IPSWICH Town Head Groundsman Ben Connell is to support a free Grass Pitch Management Evening.

Suffolk FA and the Institute of Groundsmanship (IOG) have organised the workshop which is taking place on Tuesday, May 22nd at Bacton United 89 FC, Broad Road, Bacton, Stowmarket IP14 4HR from 7pm-9.30pm. Light refreshments will be provided.

Suffolk FA Football Development Manager Jodie Allard said: “The event is open to grassroots football groundsmen, club chairmen and secretaries, and aims to help give an insight on what is required to maintain football pitches and the challenges that their ground-staff face during the season.

“The event will cover all aspects of successful pitch maintenance with emphasis on post-season renovations and maintenance on a budget.”

Topics to be covered will include:

• Pitch Improvement Programme
• Aeration
• Seeding
• Fertilisers
• Surface Levels
• General Pitch Maintenance

The workshop is linked to the FA’s Pitch Improvement Programme led by Regional IOG Pitch Adviser Phil Jeggo, and FA Partners Redexim Charterhouse and Rigby Taylor may also be in attendance. 

The session will involve some indoor discussion / presentations and then some outdoor practical elements, in addition to question and answer time with Ben Connell and Phil Jeggo. 

 
Those attending are asked to come dressed appropriately for the weather conditions.

To register on the workshop, please contact Suffolk FA Football Development Manager Jodie Allard by calling 01449 616606 or 07432 735961 or via email: jodie.allard@suffolkfa.com 

Ben Connell (left) is pictured above with Bacton United 89 groundsman Roger Lawson during Judging for the Suffolk FA Groundsman of the Year 2018 competition in February.