Institute Of Groundsmanship celebrates 75 years
The Institute of Groundsmanship (IOG) celebrates its 75th anniversary in 2009 as the world’s largest membership organisation for grounds professionals with nearly 10,000 full and e-members, says Siobhan Harper
A number of events will take place through the year to commemorate the occasion, including the first all-encompassing industry awards ceremony for grounds staff taking place at the Emirates Stadium on 15 October. This will be preceded by the IOG’s one-day Sports Turf Conference during the day.
Over the last two years the institute has transformed itself with the establishment of the IOG Academy – an apprenticeship through to retirement training programme to enable grounds staff to gain the professional qualifications they need throughout their career.
“Having more than doubled the overall membership over the last two years we will continue to follow the institute’s original mission to improve the status of groundsmen and the standard of groundsmanship,” says Geoff Webb, IOG Chief Executive.
“To this end we have been working with the national governing bodies of sport such as The Football Association on a soon-to-be-launched training initiative for grassroots grounds professionals, and the England and Wales Cricket Board on fine turf issues,” he added.
There is still much to do. Grounds staff are still not paid well and work in difficult conditions. The IOG therefore needs to evolve to meet the demands faced by its members in this ever-changing industry.
The IOG has been highlighting its concerns with a number of key politicians and stakeholders, pointing to the vital contribution that grounds staff make to British sport. This has led to Minister for Sport Gerry Sutcliffe MP saying:
“Ensuring the long term maintenance of facilities is vital to the sustainability of sports provision. Grounds maintenance is a key element of this. I welcome initiatives by the IOG to raise skill levels in this area and the grounds maintenance profession as a whole.”
The IOG was founded by W H Bowles BEM, head groundsman of Eton College, and ten other founder members in 1934 at the London Stone pub by Cannon Street Station in London. Each of the founders put in £1 to set up the organisation.
Some of the IOG’s highlights include:
- The introduction in 1953 of the IOG examination system, the forerunner to today’s renowned training and education services;
- In 1990, the launch of the IOG Consultancy Service, which advises organisations worldwide on the development and management of sports and amenity facilities;
- The launch in 1938 of the IOG exhibition – now known as IOG SALTEX; and
- The launch of the 2012 Fund in 2007, which provides funding and bursaries to support industry development.
Geoff Webb continues: “As the industry looks towards the 2012 Olympics, the IOG will continue to enforce its ‘Challenging Perceptions’ six-year strategy dictum of ‘establishing the IOG as the leading professional organisation for grounds management, recognised by the National Governing Bodies of Sport and the public, private and voluntary sectors for its industry knowledge and technical expertise’.
“It is clear that health and the uptake of sporting activities is a major item on the Government agenda, as is the legacy that the Olympics (and other major sporting events including the Commonwealth Games in 2014) will create. As such, our activity within the political arena is focused here, to highlight the issues we face as an industry.
“This is one of a number of steps that the IOG is taking to voice concern and request action on matters that we as an industry are facing – for example, the encouragement of more young people into the sector, and to raise the pay and status of ground professionals.
“We will continue to lobby, with our partners who face similar issues, to address and raise the profile of these important issues with Government, those involved in sports governance and others in a position of influence.”
How things change…or do they?
Flicking through the 700 plus editions of the Groundsman in its various guises over the years, it is clear that some things have really moved on, but some issues are still as real for the IOG and its members today as they were 60 years ago. Chemicals, equipment and some practices have moved on - sometimes beyond recognition, but getting members active, encouraging training and education, and calling for a unified voice are concerns that are as old as the organisation.
Many of the advertisers that were around in the early days of the publication are
still going strong today including Fleet, VITAX and TORO, and it is also amazing to see that we still retain some of our founding corporate members including Ransomes, SISIS and Lloyds. Thanks to all of our members who have stayed loyal over the years - even if your membership doesn’t date back to 1934!
A staggering array of topics have been covered since the magazine’s inception, and somewhat daunting for a rooky editor who is trying to present fresh ideas in
a new and interesting way. But I’m ready for the challenge!
Over the next 12 months we will reproduce original articles from early
editions of the magazine which will sit alongside a modern day take on the practices, and readers will be able to see for themselves whether things have moved on.
In an early edition I came across a maintenance article written by Tom Grey at the Hurlingham Club. The IOG enjoyed very close connections with Tom and the club which included the club playing
host to the show that is now IOG SALTEX. Today, Peter Craig continues Tom’s work as the club’s Grounds Manager, though
with a modern approach, as the following words from Peter reveal – beginning with
an extract from an article on the history of the club.
