Ground staff are fundamental to cricket. No other surface affects the sport it is played on more than a cricket pitch, and ground staff are vital, as they are instrumental in the enjoyment and safety of those who play on our grounds and pitches.

There are several resources available to support our recreational ground staff.

The Grounds Management Association has an online toolkit for ground staff to advise on pitch preparation, maintenance schedules and much more.

Nottinghamshire CCC has two qualified ECB Pitch advisors who are available to members to support them in the development and improvement of playing surfaces across the county.

The role of a pitch advisor is:

• advise on performance / quality of pitches
• provide recommendations on improvements that can be made
• carry out basic or detailed assessments

The Nottinghamshire Cricket Grounds Association allows like-minded, dedicated individuals access to a wealth of knowledge from their peers, who are working in similar conditions and often encountering similar challenges.

NCGA Membership

The Nottinghamshire Cricket Grounds Association was initiated to support the counties recreational ground staff, with the aim to aid the continued improvement of playing surfaces at all levels of the game, through workforce development and support.

The NCGA allows like-minded, dedicated individuals access to a wealth of knowledge from their peers, who are working in similar conditions and often encountering similar challenges.

The association is currently able to:

• Organise educational courses in cricket grounds & machinery maintenance
• Offer local support, help and advice through our County Pitch Advisors
• Provide access to savings on soils and other materials/supplies
• Promote cricket grounds maintenance and good practice
• Represent the best interests of cricket ground staff in Nottinghamshire

Membership also includes discount fees on GMA, ECB and locally-organised courses. These give ground staff, new and old, the opportunity to increase their knowledge, from the basics to the more advanced aspects of turf management.

Membership to the NCGA costs £10 annually, for which registration forms can be found here.

Please return forms to andrew.wilson@trentbridge.co.uk

Sports Turf Apprenticeship

Our Sports Turf Apprenticeship offers the right motivated and dedicated young person the opportunity to work alongside our experienced and professional grounds team, at one of the most iconic international cricket venues in the country, whilst also being supported and guided by our County Pitch Advisors who support the recreational game.

This unique role is important in helping us to improve the quality of our recreational club and local authority pitches, while providing you with the skills and training to become a confident and competent sports turf operative. 

For more information, email andrew.wilson@trentbridge.co.uk - or watch the story of Ollie, a recent apprentice, below.