Mark Harrod Ltd helps lift the Blind World Cup for England

Mark Harrod Ltd is aiming to bring football glory to England after the country’s failure in the South Africa World Cup.

The Company is sponsoring Jonathan Gribbin one of England’s star players at this month’s 2010 World Blind Football Championship.

The 34-year-old, who works as a Disability Sport Wales Officer, is part of the squad which will face teams from France, Spain, Columbia, Brazil, Argentina, Cameroon, China, Japan and South Korea at the tournament in Hereford.

Jonathan, a former world-beating disabled cyclist, believes the side can do better than Capello’s squad.

Mark Harrod, who has more than 30 years experience as a supplier of sports equipment, said: “It is our third year we’ve sponsored Jonathan and we’re delighted to be involved this under-reported football discipline. The skill involved has got to be seen to be believed and Jonathan is one of the very best.”

Blind footballers play on five-a-side pitches, using footballs filled with ball bearings so players can hear the ball - an addition which can occasionally cause injuries.

Jonathan, a sports disability officer who lives in Wales, said: "I’m excited – it’s a real honour and an amazing experience. I want to go out there and score goals.  Football is a different type of fitness from the cycling and I have been injured quite a lot. Even in April I cracked my ribs and last December I broke my ankle. We do have a few collisions in blind football, but not as many as you think."

Jonathan’s appearance at the prestigious tournament comes after close to a decade of heartache.

His life began its downward spiral in 2002 after he was badly assaulted. After recovering, he had an eye test after applying for a motorbike licence.

He was referred to hospital and after checking his eyes, they found that Jonathan had a progressive eye disorder and told him he would go blind.

On holiday in Cyprus in 2004, Mr Gribbin contracted pneumonia and had multiple organ failure. He was given just 12 hours to live.

He recovered and, in 2005, went on to take part in a trial for disability cycling on a tandem where he performed so well that he was asked to train with the British team.

In the 2005 European Open Championships, he and tandem partner Zak Carr took part in the 4km pursuit and 25km time trial and came 4th and 5th in the world.

However, tragedy struck again when Zak died in a car accident and Jonathan vowed never to return to cycling.

Jonathan turned his hand to partially sighted football but when his sight deteriorated he joined the Great Britain Blind football team.

As well as sponsoring grassroots events from the Staffordshire County Youth Cup to the Birmingham County FA Sunday Youth Cup, the Mark Harrod Ltd name can be seen at clubs including Chelsea FC and Leicester FC.

England first round game dates are August 14 (Spain), 16 (South Korea), 17 (Japan) and 19 (Columbia). Tickets are available via the official website www.Blind2010.com

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IOG industry awards off the mark with category sponsorship from Mark Harrod

Leading sports equipment manufacturer Mark Harrod Ltd is celebrating the groundscare industry’s unsung heroes by backing the Institute of Groundsmanship’s Volunteer Sports Groundsman of the Year Award at this year’s IOG Industry Awards on Thursday November 25 at the Swalec Stadium in Cardiff.

Suffolk-based Mark Harrod Ltd, who has more than 30 years experience as a manufacturer and supplier of sports equipment, is sponsoring the Award category for the second year in succession, following last year’s highly-successful inaugural Awards at the Emirates Stadium, London.

Commenting on his continued support, Mark Harrod says: “We are delighted to maintain our commitment to this valuable award which recognises the dedication of all grounds staff to attain a high standard of workmanship, especially the support of the volunteer groundsmen who keep the grass roots teams in the game.

“As a company, we are committed to football from grass roots to professional levels, making us proud to sponsor this category."

Mark Harrod presented last year’s Volunteer Sports Groundsman of the Year Award to Ian Reid from Vipers RFC, who said the IOG Awards “are a way forward if the sector wants recognition”.

Mark Harrod, a leading specialist in goal post safety, manufactures a range of high-quality sports equipment, including football posts, rugby posts, hockey goals, team shelters and training equipment.

It supplies direct to schools, colleges, local authorities, contractors and clubs of all sizes, and it sponsors grass roots events from the Staffordshire County Youth Cup to the Birmingham County FA Sunday Youth Cup.

