FA Cup Action at Sutton United. Photo courtesy of www.paulloughlin.co.uk
Sutton United's 3G football turf pitch. Photo courtesy of www.paulloughlin.co.uk

It was another great FA Cup performance by Sutton United last Saturday with them more than matching their local League One rivals AFC Wimbledon in a drawn game at Gander Green Lane.

So it’s back to Wimbledon next Tuesday for the replay with the prize of hosting Garry Monk’s fast improving Leeds United in the next round.

The prospect of another home tie for Sutton United against one of the Championship’s leading sides would also be a fabulous showcase for the club’s acclaimed 3G football turf pitch installed by S&C Slatter.

Widely praised for its consistently excellent play performance by players, managers and pundits alike, it is a superb example of what can be achieved with cutting edge 3G football turf technology.

Last summer Sutton United was the venue for the England C versus Slovakia U21 International Trophy match, following which Paul Fairclough, the England Manager, commented “Having played Slovakia U21’s and trained at Sutton United’s new 3rd generation pitch, it was the best surface I have seen, and this includes all those pitches I have ever come across in Europe as well.

It seems the e-layer sub base and choice of field turf has given SUFC a fantastic pitch and one that I would be very happy for England C to use again in the future”

Fingers crossed for another great result for Sutton United!

We’re delighted to announce that S&C Slatter has become an Independent Schools Association ISA Gold Preferred Supplier for the category of Sports Construction including Artificial Sports Pitches.

This appointment recognises our standing within the Independent Schools sector and confirms our commitment to work with the Association and its member schools in delivering the very highest standards of sport facility provision and aftercare.

ISA members value innovation and inspiration and aim to build on the best traditions to promote a range of qualities including integrity, industry and responsibility.

During the year the Association provides an extensive calendar of courses and events encompassing educational, personal development and networking opportunities. S&C Slatter aims to play an active part in the programme making available our substantial expertise and experience where a beneficial contribution can be made for member schools.

Over the last 25 years, the company has grown into the principal National specialist in artificial sports pitch construction with our work with leading Independent Schools providing a strong and acknowledged endorsement of our partnership approach to project delivery.

However in the last two years, we’ve extended our range of product and service reach still further, now offering a truly inclusive end to end project solution featuring key infrastructure elements such as enhanced user and spectator facilities, access roads and pathways, car parking, hard and soft landscaping and sustainable drainage systems (SuDS).

The first International Hockey Federation Certified Field Builder, S&C Slatter operates an ISO 9001 certified quality management system and is a member of UK ActIve, The Institute of Groundsmanship Corporate Plus and the Sports and Play Construction Association. The company carries EXOR Gold, SafeContractor, Constructionline, CHAS and Builder’s Profile accreditations and is a sponsor of Bucks SportsAid which looks to provide funding support for local young athletes.

S&C Slatter is also a Category A Supply Chain Partner to Willmott Dixon which confirms our ‘Preferred Supplier’ status and commitment to collaborative working during all stages of the construction process. Achieving continuous improvement in service performance and delivery is a particular goal of the relationship.

Harrogate Town AFC 3G Stadium Pitch
Maidstone United's Gallagher Stadium

S&C Slatter is presenting a 3G Stadium Pitches Workshop at two National League football clubs during February. On 8 February Harrogate Town AFC will be hosting the first workshop with the second taking place at Maidstone United on 22 February. Both clubs have FieldTurf 3G football turf pitches installed by S&C Slatter.

These will follow an established and highly successful formula covering a wide range of issues of interest to clubs and organisations who are considering installing a 3G football turf match pitch or training facility. An S&C Slatter workshop at Sutton United last March attracted over fifty clubs from throughout England.

Aimed in particular at clubs in the upper levels of the Non—League pyramid, the workshop will look into the feasibility and process of installing 3G football turf. And of maximising the commercial and community development benefits which can accrue from the conversion to a 3G stadium pitch.

Registration is FREE of charge and is open for both venues

3G Pitch Case Studies, Artificial Turf Technology, the latest FIFA Rules for 3G football turf, Successful Business Plans, Funding Solutions and Pitch Construction and Maintenance will all be presented by a panel of experts who are acknowledged as leading specialists in their particular areas of expertise.

Delegates to the 3G Stadium Pitches Workshop will no doubt be looking forward to hearing the experiences of the two host clubs who have already made the decision to switch to 3G football turf. Irving Weaver, Chairman of Harrogate Town AFC will discuss the ‘Economic and community benefits of committing to 3G’ while Oliver Ash, Co-owner of Maidstone United and Founder of 3G4US is speaking on ‘Why football clubs should consider installing 3G stadium pitches.’

