The 2026 BASIS Crop Protection IPM Certificate Sports Turf course is progressing well at the Sports Turf Academy, helping turf managers and advisors develop the knowledge and skills needed for sustainable amenity turf management. This week focused on pest identification, pesticide legislation, and plant identification, all under the guidance of Dr Jonathan Knowles, Head of the Sports Turf Academy.

🔥 Has the summer heat scorched your pitches? Join us and @leicsfa on 5 October for a practical pitch recovery event. ✅ Pitch remedy and recovery advice ✅ Mowing and maintenance best practices ✅ Football Foundation funding guidance via PitchPower ✅ Expert support from Sports Turf Academy & @wearetheGMA Get your pitches back on track this autumn. Free to attend: leic.it/3T2eEvn

Back by popular demand! 👀 Irrigation Technician Part 1 with Green Irrigation 💦 9 March & 10 March, 2027 🗓️ LCFC Training Ground, Seagrave 📍 Book now: forms.cloud.microsoft/e/n7hu… Cost £649.00 +VAT. Limited spaces available Contact [email protected] for further information 📩

There’s limited spaces still available on our BASIS Foundation Award (Amenity Horticulture) 📜 The Foundation Award in Amenity covers all three components: · Hard surfaces 🪨 · Turf 🌱 · Shrubs & borders 🌳 The course includes a short examination at the end of three days’ tuition. 🚨 Please note, those candidates who achieve the pass level will receive written recognition from BASIS of their achievement but this course does not result in a BASIS certificate of competence. This is to avoid any confusion with the statutory qualification (full BASIS FSTS course) 🚨 The duration of this course will be four days at eight hours per day for the complete award. Dates below: · Tue 29 & Wed 30 Sep, 2026 · Thu 1 Oct & Fri 2 Oct, 2026 (online exam) Book now 👉 forms.cloud.microsoft/e/SJYv… For further information, please contact [email protected]

Due to the success of the BASIS FERTILISERS FOR TURF: FACTS TURF (GOLF AND SPORTS TURF) we held earlier this year, we are running it again 📜 Course contents: ▪️ The soil or playing surface in relation to turfgrass nutrition ▪️Nature and properties of fertilisers and liming materials ▪️Plant nutrients and the basis of choice of fertilisers for the main turfgrass utilisations ▪️ The transport, storage, handling and application of fertilisers ▪️Codes of good practice and legal and other Environmental Protection Measures Follow the link to apply leic.it/4g8DLEg Come along to beautiful Seagrave and expand your knowledge 🌲⚽🦊 For further information, please get in touch [email protected]

Join us at the Sports Turf Academy in Seagrave for our Advanced Irrigation course 💦 Learn key skills including: • Irrigation design • Hydraulics basics • Pipework & sprinklers • Cable installation & fault finding • Decoder valve technology 📆 18 May, 2026 💷 £295 | 1-day course Apply now or contact STA at [email protected] visit leic.it/4nCKutl

2️⃣5️⃣5️⃣ Grassroots local pitches improved in the past 5️⃣ years! That’s the scale of our work across the East Midlands, delivering upgrades and specialist sports turf expertise to our football community. 🚜 Last night, we welcomed local grassroots volunteers for practical tips and a behind‑the‑scenes look at our operations, machinery and equipment 🌱 Think your pitches could benefit from the Sports Turf Academy touch? Email us at [email protected]

We’ve got more training lined up for this year, all designed to tackle the real‑world challenges of sustainability and raising quality standards across sports turf and greenkeeping. What are our attendees saying: “The presentations were very well presented. The practical side of the course was very insightful and the knowledge from Neil, Chris and Colin was incredibly valuable!!”  --G. Jones, Moor Park GC (Advanced Cylinder Mower Set-up course) 5 out of 5 “An excellent course, with a systematic approach to working through the extensive syllabus.” --Dr. R. Earl, Labosport (BASIS FACTS) 5 out of 5. If you’d like to book a place or find out more for yourself or your team, we’re always happy to help. Visit: leic.it/4twMtRw Email: [email protected] 💦 15 & 16 April: Irrigation Technician Part 1 (Lantra) 💧 18 May: Advanced Irrigation Part 2 🌱 3 June: BASIS Fertilisers For Turf: FACTS Turf (Golf & Sports Turf) 💦 7 September: Advanced Irrigation Technician Part 2 🛠️ 15 & 16 September: Advanced Cylinder Mower Set Up and Sharpening Course (Lantra) 📜 29 September: BASIS Foundation Award (Amenity Horticulture) 🌾 14 October: Basis Certificate in Crop Protection Amenity Horticulture (Amenity Grass & Sports Turf Area) 🌱 25 November: BASIS Fertilisers For Turf: FACTS Turf (Golf & Sports Turf)

In May we’re running our spring one‑day Advanced Irrigation Technician course 🌱 It’s a natural next step from the STA Irrigation Technician course or for anyone wanting to grow their practical irrigation skills. The course focuses on fault‑finding while building your knowledge of basic hydraulics, irrigation design, electrical and decoder systems, cable layout and jointing, pipework assembly and cable‑network evaluation. Contact us on [email protected] Link to apply ➡️ forms.office.com/e/7biEsYYFj…

Join us for our Advanced Mower Set up and Sharpening course🌱 📆 September 15th& 16th 2026 📍LCFC Training Ground Follow the link to book ➡️ forms.office.com/e/GCL1ahJLD… Contact us on [email protected] 📥

Join us for an Irrigation Technician Part 1 course in Manchester on 31st March and 1st April 2026 📆 Book your place now - Limited spaces available➡️forms.office.com/e/Hz4nEH9jM… Any questions please contact us on [email protected] 📥

BASIS FERTILISERS FOR TURF: FACTS TURF (GOLF AND SPORTS TURF)⚡ Taking place again later in 2026 at Seagrave ⚽ This course covers: The soil or playing surface in relation to turfgrass nutrition. Nature and properties of fertilisers and liming materials. Plant nutrients and the basis of choice of fertilisers for the main turfgrass utilisations. The transport, storage, handling and application of fertilisers. Codes of good practice and legal and other Environmental Protection Measures. Cost: £2,200.00 +VAT For more information contact us here on [email protected] Link to book: bit.ly/4rA0soY

After a very successful course last year with 100% pass rate for our Cohorts, we are pleased to offer: Basis Certificate in Crop Protection Amenity Horticulture Course 2026 commencing October 16 📆 The above certificate has been approved by Ministers to meet the requirements of Schedule 2 of the Control of Pesticide Regulations for certification of those involved in the sale, advice and supply of pesticides. This course is aimed at those involved in advising, sales or supply of pesticides in the amenity industry. This includes, but is not limited to: ▪ Contractors who sell or give advice ▪ Distributors who sell or give advice ▪ Pesticide manufacturers and suppliers ▪ Consultants, agents, managers, specifiers and local authority managers who are involved in pesticide sales or advice For more details contact us on [email protected] We look forward to welcoming you 🌱

NATIONAL APPRENTICESHIP WEEK 2026! Great to welcome @BIGGA yesterday for #NAW2026. Training Providers from across the UK joined us with their apprentices to hear first‑hand insights from former apprentices, assessors and industry experts. A brilliant chance to explore the diverse apprenticeship pathways in sports turf, greenkeeping and turf equipment technician roles.