RCT Grounds Managers Workshop launches new programme to improve cricket facilities
RCT Grounds Managers Workshop launches new programme to improve cricket facilities
Cricket Wales, in partnership with Rhondda Cynon Taff Council and the Grounds Management Association (GMA), has delivered the first Grounds Managers Workshop in a new programme designed to support the long-term improvement of cricket facilities across the county borough.
The workshop followed recent PitchPower assessments, which provided detailed insights into the condition of council-managed cricket pitches and helped identify priority areas for investment and development.
Using the PitchPower reports as a starting point, Cricket Wales and the GMA are working with RCT Council to take a more proactive and strategic approach to pitch maintenance. The reports highlighted opportunities to improve playing surfaces, helping focus attention on the areas that will have the greatest impact on the quality and sustainability of cricket provision in the future.
The first workshop, held on Monday 17th August, brought together members of the council’s parks teams for a practical session focused on end-of-season renovations and winter preparation. With the 2026 season approaching its conclusion, discussions centred on the key renovation work required over the coming months to ensure pitches are in the best possible condition for the start of the 2027 cricket season. Topics included renovation planning, surface preparation, maintenance priorities and techniques that can improve pitch performance and consistency.
The session also provided an opportunity for grounds staff to share experiences, discuss challenges across different sites and learn from specialist cricket grounds management expertise. By combining local knowledge with industry best practice, the workshop helped establish a clear roadmap for future improvements.
“The workshop was extremely valuable for me,” said one RCT parks team memeber. “It gave me a clearer understanding of the renovation work needed at the end of the season and how those actions will help improve pitch quality for 2027. The practical advice and opportunity to discuss challenges with Cricket Wales and the GMA has given us confidence that we’re moving in the right direction.”
This marks an important step forward for cricket facilities in RCT. The collaboration between the council, Cricket Wales and the GMA demonstrates a shared commitment to investing in people, developing skills and creating better playing environments for local clubs and communities. The workshop is the first in a series of planned support sessions that will help embed best practice and drive continual improvement across the authority’s cricket grounds.
RCT cricket clubs are encouraged to engage with their local grounds teams, support ongoing improvement work and make the most of the opportunities being created through this programme. By working together, clubs, volunteers and grounds staff can play a key role in improving the quality of facilities and creating better experiences for players across the county borough ahead of the 2027 season.
