Volunteers are the heartbeat of grassroots sport, dedicating countless hours to ensure their clubs survive and thrive.
At Skewen Cricket and Football Club, that commitment is exemplified by a small group of volunteers whose efforts have been transformed through the support of Pitch Advisory Service Wales (PAS Wales) – a programme delivered by the Grounds Management Association (GMA), the Football Association of Wales (FAW) and the Cymru Football Foundation (CFF).
This Volunteers’ Week, their story highlights the real impact of investing in the people behind the pitch.
Before accessing support through PAS Wales and the CFF’s Equipment Fund, Skewen faced significant obstacles in maintaining its playing surface.
Like many grassroots clubs, resources were limited. Without initial external funding, the club could not afford the equipment needed to properly care for its pitch.
“We had a very old and rusty spiker, which was not in a good condition,” explains the club’s grounds person, Phil.
Poor drainage and surface quality meant that fixtures had to be cancelled, disrupting players’ schedules and affecting availability.
At the heart of the operation was a small but dedicated team. One qualified volunteer leading pitch maintenance, supported by just two others giving their time to the club. Despite their efforts, the lack of tools and guidance made consistent maintenance difficult to achieve.
Through PAS Wales, Skewen has been able to access expert advice from the GMA alongside investment from the CFF’s Equipment Fund – helping the club turn a corner.
The programme has enabled the club to upgrade its equipment and placed a strong emphasis on supporting the volunteers themselves.
With a focus on bringing volunteers up to recognised GMA standards, the club is building a more sustainable approach to pitch maintenance, ensuring standards are maintained long into the future.
For the volunteers at Skewen, this support provides confidence as well as practical benefits – knowing they have the right tools, guidance and direction to do the job effectively.
Improved pitch maintenance is already having a wider impact across the club.
With better drainage and a more consistent playing surface, the risk of cancellations has reduced, allowing more matches to go ahead and providing a better experience for players of all ages.
This has resulted in more player registrations, with the club now boasting over 300 players – a third of which are women and girls.
For a club with ambitions to grow, those improvements are vital.
Skewen’s aim is to play at a higher level and increase the use of its facilities across both football and cricket. Achieving that vision depends on having a pitch that can cope with increased demand.
Now, with improved resources and a clearer maintenance plan in place, the club is better equipped to meet those ambitions.
Volunteers remain at the centre of everything the club does. Their willingness to give their time – often with limited support – is what keeps grassroots sport alive.
PAS Wales builds on that foundation by ensuring those volunteers are supported and valued.
This Volunteers Week, the progress seen at Skewen Cricket and Football Club is a reminder that when volunteers are given the tools and expertise they need, the impact goes far beyond the pitch.
