SPORTS PITCHES
iGo Advance line marker with Impact Sport paint provides excellent white lines on all pitches .
R140 seed mixture is used on the SIS hybrid playing surface of Wigan ’ s AFS DW Stadium
Ian ’ s team also use R140 seed and the same fertiliser programme for the first team and U23 training pitches , after being Koroed by Talbott Sport Turf contractors . Sports Field Renovation is used on the academy pitches , after a heavy scarification , plus a reduced version of the fertiliser programme . Regarding his choice to ryegrass blend , Ian says : “ I ’ m a big fan of the Tetraploid and Diploid mix after using Sports Field Renovation on a shady part of the stadium pitch and was impressed at how well it stood up to and recovered from a hammering by both Wigan AFC and Warriors during the winter months .”
Ian also relies on Origin Amenity Solutions for the club ’ s goalposts and line marking equipment . He uses the iGo Advance at the training ground but prefers the sharper lines created by the iGO Premier line marker at the stadium – using Impact Sport line marking paint in both models . “ We were so impressed with the iGo that it ’ s the only line marker we use on
the training ground pitches , and the Impact paint provides excellent white lines , “ he says .
He is also planning to promote biodiversity at the training ground by sowing Origin Amenity Solutions Euroflor wildflower seed mixes to attract bee and insect activity . “ We ’ re looking at introducing the Super Blue Bee wildflower mix on the banks of newly constructed areas around the pitches , which will reflect the team ’ s colours . It ’ s maintenance free and will add to the landscape aesthetics ,” he says . “ As long as we keep them well away from ball activity .”
Regarding his team ’ s recent international duty , Ian says the Belgium side have not caused any damage to the pitch . However , when they moved off the club ’ s U18s moved on so it didn ’ t get much time to rest .
He ’ s confident however that his choice in seed and fertiliser will allow fast recovery and the stadium pitch is also
Ian Forshaw and the Belgium football team manager Roberto Martinez
doing well during recent Wigan AFC and Warriors ’ pre-season activity .
“ The additional use and a shortage of irrigation equipment during the recent hot spell has given the grounds team some challenges , but we have managed to keep the grass green and are confident that we ’ ll continue our winning streak all season ,” he says .
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