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A ZONE FOR VOLUNTEER + COMMUNITY GROUNDS TEAMS
Step into the Community Sport Zone - a dedicated space designed for volunteer grounds staff and community clubs. Discover a full line-up of grass pitch maintenance machinery tailored for grassroots football, rugby union, and rugby league.
Learn how you can access this equipment through funding schemes and get practical advice to help you upgrade your pitches and keep your community playing.
COMMUNITY SPORT SESSIONS + MEET-UPS
10:00
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Join the Football Foundation and PAS team.
Each meet-up gives attendees the chance to connect with GMA Pitch Advisors, network with peers, and enjoy a bespoke tour of exhibitors showcasing equipment and solutions tailored specifically for community and grassroots clubs.
11:00
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An introduction to sports pitch design and Sport EnA presentation and live demonstrations that showcase how and why pitches are specifically designed - as set out in the new Sport England Design Guidance. Practical tests include: Water through coarse soil; water through coarse over fine soil; water through fine over coarse soil; capillary rise up through coarse, medium and fine soils; the effect a surfactant (wetting agent) has on hydrophobic soil; hydraulic draw from changes in soil depth; matric tension in soil; and compaction.gland’s latest natural turf guidance’
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Join the RFU and RFL.
Each meet-up gives attendees the chance to connect with GMA Pitch Advisors, network with peers, and enjoy a bespoke tour of exhibitors showcasing equipment and solutions tailored specifically for community and grassroots clubs.
12:00
13:00
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An introduction to the different learning pathways in grounds management and how a hobby could turn into a life-long learning experience
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Each meet-up gives attendees the chance to connect with GMA Pitch Advisors, network with peers, and enjoy a bespoke tour of exhibitors showcasing equipment and solutions tailored specifically for community and grassroots clubs.
14:00
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Financial planning is key to pitch development and long-term maintenance goals. This session helps you to use funding wisely and to implement a workable budget
15:00
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The British Agricultural and Garden Machinery Association (BAGMA) are pleased to be bringing their Connect event to SALTEX with a dedicated session hosted at The Clubhouse at 3pm on Wednesday 12th November. If you’re a BAGMA member, Industry Supporter or are thinking about joining BAGMA please come and say hello to us and a range of our Service Providers – the ideal place to unwind, enjoy a drink and network with likeminded professionals on a whole host of industry topics.
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Relax, network and power up your connections as James brings Café Mambo-inspired vibes to the Clubhouse Bar.
10:00
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This session will show examples of good and bad use of PitchPower, for example why the Pitch Advisory team ask the user to upload a photo of their grass cover - what they do with it, and why does it matter?
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Join the Football Foundation and PAS team.
Each meet-up gives attendees the chance to connect with GMA Pitch Advisors, network with peers, and enjoy a bespoke tour of exhibitors showcasing equipment and solutions tailored specifically for community and grassroots clubs.
11:00
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The Football Foundation, the ECB, the RFU and the RFL give an update on how to gain funding to help improve your community sports facility
12:00
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Equipment's theft is becoming a major issue at community sports clubs around the country, This session offers some helpful advice around tighter security to prevent this happening to you
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Join the RFU and RFL.
Each meet-up gives attendees the chance to connect with GMA Pitch Advisors, network with peers, and enjoy a bespoke tour of exhibitors showcasing equipment and solutions tailored specifically for community and grassroots clubs.
13:00
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A presentation and live demonstrations that showcase how and why pitches are specifically designed - as set out in the new Sport England Design Guidance. Practical tests include: Water through coarse soil; water through coarse over fine soil; water through fine over coarse soil; capillary rise up through coarse, medium and fine soils; the effect a surfactant (wetting agent) has on hydrophobic soil; hydraulic draw from changes in soil depth; matric tension in soil; and compaction.
14:00
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Helpful advice on how to choose, instruct and work together with your pitch contractor to ensure a successful outcome
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Each meet-up gives attendees the chance to connect with GMA Pitch Advisors, network with peers, and enjoy a bespoke tour of exhibitors showcasing equipment and solutions tailored specifically for community and grassroots clubs.
15:00
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Relax, network and power up your connections with our Happy Hour offer - buy one get one free!
EXPLORE THE ISSUES THAT MATTER TO COMMUNITY SPORT
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The Community Sport Stage is where grassroots clubs and volunteer grounds teams come to power up. Hear from experts on funding, turf care, asset protection, and working smarter with contractors – all designed to help you raise the standard of your facilities.
Walk away with practical advice on pitch design, maintenance planning, and long-term standards and power up your club’s facilities.
Football Foundation Grant Funding Desk
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Visit the Football Foundation Grant Funding Desk for expert advice and guidance on:
✔ Machinery Suppliers / Grass Pitch Maintenance Equipment & Machinery Fund: Grants of up to £100k for local authorities and County FAs to purchase essential grass pitch maintenance machinery.
✔ The Huddle: Funding to provide catering units for grassroots clubs.
✔ Groundskeepers Corner: A Facebook community connecting groundskeepers with each other and the GMA.
✔ Grants & Application Process: Step-by-step guidance on applying for the Grass Pitch Maintenance Fund.
✔ Home Advantage Programme: Fully funded support (up to £250k) to help grassroots clubs take on grass pitch sites from local authorities.
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