Admission is by pre-registration only. You can register by completing the 3G Stadium Pitches Workshop Registration Form at sandcslatter.com/3g-workshop or by calling S&C Slatter on 01635 34521. We will obviously be pleased to answer any questions you may have about the workshop.

Simon is Studying for his CIPS Qualification
S&C Slatter is an FIH Certified Field Builder

Being good at what you do; having that recognised by others; growing as a successful business; being seen as a leader, is great. And at S&C Slatter we can rightly claim to have achieved all these things. It’s a testimony to the Slatter team – the skills, the experience, the motivation, the sheer hard work – to dynamic and determined management, and to investment in providing the right tools for the job.

But that’s not enough. We want to be the best. The very best Sports Construction & Civils Specialist there is. Today, tomorrow, every day. And that means constantly working to improve; to be even better. Throughout the company. In everything we do.

And why?

Because only by striving to always be the best we can, can we hope to offer the best possible product, the best possible service, the best possible value to our clients. And in doing so create the desire for others to come and see what makes us different from the ‘run of the mill’ and the ‘make do’.

So is this commitment working? Well, we took a ‘snapshot’ of what has happened in S&C Slatter in just the last couple of months. We wanted to see ‘real’ evidence of our improvement strategy showing as ‘real’ actions.

What we saw is:

  • 19 Project and Works Team Members booked into GNVQ Study and Training in 2017.
  • 11 Project and WorksTeam Members booked into NVQ Study and Training in 2017.
  • Charlotte Mills, Accounts Administrator, completing her Professional Diploma in Accounting to become an MAAT.
  • Simon McIntyre our Buyer studying for his CIPS (Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply) Qualification.
  • Our Client Project Team undertaking Advanced Customer Service studies next year.
  • And, a £300,000 purchase of additional construction equipment – a D61 Bulldozer, an 8t Excavator, 6t Dumper and 7t roller – to further resource our in-house fleet and enhance operational efficiency.

That’s an investment of over a £1,000,000 in plant just in 2016.

We believe this shows how determined we are to deliver the best possible service through continual development as individuals and a team. Hardly surprising then that last month team members Stuart Wilkes and Toby Spearing both won awards from our client Willmott Dixon for outstanding personal performance on separate sports facility projects.

Having the right team with the right training, the right experience, the right resources, the right product and the right attitude genuinely helps us keep being the very best we can.

The New Hockey Pitch at Mowden Hall School
S&C Slatter is an FIH Certified Field Builder

Mowden Hall School is getting a brand new artificial turf hockey pitch from FIH Certified Field Builder S&C Slatter and it’s just ‘Going green’. This is always a great time as the school, pupils and staff see the construction becoming recognisable as the superb hockey facility they have been anticipating with growing excitement.

The process of laying and installing the artificial turf itself, in this case FieldTurf Gold SD, very often comes as a surprise. It happens so quickly. This is partly because of the surfacing system itself which is quality-designed and bespoke manufactured for each project.

However the principal factor is our highly experienced installation teams. Each team member knows and thoroughly understands their individual tasks and have been specifically trained to complete these to precise quality standards. They work with the very latest technology and are supported by an in-house and on-site project management process which is demanding and second to none.

As a total company, S&C Slatter is tuned to complete its artificial turf sports construction projects via a seamless delivery which creates outstanding sports facilities and high levels of client satisfaction. It will come as no surprise that many of our new project introductions commence with a recommendation from an existing customer.

We have certainly enjoyed working with Mowden Hall School which is a vibrant, leading co-educational preparatory school set in glorious surroundings in the Northumberland countryside.

The school has a strong sporting tradition with high standards of coaching and good facilities to enable the children to develop impressive skills. As well as competitive team sports, the Sports Department promotes a sport-for-all attitude, actively including those pupils who consider themselves to be less athletic and ensuring they also have the opportunity to represent the school and develop their potential.

At Mowden Hall our team is completing a new 4500m2 build artificial turf hockey pitch which will enhance still further the school’s sporting assets. The project features 4500m2 of sand dressed artificial turf laid out for both hockey and football. Underneath there is an in-situ bound rubber shock pad over an engineered sub-base structure which incorporates a lateral drainage system.

Around the perimeter is 3m high rigid panel weld-mesh fencing and a spectator fence with a hardstanding area and access path. The pitch can also be divided using a 3m dividing net system bringing in to play two line marked cross play hockey pitches.

We’ll let you see some further photos once it’s fully finished.

