Club update on the pitch this season

There have been some unfavourable comments both in person and online recently about the state of our pitch. The Board is more than aware that this season it has been particularly soft and has cut up more than usual.

To clarify, this has nothing to do with the team looking after it or the way the pitch has been maintained this season versus previous years. In addition, the women’s matches have very minimal impact  on the pitch compared to the men’s games, and as this is the third season that they have played at Twerton Park, their presence is not a factor in the change in the pitch conditions.

We are not alone in finding this winter something of a challenge, being colder and wetter than many recent ones.  Sadly we are not blessed with the luxury of either a 4G or hybrid pitch, or the finances to utilise heat lamps to promote grass growth.  Additionally we have an aged drainage system that was installed some 35 years ago, and upon taking specialist advice the conclusion is that it now needs replacing.  This is expensive (c £65,000), and although there is grant funding available, this will not cover the total cost.  Therefore we face a difficult decision over what to do, particularly as our preference is to install a 4G pitch which would negate the need to do this.  We will be reviewing all options between now and the end of the season to decide upon the best course of action.

We would like to take this opportunity to thank the maintenance team from the Bath Rec Trust, and in particular Kai and Zak, who despite all the challenges facing them, do their utmost to prepare the best possible pitch.