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University of Surrey's Iain Main wins Groundsman of the Year award

26 November 2010

Iain Main

Iain Main, Sport and Landscape Assistant Manager at the University of Surrey beat off competition from Manchester United FC to win the Institute of Groundsman’s Groundsman of the Year 2010 award at an industry awards ceremony in Cardiff.

The award, nominated and voted for by the industry, recognises the very best of sports turf management, with Main taking the title ahead of his opposite numbers at Manchester United FC, Essex County Cricket Club, Swansea FC/RFU, Halifax Town RFL and Parcy Scarlet’s.

Main has just completed 25 years’ service at the University of Surrey as part of the Grounds section within the Estates and Facilities  Management department (E & FM) who look after all of the grounds for the University and Research park. He has specific responsibility for the grass football and rugby pitches at Surrey Sports Park and he received accolades worldwide for his professionalism and playing surfaces at the 2010 Women’s Rugby World Cup held at Surrey Sports Park this summer, an event watched by millions across the world.

Upon winning the award, Main said, “ It was a great accolade to be nominated in the first place, and to now win it against such strong competition is unbelievable. It’s the pinnacle of my career.

“I’ve worked in grassroots sport right through to elite sport and I’ve always tried to maintain the highest standards throughout. I’ve enjoyed every moment of my last 25 years working at the University of Surrey and I will continue to strive for the best. I’d also like to thank my team without whom this wouldn’t have been possible.”

Nigel Hodge, Horticulture and Landscape Manager at the University of Surrey, said, “Iain Main started working for me as a school leaver and worked up through the ranks to become the manager of the sports pitches at Surrey Sports Park. He has always remained totally dedicated to his work and to the turf management profession throughout his time here. I am very proud to be Iain’s manager and I feel the award he has just received is totally justified, recognising his great commitment and hard work in producing quality surfaces for the University and Surrey Sports Park.”

Surrey Sports Park Interim Managing Director Ian Woodley, said, “To be recognised by the rest of the industry with this award is a fantastic achievement for Iain and an accolade he thoroughly deserves. Surrey Sports Park takes pride in the quality of our pitches and sports grounds, and it’s great to celebrate the hard work of Iain and his team.