Hampshire FA has teamed up with partners including Fleet Line Markers, MH Goals, Fisher Lane Groundcare, Technical Surfaces, Rod Gaskin Ltd, MW Turfcare and The GMA to host a Grounds & Maintenance Forum designed with grassroots clubs in mind.

The forum will take place as follows:

What: A series of indoor presentations and outdoor demonstrations delivered and designed with grassroots clubs in mind. Free-flow & structured options available on the day from 10:45am - 2:15pm.
Date: Wednesday 20th March 2024
Times: 9am – 4pm
Location: Stoneham Lane Football Complex, Stoneham Lane, Southampton, SO16 2PA
Cost: FREE and open to all (grassroots clubs/league representatives/local authorities/schools/colleges)

Schedule
9am – Arrival and check in at Stoneham (registration & media consent)
9:30am – Welcome & Introductions (Sacha & Pete)
9:45am Guest Speaker: Grounds Manager at Portsmouth FC: Neil Stephenson
10:15am – The GMA & Alex Vickers (Agronomist) – Drainage Project & Justification
10:45am – Technical Surfaces - demo
11:15am – MW Turfcare & Pete Hussey - demo
11:45pm – MH Goals - demo
12:15pm - BREAK
12:45pm - Rod Gaskin Ltd - demo
1:15pm - Fisher Lane Ground Care - demo
1:45pm - The GMA: Ashley Hendrickz-Nutley - demo
2:15pm - Fleet Line Markers - demo
2:45pm - Hampshire FA Pitchpower presentation (Sacha)
3:15pm - Awards registration & community workshops
3:45pm - Event ends
 

Stoneham Lane Football Complex will once again host the Hampshire FA Grounds & Maintenance Forum in 2024. The forum is open to local authorities, schools, colleges, grassroots football club and league representatives in all counties.

This forum has been designed with grassroots clubs firmly in mind and for all those unsung heroes who maintain the pitches, week in and week out, from the line marking, and putting up the nets to ensuring the turfs are cleaned and prepped before and after every match.

The day will consist of a series of indoor presentations and outdoor demonstrations, delivered by Hampshire FA partners and industry experts. There is a free-flow option for all in attendance to meet industry experts and have 1-2-1 discussions throughout the day, or alternatively, there is a structure for the day to meet partners at each station.

We are also delighted to welcome two guest appearances with the Grounds Manager at Portsmouth FC, Neil Stephenson and Head Groundsman at Southampton FC, Graeme Mills joining us to deliver a presentation and talk to all in attendance. Also joining us this year is Alex Vickers, an agronomist together with The GMA to deliver a demo and talk.

Members will then be invited outside where they will meet our partners to demonstrate their products and services on offer (taking place on the artificial and grass pitches), be on hand to advise members, and discuss requirements and needs. Additionally, members in attendance will also have the opportunity of taking part in various activities at some of the outdoor stations.  

A full schedule of the day can be found on the registration form below. If you are having issues accessing the form, please click here.