The Slatter Group has seen tremendous growth over the past 18 months, which includes the acquisition of White Horse Contractors and a number of new hires into senior roles across The Group.
In light of this expansion, it is with great pride that we announce the appointment of Ben O’Connor as the new Managing Director of S&C Slatter.
Ben succeeds David Slatter, who will move into the role of Chief Executive Officer at The Slatter Group, overseeing both White Horse Contractors and S&C Slatter.
David Slatter commented:
“I am delighted to welcome Ben to the role of Managing Director of S&C Slatter. Ben’s commercial experience of the sports construction and surfacing and civils industries as well as his strong sense of integrity mean he is the perfect person for the role. At The Slatter Group we have always prided ourselves on looking after our hard working and exceptionally loyal colleagues and I know that Ben shares the same values.
My new role as CEO of The Slatter Group will allow me to spend much more time ‘out and about’ on both S&C Slatter and White Horse Contractors construction sites. By talking to both our site and client teams I will be able to ensure that we are providing the services our clients require in the most efficient, environmentally friendly, and safe manner.”
Ben O’Connor joined the company in 2015 and has been a key player in the management team as Pre-Construction Manager.
Moving into the role of Managing Director, Ben commented:
“It is an honour and a privilege to become Managing Director of S&C Slatter; the Company has a market leading position built on strong moral fortitude and a personal approach. I’m excited to work with a fantastic, hardworking team who have huge drive and determination to keep us at the forefront of the industry.”
We couldn’t announce Ben as our new Managing Director without taking a moment to ask him about his new role and plans for the future.
My time is spent working across the different departments of the business, listening to colleagues and helping to find solutions to challenges. Working alongside David and Jason Douglass (Group Director), we identify areas for improvement and new sectors to be explored. I am pleased to spend more time visiting sites, talking with colleagues and clients to ensure that the hard work of all of areas of the company is represented in a worthy installation.
To maintain the commitment to high moral standards and integrity with which S&C Slatter has prospered and to keep the Company at the forefront of market development while preserving the personal approach.
Our teams are proving the strength of our ability to be flexible; we are working with clients to undertake operations in alternative ways, bringing projects forward as well as deferring them to secured future dates. We are anticipating that funding resources will be stretched so aiding clients with sensible financing options is an important offering we can help with. Being ready to meet demand when sporting activities can fully recommence is something our site teams are currently working incredibly hard to enable.
The environmental agenda is a vitally important challenge and one we spend significant time discussing, researching and addressing. Working exclusively with FieldTurf gives us a turf partner with great R&D teams, together we are developing solutions to give clients products and installations that are of exceptional quality and informed by the latest standards.
Congratulations to Ben and David on their new roles, we’re excited for what the future holds!
S&C Slatter have provided trusted solutions to the sport, leisure and education sectors for nearly 30 years.
Together with our sister company, White Horse Contractors, The Slatter Group provides an unrivalled scope of services to a broad reach of clients within the sports grounds, amenity, leisure, agricultural and equestrian sectors.
If you’re considering a sports construction project, and want to work with one trusted point of contact – from design and planning through to construction and aftercare – get in touch with Ben and our expert team on 01635 345 21 or email info@sandcslatter.com.
With coronavirus impacting all sectors, we know how difficult a time it has been for the 120,000 sports clubs and voluntary organisations across the country, who work hard to deliver sporting facilities to those who need them.
Quick to respond to the crisis, Sport England announced an initial £210m in funding to help the physical activity sector through the coronavirus uncertainty in England.
Now, as the country looks towards the ‘new normal’, they have announced a further £1m in funding via their Active Together partnership, aimed at local clubs and sporting organisations facing financial hardship as a result of Covid-19.
The partnership is delivered in collaboration with the crowdfunding platform Crowdfunder, where organisations can run a campaign to fundraise a specific amount – with people pledging money in return for an incentive or ‘reward’.
Sport England have pledged £1m to match funds raised by eligible organisations through the platform, up to a maximum of £10,000 per organisation.
Organisations eligible to apply for a Sport England ‘pledge’ are:
If your application is approved, your project will be able to receive a 50% (maximum £10,000) match fund of your fundraising total, in the form of a ‘pledge’ from Sport England.
