Health & Wellbeing Articles
Cricket Articles
Game-changer: Hybrid wickets transform Bradfield Fellowship
17 August 2026
Step up, stand out: Interviews made easy
10 August 2026
Nominations and entries open for GMA Industry Awards 2027
05 August 2026
More Articles
Finding better mental health through turfcare at Belper Meadows
When office life took its toll, Mark Morgan stepped onto the outfield and into a role that reshaped his wellbeing. His path into turfcare highlights the powerful mental health impact of working on the ground.
There is a growing narrative within the turfcare industry; one that speaks not just of surfaces and machinery, but of people finding their way into a profession they never expected - often at a point when their mental wellbeing needs it most. Mark Morgan, Head Groundsman at Belper Meadows Cricket Club, is a powerful embodiment of that story.
After nearly two decades in an office environment, Mark made a decision that many contemplate but few act upon: he walked away. “It was during lockdown,” he recalls. “I just couldn’t do it anymore.”
For Mark, the breaking point wasn’t about workload - it was about wellbeing. The isolation, the screen time, the lack of movement, and the pressure of a role that no longer felt meaningful had taken its toll. What followed was not a carefully mapped career transition, but a chance encounter that would ultimately reshape both his working life and his mental health.
A walk past his local cricket ground led to a conversation with the then groundsman and an open invitation to lend a hand. From tentative beginnings on the roller
to gaining his GMA Level 1 qualification, Mark quickly discovered an unexpected calling: “I don’t know why I’ve not been doing this all my life,” he says. “Best decision I’ve ever made.”
A new career - and a new headspace
Mark’s entry into professional turfcare was as rapid as it was remarkable. Within weeks of gaining some initial experience, he applied for a role at Trent Bridge. By the following week, he was part of the groundstaff and just two days into the job he was involved in preparing for an international Test match. “That was a bit of a whirlwind,” he admits.
From there, his career continued to gather momentum. A move to Denstone College provided three formative years with a stronger cricket focus, before ultimately returning to where it all began at Belper Meadows, just minutes from his home.
But beyond the career progression, the shift from office to outdoors has been transformative in more ways than one: “You sit in an office all day and everything aches,” he explains. “Now I feel healthier, happier; just better in myself.”
For many in turfcare, this sentiment rings true. The industry offers not just a job, but a lifestyle - one rooted in physical activity, routine, fresh air, and the grounding effect of working with natural surfaces. For Mark, that contrast with his previous role could not be clearer: “The last couple of years in the office were a real struggle. Being outdoors has completely changed that.”
His experience mirrors a wider conversation in the sector: turfcare can be a lifeline for mental health, but it also brings its own pressures - weather, expectations, isolation, and the weight of responsibility. Mark’s story highlights both sides.
A forgotten trade with untapped potential - and a wellbeing opportunity
Despite the rewards, Mark is acutely aware of a significant challenge facing the sector: a lack of young people entering the profession. “It’s a forgotten trade,” he says. “You hear about becoming electricians or plumbers but no one talks about grounds management.”
Through attending seminars and industry forums, he has observed a clear gap in both recruitment and retention of younger workers. Many simply don’t see it as a viable or accessible career path - and even fewer understand the wellbeing benefits that come with it.
For Mark, this is a missed opportunity. Turfcare offers structure, purpose and a sense of achievement - all powerful contributors to good mental health. And that’s something he wants the next generation to understand.
Engaging the next generation - and supporting their wellbeing
Recognising the power of digital platforms, Mark has embraced social media as a tool to showcase the realities and opportunities of modern turfcare. Alongside this, he has launched junior workshops at Belper Meadows aimed at introducing young people to the basics of pitch care: “These are two-hour sessions where we teach things like repairing footholds, brushing pitches and using covers properly,” he explains.
It’s practical, hands-on learning designed not just to inspire future careers, but to support local clubs by developing knowledgeable volunteers. He also highlights the potential link with schemes such as the Duke of Edinburgh Award, offering young people a meaningful way to complete volunteering hours within their own cricket communities: “It’s about creating that interest early, 12 to 16 years old, and giving them a pathway.”
Importantly, these sessions also give young people something many are missing: time outdoors, physical activity, and a sense of belonging - all proven contributors to better mental health.
While Mark is passionate about passing on knowledge, he is equally clear that learning is not a one-way street: “You’ve always got to learn in this industry,” he says. “It’s not just about teaching the younger generation - it’s about learning from them as well.”
This mindset is particularly relevant in an era where changing weather patterns are increasingly influencing pitch preparation. Adaptability, he suggests, is now essential: “If the weather’s changing and you’re not changing the way you work, you’ll struggle.”
Challenges on and off the square
At Belper Meadows, the challenges are both familiar and unique. Flooding remains a persistent issue - what was once considered a “one in a hundred year” event has become alarmingly frequent: “Since 2008, we’ve flooded around twenty times,” Mark notes.
Alongside environmental pressures, the club also faces the ongoing difficulties of limited budgets, rising fuel costs and a shortage of volunteers. These pressures can weigh heavily on the mental health of grounds teams, especially those working largely alone. In response, Mark is exploring more sustainable approaches, including a potential transition to electric machinery and seeking grant funding to support it.
Despite these challenges, he remains optimistic about the future of the profession - provided the industry can better communicate its value: “There are so many opportunities,” he says. “If you love sport, you can work at the best venues in the world, meet players, learn from top professionals.”
His own experience working at elite venues and alongside international teams stands as testament to that potential - and to the sense of pride and purpose that can be so beneficial to wellbeing.
A career worth considering - for the mind as much as the job!
Mark Morgan’s journey into turfcare may have been unconventional, but it highlights something important: this is a career that often finds people when they need it most. Yet, as he is keen to demonstrate, it doesn’t have to be that way.
By opening doors to younger generations, embracing new ideas, and adapting to modern challenges, Mark is helping to ensure that the industry is no longer a “forgotten trade” but a visible, viable and mentally rewarding career path for the future.
