With over two decades of experience in groundsmanship, Jay Berkhauer, Head Groundsperson at Sidcup Sports Club, has seen his fair share of challenging pitches.
But since introducing the Redexim Verti-Drain 7212, Jay says things are looking brighter than ever for the busy multi-sport site.
Sidcup Sports Club is home to thriving rugby, cricket, and tennis sections, with a packed calendar that leaves little downtime for renovations.
“It’s constant,” explains Jay. “Rugby runs from September through to the end of April, and then cricket starts the following week. I’ve got a week between the last rugby game and the first cricket match to turn things around.”
That intense schedule, combined with high footfall and limited budgets, makes every decision crucial. “Every penny counts,” says Jay. “It’s members’ money, so I’ve got to make sure I’m spending it on the right things – the right kit, the right products, the right tools for the job.”
Compaction had become a major issue at Sidcup Sports Club, particularly on the rugby pitches, where play takes place almost every day of the week. “The first team pitch has drainage, but the compaction was so bad that water just sat on the surface,” Jay explains. “The second team pitch also gets a lot of usage as it’s used Monday to Sunday for training and matches – so the compaction rates were through the roof.”
With the old setup, Jay relied on monthly slitting and twice-yearly contractor visits for aeration, but it simply wasn’t enough. “Slitting once a month and bringing in contractors twice a year just wasn’t touching the sides,” he says. “So, when my boss asked what we needed next, I said straight away – I need a Verti-Drain.”
Jay opted for the Redexim Verti-Drain 7212, a compact yet powerful model ideal for lower horsepower tractors and sensitive turf areas. With a working width of 1.6 metres and a maximum depth of 10 inches (25cm), it was the perfect fit for Sidcup’s needs.
“I’ve used Redexim Verti-Drains everywhere I’ve worked,” says Jay. “They’re the best on the market, and they do what they say on the tin. The 7212 fits my tractor perfectly – it’s a quality bit of kit and works really well with what we’ve got here.”
One of the standout features for Jay is the heave action, which sets the Verti-Drain apart from other machines available. “With the Verti-Drain, the tines don’t just go straight in and out – they kick and lift slightly as they move through the soil,” he explains. “That heave action breaks up the compaction beneath the surface. It’s not just punching holes – it’s cracking the ground and waking the subsoil up.”
Owning the Verti-Drain has also given Sidcup Sports Club greater control and cost-efficiency. “Before, we were paying a lot of money twice a year just to aerate the two rugby pitches,” says Jay. “Now, we can do it whenever we want. If I’ve got time in a morning or the conditions are right, I can get out and do it. We’re saving money, getting more flexibility, and improving the pitches at the same time.”
Even after just a few months of use, Jay says the difference is clear. “Before the Verti-Drain, every time it rained, the pitches flooded. It was a constant cycle – it just got worse and worse. Now, the water’s getting down into the drains instead of sitting on the surface, and that’s also helping us keep grass coverage through the entire season.”
And the players have noticed, too. “Some of them have come up to me saying how much better the pitches are – there’s grass on the surface rather than just mud,” says Jay. “The better the pitches are, the more people want to play here. It all feeds back into the club – if the pitches are good, games stay on, the bar stays busy, and the club keeps making money.”
For a one-person grounds team maintaining over 2.5 hectares, time is everything. “The Verti-Drain is so quick over the ground,” says Jay. “I can do the first team pitch in two and a half hours, the whole site comfortably in two days. My old kit would’ve taken all week. It’s optimising my time – I’ve got a lot to do beyond the pitches, so it’s been a game-changer.”
Looking ahead, Jay says the investment in the Redexim Verti-Drain 7212 is already paying off. “It’s helping us become more self-sufficient, save money, and keep the pitches in the best condition possible,” he concludes.