Your Crowdfunder project will need to meet two criteria in order to receive a pledge:
You will then need to raise the full 100% of your goal in order to receive the Sport England funds.
In essence, for any goal set to £20,000 or below, you’re only having to fundraise 50% of the campaign through crowdfunding, with Sport England pledging the rest!
Example:
If you’re approved for a pledge and your crowdfunding target is £5,000, Sport England can match up to 50% of this (£2,500).
You’ll need to raise £1250 (25% of your initial campaign target) from a minimum of 25 supporters to receive your £2,500 pledge from Sport England.
That will bring your overall campaign to £3750, which is 75% of your crowdfunding target. You then need to crowdfund the final 25% of your campaign goal (another £1250) to receive your funds from Sport England (and your generous supporters!)
Apply through the dedicated page on the Crowdfunder website – make sure to check out the full terms and conditions too, to see whether your organisation is eligible and what criteria you’ll have to meet for your crowdfunding goal.
If you’re thinking of applying to the fund and setting up a crowdfunding page, there are some great resources available in the dedicated sports section of the crowdfunder website, this includes examples of successful campaigns, webinars and guides.
S&C Slatter have been providing trusted solutions to the sports, leisure and education sectors since 1991, and have been proud to work with local and community organisations to improve their sports facilities.
If you know you need certain work doing but are unsure on costs, then we’re happy to provide a free assessment of your facilities, to provide guidance on costs to help in setting your fundraising target.
Please get in touch by calling our Project Manager Matthew Thompson.
Tel: 07584 666548 Email: mthompson@sandcslatter.com
If your organisation is eligible and would free like assistance in your application, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us.
S&C Slatter are thrilled to receive confirmation that the 3G Artificial Turf Pitch we constructed at Eastbourne Borough FC has retained its FIFA Quality Pro certification, for the fifth time in a row.
S&C Slatter and FieldTurf are a proven, winning partnership, working with a number of clubs in the professional and semi-professional football pyramid including Everton FC, Wolverhampton Wanderers FC, Queens Park Rangers FC, Burnley FC, Swindon Town FC and AFC Newtown.
In fact, S&C Slatter has been selected to deliver more stadia 3G Pitches to the elite levels of non-league football than any other:
And of course … Eastbourne Borough FC!
S&C Slatter were contracted by Eastbourne Borough FC back in 2016 to deliver a cutting-edge 3G pitch in time for their new season in the National League South.
Following the initial groundworks, a lateral drainage system was introduced followed by a fully engineered sub-base. An in-situ bound e-layer performance base was then laid, finished with the installation of the market leading Vertex 3G artificial turf, manufactured by our partners FieldTurf, FIFA Quality Preferred Producers.
Once construction was completed, the pitch was certified to the league’s requirement of the FIFA Quality Pro performance standard.
The pitch has been successfully re-certified each year and has just received it’s 5th FIFA Quality Pro certification – consistently delivering to the high performance and safety standards required for professional football.
As with all of our clients, Eastbourne Borough FC selected S&C Slatter based on our commitment to providing value for money. We’ll never promote a quick-fix, cheap solution that won’t deliver in the long term.
Our experienced team carefully consider the high level of cost involved for the investor and work to ensure the best possible return on investment over the lifespan of the facility.
S&C Slatter work exclusively in England and Wales with FIFA Preferred Producers FieldTurf, who have delivered 295 certified fields worldwide.
The FIFA Preferred Producer initiative was introduced in 2009 to protect the interests of consumers when purchasing pitches and to ensure that football turf pitches meet the highest requirements with regard to quality, performance and safety.
Working with a FIFA Preferred Producer and their construction partners will give you peace of mind that your football pitch will deliver to the standards laid out by FIFA, in terms of performance, longevity, durability and safety.
Choosing to work without a FIFA Preferred Producer will give you no such guarantee. Delivering football pitches to FIFA standards requires expertise and experience across both pitch construction and turf manufacture.
Poorly designed and constructed pitches can lead to compromised surface levels and issues with drainage. There are many risks involved with inexperienced contractors, such as the use of unsuitable materials in base and sub-base construction, poorly executed groundworks or incorrect installation of the artificial turf.
Using artificial turf manufactured by a non-FIFA Preferred Producer will prevent you from being able to achieve FIFA Quality or FIFA Quality Pro certification and could result in a surface that is not fit for use, leading to a costly replacement.
