At the recent Southern Electric, Premier Cricket League Awards, Presentation Dinner, Gosport Borough Cricket Club were delighted to receive the award for the ‘Most Improved Ground of the Year’
This is quite an achievement for a Club who, in the 2006 season, received a warning for the state of their outfield and square and for who another warning could have well resulted in relegation from the league.
Their success in changing around the state of the ground is not due to just one person. It is something that has been achieved thanks to the cooperation and joint working of the Club, the Council and the Council Contractors, Enterprise.
Groundsman, Jeff Powell works hard year after year preparing the wickets, for which he deserves great thanks. But behind the scenes, representatives from the Cricket Club, the Council and their grounds maintenance contractors Enterprise, have been working together, looking at ways of improving the playing surface to meet the stringent requirements set by the league.
Stevyn Ricketts and Dave Stubington from the Council advised the Club on the contractual work to be carried out at the ground. Now, understanding of the situation regards the extra money and resources needed to improve the facility over and above that standard, the Club have stepped up to the crease themselves.
“We had to make it clear to the Club that as far as the council were concerned, further monies and resources were not always going to be available to carry out the sort of work necessary to achieve the standard required, work that is outside of the grounds maintenance contract,” said Dennis Wright, Chairman of the Community & Environment Board. “So the club decided to fund the close season chain harrowing and rolling of the outfield themselves. The work was carried out on their behalf by Enterprise and then volunteers from the club worked really hard, using a roller on loan from G&S Building Services, to carry out extra rolling of the square. This enhanced the work carried out by Enterprise and kept costs to a minimum. It was quite literally a real team effort, but one that worked well.”
The ground has seen a vast improvement in its condition which has been brought about through discussions, by working together with club members and contractors and acting on recommendations from Chris Westbrook, the English Cricket Board grounds specialist for the Hampshire Cricket Board. It was that improvement that saw the Club receive ‘The Most Improved Ground’ Award, acknowledging both their hard work and commitment.
“Efforts are being made by all concerned to make Privett Park a nice venue at which to play and watch good quality cricket locally,” added Cllr Wright. “The improved ground together with the soon to be opened ‘new clubhouse’, means a bright new future for the Cricket Club and its members. We congratulate all those involved in the project and wish the Club well for the forthcoming season."
