Gloucestershire Grounds Keepers Association

The Gloucestershire Cricket Foundation Ground Keepers Association run workshops and provide development opportunities for Gloucestershire’s clubs and Grounds Keepers

The Gloucestershire Cricket Foundation Groundskeepers Association run workshops and provide development opportunities for Gloucestershire Clubs Groundskeepers

The Gloucestershire Grounds Association (GGA) has 3 principle objectives:

  • Improve pitches
  • Improve skills of groundstaff
  • Improve recruitment of groundstaff

Currently developing a more pro-active approach, the GGA will achieve these aims by maintaining a county-wide network of County Pitch Advisors (CPAs), fully-trained in the new PitchPower app, which will improve pitch reports and create an effective database of pitches and resources. PitchPower assessments will be required for the new Grass Pitch Improvement Fund (GPIF), of which more information will be released in the near future. Pitch marks from all leagues will be regularly reviewed by the GGA committee and, where applicable, the necessary support will be provided. In the near future, discussions will take place with GACO to achieve more consistency in the umpire’s marking process.

As the age profile of groundstaff increases, it is essential to recruit groundstaff by all available means. This includes offering opportunities to young players, male and female.

The GGA committee consists of the following members:

Sean Williams (President and GCCC), Eric Woodmason (Chair and Frocester), Phil Carter (Treasurer and Cirencester), Christian Brain (Cheltenham College), Ray Hazzard (Twyford House), Bob Park (Lydney), Adam Stuart (Dumbleton), Gareth Dawson (GCF), Richie Woodmason, Jason Hobbs, Graeme Balmer.

For more information or to get involved

The Grounds Association is looking forward to hosting workshops during the 2024 season across the county, which will look at a range of different issues recreational ground staff are faced with on a regular basis, weather that is repairing foot holes, bringing a pitch back for use later in the season or understanding fertiliser. If you would like to know more about the GGA, please contact Eric Woodmason
The GMA in partnership with the ECB have a new and updated Cricket Toolkit available on their website.

The new guide to Cricket Grounds Management is has a new look and new resources. From this page you can explore

  • New Cricket Grounds Maintenance Guide
  • New Health and Safety Toolkit

 

GMA TOOLKIT

Gareth Dawson / Workforce Development Officer

Gareth joined the GCB in 2016 and progressed into his current role as Workforce Development Officer in 2021. His main roles are being the main point of contact for the ECB on all Coach Development matters and grow the number of active coaches across the County of Gloucestershire. Additionally, he will support the Gloucestershire Association of Cricket Officials (GACO) in developing an Officials Strategy that aims to grow the number of officials across the game. Increase the number of courses that are available to potential officials and work with GACO to transition volunteers from ‘course takers’ to ‘standing officials’. Support the Gloucestershire Grounds Association in developing a programme of activity that supports ground staff across each year. Coordinate and manage both national and local Reward and Recognition events for all groups of volunteers. On top of practical delivery in schools, he will work with teachers to enhance their cricket delivery and work with universities/colleges to provide opportunities for students to gain qualifications and coaching experience. Gareth is a Liverpool FC fan, a big follower of cricket around the world and plays his cricket at Hatherley & Reddings.
Gareth Dawson / Workforce Development Officer
Email
07554 455738