Get in touch with us to discuss your new football pitch.
FIFA Quality Pro and FIFA Quality are the two available FIFA certifications that recognise a top performing surface for football. Both require laboratory and on-pitch testing, to ensure a 3G football pitch meets the standards set out by FIFA.
The testing scheme was developed by FIFA for artificial surfaces, specifically focusing on the needs of football players.
“Only artificial turf playing surfaces that have been tested in accordance with the FIFA Quality Programme test criteria in the laboratory and on the pitch can be called football turf.
This name means that those systems are specifically designed to meet the requirements necessary for football in terms of playing performance, safety, durability and quality assurance”
Football turf pitches that meet the FIFA Quality Programme requirements are awarded either the FIFA Quality or FIFA Quality Pro Mark:
Combining a stringent regime of durability, resistance, safety and performance tests, pitches that are awarded the FIFA Quality mark fulfil the specific requirements for recreational, community and municipal football, with typically 40-60 playing hours per week.
Tested every 3 years.
Pitches with the FIFA Quality Pro mark are specifically tested to mimic the high performance and safety requirements for professional football for a typical usage of up to 20 playing hours per week.
Tested annually.
We’re thrilled that the 3G pitch we constructed at Eastbourne Borough Football Club is continuing to deliver to FIFA Quality Pro standards, and look forward to the new season starting – hopefully in the not too distant future!
Guarantee your peace of mind by working with a team that has delivered over 150 football pitches.
S&C Slatter and FIFA Preferred Producers FieldTurf have partnered to deliver FIFA Quality Pro and FIFA Quality football pitches across the country, including Queen’s Park Rangers, Maidstone United and Queen Ethelburga’s Collegiate.
Get in touch with our team for a free consultation.
The Slatter Group team has grown over recent months, so we’re taking the opportunity to follow up with our latest recruits, getting an insight into their role and experience, whilst welcoming them to the team.
Tom Betts recently joined our Design and Planning department as Project Designer / Consultant, bringing with him a wealth of experience.
Busy and exciting – turning my attention from project consultancy to pre-construction development has been great fun – with lots of support from new colleagues with much experience and insight.
I joined the sports construction industry in September 1994, so I have worked within various functions and disciplines and with growing responsibilities for 25+ years.
My competency and talent has matured over this time which has helped me to accept and solve more complex project requirements and changing demands.
I am very much fascinated by the evolving nature of sports construction and facility design, contracts, development control, and procurement. So, I suppose this curiosity drives me to persistently check, review, adjust and improve my service offering to clients.
My role is Project Designer / Consultant, so I am tasked with developing schemes for clients from conception to build-readiness, then to be installed by our sports construction teams.
There are many interconnected processes required to convert an idea to construction-capable plan, so our constant challenge is to simplify this journey for our clients whilst making certain that all checks and balances (quality, cost, time) are achieved along the way.
The size of pitches, courts and tracks have changed little over 25 years, but substantial modifications have been seen in respect of surface technology, substrate preparation, and drainage engineering, as well as a host of ancillary items.
Testing and compliance activities have evolved during this time too. I think many inventions have been brought forward to address the genuine need to create artificial sports surfaces that perform more faithfully (and reliably similar) to natural turf, whilst other innovations are motivated by a wish for improved efficiency and economy. Very recently, innovations have turned towards sustainable recycling techniques and micro-plastic reduction, both being at the heart of responsible turf manufacturers, like our partners FieldTurf.
Concerning the planning system, I remember in the mid-90s there was some scrutiny that was justly applied to developments seeking planning permission; and this attention has grown over time and now covers wide-ranging proposal aspects (almost every part of a proposal). Fairly so I think, given our better understanding through experience of the potential impacts that a facility could create. It has always been essential to ensure any project is compatible with its surroundings and this assessment should begin at the earliest definition stage, even if this sometimes results in a changed brief and a more realistic option.
We have quickly become more conversant with technology to help us continue work remotely. This does have some advantages and reminds us that various types of interaction and meetings can take place very conveniently even if they are virtual. Naturally, our sports construction teams took stock when coronavirus pandemic arrived in the UK, to understand how this affects construction sites and to plan for safe working.
