SUFFOLK FA have entered into a new partnership with GroundTech for the 2023-24 season.

GroundTech, who are based in West Dereham in Norfolk, supply robotic mowers and line markers.

Clubs affiliated to Suffolk FA will get a 10 per cent discount on the purchase of a robotic mower, with up to 75 per cent funding available from the Football Foundation, or a 10 per cent discount o a line marking service.

Robotic mowers and line markers can both save clubs a lot of time and effort, especially at multi-pitch sites.

It takes approximately 5 hours a week to cut a football pitch, and although the robotic mower will take a few hours, the benefit is that the playing surface is improved with no compaction, works in all weathers, keeps weed growth out due to the frequency of the cut and increases the grass density.

It takes around six hours to initially mark a football pitch with two people from scratch.

GroundTech can initially mark the pitch for around £150 + VAT, subject to travel, and the lines are precise within 2cm.

The cost of a robotic mower depends on the area, costing £20,000 up to 45,000m2 and £30,000 for 45,000-75,000m2.

GroundTech will work with the club on the Pitch Power app in order to help with the funding, with 75% of the overall cost paid to GroundTech for the supply of the mower.

The remaining 25 per cent on a mower would be paid over three years – for example, a mower costing £20,000 would be paid as a direct debit of £150 per month.

There is an install fee of £600-£1,000 per mower for initial set-up which would be site specific.

GroundTech Director Marcus Glover said: “GroundTech are delighted to partner with Suffolk FA, in order to support local grassroots clubs with their pitch maintenance requirements.

“We are passionate about giving clubs the best playing surface they can through autonomous mowing and line marking which is tested and proven by the STRI to improve playing surface and the funding to support through the pitch power report is key for many clubs who struggle with maintaining pitches to the standard they want to achieve.

“Whether this be financially or time, we firmly believe in what The FA are doing to help improve pitch standards and we are very excited to work with Suffolk FA in order to help clubs as our values align perfectly.”

Suffolk FA Football Development Manager Matt Stebbings said: “This is a great opportunity for clubs to invest in their grass pitches.

“Robotic mowers and line markers have the potential to reduce the club’s carbon footprint by switching away from fossil fuels.

“The aim is to make time consuming jobs for our volunteers easier and give more time back to our clubs. I look forward to seeing more robotic mowers and line markers in action across Suffolk.”

GroundTech Director Marcus Glover (left) and Sales Executive Danny White (right) are pictured at the partnership launch at Walsham-le-Willows FC.

For more information contact:

Suffolk FA – Matt Stebbings, Football Development Manager, on 07432 735961 or via email matt.stebbings@suffolkfa.com

GroundTech – Call 01366 500 828 or email info@groundtech.co.uk or visit the GroundTech website: www.groundtech.co.uk