In a new online series, club partner STIHL is bringing fans exclusive insight into the inner workings of Leicester Tigers groundstaff team.
Head groundsman Ed Mowe gives you a peak into what the grounds team have been up to in November.
Monday, November 1 – Thursday, November 4
The team kicked off the week at Oval Park training ground brushing the morning dew off the pitches, now the winter weather is on it’s way. Mowing and marking out pitches 1,2 and 3 for the first team ensures a warm start to the days, with divoting and repairing vital protocols.
Using the STIHL FS 240 C-E brushcutter and a STIHL KombiEngine with a brushcutter attachment, we maintain the rough areas around the training ground as well as a quick clean with the STIHL pressure washer.
MATCHDAY | Friday, November 5 | Tigers v Bath
The team are at Mattioli Woods Welford Road putting the final preparations to the pitch ahead of the evening kick off. This includes a double mow, marking out of the pitch, mowing the pitch perimeter with the STIHL RM 655 RS rotary mower and setting up the flags and post-protectors.
C’mon Tigers!
Monday, November 8 – Friday, November 12
The team are back at Oval Park ensuring the pitches are ready for another week of training for Steve’s team. The autumn/winter weather sees a lot more leaves fall which can damage the pitches and are a safety hazard. We clear up pathways, including any weeding and spraying using the STIHL SG 71 sprayer.
Final maintenance at the ground sees Pitch 2 sprayed with liquid fertilizer, seaweed, carbohydrates and turf hardener, ahead of another home matchday.
MATCHDAY | Saturday, November 13 | Tigers v Sale Sharks
We’re in early for the usual pitch preparations on a cold winter morning. Pitch mowed, marked and set for the first Premiership Cup fixture of the season.
Monday, November 15 – Friday, November 19
First sign of frost so our frost pitch protectors are called upon at Oval Park and the stadium. A long but important job! Weekly clearing of the training ground sees all pathways cleared, boot rooms and access to The Dome, with the STIHL BR 450 C-EF backpack leaf blower on hand.
Friday the team train at the stadium, so a dress rehearsal for our matchday protocols. A weekend off for the pitch this week as the team travel to Wasps.
Monday, November 22 – Friday, November 26
With a bye week coming up for the squad, a chance for everyone to catch up and prepare for December’s busy festive fixtures. Pitches 1 and 2 at Oval Park require some repair work with some maintenance of the academy building premises.
With car parks at both facilities, essential maintenance work can be chalked off including hedge trimming, where STIHL’s BG 86 C-E leaf blower, pruning shears, Kombi tools and HS 56 C-E hedge trimmer allows us to keep on track.
Ed and his team’s monthly log will be back next week with club partner STIHL. To discover more about STIHL’s range of products, visit their website at the link below.
