Yorkshire groundsman set for top award

David Hodgson, of Kirkstall Educational Cricket Club in Leeds, has been nominated in the Groundsman’s Groundsman of the Year category in the IOG Industry Awards.

The Institute of Groundsmanship awards honour the high standards achieved by volunteers and professionals throughout the game.

Mr Hodgson has been nominated along with Nick James of Stockport’s Heaton Mersey Cricket Club, with the winner set to be announced by talkSPORT presenter Mark Saggers at Bolton Wanderers’ Reebok Stadium on December 1.

Kirkstall Educational Cricket Club, founded in 1853, is one of the most successful clubs in the Leeds area.

Its three senior teams play in the Airedale & Wharfedale Senior Cricket League, while it also has a number of teams in the Airedale Junior Cricket League.

Also in line for prizes at the IOG awards are the grounds team at Miskin Manor Cricket Club of Llantrisant, Wales, a finalist in the Volunteer Sports Grounds Management Team of the Year category.

David Arthure of Swansea Civil Service Cricket Club and Keith Hughes of Menai Bridge Cricket Club, Anglesey, are finalists for the Volunteer Sports Groundsman of the Year Award.