With the recent announcement by the GMA regarding potential funding for sports clubs via a number of sports governing bodies, it will be a good time for clubs to initiate this opportunity by signing up to the Pitchpower app.
Once you have registered and uploaded the relevant information about your pitches, you will then be assessed and applicable funding could be available for your club. I think it’s well worth getting your club registered and in the system. This opportunity is now open to cricket, rugby, football and rugby league clubs.
Bristol Grammer school pitch
Local community sports clubs provide a wide range of values and benefits to both individuals and the communities they serve. These values can extend beyond just physical health and have social, psychological, and economic dimensions.
These clubs help foster a sense of belonging and provide long lasting friendships among members.
They provide positive and structured activities for children and teenagers, teaching important life skills such as discipline, time management, and goal setting.
They also provide an inclusive environment that welcomes people of all ages, backgrounds, and abilities, promoting diversity and breaking down barriers in sports.
Woodrush RFC vs Shrewsbury RFC club match
A well-run club also fosters a sense of pride and identity within the local community and with that often leads to the club hosting events and tournaments that attract visitors and boosts local economy.
And more importantly preserving and promoting traditional sports and cultural practices along with connecting younger generations to their cultural heritage.
Overall, local community sports clubs play a vital role in enhancing the quality of life in a community. They contribute to the physical, mental, social, and economic well-being of individuals and the collective strength of the community.
So, we must not undervalue these valuable community assets, we must find ways to tap into all the available funding opportunities to keep these facilities running.
Recent roundup
The Football season is underway now and I would like to take this opportunity wish the current Premier League leaders Manchester City’s new head groundsman, John Ledwidge, all the best for this forthcoming season. No doubt he is going to be very busy in his first season at this iconic club.
I would also like to wish Richard Bird the HG at Luton Town FC all the best for this coming season - especially as it is his thirtieth year at the club having taken up the job in 1993. I am sure he and his team will enjoy the new challenges of working in the Premiership environment.
As for the weather, we are having an Indian summer, with temperatures reaching 30 degrees in most parts of the UK. This warm weather will certainly help with the ongoing autumn renovations that both bowls clubs and cricket clubs are now undertaking.
Speaking of bowling greens, last week I was asked to stand in for John Breeze, the greenkeeper at Newport Bowls Club, to cut the greens while he was away on holiday. It has been a few years since I last mowed a bowling green, but once I got going my lines got straighter, I quite enjoyed seeing the spoils of my work.
Me cutting the green at 5mm using a Dennis FT Cylinder mower.
Also, I just received another batch of EGO equipment to try out in the next few weeks. I have on trial currently, their multi tool system consisting of a range of attachments that include the PH1420E power unit , STA1600 gras strimmer attachment, CTA9500 cultivator, PSA1000 pole saw, EA800 lawn edger, and the BBA2100 bristle brush unit.
EGO Multi Tools
It looks as if I going to be busy giving these tools a thorough testing and evaluation”
