To Book
- Please select your sport from the list on the left hand side.
- Then select your level, the list of courses available for the level will then be displayed.
- Choose your course
- The booking form will follow the course details lower down the screen.
- If you have any problems please call us on 01908 312 511 and pick option 2 for training.
Short Training Courses
Over the last 20 years we have developed courses that are now endorsed and supported by all the major governing bodies of sport in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
With this support and endorsement the IOG has designed a structured and progressive four-tiered scheme of training courses to meet the needs of grounds staff for the management and maintenance of sporting surfaces.
Many of our courses are sport specific. We also offer specialist training covering subjects like pest and disease management or machinery maintenance. Throughout the year across the UK and Ireland we offer a comprehensive programme of courses held at a range of suitable venues.
Remember all IOG members receive a 50% discount on the normal cost of our training courses. (Join now to avail of this great benefit)
About the Levels
Foundation - One Day
A practical approach to the preparation and maintenance of a sports surface.
Delivering the essential operations of ‘best practice’ grounds maintenance with a hands on, practical induction to the profession.
The Foundation level course is suitable for new entrants (professional and volunteer) or those requiring a refresher course in the modern, practical techniques of preparing and maintaining sports surfaces.
Part A details the operations required during Spring & Summer, Park B outlines the operations required during Autumn & Winter. These two courses can be taken in any order. Part A courses are normally scheduled for Feb - April with Part B between Sept - Nov.
Intermediate - One Day
The theory behind the practice of preparing and maintaining a sports surface.
The knowledge gained on an intermediate level course will provide delegates with the solid foundations of knowledge required by today’s grounds professionals, enabling delegates to take a more proactive approach to their grounds maintenance duties.
Advanced - One Day
The essential science of grounds maintenance.
Knowledge of the science behind the skill enables problems to be identified more quickly and accurately and for appropriate solutions to be implemented. This approach will impact positively on time management, budgets and the ongoing sustainability of the surface.
Management of Sports Turf – Two Days (
From Maintenance to Management) This two day course develops the core skills required by today’s professional Grounds Managers. As well as focusing on the techniques and principles required to produce a safe and consistent surface, the course also covers interpersonal and management skills as well as an update on relevant legislative matters.
The Supervisory Management course will be most beneficial to those in a senior or standalone position and those who are responsible for making assessments and decisions concerning the management of resources and the surface.
Certificate of Achievement
A Certificate of Achievement can be gained for cricket short courses by taking an online multiple choice questionnaire, this will be based on the content of the course and coursework booklet. This is done online via the IOG Moodle website. Simply complete the form you will receive on the day in your course pack and return to the IOG head office. When you have completed the online questionnaire successfully a certificate will be forwarded to you by post for your CPD and career records.
Bespoke Training
If you have specific requirements in terms of timing, location or content we can offer bespoke training courses to suit your needs. Prices start from as little as £600 per day and this includes professional tutors, comprehensive training manuals and an optional online assessment which will give delegates an accredited certificate of competence.
Our courses cover 4 levels of competence starting from 1 day foundation level and refresher courses to 2 day grounds management courses. Delivered by some of the industry's top grounds professionals and trainers, all of our training is aligned to the National Occupational Standards set out by the Sector Skills Council, Lantra, and awarding bodies such as City & Guilds and NPTC.
We can mix and match this training to your organisations requirements.
Examples of the subjects we can cover are:
Artifical/Bowls/Cricket/Football/Golf/Rugby (both disciplines)/Tennis (Hard court & grass) - All aspects of managing, maintaining & constructing (pre & post) for the above sports grounds can be covered.
These can be to whatever depth you wish, for example a full day or more could be dedicated to line marking of the ground/pests & diseases/scarification/topdressing etc, if that is what you feel is required for your organisation and staff.
We can also offer bespoke training on other related topics such as:
- Budgets/Accounts (How to set and manage your budget)
- Drainage - Symptons of poor drainage, types of systems available, maintenance
- Health & Safety - Compiling Health & Safety policies and procedures (Risk Assessments/Safe Systems of Work etc)
- Human Resources (HR) - staff management, appraisals, motivational techniques, disclipinaries etc
- Irrigation - Types of systems available, installation, maintenance
- Lawns - Design & Maintenance
- Media Training - Skills how to deal with journalists, interviews (TV & Radio)
- Performance Quality Standards (PQS) - how they can be applied to the grounds you manage
For more information simply contact the training department on 01908 312 511, option 2 or email us on training@iog.org.
