Following the success of the first session in March, which focused on pre-season and in-season cricket maintenance, the same 12 delegates returned in September to complete the second stage, an end-of-season renovations and winter maintenance course.

The bespoke training was developed collaboratively between the GMA and Landscape Services to ensure that staff at all experience levels, from new recruits to seasoned grounds professionals, could benefit from expert-led instruction with recognised accreditation.

Delivered by GMA Regional Pitch Advisor Phil Jeggo, the September course combined both theoretical learning and hands-on practical training. Delegates began with an overview of end-of-season renovation principles before moving onto the cricket square itself, where they carried out each step of the process, from cutting, scarifying, overseeding and top dressing, through to fertilising and preparing for winter.

“It is important that our staff are trained and qualified to a standard which is both compliant and competent, to ensure they can undertake the contracts we have with our customers,” said Rachel Conquest, Learning & Development Coordinator at Landscape Services.

“In this instance, we required an expert-led cricket training course with recognised accreditation and practical skills that could be immediately applied. After approaching several suppliers, GMA offered the best solution for our needs; it was a straightforward decision.

Collaborating with Matt from the GMA on the bespoke two-part cricket training course was a fantastic experience; together we were able to arrange a high-quality training programme for our staff, tailored to our needs.”

The mix of classroom and field-based learning proved particularly valuable to delegates, allowing them to reinforce their understanding through active, practical sessions.

“Overall, I thought the course was very good,” said Tom Young, Grounds Maintenance Operative.

“The instructor was knowledgeable and taught the course to a high standard. He took a hands-on approach to demonstrate all the machinery and gave constructive feedback when needed. I’d say the course was well-structured and covered all key areas of cricket maintenance with good demonstrations of the machinery and skills involved.”

For others, the chance to apply learning directly on-site made the training even more rewarding.

Adam Stallwood, Assistant Contracts Manager, added: “I thoroughly enjoyed the cricket maintenance course, and the instructor was spot on. The autumn renovations section was more hands-on with the cricket squares, which I personally always prefer. I’m happy to work for a company that values my development and am always interested in future training.”

Through these bespoke courses, Landscape Services has been able to upskill their workforce, standardise maintenance practices and build confidence across their team, ensuring high-quality service delivery across their contracts.

This collaboration is part of the GMA’s ongoing commitment to supporting organisations with tailored training solutions that meet real-world operational needs.

“It’s been great to work with Landscape Services on this two-part programme,” said Phil Jeggo. “The enthusiasm and engagement from all 12 delegates across both courses made a real difference. It was fantastic to see their confidence grow and to know that they’re taking those skills back into their day-to-day work.”

With both stages of the cricket maintenance programme now complete, Landscape Services is already exploring future opportunities to collaborate with the GMA, ensuring their staff continue to develop the skills and knowledge needed to maintain high standards across all their sites.

Enhance your skills with the GMA

Whether you’re looking to develop your team’s expertise or expand your own grounds management knowledge, the GMA offers a range of accredited training options from introductory courses to bespoke programmes tailored to your organisation’s needs.

Find out how the GMA can help you build your skills and confidence in grounds management at thegma.org.uk/learning