Schools & Colleges
outskirts of Bristol. The campus, which opened in 2005, was built at a cost of £17.5 million on the site of an old secondary school which, itself, was rebuilt as part of the overall plan. Both the college and school have dual use over the sports facilities, with the school having access to any of the pitches during the day.
The college boasts one of the best athletics facilities in the southwest, having recently upgraded the basic six lane track to a top flight, eight lane facility with the most up- to-date track and field facilities on offer.
The upgrading of the athletics facilities, and in situ football pitch, was a key task that Nigel
identified when he took on his position. The college had been offered the opportunity to host top flight women’s football, but the existing pitch was not up to standard. It did not drain well, grass growth was nonexistent, and the soil was full of stone debris. This was due to the original poor installation. The only option left to Nigel was a total rebuild whilst, at the same time, upgrading the athletics track, along with field facilities - shot putt, hammer, long jumps and a steeplechase water jump. The work was undertaken and completed by Kestrel Contractors.
So, in April 2010, Nigel put together a specification to remove the old football pitch, and replace it with a brand new one with full primary and secondary drainage, pop up watering system and floodlights. The Stoke Gifford Stadium, as it is known,
underwent a £500,000 investment to develop it into the only dedicated women’s football stadium in the country to meet the Football Association’s Women’s Super League grounds grading standards. Now home to the Bristol Academy Women’s Football Club (BAWFC), it is the first stadium to be designed primarily for women’s football, and BAWFC are the only team in the Super League not affiliated to a professional football club. The grounds
maintenance at the college had previously been contracted out, until Nigel’s appointment, but all of the work is now carried out in-house, with the assistance of Rob Lloyd and Sofia Sousa, apprentice groundstaff who are studying for NVQ Sports and Amenity Horticulture. “The apprenticeship scheme is a great opportunity to take on young and enthusiastic staff,” explained Nigel. “Their salary is being subsidised by the Government, along with additional funds from the college and, for the two years they are on the scheme, I will be
mentoring them to ensure they are up to speed and competent in groundsmanship. My previous experience as a teacher has proved invaluable.” “Sofia, from Portugal, is trained in horticulture and spent a lot of time working abroad before applying for the apprenticeship scheme. Rob came straight from the college where he was studying sport. A very good golfer, he wanted to
“The apprenticeship scheme is a great opportunity to take on young and enthusiastic staff”
Nigel Hornsby, Head of Grounds & Gardens, Filton College Nigel Hornsby
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