PITCH MANAGEMENT
THEY THINK IT'S ALL OVER…
But it's only just begun for Wembley Stadium Turf
Scholarship winner, James Pope!
W
embley Stadium Turf present myself, have all improved.
Scholarship winner Steve's taught me to be consistent and
2007, James Pope, has to improve myself - if you're doing
completed his year's work well, then you can always do better.”
placement at the world-famous Steve agrees that James has indeed
stadium and now looks set for a come on in leaps and bounds: “He's
promising career as a sports turf done very well. It's quite a big thing
professional. for somebody to start their working
Having beat off stiff competition life at a place like Wembley Stadium -
from four of his fellow Oaklands it doesn't get much bigger in the
College finalists - who the competition industry than this. It'll stand him in
is exclusively open to because of its really good stead for the rest of his
close location to the stadium - James working life.”
became the first to win the chance to James has also won praise from
work on Wembley Stadium's hallowed Oaklands for his achievements. Andy
turf under the mentorship of its Wight, pathways manager for
grounds manager, Steve Welch. horticulture, greenkeeping and
Sponsored by Toro and Lely UK, floristry, comments: “It's been a real
and in association with Oaklands pleasure for Oaklands College to be
College, the scheme aims to develop involved with Wembley Stadium, Toro
promising young turf professionals and Lely UK in this competition.
and instil in them the dedication and James has been back to see us and it's
passion necessary to follow in the obvious that his time spent at
footsteps of industry figures at the top Wembley Stadium has been enjoyable
of their game, like Steve. and set him up for his future career in
James' professional and personal a way few workplaces could have
development over the course of the done. We feel the competition offers a
Wembley Stadium Turf Scholarship winner 2007, James Pope (right), has completed
year, together with the enthusiasm he chance of a lifetime for any sports turf his year's work placement at the world-famous stadium under the mentorship of
shows for his industry, confirms that student.”
grounds manager, Steve Welch.
the inaugural scheme has certainly Although preparing the legendary
succeeded. pitch for matches is a major part of Stadium are what make this encourage in my team so that we can
“It's been hard work, but I've football-fan James' workload, the experience so valuable. go forward as a group and succeed.
enjoyed every second of it,” James diversity of sports and events the “In the 12 months he's been here, He's now got the confidence to do the
reflects. “And I've learned a lot. I was stadium plays host to has been of James has seen the venue used for jobs and to do them to a very good
so happy when I found out I'd won the particular benefit in progressing his football, rugby, American football and standard, which is pleasing to see. I've
scholarship. My standards of work, groundsmanship skills. Steve believes concerts, and the pitch tarmaced, un- got nothing but good things to say
my presentation skills, even the way I the unique demands of Wembley tarmaced, re-turfed and seeded,” says about how it's worked out.”
Steve. “He's probably been involved It goes without saying that, as
in everything you can possibly do with workplaces go, Wembley Stadium is a
a pitch.” James adds of this whirlwind tough act to follow, so where next for
of events: “You feel like you've James? Well, watch this space…
contributed something to each event. However, one thing is for certain -
It makes me very proud.” James is set on staying in the sports
Overall, Steve is delighted with his turf industry. “I can't imagine going
scholar and the overall success of the elsewhere after this. It would be a
scheme. “It's achieved everything we waste if I were to go into any other
wanted it to achieve,” he says. “I think sector. I feel really optimistic about
it's important those of us at the top of the future. I have such an advantage -
our profession put out a positive note the experience I'll be taking from here
about how good the industry is and is incredible. Working at Wembley
how much you can gain from it in Stadium is a once-in-a-lifetime
terms of job satisfaction by being opportunity.” FSA
enthusiastic, dedicated, committed
and focused. These are all words that Toro
make good groundsmen. Tel: 01480 226800
“I'd like to think James now has Email: toro.info.uk@lely.com
those attributes because that's what I www.toro.com
32 | FOOTBALL & SPORTS ARENA | September/October 2008
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