The IOG Industry Awards comprise 16 categories of entry covering sport, grass roots, young people and the environment:

With industry-recognised judges, each category will be judged on criteria which will include available resources, budget control, maintenance and use of machinery, presentation and housekeeping standards, technical knowledge, scale of operations and frequency of use, health & safety management, record keeping, environmental issues, community involvement and training & education.

Visit www.iogawards.com for full information, including category and entry/nomination details.

The Institute of Groundsmanship, 28 Stratford Office Village, Walker Avenue, Wolverton Mill East, Milton Keynes MK12 5TW

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Mark Harrod Ltd launches new self-weighted hockey goals at leading club

Pioneering new hockey goals, which are more portable and self weighted are at one of the country’s leading hockey clubs.

Leading sports equipment manufacturer Mark Harrod Ltd has donated the newly- developed goals as part of the sponsorship of Cannock Hockey Club which are currently being showcased at their club in Staffordshire.

Club secretary Ian MacPherson said: “The curve of the net support is an improvement on traditional designs, as is the way the net is fixed to the backboard. The uprights keep the ball away from the metal which, when you consider a ball can travel at up to 100mph, is a major safety improvement.”

The other great advantage is the goals are easily transported, he added.

He said: “Most goals take more than one person to move them, these ones are easily moved.”

The new goals, which conform to the latest FIH standards, are self weighted and do not need extra anchorage to conform to BSEN 750, were put through their paces at the national play offs in May.

Mark Harrod, who has more than 30 years experience as a manufacturer and supplier of sports equipment, said: “The new goal has solid non-puncture wheels and a built-in free hanging net support system. The back supports are made from heavy duty 50mm diameter steel tubing.”

Sean Wallet, production director oversaw the development of the new hockey goals and was thrilled to see the goals in action on the Staffordshire grounds.

Mark Harrod Ltd, a leading expert in the field of goal post safety, manufactures a range of high-quality sports equipment, including football posts, rugby posts, hockey goals, team shelters and training equipment. The Beccles-based company, whose manufacturing facility is based in Staffordshire, supplies its range direct to schools, colleges, local authorities, contractors and clubs of all sizes.

Mark Harrod Ltd sponsors grassroots events from the Staffordshire County Youth Cup to the Birmingham County FA Sunday Youth Cup, the Mark Harrod Ltd name can be seen at football clubs including Birmingham FC, Chelsea FC and the Leicester FC.

Cannock Hockey Club is one of the UK’s leading clubs; the men's team are regularly in contention for the English Hockey League Premier Division title and the club supplies several international players to England and other national teams. The women's team has improved in recent years, and now plays in the Conference West, one division below the Premier.

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Mark Harrod Ltd Sponsors Birmingham County FA Sunday Youth Cup

Leading sports equipment manufacturer Mark Harrod Ltd has been the proud sponsor of the Birmingham County FA Sunday Youth Cup for the 2nd year running.

Representatives from the Suffolk-based company, which manufactures its specialist  range in Staffordshire, awarded the cup to Kings Norton following their 3-2 win over Coundeon Cockerels Junior FC.

As well as supporting Birmingham County FA’s ‘Kick discrimination out of football,’ campaign, Mark Harrod Ltd also sponsors the Birmingham County Youth Cup and the ‘Volunteer Groundsman of the Year’.

Mark Harrod, who has more than 30 years experience as a supplier of sports equipment, said: “It was a tense match and both teams performed brilliantly. I’m extremely proud to support the Sunday Youth Cup. It is vital that young people are able to build on their skills and compete against one another on a similar level.

Mark Harrod Ltd, factory director Graham Wallett, handed the trophy to winners Kings Norton FC, as well as supplying them with a winning gift from their catalogue.

Mark added “Sunday clubs provide valuable training and experience to progress their skills. Who knows, we might have been watching the next Cristiano Ronaldo on Sunday.”

Mark Harrod Ltd, manufactures and supplies high-quality sports equipment direct to schools, colleges, local authorities and sports clubs. Mark Harrod, has been a expert in the field of equipment safety for the past 30 years; with his entire range complying to British and European standards.

The Mark Harrod name can also be seen at a number of high-profile grounds around the UK including Chelsea Football Club, Birmingham City and the Ricoh Arena.

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