The Barclays Premier League has renewed its membership agreement with the Institute of Groundsmanship (IOG) to enable grounds staff at all Premier League clubs to continue with unrestricted access to a wide range of unrivalled IOG member services and benefits.

The agreement – now in its third year – means Premier League grounds staff can gain:

• Discounts on training and education – including bespoke trainin
• Access to the highly comprehensive IOG technical library
• Discounts on the IOG Turfcare Advisory Service
• Access to the innovative iCampus virtual learning environment
• Discounts on IOG events such as the annual IOG Industry Awards and educational workshops
• Career advice and guidance
• Legal helpline
• Industry updates and industry best practice in groundsmanship via the IOG’s monthly magazine, ‘the Groundsman’. 

Commenting on the initiative, the Premier League’s director of football, Mike Foster said: “Premier League groundstaff provide the perfect stage on which the array of star players within both the Premier League and European clubs can display their skills. The playing surfaces in England are rightly regarded as being among the best in the world and grounds staff work incredibly hard in order to achieve this quality of pitch.

“By continuing our agreement with the IOG, all Premier League grounds staff are in a position to take advantage of the vast range of IOG resources that will not only help them maintain these playing surfaces to the highest standard but also provide opportunities to further develop their own skills and employment prospects. Truly a win, win, win situation!”

Geoff Webb, chief executive of the IOG, commented: “The IOG is delighted to have renewed this agreement with the Premier League. It is the culmination of several years of collaboration and co-operation behind the scenes. It underlines the value and recognition of grounds management and provides a platform to further develop, enhance and raise standards.

“We welcome the proactive stance of the Premier League and look forward to many positive opportunities in supporting and raising the profile of grounds management and the already high standards witnessed week in and out across the 20 member clubs’ playing surfaces.”