The Institute of Groundsmanship (IOG) has entered into a partnership with ICC Europe – the European Region of the Pepsi International Cricket Council Development Programme – to provide training and education courses throughout Europe for 30 Associate and Affiliate Member Countries.

This includes ICC Europe members using the IOG’s renowned structure of ‘education pathways’ as strategic platforms for continuing professional development.

The Memorandum of Understanding between the IOG and ICC Europe also embraces the application of the IOG Turfcare Advisory Services for the maintenance of ICC Europe playing surfaces, as well as IOG help in identifying and applying for funding for potential ground improvement programmes.

The IOG will also help ICC Europe to develop the Groundsman’s Association section of the ICC Europe website (www.icc-europe.org) and populate it with relevant information regarding ground development.

ICC Europe, in return, will promote the IOG (www.iog.org) as an official education provider, and will encourage all member countries and country groundstaff to become IOG members.

Commenting on the agreement, IOG Chief Executive Geoff Webb says: “Our agreement with ICC Europe not only reinforces the immense amount of successful collaboration we’ve enjoyed over the years with sports governing bodies such as the ECB, but it also highlights how ICC Europe also recognises how the continual development of our training and education programmes ensures we continue to offer the sports turf industry – wherever it is in the world – the best value training and education on the market.”

Nick Pink, ICC Europe Regional Development Manager, says: “Our ethos of developing cricket participation and performance is based on the creation of player-centred environments that utilise quality playing surfaces – and best-in-class education of everyone involved in that strategy is key.

“The IOG has an established pedigree in the provision of world-class training and education courses, and ICC Europe has no hesitation in working with such a professional body. We are looking forward to developing the project on a continual basis.”