Thankfully, we are now largely working to full effect; having organised our works and services, our manufacturing, and our construction activities, acknowledging all necessary safety recommendations and social distancing requirements and in accordance with HM Government recommendations.
I don’t think this has ever changed – good guidance and leadership to help navigate a project through a variety of perhaps unfamiliar sequential stages with confidence and trust. Clients rightly want honesty, expertise, diligence and not necessarily the cheapest provider, but certainly best value.
Awareness, intervention, and judgement. We must stay an authority within this specialism to offer our clients the right advice, and take the right actions, at the right time.
For sports construction, designing and securing planning permission are dynamic situations; so an intricate knowledge of due process, potential opportunities and pitfalls is essential to properly steer any project and satisfy our clients’ objectives.
S&C Slatter is a successful and ambitious company with excellent resources and integrity at its core. I am attracted by these qualities and spotted an opportunity to strengthen our design and planning service. With my consultancy background, I really appreciate clients’ needs and can add this problem-solving attitude to our team.
I’m very into football, as an FA qualified coach and HTFC U12/U13 football manager. I also enjoy spending time with my family and playing music – particularly playing the drums.
Thanks so much to Tom for taking the time to do this Q&A with us, we’re thrilled to have him join us as Project Designer / Consultant – welcome to the team!
Our design and planning team will provide expert advice on what’s possible on site, and the best way to achieve your goals.
If you’re considering a sports construction project, and want to work with one trusted point of contact – from design and planning through to construction and aftercare – get in touch with Tom and the team on 01635 345 21 or email info@sandcslatter.com.
Under the 2020 FIH Quality Programme for Hockey Turf, S&C Slatter has once again been certified as an FIH Certified Field Builder.
FIH Certified Field Builders must demonstrate proven ability to construct hockey fields to dependable industry standards worldwide, ensuring the appropriate quality for the intended level of play.
As the first contractor globally to be recognised as an FIH Certified Field Builder back in 2016, we’re proud to have retained our certification annually since then, proving our commitment to FIH’s aims and objectives in the global development of hockey.
To be certified under the programme, organisations must provide evidence of in-house expertise, experience and commitment to hockey. This includes, among other things, proof of in-house civil engineering expertise, environmental policies, ISO 9001 Quality Management System accreditation and comprehensive aftercare advice for clients.
At the launch of the programme, Alastair Cox, FIH Facilities Manager stated that the FIH Quality Programme for Hockey Turf is:
“a fantastic opportunity for suppliers, manufacturers, field builders and field owners to become part of an official quality-assurance programme. In doing so they can be confident that their field performs correctly, is safe, built to specification and maintains performance”
Without the comfort of engaging with a certified field builder or certified turf supplier, you have no such guarantee.
The construction of a synthetic turf hockey pitch is a specialist trade, requiring expertise and experience to avoid risks associated with sub-standard pitch design and construction.
If unsuitable materials are used in the base construction of the pitch, drainage and surface levels could be compromised, leading to a surface that’s unsafe to play on, becoming waterlogged and slippery.
The same goes for the surface too. Using a low quality, cheap artificial turf that isn’t under the FIH Preferred Supplier or Certified Manufacturer programme could result in inconsistent performance and premature failure, which will be more costly overall to replace.
The International Hockey Federation (FIH) launched the Quality Programme for Hockey Turf in 2015, “as part of a 10-year strategy that aims to make hockey a global game that inspires the next generation.”
The programme introduced the levels of certification we know today (Global, National and Multi-sport) as well as Certified Manufacturers, Certified Field Builders and Preferred Suppliers.
We’re proud to be FIH Certified Field Builders and have delivered the highest number of pitches in the UK to be certified to FIH Global performance standards, including Reading Hockey Club and The University of Warwick.
Working closely with our exclusive artificial turf partners FieldTurf, who are FIH Preferred Suppliers, we’ve seen first-hand the great impact the FIH Quality Programme has had on the sport. We look forward to continuing to support the programme, delivering first-class hockey facilities in the UK for generations to come.
The FIH recommends that you appoint an FIH Certified Field Builder to design and build your new hockey field.
Get in touch with our team for a free consultation.
Next up in our Q&A series with our newest recruits, we welcome Yasmin Taylor, who joins us as Buying Assistant, and has a great family history in the industry!
Hello, thank you!
