#GroundsWeek is an annual awareness week, initiated by the Grounds Management Association, that highlights the vital role grounds staff and volunteers play in making sport possible and keeping green spaces accessible.
Across Devon, our clubs are blessed with committed individuals who are driven to prepare playing surfaces and outfields to the best of their ability. Without the commitment of your club groundskeeper, we would not be able to schedule in the region of 1500 competitive league matches across men’s and women’s leagues, and nearer double that, when youth games, county fixtures, evening leagues, cup competitions and club friendlies are also factored in.
All club players and members should recognise the hard work and dedication of their groundskeeper, which enable’s the club to fulfill its crammed fixture programme over the playing season, and also realise that their work is not restricted to just the playing season either, with all the effort needed in pre-season preparation and post season treatment of squares before putting them to sleep for the winter.
We would encourage club members to support their Groundskeeper’s wherever possible and offer their appreciation for the effort that’s needed to “Get The Game On”.
If you feel that you may be able to lend a hand with work at your ground during the playing season, then why not contact your club or even speak directly with your groundskeeper, who will likely be pleased to hear from you.
Devon Cricket Groundskeepers Pre-Season Day
Quite fitting that during the Ground Management Association’s #Groundsweek we are able to announce that Devon Cricket will be promoting our own pre-season Groundskeeper Day on Tuesday 29th March in Bovey Tracey.
In the morning we will attend the Demo Day being held by Devon Garden Machinery at the Bovey Tracey Golf Centre, TQ13 9NG. There will be a specific demonstration given for cricket groundskeepers, by some of the popular equipment manufacturers like Dennis and Sisis. Additionally, there will be an opportunity to peruse the various exhibitors in attendance and take part in a Q&A session.
After lunch we will make the short trip across to Bovey Tracey Cricket Club, TQ13 9PF, where our County Pitch Advisors Charlie Woolnough and Andy Cameron will be on hand to provide a practical demonstration of pre-season pitch preparation in line with GMA guidelines for this critical period in the groundskeepers calendar. It is also hoped that there will be a demo of the new GMA Pitch Power application, which will be available to all cricket clubs in 2022.
This day should be of interest to both new and established club groundskeepers.
Club groundskeepers have already been notified of this event and there has been a healthy level of interest shown, however we can still accommodate a few more places at our Pre-Season Day, so should you be interested in taking part, contact Devon Cricket Funding & Facilities Manager Nick Goodliffe. nick.goodliffe@devoncricket.co.uk
07801 178329
The Grounds Management Association is a “not for profit” organisation, formed in 2020 to replace the Institute of Groundsmanship. It is the leading professional organisation for grounds management, recognised by the National Governing Bodies of Sport and the public, private and voluntary sectors, for its industry knowledge and technical expertise.
“Grassroots” membership rates are affordable and are available to all cricket clubs. Once registered, members are provided with access to a range of industry endorsed, professionally delivered, affordable solutions for a wide variety of requirements, including technical maintenance information, industry updates, training, health and safety and consultancy services.
There are also many effective training courses available at preferential rates.
To find out more visit their website by clicking here
Their quarterly journal provides members with informative articles, many of which are relevant to preparing fine turf and playing pitch surfaces. An example of which is viewable here.
