Earlier this March, Cornwall FA welcomed clubs to a pair of Grass Pitch Support events to help them get informed about how best to maintain pitches and facilities.

The events were hosted by Wendron United and Bodmin Town and were attended by plenty of experts in various fields. Daniel Greenough, Cornwall FA Football Development Manager, opened the evenings with an overview of the funding available to clubs. “Firstly a big thank you to Wendron and Bodmin for hosting, it is very much appreciated,” said Dan. “Thanks as well to everyone that attended either on the Tuesday and/or Wednesday evening.”

Ash Hendrickx-Nutley of the Grounds Management Association then gave an insightful presentation on Pitch Power, explaining how clubs can use the web app to assess their pitches and gain access to funds from the Football Foundation.

“Cornwall FA want to support as many clubs to apply, receive and benefit from various funding options that are available and the clubs that are applying for funding are seeing a massive benefit to them and the community.” - Dan Greenough, Football Development Manager

The evening wrapped up with a demonstration by Vincent Tractors and Plant as clubs got a closer look at some of the equipment that clubs can tap in to funding to purchase. The events were also attended by a handful of contractors who were able to chat to clubs and share their knowledge and expertise.

“It was a pleasure to support the Cornwall FA at the recent grass pitch events,” said John Scott of Vincent Tractors. “Our staff attended the two venues with Kubota tractor options, Trimax sports pitch mowers and some aeration/maintenance equipment. Cornwall FA are doing a great job in promoting to local clubs the grants available for pitch improvement machinery and works. These events are great at showing clubs still to go through the funding application what is available and the process. We are able to offer clubs a demo of any equipment they may be after whether it be large or small scale.”

Dan Greenough: “We would like to thank our machinery partner Vincent Tractors and Plant for demonstrating the various machinery available to clubs, along with Ash for his Pitch Power demo and Andrew Sandow for showing off some of the bigger equipment you would expect contractors around Cornwall to use. We are very grateful to everyone involved for giving up their time.”

If you were unable to come to either of our face-to-face events, you have one more chance to book on and gather the same insight given to clubs that attended in person. Cornwall FA is pleased to announce one final online workshop on Wednesday, 29th March. No matter the size of your club, organisations big and small can all benefit from funding along with says to improve their playing surface and facilities.

Sign up for our upcoming online workshop here

Cornwall FA are also giving clubs that complete their Pitch Power assessment and make an application to the Football Foundation's Grass Pitch Maintenance Fund before the end of April a chance to win… 

1 x iGo Mini line marker with a free installation visit, plus 20 litres of white paint (RRP of over £780)
2 x soil sampler and mallet (RRP of over £270)