In a first-of-its-kind event, the Grounds Management
Association (GMA), Hull City FC and East Riding FA have come together to
welcome over 60 local grassroots volunteers to the MKM Stadium.
This behind-the-scenes experience offered participants a unique insight into
professional grounds management and enabled grassroots volunteers the
opportunity to learn more about the skill and techniques utilised to maintain
an elite playing surface.
Attendees, who are all part of East Riding’s ‘Pitch
Partners’ programme, were given a guided tour of the stadium, oversaw
different aspects of pitch testing and were provided insight into the science
behind pitch care. There was also the opportunity to learn about the GMA’s PitchAdvisory Service and how it supports grassroots organisations such as
clubs, local authorities and educational institutions to ensure that playing
surfaces meet the highest standards possible.
Chris Hunter, GMA Regional Pitch
Advisor said: “This event
really shows how important it is for everyone involved in sport, from
volunteers to professionals, to come together and share ideas. To see so many
grassroots volunteers here today has been fantastic. An event of this scale
would not have been possible without the work of all the stakeholders
involved.
“It’s not often that these individuals,
who work so hard behind the scenes to make sport possible, get to experience
the professional side of grounds management. We’re grateful to Hull City and
all the partners for providing such an enriching experience and showcasing the
importance of community.”
The ‘Day in the Life of Hull City’s Head Grounds Manager’ not only
highlighted the practicalities of maintaining grass surfaces but also enabled
the community-focused attendees to network with like-minded volunteers as well
as professional grounds people and grounds care experts.
Representatives from the Football
Foundation were on hand to provide information about potential funding
grants and further avenues of support that could be taken away to help
community clubs across the region.
Adam Lowthorpe, East Riding County
Football Association Chief Executive Officer said: “It is with great delight that we have been able to
welcome so many volunteers from across the breadth of our county to this
fantastic workshop today. Our collaboration with the Grounds Management
Association and Hull City AFC is another significant step in our attempts to
provide more high-quality grass football pitches for people to play on and
enjoy grassroots football in East Riding.”
Aaron Tong, Head Groundsman at Hull
City, said: “Grassroots
football is close to my heart, and it was a pleasure to host the event at our
stadium and give something back to grassroots in the community. We showed them
our equipment and a few of the jobs we do on the pitch, shared our matchday
operations and post-match procedures, as well as giving them a stadium tour.
They asked questions on what to do in different scenarios and asked for our
advice on their pitches. We hope they found our outside perspective useful and
that everyone left having learned something new.”
