses will be delivered in the New Year 2011 and will be available free of charge for up to twogroundsmen per Club. Please see attached in Appendix 1 a copy of the outline agenda. The dates and venues of the courses are:

28 February Port Talbot Town AFC, Port Talbot

6 MarchLlay Miners Welfare FC, Wrexham

14 MarchSouth East Area (Newport area) – Venue to be confirmed

Registration is from 8.30am onwards and the course will commence at 9am. The course will be delivered by Len Smith of theThe Institute of Groundsmanship (IOG), who previously held the position of Head Groundsman at SWALEC Cricket Ground home of Glamorgan Cricket Club. The IOG is the body which representsgroundsmen, of all kinds, and promotes the profession - to ensure quality surfaces for sport, leisure & recreation.

Sport Wales are providing the course free of charge (normal cost of attending this course is £140 per individual), however to provide continued support to delegates, a condition of attendance is that Clubs have to be or become Associate Members of IOG.

If your Club is not an Associate Member, affiliation to IOG is £104. Affiliation can be completed online through IOG’s website: The benefits of joining IOG are listed in Appendix 2, one of which is the continued support for your groundsmen. (The normal cost of attending this course is £140 per individualtherefore a potential saving of £176 to the Club if two groundsmen attend this course).

If your groundsmen are interested in attending this course, please complete the form at Appendix 3, and return to the WRU together with proof of IOG membership – Reference Number from your membership card, by 18th February (Port Talbot) or 28th February (Wrexham & Newport)2011. Your groundsmen will then receive details directly with regards to the course.

If you have any queries regarding the above, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Yours sincerely

Nicola Smith

WRU Club Development Officer

07725 828697

Appendix 1

8.30 – 9amArrive/registration

9 – 9.10amIntroduction

9.10 – 9.30amFA Performance Quality Standards

9.30 – 10.10amLaws of the game, safety etc (practical outside)

10.10 – 10.30amCoffee/tea break

10.30 – 11amInitial marking of a pitch (including season long marking)

11 – 11.40amEquipment requirements (look in equipment sheds)

11.40 – 12.15pmMaintenance operations (various)

12.15 – 12.45pmLunch

12.45 – 1.30pmMaintenance operations (various) cont

1.30 – 2pmHealth and Safety (application of herbicides, risk assessments etc)

2 – 2.30pmDrainage (surface water removal)

2.30 – 2.50pmCoffee/tea break

2.50 – 3.15pmIrrigation (maintenance and match days)

3.15 – 3.50pmMaintenance estimation, quotes, pricing

3.50 – 4.15pmRecap/questions give out booklets/certificates

4.15pmCourse finish

Appendix 2

Benefits of being a Member of IOG

As a member you can access all of our products and services, with many attracting substantialmembers’ only discounts:

  • 3 free subscriptions to the industry's leading monthly magazines
  • Access to the full range of life style discounts through the Benefits PLUS package
  • Discounted rates on all recruitment adverts online and in the magazines
  • Free telephone helplines for:
  • Legal advice
  • Technical, management or employment-related queries
  • Free on-line access to a comprehensive technical reference library
  • 50% Discount on all IOG industry-endorsed training, and educational courses
  • Discounted rates on IOG consultancy services, and the IOG Annual Conference & Awards
  • Bespoke, affordable training solutions for your staff
  • Pre-registered tickets for IOG SALTEX and IOG Scotsturf exhibitions
  • You and your staff will also receive support from your local branch network and will be invited to attend local meetings, educational talks and excursions

Appendix 3

REPLY SLIP: Groundsmen Training

28 February Port Talbot Town AFC

6 MarchLlay Miners Welfare FC

14 MarchSouth East area (Newport Area) – Venue TBC

Name of Organisation:-______

Person 1 / Person 2
Name:*
Address:*
Postcode:*
Tel No:
Work
Mobile
e-mail address:*
Course Date:
1st Choice
2nd Choice

Proof of Club affiliation to the IOG:

Reference Number on membership card * ………………………………………………………

Details with a * must be completed in order for you to receive correspondence.

Please complete and return by Friday 18th or 28th February 2011 by e-mail, post or fax to:

Nicola Smith

WRU Club Development Officer

National Centre of Excellence

Vale of Glamorgan Hotel

Hensol

Vale OfGlamorgan

CF72 8JY

Email:

Fax: 01443 665844