The team, comprising of Rodney Pippard, Jamie Pippard and Callum Hanson, were nominated externally following their highly impressive practices of sportsground management at YRC.

Although the team did not win first place in the Public Sector Sports Ground Team of the Year category, their top 10 placement earnt them a highly commended award certification.

This is the first time in the IOG's award history that they were considering public sector sports grounds. The team from YRC found themselves up against some much esteemed fellow competitors, such as Eastbourne AEGON Tennis club, which hosts the Wimbledon preliminary rounds.

Above: Callum Hanson (left), Rodney Pippard (centre) and Jamie Pippard (right) with their highly commended award certificates from the Institute of Groundsmanship.

YRC is maintained at a very high standard by the team from Environmental Services and is equipped for a variety of sports including netball, tennis, athletics and football, all of which have sessions available for attendance. For more information visit www.yeovilrec.co.uk.

In their application they were able to show-off their attention to detail, among other highly-praised attributes, which consisted of a 3,000 word report on their achievements over the past year and the practices they employ. To accompany the report, the team were able to attach detailed images in an effort to illustrate the high industry standards that they pride themselves on. 

Councillor Jo Roundell Greene, Portfolio Holder for Environment at South Somerset District Council, said: "It's such a fantastic achievement to be highly commended for the job that you do and it's very well deserved by the team at Yeovil Recreation Centre who ensure that the sportsgrounds are in top condition all year around for users of the facilities."

For more information on the IOG awards, visit www.iog.org/awards.