I have really enjoyed my first few months, as I am back doing what I enjoy most. The team are great and have encouraged and helped me where necessary. A couple of times I have questioned myself (which I am pretty certain is normal in a new company!) but have persevered and my confidence and independence is growing day by day.
My role is Buying Assistant. This includes assisting the lead buyer with placing orders, liaising with Contracts Managers/Site Managers to ensure materials are on site in time (and on budget), and preparing O&M manuals post project completion. I work alongside Simon and think we make a great team. We are always looking at ways to make improvements and maintain an efficient working environment.
Having left school, I completed an apprenticeship at West Berkshire Council. I felt this was definitely the right move for me, as I enjoy learning hands-on as opposed to through full time study.
The contract was for a year, in which I completed my NVQ level 3 in Business Studies. During that period I was nominated for Apprentice of the year by several other employees/teams.
At the end of that apprenticeship, I decide to apply for a few positions, one of which was within the council (which I secured), but after an interview with a local company close to home, I decided to opt for that position. It seemed challenging and would add another string to my bow, in regard to learning purchasing. I worked there for 3 years, before deciding that I wanted to progress further and learn alternative skills.
I was then employed by a local company as a Customer Service Representative. I felt I grew quickly within that position and always had a positive rapport with customers and work colleagues. The company was large and spread throughout Europe and China. We worked closely with our neighbouring offices and I enjoyed my time there, but I knew quite quickly that I was happier in procurement/buying, which is when I decided to pursue a position back in that field. I think this stems from my background as both my parents and grandfather have worked in this sector for most of their careers.
We have all dealt with major changes over the last few months. For me, I have been able to carry on working (from home) which I have found straightforward. All calls forward to my mobile, a laptop was supplied for me to be able to continue working (very much appreciated!) and things have pretty much carried on as ‘normal’ as they can be.
I would say everyone has adapted to the situation well, we have kept in constant contact, making sure that everything runs as it should daily and I feel we have built up a strong working relationship through these very challenging times.
For me, it’s relying on other sectors to be able to fulfil my role. Some suppliers have had to temporarily close, whilst others are operating with a skeleton staff, meaning that not everything we need to complete projects has been so readily available. At times this has been challenging, but everyone is in the same boat so to speak and their understanding has been amazing.
From the minute I walked into my interview, I loved the fact that S&C Slatter was an independent family run business, thriving in a very competitive market. Knowing the Buying Assistant role would give me the opportunity to get back to buying/purchasing was a massive bonus and the people I work alongside have been most welcoming, it really is a great place to work.
Having purchased our first home in May last year, we have spent a lot of time revamping and modernising the property. We are finally at the end and now have more free time to enjoy bike rides, movies, socialising with friends (well, we did!) and have just purchased our first dog, a Springer Spaniel, uh oh!! We will train him as a gundog to enjoy partaking in our local family shoots and long walks through the countryside.
Thanks Yas, we know you and Simon are busy ensuring the team have what they need on site, so thanks for taking the time to do this Q&A with us – welcome to the team!
With £3m of wholly owned and operated specialist equipment, we’re ready to deploy our teams on site, with our procurement department ensuring we have the materials and additional equipment we need to deliver your project to the highest possible standards.
If you’re considering a sports construction project and want to ensure maximum quality with minimal risk, get in touch with our team on 01635 345 21 or email info@sandcslatter.com.
As The Slatter Group continues to expand, we’re following up with our newest recruits, taking the opportunity to welcome them to the team whilst getting an insight into their role and experience.
Andy Bingham joined our busy sales & estimating team as an Estimator in late March, bringing with him comprehensive experience in estimating – from light bespoke civils projects up to large scale main contractors’ projects.
Hi! Well they’ve been very busy actually, the sales team has generated a lot of leads and we’re on the radar of a lot a Sports Consultants so there has been a whole range of tenders to get stuck into. I’ve even managed to get out to the Channel Islands (I wasn’t expecting the ‘international travel’ side of things so soon)!
To be honest though, I’ve more or less had to find my feet immediately, which is no bad thing – as it shows the company is being very pro-active about moving forward and securing work! Also I guess it means they trust my judgement which is comforting.
I’ve still got some names to put to faces and faces to names, along with systems to understand – so it’s still early days.
