An army of volunteer groundstaff are needed to keep the grassroots rugby on safe passage to a return, a leading organisation has said.
The Grounds Management Association (GMA) lead training efforts in both professional and amateur sport, and chief executive Geoff Webb has urged action is required to get pitches across the country up to standard for the winter.
“To say the pandemic hasn't affected grassroots sports would be a huge understatement,” Webb told TRP. “At the professional level, what happened was skeleton staff keeping things in shape as best as they could. But lower down you had a minimal input situation and the knock-on effects now of the cutbacks having to be made by governing bodies, which could significantly cut the number of people available in the running of clubs.
“The biggest impact could be yet to come as we progress towards autumn and winter when pitches will tested for their standard by the elements.”
Earlier this month the RFU scaled up its guideline to Stage C of its Return to Community Roadmap, allowing clubs to hold training sessions in larger non-contact groups.
After a November start date for the 2020-21 season has been mooted at the RFU, the GMA offer courses for those looking to take up the craft.
“We acted very quickly at the GMA to access quick and easy online learning resources,” added Webb. “We have got a Level 1 course that you can do in winter turf, which would be suitable for rugby union. It is £25 and most clubs subsidise that to a point where it is free for most people to undertake. Individuals can do that and take four hours of your time to learn how to do the basics and apply that at your local club.”
And support doesn't just stop there with the RFU's own Groundsmen Connected initiative seeing those at the top of their profession in pitch maintenance lending their expertise to the grassroots.
“People underestimate the skillset of ground staff at the top of the game in general,” Swann said. “Whether it is rugby, football or horse racing, one of the skills ground staff really practice is how to create the perfect pitch environment for the players themselves.
“The RFU have got a real star in recently-retired Keith Kent who is really an ambassador for groundsmanship in rugby and has done a fantastic job in upskilling other staff in the game. He is one of those people who has given a lot back having had the top job in English rugby at Twickenham.
“Now you have Jim Buttar there who is equally well-connected and is willing to give his skillset and knowledge to others. Rugby has this camaraderie and community to provide a man or a woman who knows something that perhaps you need help with.”
The Grounds Management Association is the leading membership organisation representing grounds staff in the UK. As well as maintaining the Grounds Management Association Performance Quality Standards and providing a consultancy service for sports grounds, lawn maintenance and amenity horticulture
