Wiltshire Groundsmen's Association (WGA)

Background

The Wiltshire Groundsmen's Association was formed in March 1999, through the initiative of the Wiltshire Cricket Development Officer, Richard Gulliver, whereby a meeting was convened inviting all of the county's premier playing cricket clubs to attend. It was from this meeting that the Association was formed and a sub-committee was duly set up to administer the Association's affairs.

The Association is funded by and operates as an integral part of the Wiltshire Cricket Board (Cricket Operations Committee) with its main aims being:

  • To improve the standard of cricket squares in Wiltshire and identify the ways forward
  • To exchange knowledge and views through regular meetings
  • To promote training via subsidised IOG courses
  • To raise the level of awareness of the standards required
  • To offer professional advice from within the cricket fraternity
  • Periodic visits to First Class County grounds
  • To provide accessibility to friendly advice for cricket at all levels

Should clubs wish to join the Association or require more information then please feel free to contact the secretary George Clift, telephone number 01380 813928.

What can the WGA offer your club?

The Wiltshire Groundsmen's Association is committed to improving the standard of pitches throughout the county and is available to support all clubs in their efforts to do so. Since its formation the WGA has formulated a Pitch Improvement Initiative which outlines how the group plan to support clubs in their improvement of pitches. Essentially the process involves a pitch advisory visit from which a formal report and recommendations are given.

As a part of the pitch advisory group Gordon Gill is the ECB qualified Pitch Advisor for Wiltshire. He has produced a document for the benefit of clubs looking for guidance on the work they need doing during different phases of the year.

In addition to the pitch advisory visits the WGA has also been given a trailer as well as equipment by the ECB/Channel 4 to help reduce the costs to clubs when carrying out the end of season renovation works.  This is available to any affiliated club who is a paid up member for hire for a small fee.  Also the criteria for hire is that the member of any club wishing to hire the equipment must have attended the Parts A and B of the IOG Elementary Groundsman's Course.

Please contact George Clift on 01380 813928 to book the equipment/trailer.

Membership

The WGA would like to see all affiliated clubs make every effort to join the Wiltshire Groundsmen's Association.  The annual membership fee is currently £5.00 with cheques to be made payable to the WGA.