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Gabba Groundsman Kevin Mitchell To Step Down

August 22, 2017/in Industry News, Press Release/by External Source

Gabba groundsman Kevin Mitchell to step down: Long-serving Gabba curator Kevin Mitchell, who has prepared pitches at the Australian cricket fortress for over 30 years, has said he will step down after the series-opening Ashes Test. The Brisbane venue has long been acclaimed for the quality of its pitches, which invariably offer pace and bounce for […]

Amateur Sports Pitches Can Win A Premiership Makeover

August 21, 2017/in Press Release, Sport/by Holly Daulby

Amateur Sports Pitches Can Win A Premiership Makeover: Amateur sports teams across the country are in with the chance to be able to renovate their pitch to premiership standards! “Pitch to Play” has been launched by Allett and the Institute of Groundsmanship (the IOG) to find the amateur pitch that is most in need of a […]

Gabba Groundsman Kevin Mitchell To Step Down

August 22, 2017/in Industry News, Press Release/by External Source

Amateur Sports Pitches Can Win A Premiership Makeover

August 21, 2017/in Press Release, Sport/by Holly Daulby

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Gabba Groundsman Kevin Mitchell To Step Down

August 22, 2017/in Industry News, Press Release/by External Source

The Brisbane venue has long been acclaimed for the quality of its pitches, which invariably offer pace and bounce for fast bowlers, turn for spinners and the possibility of big totals for batting sides.

‘I’d taken a step back from the physical side of work and engaged in more of a guidance role with the team to see out my contract while helping to recruit my successor,’ Mitchell told Brisbane’s Courier Mail.

‘I want to thank the grounds team for their continual efforts to meet the high standards required and maintaining the culture of having great pride in producing quality playing surfaces.’

Queensland sports minister Mick de Brenni paid tribute to Mitchell for laying the foundation for some of Australia’s most dominant performances.

‘Kevin truly is an icon, and to have kept producing an absolute world-class deck on a ground that’s used all year round has taken a particular talent. So, absolutely, very, very big shoes to fill,’ he said.

Mitchell learned under the wing of his father and former head groundsman Kevin Mitchell Snr, who tended the grounds from 1975-89 before being succeeded by his son.

‘The great West Indies side were out in those days with the four big quicks and Clive Lloyd, Viv Richards and the like… and I just thought, “what a great place to work,”‘ Mitchell said in comments published by state broadcaster ABC.

‘The Gabba is a famous, iconic, historic stadium, and you feel that responsibility to create something that Queenslanders are proud of. You have to love the job – it’s a big part of your life.’

Australia have not lost a Test at the Gabba since 1988, when they were beaten by West Indies, and only two of the last 13 matches have been draws – a sequence that has seen the ground garner the nickname ‘The Gabbatoir’.

Australia play the Ashes series opener on November 23, four years after thrashing England at the same venue by 381 runs when left-arm seamer Mitchell Johnson took nine wickets.

England opening batsman Jonathan Trott’s struggles against the short ball at the Gabba saw him promptly exit the tour with a stress-related illness and Australia went on to whitewash England 5-0.

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Amateur Sports Pitches Can Win A Premiership Makeover

August 21, 2017/in Press Release, Sport/by Holly Daulby

Amateur Sports Pitches Can Win A Premiership Makeover: Amateur sports teams across the country are in with the chance to be able to renovate their pitch to premiership standards!

“Pitch to Play” has been launched by Allett and the Institute of Groundsmanship (the IOG) to find the amateur pitch that is most in need of a makeover, and will award the chosen club with some top of the range groundskeeping equipment worth £3,000, plus a bespoke pitch maintenance programme from the IOG.

Pitch to Play is open to any amateur sports team in the UK that has an under 18s team, no matter what sport.

Allett and the IOG want to recognise the hard work that amateur groundsteams and volunteers are undertaking across the country, often with limited resources and equipment. Pitch to Play champions amateur groundstaff and gives them the opportunity to renovate the pitches that they look after, whilst brightening the future for their club.

Leigh Bowers, sales director at Allett, said: “We know that there is nothing worse than trying to play on a poor-quality sports pitch, and appreciate the hours of hard work that groundsteams and volutneers put in. We are eager to help transform the winner’s grounds into something that not only their team, but also their community, can be proud of.”

“Allett lawnmowers are the best in business for professional groundskeepers. Our machines are used on some of the top premiership pitches and the most famous sports grounds around the world. Pitch to Play gives grassroots teams the chance to win equipment to renovate their pitches which will reap benefits for seasons to come!” he added.

The winner of Pitch to Play will receive £3,000 to be used on the purchase of a new Allett lawnmower to help maintain the pitch to a professional, premiership standard. The runners up will win £500 towards the club kitty and third place will win £250. All prize winners will also receive a tailor-made maintenance programme from the IOG to help maintain the pitch for the future, along with a new kit and pitch side sponsorship.

If you think that your pitch needs some TLC, then visit www.pitchtoplay.co.uk to enter and send in at least three photos, showing why your club deserves to win.

The closing date is 1 November 2017.

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Gabba Groundsman Kevin Mitchell To Step Down

Amateur Sports Pitches Can Win A Premiership Makeover

Gabba Groundsman Kevin Mitchell To Step Down

Amateur Sports Pitches Can Win A Premiership Makeover

Full Sized Blog Element (Big Preview Pic)

Gabba Groundsman Kevin Mitchell To Step Down

Amateur Sports Pitches Can Win A Premiership Makeover

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