What is the County Pitch Advisor Service?
The County Pitch Advisor Service is a team of experienced grounds managers that are there to help grounds managers in the county deliver good, safe pitches/squares/outfields.
Role of a County Pitch Advisor:
· To support and give advice at all levels of cricket’s recreational game in relation to the Maintenance and renovation of the playing area and the equipment required.
· To undertake Performance Quality Standards (PQS) assessments and/or detailed pitch assessments for squares and/or outfields and the production of a detailed report and related documentation using PitchPower.
· To undertake basic advisory assessments including visual inspections and the production of short reports/notes. All visits/inspections must produce written outcomes.
· To monitor the developments of any facilities on which recommendations are being implemented.
· Respond to urgent issues that need advice – for example when a club must deal with an act of vandalism, flooding, or a request from the league where a pitch has been reported as poor.
· Support initiatives and facilities strategy plans from the CCB and/or the ECB to promote ground-staff and improve the quality of playing surfaces including working with Leagues to develop knowledge and expertise.
Who makes up the County Pitch Advisor Service?
We currently have 3 active GMA trained County Pitch Advisors within Berkshire.
Arun Oram
Based in the East of the County, Arun is currently Head Groundsman at Datchet CC. 2022 saw the grounds Arun looked after (Slough CC & Datchet CC) ranked no.1 & no.2 in the Home Counties Premier Cricket League. Arun also operates on the HCPCL as a panel umpire.
Chris Brown
Based in West Berkshire, Chris is currently Head Groundsman at Falkland CC with 40 years of experience within the industry mainly in West Berkshire across clubs, schools & other organisations. Falkland CC has recently been used as an out ground for professional cricket, hosting the Southern Vipers in 2023 & 2024.
Ash Hendrickx-Nutley
Based in West Berkshire, Ash currently works for the Grounds Management Association (GMA) as the Football Regional Pitch Advisor for the Southwest Region. Ash is also very experienced in managing cricket surfaces having worked at several prominent independent schools in the South of England.
Visit information?
The County Pitch Advisors can provide a PitchPower Report on your square & outfield against the Performance Quality Standards for cricket pitches. The Pitch Advisor will visit the site and complete an app-based assessment which provides the club with a series of recommendations for the club to improve the standard of playing facilities.
GMA Practical Short Courses
During the summer of 2024, our County Pitch Advisors will be delivering a series of 2hr practical training courses at venues in the County.
Match Pitch Preparation – Thursday 30th May – 6pm-8pm @ Falkland CC https://booking.ecb.co.uk/lBLx9v
Match Pitch Repairs – Wednesday 12th June – 6pm-8pm @ Royal Ascot CC https://booking.ecb.co.uk/75zR8Q
Post Season Renovation – Date TBC – July/Early-August
Contact the County Pitch Advisor Service
To request the support of the County Pitch Advisor Service, in the first instance, please contact the Club Support Manager – Tom Jackson (tom.jackson@berkshirecricketfoundation.org).
