Inspiring youngsters to consider a career in grounds
Grounds Management Association’s NextGen and sponsor Reesink Turfcare are working together to showcase grounds management as a viable career pathway for young people in education, and the second Schools into Stadia event has had a big impact on those attending.
The Schools into Stadia programme is designed to provide the opportunity to gain valuable experience and provide a deeper understanding of the duties a groundsperson undertakes in their role.
A group of students were invited along to Ashton Gate Stadium, the home of Bristol City FC and Bristol Bears to take part in theoretical and practical learning. Half were guided through an interactive theory session which touched on the various forms of grass seed, how it grows, and how to keep it healthy.
The young people even had a go at line-marking the pitch as they deepened their knowledge of various day-to-day tasks of a groundsperson.
Reesink’s David Timms explains how the Toro ProCore 648 aerator, a vital bit of kit for groundsperson, works.
The other group were taken onto the pitch and given the opportunity to interact with the various pieces of kit, including the Toro ProCore 648 aerator, even having a go at line-marking the pitch and deepening their knowledge of various day-to-day tasks of a groundsperson.
Ben Woolfson, Education and Employability Lead, Bristol Bears Community Foundation, who also supported the event, said: “This has been helpful in terms of teaching learners about new careers that they hadn’t considered before. A few students told me they are now interested in this as a career path. This is down to your well planned and interactive session, which provided learners an opportunity to realise they have what it takes.”
David Timms, national accounts manager at Reesink Turfcare, says: “Reesink is passionate about supporting the progression, development, and future of the grounds industry. To have this kind of access to the next generation helps us engage young people in the possibilities the sector offers and to hear from Ben the event helped some of the learners realise their potential is what it’s all about. We must congratulate the NextGen for organising a fantastic and worthwhile event we were proud to be a part of.”
Following another successful School into Stadia event, the GMA NextGen with support from sponsor Reesink Turfcare will continue to raise the profile of the industry and work to inspire young people by hosting more events and activations across the country.