Grounds Management - Summer Preview

Celebrating 90 years of the GMA

Summer 2024 / £7.50

TRAILBLAZERS

The all-women grounds team who made football history at Arsenal’s Emirates Stadium

Growing the team at Lord’s / Biodiversity net gain / Planning for major pitch projects

WELCOME

A time for change

I’m sure everyone is questioning the impact of climate change given that this year is already the wettest since weather records began back in 1871. And how will this impact the delivery of summer and winter sports, with work on cricket surfaces in particular being hampered while grounds staff wait for conditions to improve?

Talking of change, the GMA has recently appointed a number of new members to the Young Board, which has been rebranded as ‘NextGen’ (see page 11 for details).

Bringing more women into the industry is paramount to our future workforce and we were pleased to recently witness the first all-women grounds team prepare the pitch for the Women’s Super League London derby between Arsenal FC and Tottenham FC in front of a sell-out crowd of 60,000.

This initiative follows the first all-women grounds team at the Women’s Ashes at Edgbaston Stadium last summer (read our feature in the winter issue of Grounds Management, page 20), and we’d like to thank Paul Ashcroft and Gary Barwell, at Arsenal and Edgbaston, who helped facilitate these ground-breaking opportunities for women. We also had fantastic support from Hannah Buckley from the FA’s women’s professional game.

The challenge is to ensure that these become usual, not oneoff, events to ensure that anyone can pursue a career in the sector –regardless of background race or gender.

Geoff Webb, GMA CEO

GROUNDS MANAGEMENT

Editorial address:

4 TWO-MINUTE UPDATE

News from across the industry

7 BRIEFING

#GroundsWeek hits the headlines; introducing the NextGen young ambassadors; Bristol stadium hosts Schools into Stadia event; SALTEX 2024 continues to shape the groundscare sector, both here and abroad

31 PAS UPDATE

Wigan’s willing volunteers at the Rugby World Cup Challenge

32 TECHNICAL INSIGHT

Biodiversity net gain; Pitch improvement project planning tips

39 IN ACTION

Products and services used by Coventry City FC, Pangbourne College, Watford FC, Northampton Saints RFC and the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

CONTRIBUTORS

KAREN MAXWELL Editor of Grounds Management magazine

and industry expert

43 MAINTENANCE TIPS

Summer operations

47 PRODUCT NEWS

The latest tools and tech from GMA Corporate Plus members

50 60 SECONDS WITH…

Peter Gillard – the long-term GMA member discusses his grounds career in his 90th year

FEATURES

16 WOMEN’S FOOTBALL

The pioneering all-women grounds team share their WSL north London derby experience

23 QUEENSBURY RULES!

How volunteer Liam Murgatroyd is facing the pitch challenges at the ARFLC head on

26 MORALE HIGH GROUND

Karl McDermott talks awardwinning team tactics at Marylebone CC

Kirsty

advertise in this magazine: Tony Hopkins: t: 020 3771 7251 / e: tony.hopkins@thinkpublishing.co.uk / Mac Sullivan: t: 020 3771 7211 / e: mac.sullivan@thinkpublishing.co.uk

COLIN HOSKINS Freelance writer

DAVID LYNCH

DR ANDY CARMICHAEL Freelance writer and sportsturf academic

2 MINUTE UPDATE

GMA AND INDUSTRY NEWS

MARK EARLES APPOINTED AEA PRESIDENT

After chairing the Agricultural Engineers Association’s (AEA) Outdoor Power Equipment Council for two years and its Training and Education Committee for four, Mark Earles has been elected president by fellow members of the AEA board.

He started his career as an apprentice aircraft engineer and completed two apprenticeships. He has degrees in computer-aided design and management, and holds a Postgraduate Diploma in Management.

Mark joined Makita 29 years ago, where his current role covers market surveillance and business development. He also chairs and vice-chairs market-based and technical committees at the European Garden Machinery Federation.

On taking up his AEA role, Mark said the knowledge and experience found within the AEA is vital for businesses and their performance.

“The world is changing, the industry must adapt and the AEA is right at the heart of ensuring its members can do so,” he said.

Glynne Cherrington, groundsperson at Belstone FC (centre), is the first to receive support from this initiative – with the GMA’s Ian Mather-Brewster (left) and Husqvarna ambassador Peter Crouch (right)

Husqvarna teams up with GMA to launch community sports initiative

Husqvarna has partnered with the GMA to launch ‘Get Your Pitch Right’, a new grassroots sport initiative that aims to enhance sport clubs and communities nationwide by providing key products, training and expertise.

The two partners announced the scheme at The Grove Golf Club, where Husqvarna ambassadors Peter Crouch, Henry Slade and Kirsty Gallacher joined other celebrities, and sports professionals to take on a round of golf in a bid to raise awareness and funds to support the initiative.

The monies raised will fund the provision of Husqvarna’s robotic mowers to grassroots clubs and enable them to benefit from improved pitch maintenance and guidance provided by the GMA’s team of experts.

Commenting on the initiative, Husqvarna UK professional marketing manager Hannah Cooper said: “The provision of sport is hugely important to our nation and directly benefits overall health and wellbeing. Local sports clubs provide invaluable facilities to communities across the UK and the grounds staff are the unsung heroes behind the scenes in keeping the pitches ready for play.”

GMA CEO Geoff Webb added: “With the grounds management workforce supported by over 37,000 volunteers nationwide, we are delighted to be partnering with Husqvarna to provide volunteer grounds staff with the equipment, skills and knowledge needed to ‘make sport possible’.”

PREMIER LEAGUE TO INCREASE GRASSROOTS SUPPORT BY £33m

The Premier League has increased funding to the football pyramid, providing up to an additional £33m for grassroots football on top of the £100m it currently gives to good causes each season from the 2025–2026 season.

The Premier League currently gives away £1.6bn every three years – 16 per cent of its total revenues – to all levels of men’s and women’s football, and this new funding will provide significant support to a range of areas.

This commitment will result in increased investment in both the Football Foundation and Premier League Stadium Fund to develop facilities at lower league clubs to improve the playing and spectator experience, as well as clubs’ financial sustainability.

The funding will create more opportunities for people with a disability to play football and support the ongoing development of the girls’ game. It will also enable the leagues in the men’s and women’s football pyramid to continue to develop in line with the FA’s new National League System Strategy.

The Premier League currently provides similar support within the women’s game through an existing £21m investment.

REESINK TURFCARE CONTINUES TO SUPPORT THE GMA NEXTGEN

Reesink Turfcare has again pledged its support for the GMA’s recently rebranded Young Board of Directors, which is now known as NextGen. The company has been involved with the initiative for nine years. It fully supports NextGen’s aim of encouraging young people to consider a career in grounds management, which will help in industry’s drive to attract young, talented recruits who are passionate about sport.

Gillian Haverson, marketing manager at Reesink Turfcare, says: “There was no question of us not being involved in supporting the fabulous work of the GMA’s NextGen members again. We’re committed to helping shine a spotlight on encouraging more

young people to consider roles in grounds management.”

As part of this partnership, Reesink Turfcare also supported NextGen’s recent Schools into Stadia event at Ashton Gate Stadium in Bristol.

n For more information on NextGen and the Schools into Stadia event, turn to page 11.

UK Sport publishes international event strategic framework

UK Sport, the UK’s strategic lead agency for major sporting events, has released its major event strategy, Making Live Sport Matter, which outlines its ‘target list’ for the next 10 years. This framework identifies 70 events in 32 sports and 18 world championships that could be hosted at sports venues across the UK.

The strategy reflects the UK’s ambition to maintain its reputation as a world-leading host nation, and sets out a target to pioneer the integration of men’s and women’s events, as well as the integration of Olympic and Paralympic sports.

The UK is already hosting the Women’s Rugby World Cup in 2025, the European Athletics Championships in 2026 and the UEFA Euro 2028. The new list of target events includes the FIFA Women’s World Cup, the Men’s Rugby World Cup, the Athletics World Championships, the Ryder Cup, the Solheim Cup and the Tour de France. The target list also includes the Skateboarding World Championships, the new Olympic Qualifier Series for urban sports and the Climbing World Championships.

Each event on the list is subject to a feasibility process, and must have social impact at its heart and deliver positive, lasting change across areas including mental health, wellbeing, employment skills and environmental sustainability.

Gary Norwood retires from Royal Holloway

Gary Norwood, former head groundsman at Royal Holloway Sports Grounds, has retired after a 40-year career within the industry.

He embarked on his career in 1972 when he joined the Hertfordshire County Council grounds team. He gained qualifications at Oaklands College before moving to Bedford College. In 1983, when Bedford college merged with Royal Holloway College, he became head groundsman at Royal Holloway Sports Ground where he and his team have turned the playing surfaces into an example of excellence.

Gary said: “I’ve had an amazing journey throughout my career. I’ve loved working in the sports grounds management sector. I have learned so much and have met some amazing people along the way. I’ll certainly miss it, but I am looking forward to a new chapter of my life.”

GRASSROOTS CRICKET RECEIVES £35m INVESTMENT

The Government has announced a £35m investment in grassroots cricket facilities and an increase in access to the sport within state schools, enabling over 900,000 young people to play cricket over the next five years.

The investment will see 16 allweather cricket domes built in World Cup host cities across England to enable year-round cricket play. The domes will be built in communities with low levels of physical activity.

It will also extend the ECB and Chance to Shine’s in-school cricket partnership. This will target children from lower socio-economic groups and ensure that every schoolchild from across the host cities can access the programme.

A further investment in Lord’s Taverners will offer cricket provision to 80,000 children with special educational needs and disabilities.

