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Read the latest Groundsmanship Newsletter HERE.
“Groundsmen are fundamental to cricket, part of the holy trinity of bat, ball and pitch, which are central to the game. No other surface affects the sport it is played on more than a cricket pitch.
And while it may not always seem like we are vital to cricket, we should never forget that we are instrumental in the enjoyment and sometimes, careers of those who play on our green and pleasant fields.
I am very proud to be involved with the ECCB Cricket Groundsmans Association as president. The association provides a link between the volunteer groundsman in village cricket, through club cricket right up to the first class arena. It allows like minded, dedicated individuals access to a wealth of knowledge from their peers, who are working in similar conditions and more often than not in their local.”
“Benefits of association membership has included a range of demo days, which have been held over the past few years to show association members new innovations that they might not get a chance to see without the expense of paying to use the machines themselves.
The membership includes half price fees on all IOG/ECB courses, regularly held in the county, these give Groundsmen new and old the opportunity to increase their knowledge, from the basics to the more advanced aspects of turf management.
We have annually held a social day at the Ford County Ground with free admission and a private box and of course the all important bar!”
“These days have proved a great success and a friendly atmosphere has enabled fellow Groundsmen to share information and tips among each other, hopefully helping to make a sometimes trying task a bit easier.”
“I would urge anyone involved or interested in cricket pitch preparation to become a member, as the learning potential alone is enormous, and just talking to other local Groundsmen can be rewarding in itself.”
Stuart Kerrison
Head Groundsman
Essex CCC
Essex County Cricket Board Groundsmen Association are delighted to advise that in conjunction with the County Head Groundsman, Stuart Kerrison & Head Groundsman, Keith Exton from the Swalec stadium in Cardiff, an opportunity arose for Recreational clubs to carry out aeration on their squares. With a small window of opportunity in Mid November & being very weather dependant, 13 clubs were able to take advantage of the offer . Keith was happy to aerate club squares while here with his machine. The machine Keith used is the Weidenmann XF which penetrates to 200mm with a 10mm tine. The beauty of this machine is the small spacing of the tine hole and generally lack of disturbance to the surface. The close spacing, 50mm, creates so many holes for air exchange, root development and water infiltration, and leaves no spoil on the surface to clear up. Also, the machine is quick, our square at Chelmsford is 25 pitches and last November during the Dennis/Sisis seminar day it took about 1 and half hours to completely aerate the square.
The clubs taking advantage were as follows, Matching Green, Stansted, Nazeing, Witham, Gt Braxted & Tiptree, Colchester, West Mersea, Elmstead Market, Frinton, OC’s, Aythorpe Roding, Rayne, New Hall School.
If any clubs are interested please contact Graham Pryke on 01245 254017 | graham.pryke@essexcricket.org.uk
Essex County Cricket Board Groundsman Association (ECCB GA)
The ECCB GA was initiated to support the countries groundsman with the aim to support the continued improvement of playing surfaces at all levels of the game. The ECCB GA shall:
•Assist in organising educational courses in cricket groundsmanship and related courses
•Offer local support, help and advice
•Offer access to specialist machinery
•Provide access to savings on soils and other materials / supplies
•promote cricket groundsmanship and good practice
•Provide all its services in a way that is fair to all members
•Representing the best interests of cricket groundsmen in Essex at local and national level
Should you have any questions or comments you can contact:
Graham Pryke
Cricket Development Manager (Places, Central, North & West )
T: 01245 254017
E: graham.pryke@essexcricket.org.uk
If you would like to apply for Full Membership or to become an Associate Member please download the PDF file attached here.
ECCB Pitch Advisors
The ECCB has 3 qualified Pitch advisors available to support you in the development and improvement of playing surfaces across the county.
The role of a pitch advisor is:
Square Maintenance
The ECCB GA has access to two trailers of equipment that can be used to provide square maintenance and repair.
Both of these trailers are operated by experienced groundsman / turfcare specialists who deliver and operate the equipment.
These experienced resources are provided at discounted rates as agreed and set by the ECCB GA in order to give groundsman across the county access to both the best equipment and knowledgeable resource.
