Ground staff shortlisted for Professional Cricket Ground Staff of the Year at the Institute of Groundsmanship's (IOG) Industry Awards
Warwickshire CCC ground staff have been recognised for their outstanding work over the last 12 months by being shortlisted for a prestigious industry accolade.
The team, which is led by Head Groundsman Gary Barwell, are on of just two teams to be shortlisted for Professional Cricket Ground Staff of the Year at the Institute of Groundsmanship’s (IOG) Industry Awards.
Cricket is very fortunate to have so many talented staff working on grounds across the country, so for us to be shortlisted is very heartening.
Gary Barwell
“It’s fantastic to be recognised for our work,” said Barwell. “Cricket is very fortunate to have so many talented staff working on grounds across the country, so for us to be shortlisted is very heartening for my team who have worked incredibly hard in very challenging conditions to deliver the best possible pitches, outfield and practice facilities.
“Naturally the awareness of what we do is always heightened when we host international cricket, and we had another great Test match and international T20 this year.
“However, we prepare in exactly the same way and work equally as hard throughout the summer to ensure that we provide the best possible conditions for every game here at Edgbaston.”
The Institute of Groundsmanship is the leading organisation that represents professional and volunteer groundsmen and women across the country.
Geoff Webb, Chief Executive of the IOG, said: “Once again we have enjoyed a bumper number of nominations for the awards, matching last year’s record-breaking entry. The quality has really been exceptional – with the judges commenting that some of the applications have been the best they’ve seen in the awards’ history – and a host of new nominees have come to the fore, too.”
Independent judging for the awards will now take place at each venue . The winners will be announced Oscar-style at the IOG Industry Awards dinner by host Mark Saggers from talkSPORT radio at the Hilton Birmingham Metropole, on Wednesday 31 October – the evening of the opening day of the SALTEX exhibition at the nearby NEC.
