YOUNG GUN | NICK PEPPER
“Nothing beats practical experience” AS A SCHOOLBOY Nick would accompany his father, a volunteer groundsman, to the local football ground to help him with things like line marking. “But I didn’t know then that I would have a career in the industry. After I gained my A Levels, it came down to a choice between following a path in oceanography or embarking on a two-year Foundation Degree in sports turf science at Myerscough College. While at college, a seasonal work placement came up at the Bristol County Ground (in 2017) and, a year later, a full-time role for the start of the 2018 season. “I found the seasonal placement in Bristol really helpful. While learning about soil and plant science, and equipment mechanicals, is essential, of course, nothing beats practical experience and, at times, working under pressure to have the playing surfaces ready.” At the 2019 GMA Industry Awards, Nick Pepper’s award was presented to his father, Nick senior, since Nick junior was in Australia where, in addition, to being part of the cricket tour to Valley District CC in Queensland, he spent time researching cricket pitch grass coverage and ball rotation, for example, as part of his dissertation for his online BSc Hons (via Myerscough College). Nick senior’s volunteer groundscare career started with his local RTB Ebbw Vale FC ground in Ebbw Vale (in between his shifts as a fireman), south Wales (where Nick junior plays) and now with the Ebbw Vale CC where he also runs an indoor cricket school.
24 GROUNDS MANAGEMENT | MAY 2020
Nick’s experience at Bristol County Ground gave him practical experience of grounds preparation at a high level, building on his academic work at Myerscough College