Reesink supported the recent Schools into Stadia event

The previous FIFA Women’s World Cup was held in Australia and New Zealand

THE LATEST INDUSTRY HEADLINES FROM THE GMA

#GroundsWeek hits the headlines attracting fresh talent to sector

Invaluable sportsturf management contributions from grounds staff across the globe were given the recognition they deserve during #GroundsWeek 2024. We highlight the increased support and how the profession’s recognition is encouraging new recruits

Now in its fourth year, the GMA’s annual week-long #GroundsWeek campaign recognises the work of turfcare volunteers and professionals in the UK, and has a clear focus on inspiring new recruits to consider a career in the industry.

With support from organisations spanning the entire industry in the UK and beyond, this year’s #GroundsWeek campaign amassed a potential online reach of 18 million, with over 2,500 pieces of online content produced by more than 1,000 unique authors. This support was also strengthened by a further 25 pieces of editorial coverage generated by the campaign.

INDUSTRY-WIDE SUPPORT

#GroundsWeek garnered sector-wide backing from grassroots organisations, professional sports clubs, product and service providers, industry media and more. Those who engaged with the campaign produced a broad spectrum of entertaining, insightful, educational and celebratory content. From blog posts reflecting on the journey into the industry to interviews with grounds staff, informative podcasts, educational events, comical TikToks and more, the sheer volume of engagement made for an impactful week.

Some of the #GroundsWeek supporters included the All England Lawn Tennis Club (which hosts the Wimbledon tournament), Twickenham Stadium (the home of England rugby), Women in Football, regional County Football Associations, Myerscough College, Rugby League, Leeds Rhinos RFL and the Racecourse Association, as well as industry product and service

THOSE WHO ENGAGED WITH THE CAMPAIGN PRODUCED ENTERTAINING, EDUCATIONAL AND CELEBRATORY CONTENT

suppliers ISEKI, Reesink and Tillers Turf – to name a few.

INSPIRING NEW RECRUITS

Central to the success of the #GroundsWeek campaign is its focus on inspiring people to consider a career

in the turf management industry. During the week, the GMA announced the relaunch of its Young Board of Directors as ‘GMA NextGen’ (see page 11). With additional ambassadors having now joined the movement, this group of young groundspeople are best placed to focus on inspiring the future workforce by promoting a rewarding and fulfilling career path.

Where traditional career paths often overshadow lesser-known professions, one of the key strategies employed by the GMA to attract new talent is through education. For example, during #GroundsWeek, NextGen member Jack Langley hosted a successful Schools into Stadia event at Ashton Gate Stadium in Bristol, which gave local young people the opportunity to gain valuable insight into working in the industry.

HEARTENING STATS

According to ongoing GMA research findings, grounds staff under the age of 35 now make up 27 per cent of the workforce compared with 19 per cent in 2022. There has also been an increase from three to five per cent in the number of grounds managers aged 24 and under, and an increase from 13 to 16 per cent in the number of grounds managers who stated that they became involved in grounds management due to apprenticeship schemes.

The number of people who became involved in the grounds sector ‘by accident’ has also reduced from 13 per cent in 2022 to 10 per cent. The GMA’s Sport’s Hidden Profession report in 2010 recorded that nearly 20 per cent of grounds staff became involved by accident, therefore significantly more

people are now making a conscious decision to pursue a career in grounds management.

This change highlights that the groundscare sector is becoming increasingly recognised as a viable career route that other GMA initiatives, such as the Grounds Management Framework, support by providing a key path of education and development for those looking to progress in the sector.

Commenting on #GroundsWeek, GMA CEO Geoff Webb said: “A key part of our role in advocating for the industry and our members is laying the foundations

SIGNIFICANTLY MORE PEOPLE ARE NOW MAKING A CONSCIOUS DECISION TO PURSUE A CAREER IN GROUNDS MANAGEMENT RATHER THAN ‘BY ACCIDENT’

for new talent to enter the sector. After three years and lots of hard work introducing the sector to new audiences, it’s hugely encouraging to see that the number of young people entering the sector is starting to rise. There’s still a

lot of work to be done, but initiatives such as #GroundsWeek are crucial in encouraging more people to consider working in our wonderful industry.

“I’d like to say a massive thank you to every creative team and individual who embraced #GroundsWeek. The contributions helped to showcase every angle of the sector’s professional and volunteer workforce.”

#GroundsWeek will return in 2025 to continue to celebrate the achievements of turfcare professionals, and the wider industry, and inspire a future workforce to join a fulfilling and rewarding vocation.

The sheer volume of #GroundsWeek content created in 2024 put the sector firmly in the spotlight

NextGen ambassadors on mission to inspire future workforce

Young Board of Directors is rebranded as NextGen as the GMA ramps up its efforts to raise awareness of the opportunities available in the sector and nurture future talent

The GMA has relaunched its Young Board of Directors grounds professionals as GMA NextGen ambassadors, who will continue its drive to encourage more young people into the sector.

Workforce development has become increasingly important to the GMA, with findings from its 2019 research project, The Hidden Profession, revealing that approximately 20 per cent of grounds staff could potentially leave the sector over the coming years due to an ageing workforce.

Since then, the GMA has invested funds into raising the profile of the sector through public-facing activities, including #GroundsWeek and ‘Back to Play’ campaigns, which have attracted widespread regional and national media coverage.

POSITIVE GROWTH

We are pleased to say that findings from the GMA’s most recent research, conducted in 2023, have already shown some exciting green shoots in workforce data, revealing an increase

NEXTGEN

The inspirational team (seven pictured here) will promote the groundscare industry to schoolchildren and those at the start of their careers.

in the percentage of young people taking up roles within the sector, and under-35s now make up nearly 30 per cent of the workforce compared with 19 per cent in 2022.

Armed with four new members and a fresh rebrand, as well as ongoing sponsorship support from Reesink Turfcare, the GMA’s NextGen will build on these recent signs of optimism by focusing their efforts on young people still at school and those at the start of their careers.

The new NextGen branding has a youthful identity and a ‘club’ aesthetic, within the GMA’s existing brand guidelines, which will help the group to resonate with its target audience.

Commenting on the new approach, the GMA’s NextGen executive sponsor and director of communications, Jennifer Carter, is optimistic about the future. She said: “We launched this rebrand during our annual #GroundsWeek initiative, which celebrates the grounds management industry and encourages more people to consider joining. It was the perfect time to celebrate the

achievements of a talented group of young people and their renewed efforts to inspire other young people.

“We’ve already seen what impact they can have on the sector, with three GMA NextGen ambassadors representing the industry during the recent women’s grounds showcase at the Emirates Stadium, and I’m confident that their fresh energy and focus will be highly impactful on the hearts and minds of other sport-loving young people.

“There are opportunities across the sector, both on the ground as well as in the businesses that support it. We as an industry need to keep up the momentum and our NextGen ambassadors will play an important role in driving this.”

PROVIDING INSPIRATION

Joe Broadwood, a long-time member of the group and current leader of NextGen, is confident the new look and feel will resonate with its target audience:

“In looking to appeal to younger audiences, we hope this relaunch will better support us in our mission to inspire the next generation of grounds staff.”

AMBASSADORS

Jack Langley Deputy head groundsperson, Ashton Gate Stadium

Joe Broadwood Head of gardens and grounds, Daylesford Estate

Liddy Ford Groundsperson, The FA’s St George’s Park

Louise Saunders Managing director, Premier Sports Surfaces

Meg Lay Groundsperson, Lord’s Cricket Ground

Sam Cain Owner, Cain Markings

Beth Gibbs Groundsperson, Wellington School

Schools into Stadia at Ashton Gate Stadium

Profihopper 1500

Secondary school pupils get a taste of grounds management at famous Bristol stadium

The Schools into Stadia initiative is run by NextGen ambassadors (previously the Young Board of Directors, see page 11) and aims to promote the grounds management sector to secondary school pupils. Previous events have seen high levels of engagement from the students.

On 19 March, NextGen ambassadors hosted a Schools into Stadia event at Ashton Gate Stadium in Bristol, with support from the GMA, Reesink Turfcare, the Bristol Bears Community Foundation and the venue’s deputy head groundsman, Jack Langley. The event offered local youngsters an opportunity to gain valuable experience and an understanding of the groundsperson’s role.

The pupils were guided through an interactive theory session on grass seed, how it grows and how to keep it healthy.

to try their hand at line marking. The GMA’s key account manager for football, Tom Rowley, delivered a careers presentation to the group, highlighting the various pathways into the industry.

Commenting on the day, Jack said: “Offering young people a flavour of what a career in grounds management can look like has been extremely rewarding,

especially as some attendees have shown an interest in experiencing work on a match day.”

GMA CEO Geoff Webb agreed: “The Schools into Stadia events always inspire. The insights these days bring our sector and profession into focus as a great career option to young people.”

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The students engage in an interactive theory session on grass seed

SALTEX 2024: leading turf show continues to shape grounds sector

Increasing global interest ensures SALTEX remains the go-to destination for state-of-the-art turfcare technical trends, universal education and expert advice

Celebrating its 78th year, SALTEX 2024 continues to reign as Europe’s premier turf management trade show.

Powered by the GMA, preparations are already in full swing for this year’s event to ensure that exhibitors and visitors will have many reasons to mark 30 and 31 October in their calendars.

With a history spanning many decades, SALTEX continues to attract sportsturf professionals from around the globe, with attendees from 12 new international markets joining the community last year alone. This unparalleled global interest underscores SALTEX’s reputation as the go-to destination for senior decision-makers within the industry.

GIVING BACK

It’s not just about its impressive history or the increasing scale of products, services, education and networking opportunities on offer – as a not-forprofit organisation the GMA ensures that SALTEX operates within its clear mission to reinvest proceeds back into the industry to help drive innovation,

SALTEX shines a light on the groundscare industry’s innovation

A visitor tries out a stand-on mower

NEC Birmingham comes alive at SALTEX time

education and beneficial initiatives to those who work within the sector. From funding research projects to supporting grassroots pitches, SALTEX supports meaningful impact that extends far beyond the trade show floor.