Jason Douglass, S&C Slatter Commercial Director (right), Greets Adrian Moorhouse, 1988 Olympic Gold Medallist

S&C Slatter has sponsored another Bucks Sporting Lunch Club event organized by Bucks SportAid to provide funding support for local young athletes.

At last week’s event at Harleyford Golf Club, Marlow Rowing Club’s Ben Simon, 17 from Princes Risborough in Buckinghamshire, was awarded £1,000 by SportsAid’s Bucks Sporting Lunch Club.

Created in 2011, the club is a way for local individuals, businesses and trusts - who want to support young, talented athletes in Buckinghamshire - to raise money to help with training, travel or equipment costs.

Ben will use his donation towards upgrading his equipment and travelling to the many rowing competitions he competes in every year across the globe.

His commitment to the sport impressed SportsAid trustees particularly with his training regime beginning at 4.30am every morning and devoting both Saturday and Sunday mornings to the sport.

Ben’s ultimate aim is to compete in the Olympics and cites James Cracknell as his sporting hero because ‘he won two Olympic medals and has rowed across the Atlantic Ocean,’ said Ben, adding that he ‘would like to follow in his footsteps.’ He doesn’t forget his mum who is his greatest influence, ‘because she takes me everywhere and is at every competition.’

Ben was unable to attend the lunch as he is currently in the US competing in the Head of the Charles Regatta. But he left a message for guests “I just want to say a massive thank you to SportsAid and the Bucks Sporting lunch club. The money that I received allowed me to go to the Coupe de la Jeunesse in Poland this summer, where I won two gold medals in the quad for Team GB’s rowing team.

“Thanks again for all the support and I hope to fulfil my dream of being at the Olympics someday.”

S&C Slatter Commercial Director Jason Douglass says “It’s good to feel that we are making a positive contribution to the future success of such an outstanding young sportsman. And it underlines our commitment to play a leading role in the sporting community”.

Headline speaker at the lunch club was Adrian Moorhouse, who won a Gold medal in the 100m breaststroke in the 1988 Olympics in Seoul. Adrian is a former SportsAid alumni so fully understands the importance of the grants and the impact they make in enabling young talent to compete on the international stage.

L to R Ray Schifano Willmott Dixon Trainee Manager, Rory Morahan Willmott Dixon Site Manager, Stuart Wilkes S&C Slatter Site Manager, John Hill Willmott Dixon Senior Build Manager, Dan Martin Willmott Dixon Apprentice

Stuart Wilkes of S&C Slatter has been awarded ‘Site Supervisor of the Month’ for September by Willmott Dixon for his management and organisational skills at the new Waterside Drive Sports Hub development, Walton-on-Thames.

Rory Morahan, Willmott Dixon Site Manager, says ‘Our Site Team chose Stuart to receive this award because he scored highly in a number of categories. Stuart has maintained good standards of record keeping, housekeeping and workforce control. He has hit his set targets and is always willing to help’.

As Site Manager for S&C Slatter, Stuart carries a good deal of responsibility as the company provides its specialist sports construction and civil engineering skills to main contractor Willmott Dixon. S&C Slatter is building two FIFA 2 star artificial turf football pitches, a natural turf football pitch, an 8 lane synthetic athletics track with natural turf infield and the facility car park.

Stuart is very pleased with the award “It’s great to be recognised in this way but it’s as much for my site colleagues as it is for me. It’s all down to teamwork with good, consistent communication. Many thanks to the Willmott Dixon Site Team for selecting me.’

For S&C Slatter it’s the second award from Willmott Dixon in the last month. Tony Spearing won the September Quality Award at the Edenbrook Leisure Centre redevelopment. David Slatter, Managing Director of S&C Slatter is delighted. “This is brilliant news for Stuart and the company. He thoroughly deserves the award and it’s fantastic to see both Stuart and Toby gaining such recognition. They both work very hard to reach the high standards we are seeing’.

S&C Slatter is an official Category A supply chain partner to Willmott Dixon which confirms their ‘Preferred Supplier’ status and commitment to collaborative working during all stages of the construction process. Achieving continuous improvement in service performance and delivery is a particular goal of the relationship.

Toby Spearing (left) with Alex Manning Senior Building Manager of Willmott Dixon Construction Limited

Toby Spearing of S&C Slatter has won a major quality award from Willmott Dixon Construction for his innovation and dedication to the new Edenbrook Leisure Centre project at Fleet, Hampshire.

