GMA LAUNCHES LEVEL 2 WINTER PITCH TRAINING

The Grounds Management Association (GMA) has announced its ‘Level 2 Winter Pitches’ online course for volunteers and professionals.

They say is aims to help participants achieve maximum results when maintaining pitches during colder, wetter months. This includes football, rugby league, rugby union, and sports in the Gaelic Athletics Association.

The GMA says ‘Level 2 Winter Pitches’ can be completed in around six hours, which includes ten lessons, and gives participants the chance to learn more about basic turf care techniques. It is priced at £105 for non-members, and GMA members receive up to 30% off online courses pricing it at £75.

Modules cover; the surface, influencing pitch playability, safe working practices, soils and drainage, how to identify a few of the most common turf grasses, and basic control methods for common weeds, pests, and diseases. The course also touches on planning annual work schedules.

Jason Booth, director of Technical and Learning said, “Winter can be a tough time of year to maintain pitches, even more so with current challenges we’re facing as a nation and industry. This course is as much about gaining the skills to work reactively during Winter, as well as proactively planning ahead any out of season maintenance.”

“The GMA recognises the valuable contribution of volunteers and ‘Level 2 Winter Pitches’ has been designed to help improve knowledge and efficiencies so that grounds staff and volunteers have the confidence to get pitches playable in unfavourable weather conditions using their volunteer time effectively. Launching this course online gives people the opportunity to access the vital information from anywhere, and at any time.”

The GMA offers two levels of training courses and seven professional development qualifications via its online platform. A further online training course ‘Level 2 Cricket’ will be available ahead of the next playing season, in Spring 2021.