Parkers Pitches are to be PIP sponsors
PARKERS Pitches have agreed a two-year deal to sponsor the Suffolk FA Pitch Improvement Programme.
The Suffolk-based sports turf management firm, which is run by Will Parker, will carry out Pitch Improvement Programme reports on behalf of the County FA.
The Pitch Improvement Programme aims to improve the standard of football pitches around Suffolk.
Parkers Pitches have previously helped carry out some reports, but have now extended their relationship with Suffolk FA.
Under the agreement Suffolk FA affiliated clubs will also get a discount on any work carried out on their pitch by Parkers Pitches within one year of the initial pitch report.
Parkers Pitches already undertake regular work at several clubs including Haverhill Rovers and Stowmarket Town, who both play in the Thurlow Nunn League Premier Division.
The Woolpit-based company was set up by Will Parker in 2015 with the help of his father, Tim Parker, who has more than 35 years expertise in the industry.
Will Parker said: “Over the past three years we have worked hard with clubs across Suffolk to improve pitches and develop lasting relationships as part of the Pitch Improvement Programme, from which we are already seeing fantastic results.
“With our sponsorship and further drive from the Suffolk FA and Institute of Groundsman, we are hoping to reach out to many more clubs and help improve playing surfaces of pitches throughout the county.”
Suffolk FA Football Development Manager Jodie Allard said: “We are really excited to officially consolidate our partnership with Parkers Pitches and announce them as sponsors of our Pitch Improvement Programme.
The New Croft, home of Haverhill Rovers, has benefited from work carried out by Parkers Pitches through the Pitch Improvement Programme
“The PIP project, which is delivered in partnership with the Institute of Groundsmanship (IOG), costs clubs £100 and consists of an initial visit which includes a 90-minute detailed site assessment in which the club will receive a personalised, informative and detailed pitch report.
“The programme then enables our team to provide detailed and bespoke advice and support to help the club with any future actions, funding applications or equipment needed to develop the site.
“If the assessor confirms that the club are in need of new machinery, then this report will need to reference this to make you eligible for funding from the Football Foundation.
“As part of the Pitch Improvement Programme, you will also get access to discounted rates for machinery and consumables through the FA Preferred suppliers.
“In addition to this, we can get partners involved in our Suffolk Groundsman Network which benefits from partner rates and offers across various suppliers.
“The programme then provides the site with a second free pitch report in 8-12 months' time to assess what improvements have been made and any further support you need to improve your grass pitches.
“Having Parkers Pitches on board as our headline sponsor for PIP, means we can now also offer members of the programme access to their grass pitch maintenance services, which have an impressive track record of supporting local grounds, at a discounted rate.
“We’ve already improved 47 pitches through the programme and we look forward to working closely with Parkers Pitches to further support our football facilities within Suffolk.”
For further details on the Suffolk FA Pitch Improvement Programme contact Jodie Allard on 01449 616606 or 07432 735961 or email jodie.allard@suffolkfa.com
To find out more about the Suffolk FA Pitch Improvement Programme click here