Supaturf Accredited in Kenya

Posted on February 1st, 2012

Supaturf line marking liquids and ultilities have been accredited by FKF – Football Kenya Federation.

In an open letter to all concerned in football in Kenya, FKF National Chairman Sam Nyamweya, said that line marking is an integral aspect in football.

“A well-marked pitch improves the standard of play by assisting match officials in making the right calls and helps players determine their mode of play.  Well marked pitches are also soft on the eye and will encourage more corporate participation in local football if the images beamed on television and newsprint show perfectly marked pitches,” he says.

“In this football calendar year, the FKA has banned the use of used engine oil and chalk/lime to mark football pitches, in line with FIFA standards and local National Environmental Management Authority (NEMA) laws.

“FIFA and CAF have recommended 5-inch lines for competition matches, a move that makes it very easy for referees and linesmen to determine goals,  offsides, throw-ins and corners.

“We are directing all members in the FKF family to make the transition and be part of the changing face of Kenyan football.

“In this regard, FKF has accredited Supaturf East Africa Ltd, which supplies eco-friendly line-marking liquids and utilities which mark pitches based on FIFA/CAF standards.”

Supaturf ‘re-invents the wheel’

Posted on January 24th, 2012

Supaturf has managed to re-invent the wheel and make line marking a pleasure, according  to Stuart Mottershaw, Grounds Maintenance Supervisor for Burbage Parish Council in Leicestershire.

He made the comment after taking delivery of a new Briteliner Arrow line marking machine from Supaturf.

Burbage is England’s second biggest village and, in addition to several parks, Stuart has responsibility for maintaining six sports pitches.  “Supaturf has managed to re-invent the wheel with this machine and, by going back to basics, has made line marking quite pleasurable rather than something I used to dread,” he said.

“We took delivery of the machine on a Wednesday and straight out of the box it looked impressive.  It took, literally, just two minutes to get it ready to work.

“We used it for the first time the following Friday with Supaturf’s SupaStadia AF line marking liquid mixed at 5:1 and I have to say the line quality was outstanding – by far the brightest lines we have managed to achieve to date.”

Launched last year, the Briteliner Arrow is a completely re-engineered transfer-wheel line marker, featuring a host of design modifications which bring this traditional technology right up to date.

“I’ve used old-fashioned box markers in the past and I hated them,” said Stuart. “But the new machine is completely different. Its balance is just right and it is easy to push. Even with the scraper bar on the front wheel there is no drag and, because the wheel is in contact with the ground all the time, it is easier to keep the lines straight.

Stuart is also very impressed by the economic advantages the Arrow offers.  “We used to use two spray markers,” he said. “and it took about 45 litres of marking liquid mixed at 10:1 to mark our six pitches.

“I did five of our pitches on the first Friday on just one Briteliner Arrow tank  - about 22 litres of marking liquid – and the only reason I didn’t do the sixth was because it didn’t need marking.

“I also did it on my own in about the same time it would have taken two of us using the spray markers and, to top it all off, cleaning the machine was as easy as pie.  There’s nothing to block up or dry out, so cleaning time is cut by at least half.”

Possibly the greatest confirmation that the new machine was a winner was the comment Stuart received from a member of the public.  “I was marking out the rugby field when this gentleman came up and said how good the lines looked.  That’s never happened before.

“Well done Supaturf.  It’s a great piece of kit and I only wish you had come up with it years ago.”

Supa Visitors from South Africa

Posted on December 21st, 2011

Whilst on holiday recently in the UK, Russell Gibbens of Supaturf South Africa took time out to visit two prestigious sporting venues -the All England Lawn Tennis Club at Wimbledon and Leicester Tigers RFC.

Eddie Seaward, the Head Groundsman at Wimbledon, very kindly made time in this busy schedule to take Russell and his wife Beryl on a guided tour of this wonderful venue where Supaturf line marking machines and Stadia line marking liquids are regularly used for the world famous grass tournament.

Mike King, Supaturf Sales Manager in the UK accompanied Russell and his wife on the Wimbledon tour.

“I had not appreciated before our visit the sheer size and scale of this wonderful arena,” commented Russell Gibbens.

At Leicester Tigers, Head Groundsman Steve Packwood warmly welcomed Russell, who was accompanied by Supaturf Midlands Area Sales Manager Andy Gurney and Vitax Company Chairman Paul Gooding.

Leicester Tigers has strong contacts with South African rugby and recent players have included Joel Stransky and Jaco van der Westhuyzen . Tigers also hosted a memorable game in 2009 versus the Springboks.

After the visit, Russell Gibbens commented: “The lines on the Tigers pitch were impressive after it had been marked out with a four inch Briteliner Arrow – especially given that the turf on a rugby pitch is mowed at a considerably longer height than on a football pitch”

GLEE (Garden & Leisure Exhibition)

Posted on October 14th, 2011

Vitax enjoyed another successful exhibition when they attended the GLEE trade show at the NEC recently. With nearly 300 enquiries and requests to deal with after the show, it’s easy to see how busy we were over the three days.

Our stand featured our new sponsorship of the National Forest and included a display of broad leaved saplings of the sort we will be planting in “our” area of the Forest at Normanton le Heath, Leicestershire.

In conjunction with the National Forest we also promoted an exciting new product, Vitax Q4+, which contains mycorrhizal fungi, a pre-planting fertiliser with organic nutrients to enhance root growth.

Also on show were our range of new Nippon and House Plant products, together with tried and tested fertilisers, animal repellents and pesticides.

The National Forest and Vitax

Posted on September 16th, 2011

Vitax announces long term partnership with The National Forest.

5000 trees are to be planted over a three year period.
Vitax has made a long term commitment to supporting The National Forest, one of England’s most ambitious environmental projects.

Covering a 200 square mile area across parts of Leicestershire, Derbyshire and Staffordshire, the project is a ‘forest in the making’ – blending ancient woodland with new tree planting schemes to create a new national forest in one of the least wooded parts of the country.

Explaining the company’s decision to support The National Forest, Vitax Chairman Paul Gooding said that, as a business that has been involved with the UK gardening and horticultural markets for over 100 years, Vitax places a high priority on protecting, nurturing and respecting the environment.

“Based as we are at Coalville, right in the heart of The National Forest area, it makes perfect sense for us to become a long-term sponsor and supporter.”

When it comes to woodlands, the UK is the poor relation in comparison to other European countries. Woodland coverage in the UK is about 12% compared to a European average of 44%.

“Vitax involvement will lead to the planting of thousands of trees to create new woodlands and will contribute to redressing this deficiency,” said Mr Gooding.

Sophie Churchill, Chief Executive of the National Forest Company said they were delighted to welcome Vitax as a sponsor. “Based in The National Forest, Vitax will be an invaluable partner as we continue to create the new forest, planting new trees, creating new habitats and looking after the woodlands and new landscapes as we progress.

“Gardening products are so important to millions of people across the country and I know that a lot of Vitax customers will have a natural affinity with the creativity and environmental benefits of the forest – from our back gardens to the 200 square miles of The National Forest, it’s all about wildlife, beauty and something for future generations.”

Find out more about The National Forest
Vitax Planting at Normanton Le Heath

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