UNIVERSITY


Loughborough University


Nursing the pitch back to life


Loughborough University is a public research university in the market town of Loughborough, Leicestershire, in the East Midlands of England. It covers an area of 438 acres (1.77 km2


) and, after


getting lost on the expansive site for around twenty minutes, Lee Williams eventually met up with Kris Nurse, 34-year-old Team Leader, outside the impressive University stadium


B


efore becoming a groundsman, Kris had dreams of being a professional footballer; signing his first contract at the age of sixteen for Notts County where he played for three years before the club went into administration. He said: “I tried to find another club but, at that particular time, there was nothing available. I really wanted to stay involved in football, as it’s something I have done from a very young age; I couldn’t see myself working in an office, or doing anything else for that matter. So, my uncle got me a job at Rolls Royce Leisure facility, based in Derby. As a starting point, to see how I got on, I worked on fine turf, football, and rugby. I really enjoyed it and was then


given the opportunity to gain my NVQ Level 2 and 3 in Sports Turf. After just over a year, a job opportunity came up at the University, which is two minutes down the road from where I live in Quorn, so it was ideal. I applied and got the job.”


“When I first joined (as an assistant groundsman), we were not split into two teams at that point; it was one big team of eight and we were tasked with looking after all sports. Then, six years ago, it was decided to split the group into two teams - one looking after athletics and rugby and the other looking after what was to be a footballing hub. I felt I was doing a good job, and I had learned the trade, so I went for the team leader position of the footballing hub. I


68


PC August/September 2020


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