Nominations are now open for the 2019 Institute of Groundsmanship (IOG) Industry Awards that recognise the passion, dedication and challenges faced by grounds staff in both grassroots and professional sports.

This year’s 20 award categories include a new award for an organisation or individual that/who has championed the groundscare industry abroad. 

Now in their 11th year, the awards – being presented on Wednesday October 30 at The Vox, located in Resorts World at the Birmingham NEC, on the evening of the first day of the SALTEX exhibition, and hosted by BBC TV presenter Dan Walker – have continually grown in status for acknowledging the achievements of volunteer and professional grounds teams, as well as community clubs and national stadia. 

Commenting, IOG chief executive Geoff Webb says: “The awards continue to provide the only national stage for the achievements of everyone involved in groundscare across all levels of sport – with every award being judged by high-profile grounds personnel. Please take the time to nominate as you must know many deserving candidates and great examples of sports turf management at every level.” 

Visit www.iog.org/awards to make your nominations – and to find full details of the entry criteria for each award: 

IOG Toro Most Promising Sports Turf Student 

IOG Rigby Taylor/Top Green Young Grounds Person

IOG Volunteer Sports Grounds Team/Individual
IOG NGB Community/Grassroots Sports Club Grounds Team/Individual 
Co-sponsored by the AELTC (All England Lawn Tennis Club), ECB (the England and Wales Cricket Board), The FA (Football Association), the LTA (Lawn Tennis Association), the Premier League, the RFU (Rugby Football Union), the RFL (Rugby Football League) and Sport England. 

IOG Public Sector Sports Grounds Team   

IOG Bowling Grounds Team/Individual
IOG SCH Supplies Best Managed Artificial Surface 

IOG Ransomes Environmental and Ecology Strategy 
IOG Professional Cricket Grounds Team   

IOG Cub Cadet Infinicut Professional Tennis Courts Grounds Team

IOG John Deere Professional Horse Racing Grounds Team
IOG Professional Rugby Football League Grounds Team
IOG Professional Rugby Football Union Grounds Team
IOG Professional Football Grounds Team 
For English Leagues 1 & 2, National League, National League North/South, Scottish Championship & Leagues 1 & 2, Ireland & Wales Professional Leagues.  

IOG SGL Professional Football Grounds Team  

For Premier League, Championship and Scottish Premier League.  

IOG Redexim Charterhouse/Kubota University/College Grounds Team 
IOG Growth Products Independent School Grounds Team
IOG SISGrass International Award  

IOG Grassmaster Outstanding Achievement Award.

There is one additional award for which nominations are not sought: the IOG Ransomes/DLF Alex R Millar Award – to the person chosen as the outstanding winner across all award categories. 

The 2019 IOG Industry Awards are sponsored by the AELTC (All England Lawn Tennis Club), Cub Cadet, DLF, ECB (the England and Wales Cricket Board), The FA (Football Association), Grassmaster, Growth Products, John Deere, Kubota, the LTA (Lawn Tennis Association), the Premier League, Ransomes, Redexim Charterhouse, Rigby Taylor, the RFU (Rugby Football Union), the RFL (Rugby Football League), SCH Supplies, SGL Lighting, SISGrass, Sport England, Top Green and Toro. 

The 2018 IOG Industry Awards winners – who will take their places in 2019? 

About The Institute of Groundsmanship 

The Institute of Groundsmanship (IOG) is the leading membership organisation representing grounds managers, grounds personnel, grounds maintenance managers, greenkeepers and all others involved in the management of sports pitches, landscape and amenity facilities in the UK. As well as maintaining the IOG Performance Quality Standards and providing a consultancy service for sports grounds, lawn maintenance and amenity horticulture, the IOG’s extensive Training and Education programme includes cricket, football, tennis, horseracing, bowls, artificial surfaces, turf science and many other specialist subjects.  It also stages the annual IOG SALTEX exhibition, Europe’s leading show for the open space profession. 

www.iog.org