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UNISEEDER easy to


manoeuvre overseeding


GROUNDBREAKER


de-compacts and drains the soil


unequivocal; protecting and developing playing fields into usable cricket pitches on a national scale is key to the game’s future here. “Playing fields are vital to us, in that we don't want to see a reduction in the number of facilities for children to play on,” says the ECB’s Director of Development Peter Ackerley “but in terms of cricket we have a slightly additional requirement in that it is not just the outfield of the playing field which is important, but the quality of the pitch - whether it be a grass pitch, or an artificial surface. We place the highest priority of our facility development for the next four years based on the improvement of fine turf areas of pitches and the installation of artificial surfaces.”


So just how is the ECB walking the walk? “We’ve invested £9.4m in the Community Club Development programme in essentially match play surfaces, non-turf surfaces and fine pitch improvement,” says Ackerley. “With our broadcast partner we have built four new grounds in inner-cities in Nottingham, Anglesey, Bristol and East London, reclaiming playing fields that were under some threat.” “We’ve instigated a £5m


interest-free loan scheme to help deliver new facilities. We are trying to work with schools to ensure that we create a playing facility in a school playing field that is multi-sport. So we will look to put a non-turf cricket pitch where possible, for example, where there is appropriate drainage in the middle of a couple of rugby or football pitches. It’s all about getting good audit of our facilities.” Furthermore, the ECB consults extensively with local authorities looking at their


playing pitch strategies and seeing how they can work with them in producing better facilities. And in the last two-and-a-half years the ECB has formed 45 Groundsmen Associations in every county in the country, each of which has its own pitch adviser and towable trailer system complete with ground maintenance kit. “Each association has a


process and the equipment with which they can improve local pitches. Local clubs can go to an expert and not just ask for advice but get hands- on help. There are some very well-meaning amateurs who can cut grass and roll wickets, but in terms of instigating good renovations of pitches, particularly in the autumn and the spring-time, that is where these trailers and advisers can come in,” he says.


Thus, with organisations


with real clout, like the ECB, showing the way, and with at least a will now within government, it would appear English playing fields are at least for the moment safe from totally sinking into the mire.


But the NPFA is determined to keep up the pressure on the government to ensure that a national asset is not just preserved but added to. “We need to protect use, investment, access, future users and the receipt of any proceeds from their sale - it is very simple and will encourage future investment from non-government sources,” argues Earley. “We can’t rely on the planning system alone; it’s too simple and it lacks ‘bottom’. Indoor and artificial facilities should be welcomed, but not at the expense of playing fields and our national sports. People just don’t buy into that,” he says, before adding with a wry smile: “Keep on the grass!”


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