A CHANCE TO GROW

Visitors can expect to connect and collaborate with thousands of likeminded people in the grounds industry, explore the latest grounds management technologies and product developments from over 400 leading brands, and expand their knowledge by learning from the biggest names in the sector. Attendees can discover training opportunities, machinery recommendations and insight from pitch advisors. They can also enhance their career in grounds management by receiving professional advice and acquiring CPD points. For exhibitors,

SALTEX provides the perfect platform to engage with thousands of decisionmakers and build business leads.

This year, enhanced show features will ensure that SALTEX continues to build

on its previous years of success. The return of the Clubhouse, the Community Sport Zone and a compelling Learning LIVE seminar programme provide a diverse array of reasons to visit the show.

SALTEX 2024 promises an enriching experience that will enable attendees to take their industry knowledge and expertise to new heights.

Whether you’re an exhibitor looking to showcase your latest products and services, or a visitor eager to explore the latest in turf management tech and techniques, SALTEX offers an unparalleled platform to connect, learn and grow. Don’t miss your chance to be part of an event that continues to shape the future of the industry.

n Keep up to date with all the latest updates and developments across SALTEX social channels and register your interest at: saltex.org.uk

Demonstration at Mansfield Sand

The buzz around the Toro stand

The Cramer stand at the show

One of the many speakers at SALTEX

‘ INSPIRING EACH OTHER IN THE PURSUIT OF PROGRESS’

We meet the all-women grounds team who prepared Arsenal’s Emirates pitch for the Women’s Super League north London derby

BY DAVID LYNCH, FREELANCE JOURNALIST

Dream team, from left: Carlie Lambert, Jasmine Nicholls, Phoebe Taylorson, Bobbie Murphy, Rachel Hunter-Worrall, Georgie Grimes, Zibby Parker, Tara Sandford, Meg Lay, Alexia Doughty, Beth Gibbs, Emily Geach, Liddy Ford

It was in part thanks to a large slice of luck that another significant step forward for women in the sportsturf industry was taken in March.

The landmark moment in question came as Arsenal and Tottenham contested a Women’s Super League (WSL) fixture in front of 60,000 supporters and, most crucially, on an Emirates Stadium pitch prepared by an all-women grounds team.

Yet it is fair to say that none of it would have happened had the FA’s senior facilities and project manager, Hannah Buckley, not decided to watch the first of three one-day internationals between England and Australia in the 2023 Metro Bank Women’s Ashes Series eight months earlier, on 12 July, at Gloucestershire CC. There, she met with members of the allwomen grounds team who had prepared the pitch for the Test match at Edgbaston Stadium 11 days before.

Inspired, Buckley expressed a desire to put on a similar event in football, prompting Tara Sandford, a groundsperson at Arsenal FC helping out that day at Gloucestershire, to suggest her own club as a possible host.

PITCH PERFECT

Fast forward to this spring and Tara was leading a 13-strong grounds team working to present a pristine surface at Arsenal’s Emirates Stadium that would not only be seen by the secondlargest crowd in WSL history, but also BBC viewers.

It was on this stage, just five days before International Women’s Day 2024, that Lionesses star Alessia Russo scored the only goal in a 1-0 victory for the hosts. For those involved behind the scenes, however, the pitch and the people who had prepared it were the main attraction of the day.

TO HAVE A ROLE MODEL OR SOMEONE TO LEARN FROM CAN BE SO HELPFUL WHEN A YOUNG WOMAN IS LOOKING AT GETTING INTO THIS AS A CAREER

As Hannah explains: “We heard what the [all-women grounds] team did at the Ashes and saw a real opportunity to put a spotlight on the industry, particularly aligned to International Women’s Day.

“Arsenal has really broken the mould this season with the number of fixtures played at a Premier League venue [six] and the north London derby is synonymous with football. That, alongside the fact we were on a free-to-air platform in the shape of the BBC, we knew there were going to be a lot of eyes on the game.

“And from my point of view, the WSL is very much the platform to showcase the career opportunities that exist in the game, so we shone a spotlight on the grass and the people who make it happen.”

FACING CHALLENGES

It goes without saying that staging this sort of event presents numerous challenges, including some of the assembled team having little experience in preparing a football surface or being unfamiliar with equipment such as the Dennis ES-860 battery-powered mowers. However, with the help of the GMA, Arsenal FC and Women in Football, they overcame the hurdles.

Hannah says: “Partnerships were key to removing any barriers to members of the grounds team being able to attend – for example, supporting them with travel and accommodation.

“Women in Football’s ‘Be Inspired’ event at Wembley also played a big part leading up the event. We also had to acknowledge that things can happen seven days out from the fixture, including that the men’s team wanted to have a training session at the Emirates.

“Stadia don’t sleep – there’s always something going on, so we had to be agile and able to react to that.”

The team were also helped by the fact that, along with leader Tara, they had another member of Arsenal staff alongside them in apprentice groundsperson Bobbie Murphy. In the build-up to the event, the pair were

Above: Jasmine Nicholls and team members put their skills to the test using Arsenal’s batterypowered mowers

Left: Removing divots to ensure a safe and pristine playing surface

given the chance to help prepare the pitch for the men’s home fixture against Newcastle United FC, ensuring they were fully ready for the task at hand.

Credit for that goes to the club’s head of horticulture and playing surface operations, Paul Ashcroft, whose support many have described as invaluable.

As Bobbie explains: “The club was really supportive and, with the other partners, it meant we all learned a lot and had a great experience.

“I typically work at the Sobha Realty Training Centre, so the chance to prepare the Emirates Stadium was something new to me. There were some nerves, but the team members got stuck in and everyone did a fantastic job.

“A few of the girls’ experience wasn’t based specifically in football, but everyone’s wide range of skills definitely helped. We came together, learned from each other and had a fantastic time. Tara and I used our experience to share advice, but likewise we learned a lot ourselves.”

PRIDE AND PASSION

No surprise, then, that the team took huge satisfaction from seeing the fruits of their labours come kick-off at the Emirates on 3 March.

Bobbie adds: “Seeing the Arsenal women’s team walk out onto the pitch that we prepared filled me with immense joy and pride.

“I know some of the players interacted and reshared the news of us preparing

the pitch on social media and it really makes you feel part of the club and that we’re all part of one family, inspiring each other in the pursuit of progress.”

Meg Lay, groundsperson at Lord’s Cricket Ground and part of the team at the Emirates that day (and a GMA NextGen ambassadors alongside Beth Gibbs and Liddy Ford), took particular pleasure in the strong bonds forged between the women involved in a short space of time. She says: “They’re such a great group of people – everyone’s so friendly. I knew most of them beforehand through one event or another, and they’re just fantastic.

“It’s great to meet up with people who are so passionate about what we do and they all want to help drive the industry forward. It was a great team with a lot of knowledge and everybody gelled really well.”

Having led the grounds team that made history at the Women’s Ashes last summer, Meg is also keen to pay particular tribute to Tara.

She says: “Tara was amazing throughout the whole thing. I know first hand how stressful it is to lead one of these things and she was phenomenal. Her knowledge was amazing and her people skills were even better – she’s just a fantastic leader and we need more people like her in the industry.”

FUTURE GOALS

Of course, those involved are determined that this special north London derby is only the start of something. Indeed,

SEEING THE ARSENAL WOMEN’S TEAM WALK OUT ONTO THE PITCH THAT WE PREPARED FILLED ME WITH IMMENSE JOY AND PRIDE

there is already talk of Wembley hosting a similar event and perhaps even Wimbledon welcoming an all-women grounds team in the future too.

Hannah says: “We’re really keen to use the platform to showcase and reiterate the importance of the grounds

industry and acknowledge that there’s a viable career pathway.

“In sports across the country – whether that be golf, cricket, rugby, tennis – there’s a real opportunity to reiterate that if you haven’t got any grounds staff, you haven’t got a great playing surface. And that you can lose so many fixtures because of the bad weather. This is a really important industry because it’s the foundation for being able to play sport, whether that be at grassroots or elite level.”

POWERFUL INSPIRATION

As a young woman working in an industry where 2 per cent of grounds staff in the UK are women, Bobbie is also eager that the event can inspire others like her to choose a career in grounds management.

“I think it’s powerful to be able to see women in these positions. To have a role model or someone to look up to or learn from can be so helpful when a young woman is looking at getting into this as a career,” she says.

“The fact that we also had a sell-out crowd for the game just shows how passionate people are about involvement in women’s sport and women in sport.

“To see this group of women come together made me feel so proud. We’re keen to play our part to keep driving change – we know the club is supportive and continues to accelerate the women’s game across all levels.

“One of the most important things I feel is visibility. If you have positive role models as well as making young people aware of the variety and excitement of working in this industry, then more and more young women will realise this could be a career for them.

“International Women’s Day is a massive moment to spotlight these initiatives, but we’re all keen to ensure this gets spoken about all year round.”

Meg echoes that sentiment: “I just hope it’s got people talking about what we do. The fact that this has had so much publicity means the profession has gained a new audience. It’s not an industry that’s discussed a lot and, as a result, there are not many people intentionally seeking it out as a career. So I hope the intense promotion and the fact that so many different organisations got behind it will spark conversation and hopefully inspire people to get involved.”

Far left: Alexia Doughty and Rachel HunterWorrall hard at work

Left: Beth Gibbs preps the turf in front of 60,000 supporters

Left: Meg Lay on mowing duty

Above: Hannah Buckley (centre) holds court

Right: Liddy Ford, Beth Gibbs and Meg Lay assess the state of the pitch before the WSL north London derby

QUEENSBURY RULES!

