RUGBY
I believe as groundsmen, we have a moral duty to get more people interested in a career in the sportsturf industry
of groundsmen use it as a badge of honour not being able to use fungicides as if it’s a proud thing to do. Yes, that’s good but practically, within a stadium environment, when you’ve got a lot of heavy dew, not a lot of airflow, shading problems and a lot of games, I can’t be drag brushing every two seconds to keep on top of it culturally. So, as a get out a jail - yes I needed it! To get around this, we have now devised a programme with ICL which worked well last year and, with a few tweaks and timings, it will work well this year. I’m a big believer that, if you don’t know if it is working, why would you chuck it on - I just don’t get that? We will use base feeds, fill in with conventional feeds and then top up with biostimulants, liquid feeds plus anything extra, if I feel it`s required.
The introduction of lighting rigs has made a big difference. We have two SGL MU18s, which we use in the scrummage areas, and we have had sockets put in place in the new North and South stands in some pop-up boxes. We are currently in the planning phase to bring in some bigger rigs, which will help with shading caused by the new
stand; I believe them to be a necessity to keeping a quality playing surface throughout the year. It’s safe to say, with the technology we have available now, we should be able to provide a quality pitch, week in week out, but you have to have an appropriate budget in place.
The job has definitely changed since I was a kid to where I am now - it’s like chalk and cheese. I’m very conscious, as a groundsman, that you can have all you want technology-wise, but you still have to know the basics of groundsmanship. I’m a massive believer in data collection and PQS but there is no point having Clegg hammers, shear tests and theta probes if you can’t just walk onto a pitch and say it’s too wet. You cannot lose that - it’s a skill.
What machinery developments have helped you the most?
Mower-wise, we are now using the Infinicut from Cub Cadet which I think is brilliant. Floating heads on a mower - who would have said that ten years ago? But, in reality, when you look back it’s common sense and I can’t understand why we didn’t have them
until recently. With us having a Fibresand pitch, we have to be quite resourceful when it comes to level management, particularly when we are coming out of winter around this period of the year. We were finding the levels of cut were off and we didn’t have a continuation of height across the pitch but, with the floating heads, you can see more at this time of year that they are moving around a fair bit and the Infinicuts give a great uniformed cut.
What’s the best part of your job?
I could use the old clichés; you never know what’s coming, you don’t know what you are doing from day to day, it’s varied, you get to talk to different people. But, mostly, I’m lucky that I’m in a job that I thoroughly enjoy. I work alongside some great people. It’s a challenge here; I find enjoyment from being told ‘that won’t work’ and then proving people wrong or finding a way around a problem.
And the worst?
The weather especially. With it being a dual-use club, you are not just looking at the weather for one set of fixtures, you’re looking at two, which also involves training. It can be difficult sometimes pleasing both sets of coaches, but it’s all part of the job.
Is there anything you would have done differently, professionally and personally?
New Directors Suite
I may be a bit too direct and at times, I’ve got better as I’ve got older and realised that I probably shouldn’t be as forward as I am - but that’s my passionate personality, The Yorkshire in me comes out! One thing I do like, is to help people out and encourage the young lads as much as possible; however, that has sometimes come at a cost to me personally, given the time it takes when they have problems or issues. I wouldn’t have it any other way though - I can always look in the mirror and say ‘I have tried to do the right thing’. Personally, you can always say you would like to spend more time with your partners but, as we all know, that can be difficult.
PC April/May 2019 67
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