Groundsman of the Year Awards 2018

Groundsman of the Year Winner Announced

Congratulations to Simon Crow, winner of the Cambridgeshire FA Groundsman of the Year Awards 2018, for the fourth year running.

Judging visits took place on 7th March 2018. The remains of snowmen from the recent icy blast were still standing on some of the recreation grounds. However, despite the wet conditions, Phil Jeggo, Regional Pitch Advisor at the Institute of Groundsmanship was impressed by the groundsmen visited and by the quality of the pitches.

Many factors were taken into account in the judging process including how many games take place each week, budget, soil type, whether the position is paid or voluntary, time dedicated to pitch maintenance, machinery available, groundsman knowledge and work undertaken in the maintenance programme.

The final rankings were as follows:     

1. Simon Crow for his work at Cherry Hinton Recreation Ground for Cherry Hinton FC

2. Alan Poole for his work at Spicers Sports Ground for Sawston United FC

3. The team at Swavesey Recreation Ground  including David Rudderham of Swavesey Spartans

FC and Swavesey Parish Council

Colin Miller was also commended for his work at West Wratting FC.

Cambridgeshire FA would like to thank all groundsmen who dedicate time and effort to maintaining pitches allowing football to be played throughout the year.

End of Season Pitch Renovations Workshop

Cambridgeshire FA and the Institute of Groundsmanship are hosting a free evening workshop for anyone interested in what they can do post season to improve their pitches.

Date: Thursday 19th April

Time: 7pm

Venue: Cambridgeshire FA, Bridge Road, Impington, Cambridgeshire, CB24 9PH

Cost: FREE

All aspects of successful pitch maintenance will be covered on the evening with an emphasis on post season renovations and maintenance on a budget:

  • Aeration
  • Seeding
  • Fertilisers
  • Surface levels
  • General pitch maintenance

To book, please email joanne.bull@cambridgeshireFA.com starting your name and which club you are from or which ground you maintain. Alternatively call Jo to book, on 01223 209035.

Formal qualifications

For any groundsmen looking for formal qualifications the Institute of Groundsmanship are running courses at St John College in Cambridge:

Level 2 Maintenance of Artificial Surfaces – 17th April 2018:

https://www.iog.org/learning/courses/level-2-maintenance-artificial-surfaces-3

Level 2 Winter Pitches: Applied Turf Culture – 29th October 2018:

https://www.iog.org/learning/courses/level-2-winter-pitches-applied-turf-culture-5