IOG Level 1

Volunteers attend the Institute of Groundsmanship Level 1 in Pitch Maintenance

Held at Durham FA

Durham County FA hosted their 2nd Winter Pitch Maintenance Institute of Groundsmanship (IOG) Level 1 Course at the Riverside Sports Complex, Chester-le-Street last month.

The course was led by the IOG’s Ian Powell, who is also the County’s FA Pitch Advisor. Local club ground staff who attended the course were from Lumley FC Jrs, Billingham Jrs, Willington AFC, Shildon FC, Jarrow FC, Wellfield Community School, Hebburn Clegwell CA and Hebburn Town FC

Chris Hutchinson, the County FA’s Facilities & Investment Officer stated,

The course is part of Durham County FA’s Pitch Improvement Programme which supports our County affiliated clubs and organisations who maintain their own pitches. The course involves what is required to maintain Football pitches through the winter and is ideal for volunteers and employees. The day contained practical demonstrations, plus theory to gain an improved understanding of what is needed to develop their clubs own pitches
- Chris Hutchinson, Facilities and Investment Officer

The Level 1 module consists of…

    Sequence of annual maintenance

•    Mowing, scarification, verti-cutting, harrowing

    Irrigation

    Fertiliser application

    Top dressing

    Aeration and surface drainage

    Brushing and drag-matting

    Rolling

    Seeding

    Turf problems: Weeds, pests and diseases

    Safe and effective use of equipment

The County FA’s Pitch Improvement Programme covers three main areas which are pitch assessment visits, funding guidance along with education & training.

If you would like more information on any aspect of the Pitch Improvement Programme please contact our Facilities & Investment Officer Chris Hutchinson on 0191 387 2928 Chris.Hutchinson@DurhamFA.com  or click on the following link to our DCFA webpage.

Click here for FA Pitch Improvement Programme