WE COULD ACHIEVE SO MUCH MORE WORKING TOGETHER

To kick off 2026, TurfPro has asked a series of prominent figures to offer their thoughts on the industry's current State Of Play.

Brian Sandalls is a groundsman and turfcare expert with over two decades of experience in sports turf management, including cricket pitch preparation and maintenance. 

He is currently a senior groundsman at Sussex Cricket Limited, advising on pitch preparation and groundcare at professional cricket venues. 

His professional work includes awards for groundskeeping excellence, having been recognised as Groundsman of the Year multiple times. 

He is the founder of TurfCareBlog.com, a platform for sharing knowledge and best practices in turf and pitch management across sports including cricket. TurfPro will be teaming up him this year to share articles on best practice and industry issues across our respective titles.

Brian is also a County Pitch Advisor for cricket and as a support pitch advisor for the Sussex FA.

Q1. What has been the product, machine or innovation that has helped you most in your career?

I think there are a few, but I think more aggressive scarifiers in terms of engine horsepower, for me were the real game changer in regard to renovations with the ability to really hit litter and thatch very hard.

It does also help that I have a tractor mounted scarifier, meaning I can hit the surface as hard as I like, in less time, with less physical effort, making for a more effective outcome.. 

Q2. What are the most challenging issues facing the industry?

Not sure where to start. We, like many industries, have multiple challenges - including recruitment and retention and high expectations with low levels of understanding of the role of a turf professional from members and the public.

I think though, the biggest challenge is going to be climate change and the extremes that come with that in terms of weather and growing pressure from water companies and hosepipe bans.

I believe when bans are in place you can only water the pitch in preparation at limited times. My concern is while that is helpful, it’s not really going to help us keep the rest of the square hydrated. My concern is the square will become hydrophobic and in turn even the watering of the pitch in preparation will have limited effect. An even bigger challenge for those with low water pressure.

I think we can water if the square starts to crack, but by the time it starts to crack with our time challenges and low water pressure, it’s going to be too dry and be too late to be effective in keeping the cracks closed.

Q3. What are your thoughts on our current trade show scene?

It's great for turf professionals like myself to have such a range of shows across the country at different times of the year. There is a show somewhere for everyone.

Personally, I prefer a trade show where I can demo machines and see them action. So I favour the outdoor shows such as GroundsFest.

Q4. What would you like to see in terms of collaboration across industry organisations?

It goes without saying really doesn’t it, but we could achieve so much more working together - but it feels like there is little appetite for it across industry bodies? I am sure though, conversations have been had and collaborations have happened but, as a working turf professional it would be good to see and hear more.

Q5. What changes would you like to see made to improve the industry?

I do feel we don’t hear much of what governing bodies are doing across the industry and how they're helping to support the challenges we are facing and going to face.

We have a wonderful industry and I think we all can do more to promote and share our passion for the industry in whatever way we can - as the only way forward is collective effort. There are lots of turfies out there doing great things across social media and at their clubs and I think this should only be encouraged.

Keeping those who do choose to enter out industry can be a challenge - so a balance between work/life is something employers and managers need to keep working on to help retain staff. But also, we are in an industry that requires flexibility, so it's a challenge for sure.