DELEGATES GO BEHIND THE SCENES AT LORD'S

Selected attendees from GroundsFest Academy events were recently given the opportunity to experience a truly unforgettable day at Lord's Cricket Ground.

The exclusive experience day offered delegates a behind-the-scenes look at elite-level turf management within one of the world’s most iconic sporting venues. Hosted by Lord’s head groundsman Karl McDermott, the day combined practical learning, networking, and insight into the precision and planning required to maintain world-class cricket surfaces.

Throughout the morning, attendees explored every aspect of stadium turf management, including access and zoning logistics, matchday preparation, wicket and outfield construction, drainage and irrigation systems, grass species selection, and managing weather impacts. Delegates were also given access to machinery, equipment, and operational areas rarely seen by the public, alongside a personal tour of the famous square and outfield.

For Peter Dawson from Berkshire College of Agriculture, the visit was both inspiring and educational.

"Obviously, Lord’s is iconic - the home of cricket. It’s been fantastic. Karl took us around the ground, showed us the pitches and explained the techniques behind preparation and renovation. I really enjoyed learning about how he works with his staff and apprentices, particularly the responsibility they’re given. Each member of staff prepares their own pitch for matches, which I thought was a brilliant way to help people learn and develop confidence. It’s definitely something I can take back into my apprenticeship role at BCA."

GroundsFest Academy director of education, Bradley Tennant, explained, "The whole reason behind these days was to create new opportunities and give more back to the industry. We already provide free educational events, but these experience days allow selected attendees to step inside environments they may never normally get to see. Venues like Lord’s are iconic, and for many people this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. It’s not just about seeing the venue; it’s about learning from experienced professionals, sharing stories, networking, and taking ideas back into the workplace. The feedback we’ve had has been incredibly positive and we’ll definitely be doing more experience days in the future."