After the final whistle
The importance of post-match works
The aim
To give the pitch the best chance of being ready for its next use. Just as players have a recovery process after a game, so the pitch they’ve been playing on needs to recover.
Your post-match roles
Post-match duties can be divided into these 8 areas:
Inspect the pitch. Make sure the pitch is clear of rubbish and anything else that might have been left behind by players and spectators.
Remove flags and post protectors.
Repair won areas. Tackle areas of excessive wear on the pitch. This can be done through regular sand dressing, seeding if conditions allow and light raking of the surface using a plastic landscaping rake.
Aeration. Help drain water from the surface using either a hand fork or (for the whole pitch) tractor mounted equipment. Please note this will be less effective or even detrimental if the pitch is already saturated.
Surface grooming. Regular use of a combination grooming tool on the pitch will help reinstate surface levels, rake in divots, and aerate the top few inches of the playing surface. This attachment normally includes four independently operated pieces of equipment: an aerator, brush, rake, and firming roller.
- Slitter- aerates the playing surface.
- Brush- Distributes clippings/debris, removes dew, gives the playing surface a striped effect.
- Rake- Lightly scarifies the surface, helps to push back divots.
- Light Roller- Helps to push back divots, gives the playing surface a striped effect.
- Approx. working width 1800mm but needs to be wider than the tractor
Overmarking. Keep lines straight and visible by overmarking lines that have been worn out from play, rain etc if necessary.
The purpose
- To avoid a delay to kick-off in the next match – or even worse, a postponement.
- Removing flags and post protectors reduces the risk of unauthorised use of the pitch (if unofficial use is an issue).
- To reduce the risk of injury to players and match officials.
- To keep the ground aesthetically pleasing.
Timing, equipment, and practical tips
Timing
- Perform all tasks immediately after the match where possible. Overmarking can be done once the surface has been cleaned of debris but do not waste resources by overmarking more often than necessary.
Practical tips
- There are two key considerations here:
Post-match work is best completed by 2 to 4 people. Sharing the task helps make sure there’s more detailed coverage of the pitch, as well as ensuring the tasks are completed in reasonable time. Many hands make light work!
