Matt Harris - Whitgift School - Groundsperson

Matt began his career in grounds management with a strong foundation of hands-on experience, having previously worked on golf courses and cricket grounds before joining Whitgift School as an apprentice groundsperson. This early exposure to a range of sports surfaces meant that when he started his formal qualification, he already had a practical understanding of techniques for maintaining playable pitches throughout a season.

At Whitgift, Matt has been involved in every aspect of grounds maintenance. From routine tasks such as irrigation repairs to more advanced projects like restitching areas of the school’s hybrid pitches, he has developed a broad and adaptable skill set. Working with hybrid surfaces has been particularly eye-opening, changing the way he views pitch construction and demonstrating the advantages of enhanced playability and durability.

Beyond his role at Whitgift, Matt also runs the grounds at his local cricket club. By combining knowledge gained through his professional role with his existing skills, he has been able to raise standards at the club, improving both playing surfaces and machinery maintenance.

Matt has made a significant contribution to Whitgift by being a trusted and reliable member of the team. His pride in delivering a high-quality finish has led to him being entrusted with responsibility for a cricket square, and towards the end of his apprenticeship, he also supported and mentored newer apprentices. By sharing practical learning and suggesting improvements, he demonstrated leadership and a commitment to helping others develop.

One of Matt’s proudest achievements is completing his Level 2 apprenticeship and securing a full-time role at Whitgift. Alongside this, he has gained several industry qualifications, including PA1, PA2, PA6, tractor operation, telehandler and chainsaw certifications (CS30 and CS31). These have made him a more versatile team member, capable of contributing in multiple areas and stepping up when needed.

Looking ahead, Matt aspires to become a head groundsperson, either at a high-end independent school or within a professional sports environment. He is passionate about inspiring the next generation of groundstaff and showing that apprenticeships provide a valuable alternative to university for building a successful career.

He is also excited about the industry’s future, particularly the potential of electric and GPS-enabled machinery.

Matt joined us as an apprentice. He initially impressed given his volunteering work with a local cricket club and his thirst for learning. He has worked hard and clearly gained in confidence both technically and practically. He is trustworthy and reliable and I am certain has a promising future in sports turf management should he wish. He will be given opportunities to progress his learning here which I am sure he will grab with both hands. His enthusiasm for the job remains bright."

Daniel Rattling, Grounds & Estates Manager – Whitgift School