My background is predominately in macadam surfacing and light groundworks having worked for a well respected Surfacing Contractor. I was in this role for nearly seven years moving up through a Management Trainee scheme in which I gained valuable onsite first hand experience and supervisory skills. Thereafter I fell into the role as an Estimator and CAD Technician / Design. I had some working knowledge of CAD and GPS surveying equipment from a ‘Year In Industry’ that I undertook after college; working within a Hydrographic Surveying Office at the Port of Poole prior to obtaining my degree in Civil Engineering.
I utilised these skills to help formulate proposals and design drawings for light bespoke Civils schemes in a way that our competitors (at the time) were not.
In the year prior to joining S&C Slatter, I worked as an Estimator for a Main Contractor which gave me a broader view on pricing and higher value projects.
It feels like I’ve joined an already ‘well oiled machine’ – there’s an incredibly strong work ethic and my colleagues have wealth of knowledge and understanding of the industry.
My role as Estimator is predominately involved with the completion of tenders at this stage, coupled with site visits (of course!) to confirm there is nothing untoward within proposals.
There seems to be a slow but steady drive towards more sustainable practices which is great to see; many tenders now seem to target offsetting new construction with some form of ecological enhancement to the nearby area. It’s good to see this becoming part of the focus rather than an afterthought.
Obviously Health and Safety is something that has also come on leaps and bounds even in the 10 years that I’ve been working! Our new Health and Safety Manager (Nick Jordan) seems to be very pro-active and works to ensure our internal documentation and processes are always up to date.
Working remotely for site-based staff is obviously not ideal – however in our particular niche of the industry we are seeing some return to normality.
As you know much of our works are relatively isolated and contained within themselves, meaning our operatives do not have to come into regular close contact with others, thus it is relatively easy to stick to the two metre rule!
Deliveries of materials from our suppliers also sort of fall into that category of limit contact as well. Suppliers are implementing policies like remote delivery signing that avoid direct contact.
On our side of things (Estimating & Sales) – we are largely able to work remotely, so the main adaptation really is lack of face to face office contact and the normal sort of discussions that you may have in the office. Its not quite as easy to ‘pick someone’s brain for a second’ remotely! Site visits have also ceased presently for future tenders unless they can done without breaking contact guidelines – this poses its own challenges in making sure that the site conditions are assessed correctly when pricing.
I guess also one of things I’m having to adjust to personally is the lack of physical paper drawings… I’m used to having a large A3 / A1 site plan in front of me, so getting used to not having that element easily available had to be a quick adjustment – but this is one thing the industry was already trying to tackle before lockdown. Many businesses are moving down the route of ‘paperless policies’ which really is great to get onboard with. I’ve seen first-hand how easy it is to print to the A0 plotter and waste unnecessary amounts of paper by accident!
I think as we run the risk of sliding into a recession, customers will be faced with even tighter scrutiny on spending and future budget allocation. Contracts are generally awarded on a weighted basis towards cost, with quality practices considered thereafter. So the pressure will be on the clients to go with the cheapest option.
As a business, we work hard to demonstrate value for money in every aspect of the build, ensuring quality is not compromised. Another way the company is seeking to support clients is through providing guidance on what financial solutions are available to help fund all or some of a project, and avoid cost cutting at the expense of quality.
Our installations are second to none, and offer the longevity and aftercare policies that set the higher standards for the industry. When a client looks at return on investment then we generally do well.
I think assessing that everything has been included, that there are no unknown elements to a scheme that could result in extra cost. You never want to price a job that will lose money. So really it’s just about being as thorough as possible within the time constraints allowed. I need to work on the time constraints side of things!
It looked like a young vibrant company; and after being approached by Ben following my previous experience, it sounded like an interesting role. S&C Slatter’s portfolio of work is very impressive!
Speak early on in the process with our Sales teams who will work with our design and planning department to provide good advice, Nick and Josh will help draw up some sensible proposals!
Up until lockdown I was playing regularly in a band.
The writing and recording side is still going, although I haven’t had much of a chance recently believe it or not! I’m not sure really what the future holds for that side of things as the live element is non-essential and hard to justify at this current time – the impact of the virus really has hit that industry hard!
Thanks so much to Andy for taking the time to do this Q&A with us, we know it’s a busy time for the tender department and know he’s been a great asset already – welcome to the team!
Our estimators are on hand to give you the best possible understanding of what’s possible on site, and at what projected cost.
