He has been one of the most devoted cricketers in this sector, and there are few better to answer some probing questions...
1 In your role as Chairman of the NCU grounds committee would you say that grounds are better these days than ten years ago?
I would say yes. Grounds and the equipment at grounds is also improving year on year. Let’s take a snapshot at what is happening at present, Templepatrick and Woodvale are having their grounds totally renovated. Carrick and Lurgan have had their outfield drainage systems replaced. Dundrum has a new artificial wicket, and Downpatrick have had some new drainage installed. Ballyclare High School has had four new wickets built, which are of the highest standard and Campbell College are planning to lay a new square. That’s good “work in progress.”
2 What is your committee doing to promote better grounds?
We have made it a requirement that if you play in the Premier or 1st division you must meet a certain criteria in terms of equipment. We also keep a close watch on the umpires’ reports and if there are problems we will act on them immediately. We also inspect grounds and we bring over Tom Flintoff, an ex-county groundsman on an annual basis.
3 What is the real value of visits from people like Tom who was here recently?
Tom is a genuine authority on the subject and he has been coming over for the last fifteen years so he has built up a lot of local knowledge. He has advised many groundsmen in that period and I am sure each would tell you that they have learnt something from him. On his recent visit he confirmed that in the last 2 - 3 years he has seen the greatest improvement in grounds in the NCU area.
4 Are grounds, grounds facilities, and grounds staff given the recognition they deserve in local cricket?
Yes and No. If we look from a playing point of view, most players turn up and expect a great pitch to play on. However, if one or two balls do something out of the ordinary, they complain it is a bad pitch! The last three summers have been poor in terms of weather, so I think groundsmen in the NCU, the majority of whom are unpaid, have done a pretty good job to produce decent wickets.
From a facilities point of view, I think all grounds could be improved, but as it all comes down to money, and where it is spent.
In terms of recognition, I think players should be thankful that there are a dedicated number of people at each club who put in a massive effort to keep produce grounds of a pretty high standard.
5 If a number of clubs are laying new squares, what does this tell us aboutNCU cricket squares?
Most of the squares in the NCU are over twenty years old. The life of a square is generally considered to be 10 - 12 years, therefore it could be said that we need a lot more new squares, so well done to the clubs who have already acted.
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