Liam Murgatroyd, Queensbury ARFLC former player and volunteer grounds manager, has to deal with many challenges with a pitch that was laid on top of landfill, but his passion and commitment are definitely paying off

BY ANDY CARMICHAEL, FREELANCE WRITER AND SPORTSTURF ACADEMIC

Queensbury, situated roughly halfway between Bradford and Halifax, is one of the highest villages in England, at around 1,200 feet above sea level. Consequently, approaches to this conservation area in the heart of the parish are steep, with commanding views across West Yorkshire the reward for the climb.

The location is a challenge when it comes to the provision and management of sportsturf facilities. Wind might be useful for the local Black Dyke Band (one of the oldest brass bands in the world), but such elevation surely offers a difficult climate for playing rugby league.

Liam Murgatroyd manages the Queensbury ARLFC facility in the village. The 4.5-acre site is currently owned by the local council and managed by the

Above: The Yorkshire weather in combination with high pitch usage used to result in what Liam describes as “a ploughed field”

club, and Liam confirms that weather is just one of his numerous challenges.

“We have a short and intense summer, and a long winter,” he tells me. “I judge it by the daffodils: we are about a month behind everyone else.” The next settlement down the road sits around 1,000 feet lower in the landscape so visiting teams must feel like they have a mountain to climb. “The slope is worth 12 points to us per season,” Liam explains.

AMBITIOUS PLANS

Liam is just one year into his grounds management journey – a voluntary role away from his employment with Northern Powergrid. He is a former club player and thought he could put his enthusiasm for horticulture to good use after seeing the single pitch on the site reduced to a “ploughed field”.

Fifteen teams from junior through to open age, eight of them competitive, had taken a toll on a facility that was laid on top of landfill. Plus Liam says the club has also had to contend with legacies such as an old car bonnet and a cold-water storage tank working their way up from the previous landfill spoil.

While there was some humour about his intentions at first, Liam rapidly showed what is possible by reducing pitch traffic, with practice restricted to essential needs only and friendly teams encouraged to seek away fixtures, which resulted in a reduction of pressure on the surface. Forward planning for how the pitch could be – not just for the next game but in two or three months and beyond – was also crucial. The club’s commitment to stick to the idea of rugby league as a summer not a winter sport also helped with turf recovery out of season.

“I needed to change the club’s expectations,” Liam says, “by explaining to the committee that they could ruin the pitch without proper scheduling and that they needed to spend a bit of money too.”

SUPPORT NETWORK

Liam gives full praise to Richard Hardcastle from Hardcastle Amenities and Andrew Woolley from Gibson’s Garden Machinery, who have provided time, advice and support. He also credits the support from the GMA’s key account manager for rugby league, Richard Eastham, and his help in accessing funding for the club that will resume once an appropriate lease arrangement

I NEEDED TO CHANGE THE CLUB’S EXPECTATIONS BY EXPLAINING THAT THEY COULD RUIN THE PITCH WITHOUT PROPER SCHEDULING

Right: Liam’s hard work in both groundscare terms and scheduling play is already paying off

Below: The Queensbury pitch sits at 1,200 feet above sea level, presenting its own, unique challenges

for the site is confirmed. This recognition is clearly mutual as Liam was invited to share his progress at a Learning LIVE session at SALTEX last year, which he describes as a “pinch me” moment as he discovered just how supportive the groundscare community can be.

He is also grateful to his apprentice at Northern Powergrid, George Standring, who enjoys giving him a hand around the wider facility when he can.

For now, Liam is managing with what he describes as a “lawn tractor” with a SISIS towed implement frame and separate slitter. The lack of a proper linkage on his machine means “getting on and off to change the attachments is very time consuming” and is something he would like to make more efficient. Liam says pitch compaction is also “horrendous”, having never been

addressed, so he intends to have vertidraining carried out as soon as possible. He has overseeded and topdressed where pitch markings had been previously burned in, but an opportunity to get hold of better machinery will help many of the club’s new-found plans get off the ground, including a second pitch.

A BRIGHTER FUTURE

This demonstrates the way that fortunes can be reversed, and how proper management can drive higher standards, derive much-needed support and expand sport provision for a grateful community.

There still remain issues to resolve, such as the public right of way across the site that has led to some irresponsible owners allowing their dogs to foul the pitch, “a mentality that is hard to understand when this is clearly a central community resource, with the club building being used by multiple groups and giving the village a ‘real buzz’ when a match is on,” says Liam.

Then there’s the weather, with wind howling across the hills at what must be one of the loftiest sporting venues in the country. However, with Liam making such great progress, rather than being blown around the facility, visitors will be blown away by it.

MORALE HIGH GROUND

Karl McDermott has encouraged his award-winning grounds team to adopt an ‘embrace and rotate’ work ethic at Lord’s, which has enabled a wider understanding of maintenance tasks not to mention an improvement in staff wellbeing

BY COLIN HOSKINS, FREELANCE WRITER

When Karl McDermott joined Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC, or Lord’s) as head groundsman, he said he wouldn’t act like a bull in a china shop and make immediate changes to the groundscare techniques that his established grounds team had historically used to successfully deliver first-class cricket.

“I will initially study everything that’s going on with the pitch, and let the playing surface and my role gradually evolve,” he stated. His aim, he said, was to “produce wickets that offer something for batters and bowlers alike”.

Five and a half years later, it’s clear Karl has been true to his word – in terms of the playing surface, at least – by making “relatively small but incremental” enhancements to further

Main image: Karl McDermott on the iconic pitch at

Right: Every member of the grounds team is trained in a wide variety of tasks to ensure they can step in at any given moment to help out

improve the pitches so that they not only cope with an increasingly busy fixture list, but also to continue to provide superb surfaces.

ROTATING DUTIES

While Karl’s grounds management success continues apace, it is his people-management policies that everyone’s talking about, as they have helped to transform staff wellbeing levels at the famous London venue. Indeed, it could be argued that if the

GONE ARE THE DAYS OF WORKING NON-STOP FOR WEEKS ON END. NOW WE HAVE A TANGIBLE IMPROVEMENT IN WORK-LIFE BALANCE

same cultural changes were adopted by every sportsturf grounds team, the result would not only be industry-wide improvements in staff morale, but also an employment blueprint that could help attract more newcomers to the industry.

Karl’s strategy has been to encourage his team members to ‘embrace and rotate’ across each aspect of pitch maintenance. “Now that everyone is able to undertake any job, every team member can take their lieu time as well as enjoy a well-deserved week’s holiday during the summer months, safe in the knowledge that ably trained and capable colleagues can step in and undertake any role needed,” he explains. “Gone are the days of working non-stop for weeks on end. Now we have a tangible improvement in work-life balance, with team members who are ‘refreshed’ half way through a busy playing season.”

TRAINING FOCUS

Karl says an annual training budget is allocated for each person and the onus is on the individual to signpost what education they’d like, such as IOSH safety, PA1 or PA6 spraying, GMA Turf Surface Maintenance, manual lifting, COSHH and hand/arm vibration awareness. “Our ‘all-inclusive’ attitude to tasks means that each member is empowered to collect and record playing surface data (using a theta probe and a Clegg hammer), and can operate

Lord’s

A force to be reckoned with

Karl McDermott, aged 48, can draw on 34 years of industry experience, beginning as a 14-year-old schoolboy in Dublin helping the volunteer head groundsman at Clontarf, his local cricket club, where he eventually worked full time after leaving school and completing college. While there, he won a groundscare award for the pitch that hosted county cricket among other games.

He also spent three consecutive winters (1999 to 2001) in various groundscare roles in South Africa and Australia before joining Worcestershire County Cricket Club for a year. He was then appointed deputy head groundsman at Hampshire County Cricket Club, where he spent 10 seasons before joining Lord’s.

His 2023 GMA Award-winning team comprised Ryan Le Roux, Ian Butler, Josh Finch, Charlie Crawford and apprentice Alex Weekes, plus Australian seasonal staff Harry Marshall, Angus Vear and Corey Whiteoak.

While Josh and Charlie have moved on, Meg Lay has joined the team this year. Meg says: “I’ve absolutely loved my first few weeks at Lord’s. I previously spent two years at Gloucestershire CCC, which adopts a similar ‘job rotation’ policy, and I wanted to continue to develop my skills in every aspect of sportsturf preparation. There’s no bigger and better stage than Lord’s at which to do that.”

any piece of equipment. It’s good for everyone to experience every aspect of the job, including verti-draining and pitch renovation, because it widens their knowledge and ensures that nobody gets bored.”

TECHNIQUE CHANGES

While Karl says the annual renovation techniques of Koroing, overseeding (with Johnsons Premier perennial ryegrass) and dressing haven’t changed, he highlights a couple of subtle alterations to wicket/pitch preparation. “I inherited such a good pitch that I knew I would be doing well to make even a 1 per cent improvement to any aspect of it. However, there’s less rolling now, and intensive studies of grass density and sward height (4–6mm) proved that too much grass was affecting ball pace, so we’ve adjusted that.

“Similarly, weather patterns in recent years have resulted in changes to pitch irrigation, with adjustments being made whenever needed, including an increased use of covers to combat the downpours that seem to characterise our rainfall.” He adds that watering has always been a challenge on the sloping main pitch, where the drop in the outfield falls eight feet, six inches from the square.

A busy fixture list means that pitch preparation and maintenance are based around extensive planning, and the team frequently take advantage of weather windows for tasks such as fertilising, verti-cutting, spiking and spraying. Individual pitch preparation can take between 10 and 14 days, so planning when to water without disrupting other matches and pitch preparations can be challenging – at any one time there could be five pitches on the main square (including four hybrid surfaces) and eight pitches (one hybrid) on the nursery ground at various stages of preparation.

