CRICKET GROUND MAINTENANCE

Certificated courses are organised by the Institute of Groundsmanship in conjunction with the England and Wales Cricket Board and will be organised and hosted by the YCB according to demand. Course details are as below.

ROLE OF LEAGUES

The YCB believes the role of Leagues is a vital one in the improvement of playing surfaces and Leagues should discuss four items

 Encouraging clubs Groundsmen to attend ECB/ IOG courses

 Increasing the expertise of League Committees in ground and pitch matters.

 Advising YCB of any list of club Groundsmen and addresses the League may hold.

 Encouraging clubs to use the YCB Pitch report schemes

Contact lan Powell or your YCDO for details of Ground courses

ECB/INSTITUTE OF GROUNDSMANSHIP COURSES

The Institute of Groundsmanship in association with the ECB have designed a structured scheme of short courses to develop the skills and expertise of Cricket Groundsmen. The scheme consists of three levels of progressive training delivered in four courses. The initial stage is the Spring and Autumn practical courses, Level 1 Parts A & B, then followed by Level 2 'Understanding the Science' and culminating in Level 3 'Management Practices'.

The outline programme of each course is:

LEVEL 1 PART A SPRING PREPARATION

Early Spring maintenance preparation of the square  machinery mowing rolling – watering - scarifying and brushing  fertiliser application  preparation of the match pitch  after match repairs and renovation maintenance of nonturf pitches.

LEVEL 1 PART B AUTUMN RENOVATION

Sequence of operations end of season repairs and renovation scarification  aeration - overseeding  top dressing, fertiliser application care of the outfield maintenance of nonturf pitches winter work.

These are one day courses at various sites around the counties.

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LEVEL 2 UNDERSTANDING THE SCIENCE

Pitch specification  soils top dressing motty testing  grasses fertilisers used in turf culture - pests, diseases and weeds of turf synthetic pitches machinery and equipment

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LEVEL 3 MANAGEMENT PRACTICES

Performance Quality Standards (PQS)  pitch construction  preparing the ideal pitch pitch allocation - the outfield net and practice areas budgeting  resources health and safety management.

These are two day courses at specific sites in the British Isles.

All courses are certificated and accompanied by comprehensive handouts.

For further information and application forms contact:

Ian Powell or the Institute of Groundsmanship: Tel 01908 312511, Fax 01908 311140

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