News
01/01/2008
SISIS AERAID AT LEEDS RHINOS
Would-be sports surface managers were given the chance to improve their skills thanks to a unique partnership between Askham Bryan College and Super League champions Leeds Rhinos.
Students at Askham Bryan College near York were given an insight into what goes into maintaining a high-profile stadium – and got some invaluable experience at the same time.
The College has linked up with Leeds Rugby to offer students on the two-year National Diploma in Horticulture twice monthly trips to Headingley Carnegie Stadium, the home of Rugby League champions the Leeds Rhinos.
As part of the turf production and maintenance module of the course, the group of 10 students is helping Stadium Groundsman Jason Booth and his team on the pitch. (Jason recently beat off fierce competition from other grounds staff across the country to be voted 2007 RFL Groundsperson of the Year.) The students are split into two groups, with one group having practical experience on the pitch, and the others using the classrooms at Leeds Rugby for lectures.
Askham Bryan Course Tutor Dan Prest said:
“Our students are doing some key work for Leeds Rugby and it is wonderful experience for them. They are experiencing many different types of work, from general mowing to scarification, aeration and top dressing.
“The pitch at Headingley comes under such close scrutiny on television that it has to look in top condition all of the time. It is also in use constantly with both the Rugby League and Rugby Union seasons so it only has 17 days’ rest a year. The amount of work that goes into maintaining it in first class condition is incredible,”
The photo shows SISIS Territory Manager Allan Gray demonstrating the SISIS AER-AID SYSTEM at the Headingley Stadium, watched by Aaron Hickman, Jason Booth, and Dan Prest.
