AUTHOR: TUALE CHARLES AJUYAH

‘Groundsman” and “kitman” is the industry term used to describe the professionals in this piece. However, there is NOTHING stopping women from pursuing this as a career path, therefore this author would refer to them as ‘groundsperson” and “kitperson” as a means to stop the subtle exclusion of women in this sector of the sports industry. 

THE GROUNDSPERSON

Groundspersons are responsible for ensuring the playing surface is fit and safe to play on. This role is one of the most sophisticated and technical as it requires different skills that relate to agriculture. This skill is highly valuable, as they provide and main the sporting facilities, and elite organizations pay heavily to have quality playing surfaces.  

The task of the groundsperson is extensive, as he works before, during and after games. This could necessitate raking and forking to improve drainage and aerate the pitch to make it softer as well as closing down gouges.  Even after the season, they will be required to lay and nurture the pitch for it to be in perfect condition for the first game of the season.

Such persons look after soil heating and drainage, pitch maintenance and repairs and are also responsible for the equipment used in achieving these goals. The preferred surface for field sports is a natural one, hence the groundsperson works with Mother Nature predominantly, and she needs a lot of cajoling and encouragement to make the surface suitable for playing and pleasing to the eye of the spectator. This brings us to the age-old criticism of synthetic pitches, which the football industry is steeped in. When thinking of it, there is no reason, other than the fact it is ‘unnatural’.

Depending on the clime, the groundsperson would have to deal with problematic winter or dry (harmattan) season, where the surface would be susceptible to being frozen or dried out and as such would have to take frost covers off or constantly water.

The groundsperson has to take into account the ecosystems created on the playing surfaces. Hence there has to be attention to detail as regards sowing, cultivation, irrigation and soil yield. Combining each facet with experience and training. Therefore the job entails much more than “lawn mowing” to the correct lengths and involves turf nutrition such as knowing when and what fertilizer to use, grass seeds, aeration, turf tonics, nylon fibres, microbial activity and the field’s capacity.

There exists special scissors for cutting to the required size, and sprinklers to wet the surface. As with all things in agriculture, the surface requires fertilizers to provide nutrition and fungicide/herbicide to fend off weeds, pests and diseases. Highly sophisticated organizations will employ ultraviolet grow lights and under-soil heating.  Paint is also required to mark out the field’s dimensions as required by the game’s laws.

The groundsperson’s role is crucial in the sports industry, without them, the surface would not be suitable for the player to showcase his abilities and would not be aesthetically pleasing for the spectators. The ability to produce a standard playing surface is a sophisticated skill that requires specific training and expertise. 

KITPERSON

Just like the groundsperon, the kitman is such an integral part of a sports organization, but his role is vastly overlooked even by the average supporter. The kitperson, at a basic level, is someone who has the responsibility within a club to take care of player equipment. This includes everything that’s visible to the public such as jerseys, armbands, socks, shoes, and balls. These are all organized and maintained by the kitsperson. Even the odd things like headbands and messages/images on shirts worn under jerseys are organized by the kitperson, as players as much as possible just try and focus on the game.

A second and arguably more important role of the kitperson is to be that cheerful person who always raises the spirit irrespective of the collective mood. If you have ever seen videos from inside the dressing rooms you can tell the sense of camaraderie the kitperson has with the players. Such a person has to have the ability to be part of what may sometimes be a fraternity. The one that players can say things to that they may not necessarily say when the manager is there. Such a person sometimes would be the one that the players bounce all sorts of ‘inside jokes’ off. Essentially, the second element of the kitperson’s responsibility entails looking after the morale of the team as well as being the informal counsellor, comedian, companion and confidante. A uniting figure which is a good reminder in the high pressured and increasingly corporate world of sports, there is still a human element.

Daily, the kitsperson has to come earlier than the staff and players to prepare the shorts, boots and shirts. Inflate the balls, clean and stretch the boots, change the studs and have the jerseys from the previous training/game put out for laundry. In some cases, they will be tasked with printing all the shirts, with the sponsor on the front, sleeve badges and then the name and number on the back.  On match days, apart from the aforementioned, they have to know what each member of the squad needs in their match pack, shin pads, sliders, t-shirts, jumpers, pants, socks, under-shorts, under-armours which could include headbands and any other special needs. The kitsperson is usually the first one in and the last one out.

These factors dictate that you have to be organized, positive-minded, dedicated, attentive to details and very time conscious to ensure each member of the playing staff has everything they need to perform their job adequately. In that regard, there is added pressure not to forget or get anything wrong. A perk of the job is they get to be ‘pals’ with athletes, and also meet other famous footballers and fly around the continent with the team.  

The role of kitsperson can be argued to be as important as any nonplaying role in the sports industry, without them, the materials and equipment used to perform the sporting activities would not be readily available by the athletes. They are so influential in boosting individual and team morale. 

In conclusion, this article aims to liberate the minds of those looking to get into the sports industry to other avenues which can be as rewarding as the well-celebrated sectors of the sports industry  

BIBLIOGRAPHY

‘Groundsman is only a part of the Sports industry’ https://www.pitchcare.com/news-media/groundsmanship-is-only-part-of-the-sport-industry.html Accessed 1st August 2022

Tuale Charles Ajuyah is a legal practitioner, sports administrator, and mediator 

Email: [email protected]                Number: +2348139254210