The event, “A Day in the Life of Hull City’s Head Grounds Manager,” hosted in tandem by Hull City FC, the East Riding FA, and Grounds Management Association last month, brought together over 60 volunteers from across the region at the MKM Stadium. Designed to provide a behind-the-scenes look at elite pitch maintenance, the day offered attendees valuable insights and practical tools to elevate the quality of their own grassroots pitches.

From a grounds quiz to an expert-led Q&A session, the event highlighted the importance of applying professional techniques at all levels of the game. Attendees had the opportunity to hear from Hull City’s Head Grounds Manager, Aaron Tong, Chris Hunter; the GMA’s Regional Pitch Advisor; and Rachel Sullivan, Head of Development & Investment at East Riding FA.

The interactive sessions took volunteers onto the pitch to measure soil gravity, water absorbency, and compaction levels using specialised tools that may never have come into contact with before. They also analysed heat maps to understand pitch usage patterns and how this may impact on maintenance. A tour of Hull City’s plant room and the showcase of advanced equipment used to keep the club’s pitch in pristine condition, sparked discussions on how similar approaches could benefit grassroots facilities.

As Volunteers Day serves as a reminder of the vital role volunteers play, the GMA reaffirms its commitment to recognising and supporting those who dedicate countless hours to maintaining grassroots sports facilities.

Volunteers are the backbone of grassroots sport. Without their hard work and dedication, countless pitches across the country simply wouldn’t exist. These individuals give up their time to ensure players of all ages and abilities can enjoy the game, and they deserve all of the recognition. Today, we celebrate the efforts of all volunteers who make sport possible within their local communities.