That said, the resulting improvements to the multi-day pitches and the team’s pitch management techniques saw the club share the 2022 Bernard Flack trophy from the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) for the best-ranked four-day first-class pitches.

RECONSTRUCTION PROJECT

A major project, instigated in 2023 and carried out by Fineturf (which is also contracted for the annual renovations on the main pitch), was the upgrade

and full reconstruction of the nursery ground’s outfield, which, like the main pitch, sits on London clay. With an attenuation tank system sunk to a depth of three metres (to regulate the flow of water into storm drains), 500mm of topsoil was removed and a new gravel raft/drainage layer was topped by rootzone. “The project started at the end of September and the seed was in the ground in the first week of December,” says Karl, “with the result that we now have two world-class outfields [the main pitch outfield was replaced and new

Above: Getting hands on with machine maintenance

Below: Hybrid surface preparation

No rest for the wicket

In 2023, Lord’s hosted 60 days of cricket on the main pitches, including Tests, men’s and women’s international limited-over matches, first-class and List A cricket, MCC men’s and women’s days, MCC Foundation Hubs Finals Day, university and school matches, the Village Cup Final, ECB Club Final and the ECB Junior Finals. There were also Kwik Cricket days for the local community on the outfield.

On the nursery ground, there were over 70 practice sessions (outside of game days) and six cricket days, which included corporate, Cross Arrows CC, and boys and girls age group matches.

The nursery ground outfield also acts as a picnic area during Tests and One-Day Internationals. During the men’s Ashes, it housed a marquee for 200 patrons each day.

In September, a food festival was staged across the venue with a kitchen being assembled on the nursery ground outfield for cooking demonstrations.

This year, Lord’s is scheduled to host a full calendar of matches, including The Hundred Finals for the fourth year running; England men’s internationals against Australia, Sri Lanka and the West Indies; and a women’s T20 international between England and New Zealand.

There is domestic county cricket and home games for London Spirit in The Hundred, and, for the first time, the British Universities and Colleges Sport Men’s and Women’s Finals Days.

I KNOW THAT I AM NOT ALONE IN WISHING THAT MORE APPRENTICESHIPS WOULD BE TAKEN UP ACROSS ALL SPORTSTURF SITES

drainage installed in 2003] and a better playing area that includes a two-bay artificial practice strip.”

Karl says he is fortunate that he has “a very experienced and able” grounds

team of usually five full-timers and three summer casuals whose hard work in 2023 was recognised with the GMA’s Professional Cricket Grounds Team of the Year award. Last year, the team was enhanced by an apprentice. Karl says: “This was a first-time event for the Lord’s grounds department, but it has been such a success that we hope this is the start of a continuous programme. It’s a great way to grow a team, and the industry, and I know that I am not alone in wishing that more apprenticeships would be taken up across all sportsturf sites.”

Right: New recruit Meg Lay (right) hones her turfcare skills

Wigan’s willing volunteers

A group of community grounds volunteers relished the chance to help prepare the pitch for the recent RFL World Cup Challenge at Wigan Warriors’ DW Stadium

BY RICHARD EASTHAM, GMA KEY ACCOUNT MANAGER, RUGBY LEAGUE

Members of the rugby football league (RFL) volunteer grounds staff community recently joined forces in a pitch preparation opportunity when Super League champions Wigan Warriors hosted Australian National Rugby League premiers Penrith Panthers. The World Cup Challenge game at Wigan’s DW Stadium was broadcast live on the BBC and Sky Sports.

Community club volunteers from four RFL clubs – Wigan St Cuthberts, Shevington Sharks, Folly Lane and Westhoughton Lions – were invited to prepare the pitch and experience a ‘day in the life of a stadium grounds staff member’ for the highprofile match.

These club volunteers were chosen because they were already early adopters of the Football Foundation’s PitchPower app and had successfully applied for, and received, funding from the Football Foundation’s Grass Pitch Maintenance Fund, as well as capital funding for machinery to improve pitch standards at their clubs.

Volunteers at 20 other RFL clubs were also eligible to be in the draw, but the four clubs were the lucky ones to be picked.

READY FOR ACTION

This was the fourth time the GMA’s Pitch Advisory Service team had worked with the RFL in organised community engagement events, and it was great to work with DW Stadium’s head groundsperson Ian

Forshaw and his colleague Robert Woods to get this fantastic opportunity for club volunteers off the ground.

As part of the pre-game pitch preparation routine, Ian’s resident grounds team gave the volunteers responsibility for pitch

marking. It was Wigan’s first game of the season and the first time using the new RFL standardised pitch markings. All the volunteers said it was harder to do than they envisaged, given the pressure they felt before such a prestigious event.

IAN’S RESIDENT GROUNDS TEAM GAVE THE VOLUNTEERS RESPONSIBILITY FOR PITCH MARKING

Above: The start of the World Cup Challenge game

Below: The volunteers soak up the pre-match excitement at Wigan’s DW Stadium

At half time, they were also given the opportunity to divot the pitch in front of a sell-out crowd of 24,091.

The volunteers received plenty of advice and support from the professional match-day grounds staff from Wigan Warriors and Leigh Leopards rugby clubs. After spending their match downtime discussing grounds management techniques, they said they recognised plenty of similarities to their community club roles.

Volunteer JP Thompson from Westhoughton RFC says: “There’s loads of learning that we will bring back to our club regarding pitch preparation so the whole, exciting experience has been well worth it.”

TECHNICAL INSIGHT

BIODIVERSITY AND PITCH IMPROVEMENT

Biodiversity net gain

Implementing biodiversity net gain in the UK depends on landscape designers and land managers’ expertise. Here, we explore the current issues and how this initiative is being rolled out

BY CAROLIN GÖHLER FLI, PRESIDENT-ELECT, LANDSCAPE INSTITUTE

In October last year, the most comprehensive report on the UK’s current biodiversity (the State of Nature report1) published a shocking series of statistics: 16 per cent of species in the UK are threatened with extinction, the abundance of freshwater and terrestrial species has fallen by 19 per cent on average since 1970, flowering plants have decreased by 54 per cent since 1970… The list goes on, but the message is clear: nature in the UK is in dire need of life support.

This has been understood for years, with consistent calls for more attention to biodiversity and nature recovery coming from across industry and government. In 2010, an independent review of England’s wildlife by Professor John Lawton2 advised policymakers: “There is compelling evidence that England’s collection of wildlife sites is generally too small and too isolated, leading to declines in many of England’s characteristic species … We need more space for nature.”

Almost a decade later, in 2019, the UN’s Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services found that the number of native species

on the planet was being lost at an unprecedented pace3, while another independent review in the UK in 2021 by Professor Sir Partha Dasgupta4, this time on the economics of biodiversity, showed how nature is embedded into our economy.

By 2022, after the UK Government had signed a framework at the UN Summit on Biodiversity, which committed the country to protecting 30 per cent of its land and sea for nature by 20305, the conditions had been set for one of the most important pieces of legislation for nature recovery in this country to be drawn up and delivered.

WHAT IS BNG?

Under the Environment Act6, in February 2024, it became mandatory for all major development projects in England to achieve a net gain in biodiversity of 10 per cent. Commonly known as biodiversity net gain (BNG), it is described as an approach to development and/or land management that leaves the natural environment in a measurably better state than beforehand.

As of April 2024, the legislation now also applies to small sites, and from November 2025 will include all infrastructure projects.

Biodiversity value is measured using the government’s statutory biodiversity metric7, in which habitat is used as a proxy for biodiversity. The existing biodiversity units are calculated according to habitat characteristics such as size, quality, location and type – whether grassland, hedgerow, lake, woodland or watercourse. The number of units a habitat contains is measured before development, and to meet requirements the development must increase the overall score by a

GOOD LANDSCAPES ARE PROVIDED THROUGH INTEGRATED, NATUREBASED SOLUTIONS TO DEVELOPMENT

minimum of 10 per cent, either by enhancement or creation of habitat.

Natural England’s ‘mitigation hierarchy’ approach to BNG strategy8 sets out the basic principles and prioritises the avoidance of habitat loss first and foremost, reducing biodiversity impact through site selection and layout. When avoidance isn’t possible, it advises for mitigation through design and management. Compensation and offsetting (through credits and off-site enhancement) is a possibility, but should only be used as a last resort.

ROLE OF LANDSCAPE

In order to navigate this approach effectively, the implementation of BNG will be dependent on the skills and expertise of the UK’s

landscape professionals, from designers to land managers, which has made it a priority for the Landscape Institute in recent years. We believe that good landscapes are provided through integrated, nature-based solutions to development, and help biodiversity to thrive while delivering other benefits for people, places and nature.

Landscape architects will liaise closely with project ecologists to translate their recommendations for biodiversity enhancement into multifunctional designs, and provide solutions for short- and long-term opportunities for net gain on a given scheme.

Meanwhile, landscape planners will support landowners and developers at the feasibility and acquisition stages to advise on the constraints and opportunities of a given site in the context of BNG. Landscape and grounds managers must also be engaged throughout the development process to

Inset: Protecting habitats for native species such as the marbled white butterfly is the cornerstone of BNG

Below left: Planting of native UK trees

maintain the long-term vision required for conservation covenants running for a minimum of 30 years, but ideally in perpetuity.

To help the wider industry to navigate the BNG rollout, developers of the statutory metric at Natural England hosted a series of webinars that give vital insights into the new metric. The message is that engagement and collaboration will be key to quality BNG delivery.

BNG is upheld and contingent on a wide array of planning and management process, from conservation covenants to habitat management and monitoring plans9. The combined result

is a long list of stakeholders – from consultants and landowners to local authorities and occupiers –and ensuring that BNG works in the long term will be dependent on each of these working closely and collaboratively.

