Eastern Counties Rugby Union

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Mowing
Aim to cut to a height of 50mm and do not leave it any longer than 75mm
No more than one third of the height of the grass should be cut at any one time

Fertiliser
Use a 4-10-10 autumn and winter slow release fertiliser at 30g/m2

Training
Where possible put a pitch training area rotation in place. This will help to prevent any one area becoming over-used and damaged at a time of year when the grass will struggle to recover.
Establish areas of the playing area for repetitive work such as
Scrums / Lineouts / Defence drills / Handling skills
Where possible only allow games and run throughs on the playing areas

Aeration
As conditions allow surface slit weekly, verti drain before Christmas and repeat late February.
This will improve the drainage capabilities of the rooting zone and encourage the grasses roots to
grow to depth, anchor stronger and better pick up nutrients and moisture

Weeding
To save on herbicide costs a team of 10 willing volunteers with a long-handled screwdriver can
weed a pitch in a morning.

Repairing localised damage

These can be repaired for very, little cost with a hand fork, sand, seed and scaffold mesh or germination sheet.
1. Cordon the area of to stop further damage
2. Decompact the area by pushing the fork into the soil and heaving backwards
a. This will lift and crack the soil allowing better drainage
3. Sprinkle seed over the area (dwarf perennial ryegrass)
4. Dress the area with topdressing (sand and soil mix 90% - 80% sand + 10% - 20% soil)
5. Cover the area with a germination sheet. Scaffold mesh makes a low-cost germination sheet
6. Keep the area cordoned off, if possible, until the grass has established itself

Push fork into its max depth and heave backwards, seed, top-dress and cover

Surface levelling / Grooming
This can be done with a set of chain harrows used blunt side up or a section of Heras fencing.
A section of Heras fencing can be pulled by two forwards on a rope. Great training for the legs!
The harrows or fencing panel will help to level the surface and stand the grass up.

Eastern Counties Contract Partnership Rates
Mel Pooley
50mile radius of March
These are standard plans and can be adjusted for site specific requirements
Bronze- Basic Aeration
Verti-Draining X 2
Aeration of the whole pitch with 18mm tines suggest autumn & spring
Total £550 + VAT where required

Silver - basic aeration and fertiliser
2 x verti-drain (Autumn/Early Spring) with 18mm tines suggest autumn & spring
2 x time of year specific sports field grade longevity fertiliser application (late summer, early spring)
• Club supplies fertiliser
Total - £660 + VAT where required

Gold - Decent aeration and fertiliser program, overseed and weed spray
2 x verti-drain (Autumn/Early Spring) with 18mm tines suggest autumn & spring
2 x time of year specific sports field grade longevity fertiliser application (late summer, early spring)
• Club supplies fertiliser
1 x end of season overseeding (Club provides seed)
Total - £990 + VAT where required

Platinum- full aeration and fertiliser program with extensive end of season renovation
2 x verti-drain (Autumn/Early Spring) with 18mm tines suggest autumn & spring
2 x time of year specific sports field grade longevity fertiliser application (late summer, early spring)
• Club supplies fertiliser
1 x end of season overseeding (Club provides seed)
1 x Application of 90t of topdressing post overseeding (Topdressing not included)
Total - £1,710 + VAT where required

For further information or discuss details please contact Mel Pooley
• 01354 740402
• 07770 411650
• Melvynpooley20@gmail.com

These are standard plans and can be adjusted for site specific requirements
40mile radius of Woolpit, near Bury St Edmunds
Bronze- Basic Aeration
Verti-Draining X 2
Aeration of the whole pitch with 24mm tines to depths up to 12” unless other requirements specified. Probably autumn & spring
Total £600 + VAT

Silver - basic aeration and fertiliser
2 x verti-drain (Autumn/Early Spring)
2 x time of year specific sports field grade longevity fertiliser application (late summer, early spring)
Total - £1,250 + VAT

Gold - Decent aeration and fertiliser program, overseed and weed spray
2 x verti-drain (Autumn/Early Spring)
1 x linear aeration (December/Jan)
2 x time of year specific ICL ProTurf fertiliser application (late summer, early spring)
1 x end of season overseeding (10 x Barenbrug multi-sport disk seeded in two directions)
1 x weed spray (over 6 weeks after seeding)
Total - £3,100 + VAT where required

Platinum- full aeration and fertiliser program with extensive end of season renovation
2 x verti-drain (Autumn/Early Spring)
1 x linear aeration (December/Jan)
2 x time of year specific ICL ProTurf fertiliser application (mid/late summer, early autumn)
1 x full end of season renovation (scarification, verti-drain, 60 tonnes of BS sports and turf top dressing, 12 x Barenbrug multi-sport disc seeded in three directions, pre seed fertiliser)
1 x weed spray (over 6 weeks after seeding)
Total - £6,800 + VAT where required

For further information or to discuss details please contact Will Parker at:
• will@parkerspitches.co.uk
• 07828265800