After over 40 years of service Chris Westbrook has announced his retirement as Hampshire’s County Pitch Advisor.
Westbrook, from Ampfield, has dedicated countless hours, most of which on a voluntary basis, supporting clubs in and around Hampshire to overcome issues and improve ground standards.
Westbrook began supporting club cricket grounds across the county in 1981, before the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) formally introduced the role of County Pitch Advisor in 2022.
Over the past four decades, Westbrook played an instrumental role to clubs up across Hampshire, often travelling the length and breadth of the county and beyond, visiting clubs to provide invaluable pre and post season renovation guidance and in many cases, detailed written reports to help clubs implement long term ground improvements.
Westbrook facilitated Institute of Groundsmanship (IOG) training courses and informal workshops, providing hands on practical training for many club volunteers. Furthermore, he managed the Grounds Buying Group, negotiating prices on materials, helping to keep maintenance costs as low as possible for Hampshire clubs.
Also a very well-respected figure on the Pitch Advisor circuit around the country, Westbrook was involved in establishing the ECB’s national Performance Quality Standard Scheme, allowing him the opportunity to work with, and learn, from experts at the top of the turf industry profession.
"It has been an honour and pleasure to serve, and made even more rewarding by the number of clubs who have appreciated a conversation either over the phone or at their grounds in an effort to overcome some issues.
Chris Westbrook
“Being a Pitch Advisor has given me many opportunities to meet and gain knowledge from many renowned individuals in the turf industry and this would not have been possible without being given the chance to undertake the role.”
“‘Hampshire Cricket Board (HCB) has been extremely lucky to have Chris as Pitch Advisor for so long. He has been an invaluable source of advice and guidance for HCB, clubs, leagues and Local Authorities, which will be difficult to replace. It is very rare that someone fulfils a largely voluntary role not directly linked with a club, with the same commitment and enthusiasm for such a long period.”
Ben Thompson, Cricket Development Director
Nigel Gray (ex-Head Groundsman at Utilita Bowl) and Lee Padwick, who have both worked alongside Westbrook for the last couple of seasons, will continue to carry out this important role following Chris’ retirement.
Clubs in Hampshire wanting any grounds advice should contact simon.jones@utilitabowl.com.
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