To help aid this process, the Landscape Institute continues to contribute to industry groups, such as the CIRIA10 Community of Practice for Biodiversity to promote knowledge sharing, and Natural England’s BNG Net Gain Assurance Partnership to help build capacity and skills in local government.

POWER TO IMPROVE

There is no doubt that BNG has the power to improve the quantity and quality of the UK’s habitats. However, we can also ensure that the benefits of this new legislation reach far beyond nature recovery and the onus is on us to ensure landscape enhancements are achieved. By thinking about

the use of BNG strategically – alongside other social and environmental challenges such as public health and wellbeing, equal access to nature, climate resilience and carbon sequestration – we have the potential to realise a multitude of secondary benefits. And while 10 per cent biodiversity net gain is the target, we should be aiming for a lot more.

References

1. stateofnature.org.uk

2. gov.uk/government/news/ making-space-for-nature-a-review-of-englands-wildlife-sitespublished-today

3.ipbes.net/global-assessment

4. gov.uk/government/publications/final-report-the-economics-of-biodiversity-the-dasgupta-review

5. unep.org/news-and-stories/ story/cop15-ends-landmark-biodiversity-agreement

6. bills.parliament.uk/bills/2593

7. gov.uk/government/publications/statutory-biodiversity-metric-tools-and-guides

8. gov.uk/guidance/biodiversity-net-gain

9. gov.uk/guidance/creating-a-habitat-management-and-monitoring-plan-for-biodiversity-net-gain 10. ciria.org

Above: We need to “make more space for nature”, according to an independent review in 2010

Whatever works you are considering, make sure you understand the cost implications before you start

Planning major works on your sports pitches

Big projects require a lot of planning, money and time. This ‘cut out and keep’ article offers constructive advice to ensure your club gets the best possible outcome from your investment

BY ALEX VICKERS, TURF CONSULTANT & GMA TRAINER

Major projects such as drainage, irrigation or a new pitch construction can take up time and money, and must be planned properly. Clubs considering such projects need to think carefully as they are likely to require interaction with funders and to abide by the requirements they demand. To help you think through any projects you may be considering, here are some key points to consider.

BUDGET CONTROL

Consider what you want to achieve and what your budget is. Critically, also consider whether doing the work is going to mean you need to spend more on your pitch after the work is done to maintain its improved standard. There’s no point investing large amounts of money if you cannot afford to maintain your pitch.

For example, draining a football pitch will make the pitch drier in the winter and

also in summer. This might mean you need to water and overseed it more, and topdress it regularly to maintain safe playing surfaces. If you can’t afford to do this, then think hard about draining the pitch. In doing this calculation, you might also want to consider the cost benefits of draining a pitch such as the amount of money your club might save on not having to hire other pitches through the winter. Is this

enough to justify the extra maintenance costs?

Talk to possible funding sources. For football this is likely to start with your County FA and the Football Foundation. For other sports maybe start with talking to your regional pitch advisor. Also consider your local council – it may have some Section 106 funds you may be eligible for. Often local foundations or organisations can support schemes if they meet the right criteria.

Think about the requirements that the funders stipulate. Be clear about what is expected from you – such as using the Football Foundation’s PitchPower app to initially assess your pitches. Funding for large projects will often depend on your club being able to prove to that you have tried to improve the pitch by better maintenance over the past few years. If not, you may be asked to try that approach first.

EXPERT ADVICE

Get some expert advice. It may be from a trusted contractor, a GMA regional pitch advisor, a county pitch advisor in cricket or via a sportsturf consultant. Even an initial discussion will help you understand the key things you need to consider. Investing a small

AN INITIAL DISCUSSION WITH AN EXPERT WILL HELP YOU UNDERSTAND THE KEY THINGS YOU NEED TO CONSIDER

amount at this stage can help you work out how much a project is likely to cost, what the ongoing maintenance implications and costs might be, and how long the improvements might be effective for.

For example, if you drain a pitch and the system includes secondary drains such as sand slits or sand grooves, how long will they last for? A pitch drainage system works best in year one and the effectiveness declines every year thereafter. This decline can be slowed down by good maintenance, including regular topdressing

and decompaction, alongside maintaining a healthy and strong grass cover. Even with this, soil will get pushed over the tops of the slits and worm activity will contaminate backfill in the drains with soil, reducing the efficiency of the system over time.

Sand-grooved pitches used for four to six hours a week may need re-grooving every five to eight years even with good maintenance. For wider sand slits, this might be between eight and 12 years. Without good maintenance this might be reduced to as little as two to three years. As a club you need to consider this and budget such renewal works into your medium- to long-term financial planning.

This kind of advice can also help you think through options for improvement. There may be different ways to get what you want

as a club, with differing price tags and maintenance requirements. It will also help you work out what other kinds of permissions you might require, such as planning permission or land drainage consent.

PLANNING PERMISSION

Most building projects, even car park construction, will need planning permission. Until recently, most land drainage projects did not need planning, but now some councils are classing such works as engineering works, which do.

Where some construction work is involved and where a new site is being developed, most planning applications will require a design and access statement, ecology studies, archaeology studies, a flood risk assessment, traffic and highways studies, and

maybe even an agricultural land classification.

A pre-application advice request is helpful in these situations to find out exactly what you need to consider and include in your budget. For large schemes, bear in mind that planning can cost upwards of £30,000 on advice and professional fees. It may be tempting to try to do this yourself – if you

Left: Most pitch renovation works will require planning permission and perhaps other consents

Below left: Seed establishment coming on apace

Below right: Stripping a thatchy surface

job, asking for three quotes from good contractors with a strong track record of doing similar work well, on time and to budget is fine. Some funders, however, will require the contractors to price against the same specification of works produced by an independent designer or consultant. This is to make sure that the quotes received are all comparable and the contractor that offers the best value can be chosen.

This is especially important for more complicated jobs where there may be different approaches suggested by contractors and where it becomes difficult to compare quotes to work out which is offering the best value.

with Contractors Design (or the JCLI equivalents) are commonly used, but for complex jobs design and build contracts can be more appropriate where the design risk and construction risk are placed with the contractor.

For any works, whether covered by a formal contract or not, it is a good idea to have a clear set of easily measured deliverables or required performance standards in place before work starts that can be used as a basis to determine whether the works meet the required minimum standards.

FOR LARGER AND MORE COMPLEX JOBS, HAVE THE WORKS COVERED BY A WELL-

DESIGNED CONTRACT

have people experienced with planning applications in the club, that’s a great bonus. If you don’t, getting specialist planning advice will save you time and money in the long run.

PROCUREMENT PROCESS

When you are ready to go, how do you appoint a contractor? If it is a simple

BINDING CONTRACT

If the works are simple and low value, and it is clear when they are completed to the right standard, you may not need a formal contract and may choose basic consumer protection.

For larger and more complex jobs, having the works covered by a welldesigned contract makes sense to protect both client and contractor. Those such as the Joint Contracts Tribunal (JCT) or Joint Council for Landscape Industries (JCLI) family of contracts are often used in this kind of work. The Minor Works contract or the Minor Works

As a club you should not accept any works that fail to meet the minimum standards you agreed with your contractor before the works started. You may need to have the works independently assessed to determine if the standards have been met, but this is money well spent. Even if you do not have any formally agreed minimum standards, you still have some legal protection as any works must be safe and fit for purpose, although it can be expensive to prove this legally.

PREPARATION IS KEY

You need to carefully consider what you are letting yourselves in for by getting a reliable indication of what the costs might be. Do not underestimate the time and cost associated with getting planning permission, and make sure you protect yourselves by getting binding minimum standards into your agreement with the contractor undertaking the works. If in doubt, get advice, either informally from experienced people within your club, or formally via experienced contractors or consultants.

A little spent wisely to begin with can save a lot of time, hassle and cash later.

Maintaining sports grounds across the UK

Five organisations explain how they utilise industry products and services to ensure their grounds and facilities are kept in top condition

INFINICUT® MOWERS MAKE THE CUT AT COVENTRY CITY FC

Since Dale Gregory joined Coventry City FC as head of grounds and facilities two years ago, not only has he overseen the significant expansion of the club’s Sky Blue Lodge training ground and the Alan Higgs Centre site, but investment has also resulted in the purchase of first-class equipment to maintain them. Among his new fleet are a trio of INFINICUT® SM34 rotary mowers and three FL34 cylinder mowers, which are helping to deliver year-round presentation and outstanding quality of cut.

Dale’s fleet of machines were delivered by Martin Shepherd of George Browns Ltd in February last year. “Throughout the winter, training was taking place every day so we used the rotary mowers to follow up with a clean-up cut, maintain the height and remove debris. When we don’t have training, we use the cylinders to sharpen up the cut and boost presentation levels. Grooming is essential for keeping the plant healthy and doing it with the INFINICUT mowers means that we can keep unnecessary weight off the pitches.”

n Find out more at: inifinicut.com

TWO TORO POWERHOUSES FOR PANGBOURNE COLLEGE

Pangbourne College has been one of the first customers to snap up the latest powerhouse from Toro to tackle all terrains: the new Toro Workman UTX 4x4 utility vehicle. Joining it is a Toro Groundsmaster 4300 rotary mower to lead the venue’s growing fleet of machines.

Head groundsperson Ian Osbon says the Toro machines are an ongoing investment for the grounds maintenance of the 234-acre independent school in Berkshire, which includes hockey, rugby and cricket pitches, as well as woodlands and gardens.

When Ian arrived in 2010, he was faced with projects requiring machinery muscle to level the grounds and incorporate new drainage systems: “It’s been important to get the right machinery, as some existing machines weren’t strong enough for our needs.”

Determined not to face similar issues going forward, Ian opted for Toro’s robust four-wheel-drive, full-sized utility vehicle, which has 25 per cent more cargo capacity than others in its class, not to mention a towing capacity of up to 900kg.