If you’re considering a sports construction project and want to ensure maximum quality with minimal risk, get in touch with Andy and the team on 01635 345 21 or email info@sandcslatter.com.
Following on from our article last week on how schools and leisure facilities can prepare for life beyond coronavirus, we’re thrilled by the Football Foundation’s announcement of their new Pitch Preparation Fund. This will enable Football Clubs and small leisure trusts to be game-ready for when the lockdown is lifted.
The Pitch Preparation Fund is a new fund launched by The Football Foundation, the charity created by The Premier League, The FA, The UK Government and Sport England to deliver football grants.
The fund itself has been created to provide ‘financial support to those struggling to maintain their football pitches across the country’. It’s to help clubs and organisations to get their natural or artificial grass football pitches ready for when the lockdown is lifted, so that both play and revenues can get back on track as soon as possible.
The fund can be used to cover the cost of either natural turf maintenance such as aeration, line marking and grass cutting, or for 3G artificial turf maintenance, such as deep cleaning, FA pitch testing or seam repair.
Just under £10m has been allocated to the fund (£9.56 million to be precise) which has been estimated to benefit roughly 4,000 organisations nationwide.
The Pitch Preparation fund is open to grassroots, local and national league level football clubs in England, Premier League clubs in Wales and small leisure trusts.
The Football Foundation have stated that “Every applicant must be a club or organisation with a minimum of 12 months’ security of tenure over the pitches they wish to improve by freehold, leasehold or licence, and have the legal responsibility for maintaining them.”
The full list of eligible and ineligible organisations can be found on the Football Foundation website.
The maximum grant you can apply for depends on your organisation type and number of pitches and will vary between a maximum of £1,500 – £5,000.
If you’re a National League System Club (Step 1-6), FA Women’s Pyramid Club (Tier 1-5) or Welsh Cymru Premier League Club, you can apply for up to £1,500 for a Stadium Pitch grant.
If you’re a grassroots club or organisation, you can apply for:
S&C Slatter are, with our artificial turf partners FieldTurf, one of a few select approved construction and maintenance partners serving the Football Foundation.
Already successfully supporting our clients across the country with professional maintenance of their 3G Turf pitches, our expert support will now extend to helping you with your Pitch Preparation Fund application.
As well as supporting you with your grant application form, we’ll undertake a free assessment of your pitch condition prior to works commencing, to help you identify the most efficient use of your grant.
Please get in touch by calling our Project Manager Matthew Thompson.
Tel: 07584 666548 Email: mthompson@sandcslatter.com
The closing date for applications to the fund is less than two weeks away – applications must be submitted by 9pm on Monday 25th May.
This fund is a fantastic way for eligible organisations to get their pitches up to scratch ready to provide sporting facilities to those that will need them beyond lockdown.
If your organisation is eligible and would free like assistance in your application to the fund, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us.
With health & safety high on the agenda for everyone during these unprecedented times, we thought we’d check in on our new Health and Safety Manager, Nick Jordan, for a quick Q&A to hear more about his background and his thoughts on the rapid changes happening in the sports construction industry.
Nick joins the company with extensive experience and qualifications in the world of health & safety – whilst also having a unique perspective on our industry from the other side – as a former professional football player!
Thanks, to say it’s been busy would be an understatement! No one could ever have predicted the situation the country has found its self in and I definitely didn’t expect it when I joined the company 10 weeks ago. Although the situation has not been ideal there have been many positives to take, for me it has proven why this company has grown so quickly and so successfully.
In a time where there has been so much uncertainty in the world there has been a clear message from David Slatter and the team – and that was if we stick together we will come through this pandemic stronger. Throughout the 10 weeks I have received nothing but support from within the business and feel I have already formed strong relationships with many individuals involved with the business. It has been extremely humbling and I am excited for what the future holds for S&C Slatter.
I am a retired professional footballer and decided to hang my boots up at the age of 22. From there I put myself through university as I was unsure where life would take me, football was all I had known since I had left school at 16. I studied Sport and Exercise Science at the University of Portsmouth whilst I was assessing where I wanted to take my career. In my final year I took the bold decision to leave and pursue a career in construction where I joined Dyer and Butler in 2014 after receiving my Higher National Diploma (HND). At Dyer and Butler I was quickly given the opportunity to progress through the ranks and I was fortunate enough that the former Health and Safety Manager offered me a position as Assistant Health and Safety Advisor. Dyer and Butler funded an extensive selection of courses which allowed me to become qualified in several fields very quickly, then backed my progression throughout to allow me to become a fully qualified Safety Professional with a large portfolio of nationally recognised qualifications.
