Andrew
Brough, head groundsman at Wolverhampton Rugby Union Football Club, claims that
the SISIS Quadraplay single pass maintenance system, has helped him in his
personal quest to improve the standard of pitches.
It is safe
to say that Andrew is Wolverhampton Rugby Union Football Club through and
through. He has played for the club since he was a child and his own children
have followed in his footsteps and currently represent the junior teams. He
also runs the bar in the club house and when he is not pulling pints or
ordering more stock he is tending to the pitches.
Andrew
admits that his role of head groundsman is his greatest responsibility and it
is certainly not a role he has taken lightly since his appointment two years
ago.
“Quite
simply, my aim here is to improve the standard of the pitches and make sure
they are as playable as possible,” he said. “In the past we have had to cancel
a lot of games because the pitches haven’t been draining very well and we just
never used to have the equipment – but now we have.”
One of
Andrew’s first tasks as head groundsmen was to sign-up to the RFU's Groundsmen
Connected initiative which is an easy access, two-way communication network
between the RFU and rugby union groundsmen. It is the main communication
channel for the RFU to provide information and advice to groundsmen and also
has special offers and exclusive benefits for members.
Members
have a direct communication channel on pitch maintenance issues with
Twickenham’s head groundsman Keith Kent, and it was Keith’s advice which
prompted Andrew to purchase the SISIS Quadraplay.
“I went to
a seminar through the Groundsmen Connected scheme and I saw Keith who stressed
the importance of aeration. Keith told me a lot about his thoughts on basic
pitch requirements, what he felt was the best approach and also the best
equipment to use. He told me that in his opinion he thought that the SISIS
Quadraplay was the best way forward for us.”
The SISIS
Quadraplay multiple-purpose, single-pass maintenance incorporates a mounted
frame for up to four implements such as grooming rakes, spikers, slitters,
rollers and brushes. The implements can be fitted to the mainframe in any order
and can be independently adjusted to achieve the desired effect. Compact,
robust, versatile and with the ability to carry out up to four operations
simultaneously – the Quadraplay makes life a lot easier for many
groundsmen.
“It’s a
brilliant piece of kit – we’ve got a cutting deck on our tractor which came
with the deal that allows us to basically cut the pitch and then we use the
Quadraplay to finish off the pitch. It has made a huge difference to our
aeration.
“I also
really like the roller which is great for presentation. It does everything I
need it to do and I’m really pleased with it. I actually think that most rugby
clubs could do with a Quadraplay because it would make their pitches a lot
better. We haven’t had to cancel any games since we’ve been using it.”
As part of
the package, Andrew also purchased the SISIS Multitiner – a tractor mounted aerator. Based on his experience of using the two new machines he later
purchased a SISIS Variseeder – a tractor mounted overseeder; and he revealed
his plans for using them.
“I’ll be
using the Multitiner to spike the pitches and obviously by doing that we will
be able to go into the holes with sand. We will then go along the pitches and
sweep all that nice sand into the ground and give it a bit more drainage and
help to get rid of some of those holes and ditches.”
“The
pitches are a bit patchy at the moment and I want to reseed the pitches so I’ll
use the Variseeder to make sure we get more seed into the ground. Hopefully
with more grass in the ground the pitches will repair a bit quicker and they
will be nice and lush in time for the new season.”
“Ultimately,
with the SISIS machinery I feel confident that I’ve got some really great
equipment in place now which will absolutely improve the pitches.”
