GreenFields Grounds Team Top of the League at IOG Awards

The GreenFields Grounds Team at The Ricoh Arena, Coventry are celebrating after winning an IOG (Institute of Groundsmanship) award for sports turf excellence on their hybrid XtraGrass pitch.

In a prestigious ceremony at the National Conference Centre, the Professional Rugby Football Union Grounds Team Award was presented to Head Groundsman, Paul Currier Jr. and Junior Groundsman, Connor Brady in front of an audience of more than 640 of the UK’s leading grounds care experts as well as dignitaries from the governing bodies of sport.

Since installation in Summer 2015, the two-man GreenFields Grounds Team have been responsible for maintaining the pitch ensuring it is in optimum condition. The XtraGrass pitch is able to fulfil a busy schedule of usage at the dual sports arena for both Wasps RFC and Coventry City F.C. along with a host of other fixtures.

"GreenFields are proud to have installed and to be maintaining our XtraGrass pitch at The Ricoh Arena. Our grounds team have the specialist knowledge of XtraGrass and are the best people to maintain it and keep it looking its best match after match. We are extremely proud of them for being honoured with this industry recognised award.”

Paul Milton, Commercial Director for GreenFields EMEA

XtraGrass is a hybrid system which incorporates the reinforcement of artificial turf giving players the opportunity to experience their games on a pitch which has 100% natural grass feeling. Top teams around the world have selected this surface and are seeing the benefits from maximised usage and a greener pitch all year round.

IOG Chief Executive, Geoff Webb, says: “With a record number of entries, this year’s awards continue to demonstrate the skills and passion of groundsmanship throughout the UK, at both voluntary and professional level. Winning an award against such stiff competition is testament to the dedication of the grounds team and individuals and their ability to produce and maintain ever-improving playing surfaces.”

The GreenFields Grounds Team were named winners of this high profile award against runners up- Yorkshire Carnegie (Leeds Rugby).