Ian comments: “I was instantly impressed with the machine’s strength and stamina. The electric tipper is noticeably stronger than the piston system we had in our previous utility vehicle. It has great manoeuvrability for working in our woodlands and getting around tree stumps and logs, and with the option of higher RPMs it’s also powerful enough to haul heavier loads up hills and inclines.”

n Find out more at: toro.com/en-gb

Vicarage Road’s pitch has grown from strength to strength with

SUCCESS WITH SUSTÅNE AT WATFORD FC

Three formulations of Suståne Natural Fertilizer have been credited with the ongoing success of Watford FC’s maintenance operation. Forming the base of the nutritional programme at Vicarage Road stadium and the club’s London Colney training ground, a combination of Bolster Granular 4-4-4+3Fe, 1-1-1 Soil ReGen® and Suståne 4-6-4 have delivered consistent results for grounds manager Scott Tingley. Suståne products have been used at both sites for the last seven seasons, with Bolster Granular applied primarily at renovation time due to the addition of mycorrhizae. Derived from biologically stable ingredients and containing both water-soluble and slow-release sources of nitrogen, Bolster Granular provides organic nutrients, beneficial microbiology, plant biostimulants and mycorrhizae to promote greater root access to soil nutrients and water. The addition of 3 per cent chelated iron enhances colour and rapid root development, while seaweed extract, humic acid and compost-based microorganisms deliver plant health and strength. Alongside Bolster Granular, following renovations Scott applies Suståne’s Soil ReGen, a soil conditioner that reduces compaction, increases water and air infiltration rates, and improves nutrient- and waterholding capacity. “This helps us to incorporate valuable nutrients at a critical time when the plant is rooting and developing,” he says.

n Find out more at: sustane.com

Coventry City FC’s Dale Gregory (left) is delighted with his fleet of INFINICUT mowers

Ian Osbon with the Toro Workman UTX

the Suståne product portfolio

J Premier Pitch seed gives Northampton Saints’ cinch Stadium a performance and visual boost

J PREMIER PITCH PROVES TO BE A GAMECHANGER FOR NORTHAMPTON SAINTS

J Premier Pitch from Johnsons sports seed has been described as a ‘game-changer’ for Northampton Saints RFC, delivering outstanding resilience, wear tolerance and turf quality at both the stadium and the club’s new high-performance training centre. As one of just three clubs in the Premiership with a natural grass pitch, demands on the turf are high. However, with the right seed, feed and maintenance programme, the team, led by head groundsman Andrew Miller, is delivering on every front.

The cinch Stadium at Franklin’s Gardens has been the stage for a strong season at the club. However, Andrew says maintaining a top-flight rugby facility poses a number of challenges. “We have to cope with microclimate conditions at the stadium and produce strong, healthy rooting to withstand the pressures exerted by two 900kg scrum packs,” he explains. Andrew has been using the 100 per cent perennial ryegrass mixture for the last nine years. The new 2024 formulation blends five top-rated cultivars and incorporates Monroe and Gildara for improved resistance to Brown Patch and other turf diseases. Trusted by grounds managers at many of Europe’s leading stadia, J Premier Pitch delivers performance and visual merit.

“The turf quality and quick establishment have surpassed our expectations, which is vital with the small windows we have to grow back the pitch after concert season. The resilience and recovery is outstanding, particularly during intense periods of play and bad weather during the winter,” explains Andrew. J Premier Pitch was also used on the replica pitch at the club’s training centre, which was upgraded in summer 2022. n Find out more at: johnsonssportsseed.co.uk

of wildflower meadows have been lost in the UK since the 1930’s 97%

of butterfly species have declined since the 1970’s 80% of British wild bee species have declined since the 1980’s 33%

To help create some small pockets of wildflower grassland for our bees and butterflies, Collier Turf Care are giving away 10,000 sq.m worth of Bees & Butterflies wildflower grass seed.

Scan the QR code to see a live map of where we have sent Wildflower seed so far and to apply for a FREE bag (Whilst stocks last)

SIS SETS THE STAGE FOR RIYADH’S SEASON CUP WITH INDOOR HYBRID PITCH

The Riyadh Season Cup showpiece football tournament in Saudi Arabia, featuring Lionel Messi and Christiano Ronaldo, was made possible thanks to the world’s first fully indoor hybrid pitch, which was built in 21 days by global sports surfaces specialist SIS Pitches.

The competition formed part of the Riyadh Season, a festival featuring live sport and entertainment, which took place at the Kingdom Arena in front of 24,000 fans.

Construction and development of the elite indoor sports venue started in late 2023, giving SIS Pitches a considerably shorter window to install and prepare a playing surface fit for top-level competition.

SIS also had to ensure the natural turf grew strong enough to secure the synthetic fibres stitched into the arena’s surface, which was made harder by the arena’s fully indoor design, so the SIS team used ultraviolet growing lights.

SISGrass, the solution specified by SIS that merges natural turf with a small percentage of polymer yarn, was injected by the company’s electric stitching machine to provide a consistent and resilient playing surface. It covered 1,300sq m per day with a 90mm shallow stitch. This solution is proven to accommodate more playing hours than natural grass and is less susceptible to wear or damage.

David Ball, managing director at SIS Saudi, says: “We had an incredibly challenging timeline, but our team mobilised quickly to deliver a high-quality playing surface fit for two of football’s greatest players.”

n Find out more at: sispitches.com

Key Supplier Focus:

We are the exclusive distributor of the Olmix Marathon ALGAE ranges in the UK.

Recommended for use on many areas such as fairways, tees, greens, sports pitches and more.

Other

Football legend Lionel Messi on the Riyadh Kingdom Arena pitch

We believe we are the biggest stockist of specialist branded products.

SUMMER OPERATIONS

The GMA’s seasonal maintenance guide to help you keep your sports surfaces in top condition all year round

Bowling greens

n Verti-cut when conditions allow to help control annual meadow grass seed head production. Try not to cause stress, which will reduce the ability to withstand wear.

n Maintain a suitable height and cut frequency. Be prepared to raise the height in dry weather and watch for strong winds on coastal areas.

n Continue to drag brush or switch to remove morning dew if required. Monitor disease pressures during changes in weather and treat accordingly.

n Light surface aeration should not be neglected – ensure moisture levels are sufficient to facilitate this operation.

n Irrigation will be fundamental in maintaining good grass plant health. Be careful not to over water, though – and avoid watering during the hottest part of the day.

n Rotate rinks and sides regularly to accommodate levels of use, ensuring wear is spread as evenly as possible over the

Operations should only take place when weather and ground conditions permit

green – make repairs as required.

n Monitor nutrient levels and apply fertiliser accordingly, but plan this with weather and schedule of play.

Cricket squares

n Continue using the verti-cutter, rake or brush to maintain a clean upright sward. Be mindful of pitches drying out too quickly during prep works, and flash or utilise covers as required.

n Apply a balanced fertiliser in line with growth, weather conditions, fixture demand and repair schedule. Pitches to be brought

back into play can be treated independently to the square.

n Following play, carry out repairs to foot holes.

n Maintain cut height across the square as conditions allow – focus on cut quality and height of cut to match growth and weather conditions.

n Monitor the recovery of pitches – re-use of early tracks will be possible if they have recovered adequately.

n Ensure rolling is only carried out in line with best practice and when conditions allow. Make sure moisture levels are sufficient to facilitate consolidation.

n Time spent rolling and frequency of roll are important to monitor and adjust. This will need to

be adapted throughout the season.

n Ahead of turning attention to planning renovations at the end of the season, ends can be lightly forked over to produce a fine seed bed, dressed and a suitable grass seed applied –cover and keep moist.

Cricket outfields

n Check for weeds and consider control methods if required. Only apply herbicide when growth is active and ground/ climatic conditions are favourable.

n Spot overseeding may be required to promote

increased coverage in isolated areas.

n Repair any worn or damaged areas as soon as possible. Irrigation may be required on run-ups to promote and allow good germination, establishment and recovery.

n Continue to cut in line with requirements of play and needs of the surface, reducing frequency and raising the height where possible during extended dry and hot spells.

Football pitches

n Any thin areas will require a light topdressing and spot overseed. Keep moist and cover if possible to retain moisture to promote germination and establishment of these areas.

n Ty to keep people off the spot-renovated areas and allow establishment prior to cutting.

n Continue mowing regularly to thicken the sward when weather conditions allow, being mindful not to stress the grass during extended dry and hot spells.

n A light fertiliser application may be considered to encourage growth if the weather conditions allow. This should only be provided if soil moisture is adequate and the grass is still maintaining growth.

n Utilise irrigation, where possible, to keep moisture levels up and encourage good growth and continued establishment.

n Herbicide application may be required – decide

if spot treatment or full pitch application is necessary.

Horse racecourses

n Increase irrigation as required, ensuring even application to produce a suitable firmness of ground for the day of a race meeting. Be mindful to minimise water wastage.

n Continue to divot and repair after each meeting, ensuring they are made in good time to ensure maximum time for recovery and establishment.

n Weed control may be required – decide if spot treatment or full course application is necessary.

n A liquid feed may be considered for the home straight, show paddock and ornamental lawns to raise the aesthetic for larger meetings.

n Continue grass cutting in line with growth and weather. Reduce frequency and raise the height of cut during prolonged dry spells or hot weather.

n A fertiliser application may be given to all or part of the course, dependent on grass plant needs, and is recommended following a nutrient analysis.

