PARRAMATTA MATTERS ...


everyone’s opinion being considered on most matters, including the playing surface. “I’ve got to cover every aspect and, as unintelligent as some peoples’ input and answers may be, it’s that one in a hundred piece of input or answer which may save you,” Dave says. The network between groundsmen in New South Wales is very healthy, with advice and help offered to anyone who needs it, which is evident by the positive relationship between Dave and Graeme Logan of ANZ stadium. One of Dave’s key management practices is to not over complicate things when an issue arises, he says. “Too much technology into something basic turns it into a complicated exercise, sometimes you just have to sit back and just get back to basics before implementing other options.”


The 140m x 80m arena playing surface icomprises couch ‘Legend’ grass, which is then oversown with ryegrass ‘Reliant’ in the cool season, resulting in a high quality surface all year round. The profile is a StrathAyr system which comprises mesh reinforced sand with


10% Canadian peat moss, clean washed river sand and 7mm pea gravel. The drainage of the profile is first-class and will get rid of 300mm in an hour. The 80m x 60m floodlit training


ground, adjacent to the stadium, has Kikuyu turf. The proximity of the training ground enables Dave to maintain the high quality arena surface by implementing a management strategy to allow the load of training to be shared across both surfaces, particularly important before a major event or match day. Two machines that Dave rates “highly important” to his maintenance regime are the Toro Reelmaster 3100D mower and the Soil Reliever SR72. “I like the fact that the engine is at the rear and the operator sits at the front” he says. “It feels more comfortable, and vision is excellent. The design also creates easy engine access making service and repair work much more efficient.” Cutting heights are based on the time of year and which sport is to be played. During the cooler autumn/winter period, when rugby is the main sport, the


ryegrass is maintained at 35mm. When the warmer spring/summer period commences, the cutting height is dropped by 5mm increments over several weeks until the desired cutting height of 13-15mm is reached. For football matches 20mm is the norm, but this can vary depending on the requests of the home team. “We always ask what their surface preferences are, then offset that against what we are trying to achieve” says Dave, “and if that means we have to strike up an agreement or go their way, so be it.” A Soil Reliever SR72 was originally


borrowed from the ANZ Stadium, but Dave has recently purchased his own. “One of my main concerns is the amount of thatch within the profile which can hinder drainage and filtration. The SR72 will overcome these issues. The machine is used once a month, usually with hollow tines whilst overseeding with ryegrass. Solid tines are used to prevent damage to juvenile leaf whilst eliminating wastage of seed and any additives in the profile.” “The beauty of the machine is that I can use it whenever I need to - the day


105


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52  |  Page 53  |  Page 54  |  Page 55  |  Page 56  |  Page 57  |  Page 58  |  Page 59  |  Page 60  |  Page 61  |  Page 62  |  Page 63  |  Page 64  |  Page 65  |  Page 66  |  Page 67  |  Page 68  |  Page 69  |  Page 70  |  Page 71  |  Page 72  |  Page 73  |  Page 74  |  Page 75  |  Page 76  |  Page 77  |  Page 78  |  Page 79  |  Page 80  |  Page 81  |  Page 82  |  Page 83  |  Page 84  |  Page 85  |  Page 86  |  Page 87  |  Page 88  |  Page 89  |  Page 90  |  Page 91  |  Page 92  |  Page 93  |  Page 94  |  Page 95  |  Page 96  |  Page 97  |  Page 98  |  Page 99  |  Page 100  |  Page 101  |  Page 102  |  Page 103  |  Page 104  |  Page 105  |  Page 106  |  Page 107  |  Page 108  |  Page 109  |  Page 110  |  Page 111  |  Page 112  |  Page 113  |  Page 114  |  Page 115  |  Page 116  |  Page 117  |  Page 118  |  Page 119  |  Page 120  |  Page 121  |  Page 122  |  Page 123  |  Page 124  |  Page 125  |  Page 126  |  Page 127  |  Page 128  |  Page 129  |  Page 130  |  Page 131  |  Page 132  |  Page 133  |  Page 134  |  Page 135  |  Page 136  |  Page 137  |  Page 138  |  Page 139  |  Page 140