Alex Manning, Senior Building Manager, Willmott Dixon Construction made the announcement. “Congratulations to Toby Spearing of S&C Slatter who wins the quality award for September at Edenbrook Leisure Centre.

With no Quality Delivery Checklist in place for artificial sports pitches he took time out to meet Jane Roper, Senior Quality Delivery Manager and myself to create one from scratch. With Toby’s input we have helped improve our quality system for the rest of the company”.

Toby is Site Foreman for S&C Slatter on a key element of this major £23million leisure development for which Willmott Dixon is main contractor. S&C Slatter is constructing over 10000 square metres of artificial pitches comprising a full size 3G football pitch and four 3G 5 a side pitches. These include rigid panel perimeter security and rebound fencing and floodlighting.

In addition, the company is creating two natural turf mini-pitches with relevant fencing infrastructure.

Having worked as a member of the Slatter team for nine years, Toby says “I’m naturally delighted with the award and thank Willmott Dixon for recognising and appreciating my contribution. For me it was just doing my job to the best of my ability.”

David Slatter, Managing Director of S&C Slatter adds “We’re all really pleased for Toby and very proud of him. The company is entirely focussed on teamwork and delivering quality and excellence for all our clients. Toby couldn’t have demonstrated this more clearly.”

S&C Slatter is an official Category A supply chain partner to Willmott Dixon Construction which confirms their ‘Preferred Supplier’ status and commitment to collaborative working during all stages of the construction process. Achieving continuous improvement in service performance and delivery is a particular goal of the relationship.

This is a superb opportunity to work while you learn with the Country’s leading sports and civils specialist, S&C Slatter. You will gain invaluable work experience whilst studying to achieve a Nationally-recognised qualification in Business Administration.

The closing date for applications is 17 October 2016.

You will be working as a key part of our Contracts Team, providing general assistance and administrative support to the Department, and the Head Office in general.

Responsibilities will include:

  • Producing documents and maintaining records, spreadsheets and databases for projects.
  • Helping to organise and support site staff.
  • Communicating with clients and suppliers over the telephone.
  • Photocopying, scanning and printing various documents, sometimes on behalf of other colleagues.
  • Organising and storing paperwork, documents and computer-based information.

Desired skills

It will be beneficial to have strong IT skills, and a good working knowledge of Microsoft Office.

Personal qualities

Ideally you will need to:

  • Have good communication skills (written, spoken and listening).
  • Be able to work well individually as well as part of a team.
  • Be able to prioritise and plan ahead.
  • Have good eye for attention to detail.
  • Have a willingness to learn.
  • Be able to shift priorities easily.

Qualifications required

It is preferred if you have at least C grades in GCSE Maths and English or equivalent qualifications.

Training

On-the-job training will be provided to achieve all aspects of the role requirements. Ongoing support will be offered by the Line Manager and your Newbury College Assessor to achieve the Apprenticeship.

The Apprenticeship will include:

  • Combined Competency and Knowledge Based Element: Level 2 Diploma in Business Administration
  • Functional Skills in Maths, English & ICT (all Level 1)
  • Personal Learning and Thinking Skills (PLTS)
  • Employment Rights and Responsibilities (ERR)

Delivery of the Apprenticeship is mainly within the workplace to suit employer needs, with assessment of the qualification by your Newbury College Assessor and via portfolio/tests for some elements. Functional Skills tuition is delivered at Newbury College (if required).

Apprenticeship framework

Business and Administration

Training provider

Newbury College

Future prospects

There may be the opportunity for career progression and further training following the successful completion of your Apprenticeship.

Apprenticeship summary

Weekly wage

£240.00

Working week

40 hours per week Monday to Friday 9am - 5pm with 1 hour for lunch

Apprenticeship duration

14 months

Possible start date

24 October 2016

Apprenticeship level

Intermediate Level Apprenticeship

Reference number

VAC001115269

Positions

1 available

Things to consider

Our office is based in Enborne about 3 miles outside of Newbury. Although there is a 2-hourly bus that goes past the office, you need to ensure you can get yourself to and from work each day. This role may occasionally require you to also work additional hours as overtime.

Apprenticeship National Minimum Wage (ANMW): The National Minimum Wage for Apprentices is £3.40 per hour from 1st October 2016. This is the legal minimum pay per hour applying to 16-18 year old apprentices and those aged 19 and over in the first year of their apprenticeship.

For apprentices 19 or over who have completed their first year and are continuing their apprenticeship, the National Minimum Wage appropriate to their age applies.

To apply send your CV by email to Michelle Slatter at michelle@sandcslatter.com

The closing date for applications is 17 October 2016.