Chinese Groundsmen at Myerscough and SISIS

CHINESE GROUNDSMEN VISIT SISIS

By Lynn Hilton

March.

The Groundsmen (male and female), from the Lionaning province in N.E. China, were spending a month at Myerscough College to improve their skills. The visit to SISIS was requested by Myerscough College as part of the Groundsmen's studies in British turf maintenance techniques.

SISIS would like to say a special thank you to the interpreter Ming!

Myerscough College Develops Chinese Links

By Gemma Keenan

Delegates from Beijing Football Association recently visited Myerscough College near Preston, Lancashire in the second of a series of meetings aimed at strengthening collaborations between the Chinese FA, Myerscough College and Stockport County Football Club.

Mary Smith, International Officer at Myerscough College, visited Beijing in January, at which time business opportunities were for all parties were discussed. The return visit from Beijing FA was designed to strengthen relationships and to raise awareness of the opportunities available for Sportsturf Education and Training at Myerscough College.

During their visit, the delegates met with Colin Stanfield, Sportsturf Programme Leader, and Terry Robinson, Sportsturf Lecturer at Myerscough College, to discuss the possibility of consultancy services to improve soccer pitch development, preparation and maintenance.

This aspect of the sportsturf industry is receiving considerable attention from the Chinese authorities as they prepare for the Asian Cup in 2004. Thoughts are also turning to the Olympic Games, which will take place in China in 2008. It is anticipated that Myerscough's initial consultancy work with Beijing FA will lead to the provision of long term staff training in China.

David Grecic, Programme Leader for Golf, Sport and Leisure at Myerscough also met the visitors to discuss existing opportunities at the College aimed specifically at the development of soccer coaching, training and playing skills within the Chinese market. Further collaboration with Myerscough College and Beijing FA will entail a joint venture Soccer School in Beijing, as proposed by Stockport County FC who provide coaching for Myerscough's Chinese Soccer School.

The delegates were very interested to see the wide range of sportsturf facilities at Myerscough, including those for golf, rugby, cricket and
soccer. Having arrived in England from the depths of a long hard Chinese winter they were very impressed with the quality of the sportsturf at the College during the winter season. Mr Zhang Heng, Director of Beijing FA said 'We hope that this is just the beginning of a long collaboration between Myerscough College and the sportsturf industry in China."

Plans are currently being made for a delegation of Sportsturf consultants from Myerscough to travel to Beijing in order to make initial
recommendations on the improvement of their soccer pitches.

For more information about Myerscough or this article please contact Gemma Keenan on Tel: 01995 642222 or E-Mail: gkeenan@myerscough.ac.uk