The Institute of Groundsmanship
The IOG was founded in 1934 by W H Bowles BEM, Head Groundsman at Eton College. The first eleven founder members formed the National Association of Groundsmen which became the Institute of Groundsmanship in 1969.
The original purpose was defined as being to improve:
1. the status of groundsmen
2. the standard of groundsmanship.
These objectives remain firm, and direct the activities of the Institute to this day.
The first IOG exhibition was organised in 1938 and was the forerunner of today's IOG SALTEX - Sports, Amenities and Landscaping Trade Exhibition. IOG SALTEX is held annually at Windsor Racecourse during the first full week in September, and attracts international patronage.
'The Groundsman', the Institute's own journal introduced in 1947, circulates to the amenity and sports industries, education and training establishments, local authorities and IOG members, serving an essential need for communication and education. In 2009 we took the opportunity to launch a second publication; 'Sports Turf, Amenity and Leisure' Magazine to our members, that offers a more technical focus to the industry.
The Institute's examination system was introduced in 1953. The various schemes now cater for hundreds of students each year, from initial induction training to managerial level, with full recognition of our range of qualifications..
The Consultancy Service was introduced in 1990 and now advises organisations worldwide on the development and management of sports and amenity facilities.
