Dave Powell Overview

DAVE POWELL

Ground Manager, Northampton Rugby Football Club

Former England International and British Lion

As a young farmer I was always taught if you look after the land it will look after you. The same applies to growing andkeeping grass, whether you are producing hay/silage, grazing cattle/sheep, or playing sport.

As a player with Northampton for 13 years, I was very fortunate to play on many club and international grounds. Often they were bare, waterlogged mud heaps. It was clear there was the need for improvement.

After my playing days I started getting involved in pitch work. It soon became apparent that generally the main problems were poor drainage and compaction. My grounds career developed from there.

Not coming from the usual formal route into the industry, I did find it somewhat narrow minded and self protective. Advice and expertise is better when it is shared.

The launch of Pitchcare.com can only help to expand the profile of the industry.