During the Grounds Maintenance Association first ever Groundsweek (1st-7th March) the Somerset Cricket Grounds Association ran two successful webinars which included the launch of the new Somerset Cricket Grounds Support team.

At the first event on 1st March the formal AGM was held before it was announced to help to improve cricket ground maintenance across the country – particularly at recreational/non-professional level new for 2021 the Association are expanding on their previous Pitch Advisor scheme by launching the Somerset Cricket Grounds Support Team.

Aims & objectives of the Somerset Cricket Grounds Support Team

The aim of the Somerset Cricket Grounds Support Team (SCGST) is all about supporting recreational cricket from the grassroots up and is part of the Somerset Cricket Ground’s Association (SGA).

The SCGCT is made up of 5 Pitch Advisors based across the county who are here to support clubs directly by being able to provide local advice and support to a range of queries. They will work closely with the Grounds Management Association (GMA) Regional Pitch Advisor in the South West to provide additional technical support where required and hope this will enable the group to help sustain growth in participation across Somerset. The team are made up of

Phil Mortimer – County Pitch Advisor

Scott Hawkins– County Groundsperson

Dave Cobb–

Nigel Mortimer

with one member to be announced.

Levels of Service

There are 4 levels of service:

  • Phone, email and informal visit
  • Formal visit including a written Basic Report
  • Full Somerset Pitch Inspection 
  • Pitch Quality Standards Assessment

For more details and booking please visit the Somerset Cricket Grounds Support Team Website. 

Dr Iain James & Scott Hawkins Pre-Season Preparation Webinar

On Thursday 4th March, Grounds personnel from across the South West joined us to hear Dr Iain James, Head of Facilities Services at the ECB and world leading researcher in pitch preparation and Scott Hawkins the Head Groundsperson at Somerset County Cricket answered a wide range of questions regarding Pre-Season Preparation. Scott also gave everyone some insight to what has been going on at The Cooper Associates County Ground since the end of the season.

To watch any of the two events last week you can watch back using the links below

Grounds Association AGM and New Services Launch– https://youtu.be/vMswhg1-o6Y

Pre- Season Preparation with Dr Iain James & Scott Hawkins- https://youtu.be/kFDMWVWhGws