My role within the business is Health Safey Environment Quality and Training Manager. Ultimately I am responsible for all employees’ Health and Safety – not only on site but within the office setting. Another responsibility is to identify areas of improvement and to assess individuals, identifying courses which will up-skill our staff. This in turn improves our business so that we can provide the best complete service whilst ensuring the highest level of compliance on site.
Everyone in the industry will agree there have been huge changes within the industry over the past few years and (depending on who you ask) you will receive different answers as to whether they agree on all those changes. The biggest change I have seen is that the HSE and the other enforcing bodies have started focusing on occupational health and have introduced large sanctions on companies that fail to manage this. This has been brought about by the number of claims from the older generation that used to undertake tasks such as breaking/grinding out brickwork and concrete without sufficient controls measures in place.
Over the past few years scientific evidence has been brought to the table to highlight the heath implications of not managing construction risks. Illnesses such as Silicosis/mesothelioma and white finger have started to become evident in the older generation of construction workers and this has led to the enforcing bodies focusing their attention on these areas. Companies now are mandated to ensure that staff undertaking tasks are adequately protected with sufficient control measures implemented. You will see far fewer operatives in the future suffering the same injuries and ill health as the previous generation, which is a positive change.
The HSE have been quiet throughout the pandemic which has surprised me as they are usually at the forefront of providing advice. Whilst many assume that The Health and Safety at Work Regulations may have been relaxed like MOT’s etc, they have not. The Regulations were introduced to ensure the safety of staff and there has been no changes in the regulations due to COVID-19. What has been introduced is the Site Operating Procedures issues by the Construction Leadership Council. This document provides guidance on what is expected of all sites that have to continue to operate.
Having only been at S&C Slatter for a short duration of time – the majority of which has been been under lockdown – I haven’t yet dealt with many challenges customers are facing. From past experience, for me it would be companies fully understanding their roles and understanding their duties under the Construction Design Management (CDM) Regulations 2015. Where the CDM Regulations 2015 are extensive and so in depth, company’s representatives do not always fully understand what is expected of them and that is often challenging when delivering projects.
My role as a Health and Safety Manager often poses many challenges – not necessarily within S&C Slatter, but for Health & Safety (H&S) professionals across the board. The biggest hurdle is getting the buy-in from the teams on the ground delivering the work. Due to Health and Safety often presenting hurdles during the construction phase, you sometimes find that the team delivering the work will respond negatively to healthy & safety procedures, as they see them as a hinderance if their works are held up. This is where building strong relationships is crucial. If teams feel they can call you for advice and involve health & safety throughout the whole process, any negativity is removed. At S&C Slatter as stated above, I have been welcomed in my role, which has made my transition into the business smooth.
When I was approached regarding the role I was told that S&C Slatter was a company that were growing quickly and had a young team that were hungry to succeed and progress. When I sat down with Ben O’Connor and Peter Fowler, they outlined exactly where the business was and where they intended to take it. The hunger to succeed matched my ambition so I was sold almost immediately following our discussion and couldn’t wait to join.
From a Health & Safety perspective I would recommend the individual responsible for health and safety within any organisation being involved from the planning phase. This allows for a different perspective and can often lead to major hazards being removed or risks being reduced before construction has even begun.
With having a young energetic family, we are often out on dog walks or bike rides as my kids love to be active. We have been renovating our home for the last 18 months so any free time is eaten up working on the house.
A huge thank you to Nick for taking time out to answer these questions – we know how hectic it is for him at the moment – and what a brilliant insight into the changing and important world of health and safety. Welcome to the team Nick!
Putting the safety of our staff and clients is at the forefront of what we do. Every project we undertake involves our dedicated health and safety manager, contracts managers and site managers to ensure best practice is delivered on all of our sites.
If you’re considering a sports construction project and want to ensure maximum quality with minimal risk, get in touch with Nick and the team on 01635 345 21 or email info@sandcslatter.com.