Rugby league pitches

n A fertiliser application may be required to promote sustained

growth – a liquid or granular product may be used, but a balanced controlled-release alternative is a longerlasting option.

n Irrigate as required and where possible to promote wear recovery and grass plant health.

n Light verti-cutting or grooming may be required to help control the Poa and keep the sward clean.

n Overseeding may be carried out if coverage isn’t ideal – lightly dress to increase seed soil contact and irrigate sufficiently to promote establishment.

n Continue cutting if conditions allow, although suspend and revert to drag brushing if conditions are not suitable – this will help stand the grass up and clean the sward.

Rugby union pitches

n Alter cut height and frequency in line with weather and ground conditions to continue promoting plant health and thickening of the sward. In suitable conditions, cut frequently but not too closely while establishing the pitch.

n Irrigate as often as required, at preferable times during the day and in suitable conditions.

n Apply fertiliser if a topup of nutrients is required and growing conditions are suitable.

n Brush/rake to help stand the grass up and eliminate morning dew in changing conditions.

n Monitor and make repairs where required if cover didn’t establish sufficiently. Walk over and make good any remaining divots, scuffs or scrum damage.

Tennis courts

n Continue to roll if there is a suitable amount of moisture within the soil profile and avoid if there has been a prolonged dry spell, as there’s a good chance the soil surface will crack and crumble. If rainfall has been regular, then rolling will need to continue through the early season to help firm the surface.

n Check nets and winding gears are in good condition throughout the playing season. Monitor or carry out repairs.

n Verti-cut and groom regularly. Take care around renovated areas, with the blades likely to be raised over these areas.

n Ensure irrigation is carried out evenly and at a time of the day that minimises water wastage. Check that all equipment is functioning, including blocked or damaged sprinkler heads.

n Monitor nutrient levels, and apply fertiliser in line with usage demands and ground and weather conditions.

n If there are multiple tennis courts on site, try to retire some early where use demands can be consolidated and renovate them prior to September.

n For more seasonal maintenance tips, visit: resources.thegma.org.uk

THE LATEST TOOLS AND TECHNOLOGIES FROM GMA CORPORATE PLUS MEMBERS

KUBOTA’S NEW FC3-221E OUT-FRONT MOWER DELIVERS PRECISION AND MANOEUVRABILITY

Kubota is broadening its FC mower range by introducing the FC3-221E, a smaller, agile and adaptable centre-collect machine that’s ideal for sports facilities, schools, recreational areas and gardens.

The 2WD FC3-221E boasts superb accessibility, with a seating position that provides operators with full visibility of the mower deck, giving increased control and precision. In addition to the ergonomic design, the mower comes equipped with a digital instrument display, which provides real-time access to vital operating information for informed decision-making.

The mounting and positioning of the mower deck are crafted to follow the contours of the ground. It also features an expansive 600-litre

AVANT TECNO

The FC3-221E gives operators full visibility of the mower deck

grass collector, so operators can cover significant areas before it requires emptying.

The 22hp FC3-221E is powered by the Kubota D902 engine, providing the power and torque to drive the hydrostatic transmission and hydraulic system. Paired with power steering, a soft-grip steering wheel and a steering knob, this setup guarantees exceptional manoeuvrability.

The front mower decks boast two pairs of blades per rotor, offering distinct advantages over mid-mount configurations. By eliminating grass traversal before cutting, the two-wheel drive configuration offers greater precision in areas inaccessible to mid-mount setups.

n Find out more at:

kubota-eu.com

Husqvarna launches dethatcher for hybrid turf maintenance

The Hybrid Turf Dethatcher has a working width of 150cm, and is compatible with Husqvarna 520DX, P525DX and p535HX front mowers

Husqvarna has unveiled its new Hybrid Turf Dethatcher, which is set to streamline the maintenance of hybrid sportsturf surfaces by removing and collecting thatch to improve the quality and extend the life cycle of hybrid surfaces, while also preventing costly pitch renovations.

Thatch on natural grass turf can be removed by rakes, scarifiers or aerators. However, on hybrid turf these methods could destroy the nylon net backing. Husqvarna’s new Dethatcher is an attachment for Husqvarna front mowers that is able to rake the surface and collect the thatch without damaging the surface backing.

The product benefits include a 150cm-wide working width, which covers more ground and minimises time; integrated collection bins, which can be emptied from the driver’s seat; a front mower attachment that addresses multiple maintenance needs in one pass; and high productively due to increased drive speed.

The Hybrid Turf Dethatcher is compatible with Husqvarna front mower models P520DX, P525DX and P535HX, and is available via authorised Husqvarna dealers.

n Find out more at: husqvarna.com/uk

KUBOTA

PRODUCT

DSV Eurograss revolutionises UK turf market with superior seed

MAKITA

In the world of turfgrass breeding, one name stands out as a beacon of innovation and excellence: Deutsche Saatveredelung AG (DSV).

With a history spanning over six decades, DSV has been at the forefront of cultivating and refining turfgrass varieties that have featured in Europe’s most prestigious stadia. Now, with a renewed focus on the UK market, DSV introduces Eurograss, a testament to its commitment to superior quality and unmatched performance.

DSV turfgrass breeding objectives are catered to specific usage including sports venues, landscape applications and ornamental purposes. This bespoke approach ensures that each turf species meets the exact standards of durability, density and resilience required for its intended purpose.

In response to evolving environmental dynamics, such as climate change, DSV has integrated traits such as drought tolerance and disease resistance into its breeding objectives. This has led to the development of ground-breaking varieties such as Europitch, Eurobeat, Eurocarina, Tasida and Regenerate, which excel under the toughest conditions.  DSV has been established in the UK for over 40 years and operates its breeding and trials centre at Wardington in Oxfordshire.

n Find out more at: dsv-uk.com

MAKITA’S LATEST SAW AND SHEAR MACHINES MAKE LIGHT WORK OF PRUNING TASKS

Makita has added two new pruning products to its outdoor product range. Powered by Makita’s 18V LXT battery system, the new DUP180 Brushless Pruning Shear and the DUC150 150mm Pruning Saw offer comfortable and powerful solutions to make light work of repetitive or heavy pruning jobs. With an adjustable shear blade opening angle, the DUP180 18V LXT Brushless Pruning Shear accommodates four different cutting capacities up to ø30mm and provides up to 8,800 cuts on a single charge (when used with a 6.0Ah battery).

Thanks to a brushless motor and belt holster to carry the battery, this tool is extremely lightweight and comfortable to use. The control of the shear blades is interlocked with the trigger, meaning the blades will only open and close depending on the degree the trigger is depressed or released.

Additionally, an external oil port is designed for easy blade lubrication without disassembly.

The DUC150 18V 150mm Pruning Saw operates with a chain speed of 8m/s, and offers excellent cutting performance despite its lightweight design. Additional comfort and efficiency-enhancing features include tool-less chain tensioning and automatic chain oiling, while a brushless motor ensures low maintenance requirements and a longer working motor life. The DUC150 is available as a kit with a BL1850B battery and DC18RC charger, or as a standalone, body-only tool.

n Find out more at: makitauk.com

The DUC150 Pruning Saw’s lightweight design belies its superb cutting performance

Cord Schumann, turfgrass breeder at DSV

‘

OUR CHALLENGE HAS ALWAYS BEEN TO ESTABLISH THE PROFESSION AS A SKILLED CRAFT AND TO PROMOTE CAREER OPPORTUNITIES TO YOUNG PEOPLE’

Now in his 90th year, Peter Gillard reflects on his 60 years in the groundscare industry

BY KAREN MAXWELL, EDITOR

What roles did you hold in the industry?

I had two industry careers. I spent half my working life as a practising groundsperson (I started aged 15 as a garden labourer and my last job was Grounds Manager at Cardiff Arms Park) and the other half in education.

I also qualified as lecturer, teacher and assessor at university, and this led to me to setting up the first collegebased course for grounds personnel and greenkeepers – and to my involvement with the GMA local, regional and national education.

I want people to know that if they want to progress their careers, they can achieve anything they want to if they put their mind to it!

What was the branch setup back then?

In my early days in, what was then called the National Association of Groundsmen (NAG), Archie MacTaggart [Estates Manager for London University] was NAG secretary and Betty Jackson ran the office in Wimbledon, which supported NAG volunteers based at 40 regional branches.

Motspur Park was the site for the NAG’s Annual Exhibition, which was eventually renamed SALTEX. Derek Walder was also involved during this time and has always made an amazing contribution to the show. As does another Wales branch member, Les Gibbs, who was one of my students.

What was your association with the Wales branch?

I was active within the Wales branch for around 60 years. I was branch secretary, then chairman and finally vicepresident. In those days, the branch had 130 members.

The Wales branch had two sub-branches – one at

Ebbw Vale, in Blaenau Gwent county borough, and the other in Swansea. They had a strong social aspect, and members shared advice and supported each other. The highlight of our year was our formal annual dinner, which often attracted around 100 guests.

I still meet up with some of the branch members, including Alan Williams, who ran the Ebbw Vale subbranch. We met when he was a student of mine and we’ve been firm friends ever since.

What were the industry goals and challenges in those days?

Our challenge has always been to raise the status of sports ground managers and

THE WALES SUBBRANCHES HAD A STRONG SOCIAL ASPECT, AND MEMBERS SHARED ADVICE AND SUPPORTED EACH OTHER

promote career opportunities to young people. The industry has continued to highlight the importance of education. I remember the Wales branch hosted three of the GMA’s (then IOG) National Education Conferences in Cardiff, one of which culminated in a formal dinner in Cardiff Castle in the presence of the Lord Mayor of Cardiff. We also enjoyed a good rapport with sports organisations. Our president for 40 years was Wilfred Wooller, a prominent rugby and cricket player and broadcaster, and secretary of the Welsh Rugby Union, and many key figures in the sporting world attended our social functions.

How do you now spend your free time?

I give illustrated talks on local history and my travelling experience to local gatherings and history societies. And, of course, I still enjoy meeting up with my old friends from the groundscare industry.