How did you join the industry?
My passion for cricket and helping out at club level with curating was rewarding and another way to be involved in cricket besides playing, got an apprenticeship at a school and went from there.
Why you joined the industry?
My passion for cricket and helping out at club level with curating was rewarding and another way to be involved in cricket besides playing, got an apprenticeship at a school and went from there.
Who inspires you?
Aspiring curators and turfies from all levels (backyard through to the top level)
In terms of colleagues and peers, there are several people from around the country who I keep in touch with who have helped me along with the way and look to for help, ideas, or just general turf chat.
What’s the best thing you’ve learned during your career?
Observation is key, anyone can follow directions, it’s the ability to pick up or pre-empt issues before or when they happen that sets the top of the industry apart.
And networking, you don’t know everything but so many people in the industry may have faced a similar issue, creating a good network of peers that you can contact and bounce ideas. I’ve worked at multiple venues across Australia to increase my knowledge.
What’s the most difficult challenge you’ve had to face?
In terms of the turf trade, most challenges are always focused on machinery, staff, and good work /life balance, you throw in things beyond your control. For me, one of my more difficult challenges was trying to get the most out of my work and stay motivated without the content that I was seeking being played on the fields or the opportunity to go to the next level. The motivation had to keep that standard and know the work being put in was being noticed and looking at working to where you want to be rather than trying to get there immediately.
What’s your funniest greenkeeping moment?
I haven’t got a specific moment but there’s been some pretty funny times on the covers and a lot of banter with colleagues in general that is a must to take the edge off.
Best career achievement?
Starting The Perfect Pitch
Preparing multiple variations of spinning tracks that saw the Australian Test squad come to Darwin for a spin camp prior to a visit to Bangladesh for a two-test series.
And taking up the role of Head Curator for Pitchcraft at Cricket Victoria’s Junction Oval and getting to consistently work with players, coaches, and colleagues at the elite level.
What keeps you in the industry?
Wanting to do better and make a positive impact on that industry.
What inspiring words would you say to young greenkeepers?
Have a vision for wherever you work and where you want to go to. It doesn’t mean undermining or making radical changes, it means bouncing ideas off each other, always learning, trying to ways to become more efficient and sharing/increasing the knowledge base.
What are your future goals?
Linked in with my dream job, making a test wicket is everyone’s dream, when I first started out mine was to be the first NT-born curator to prepare a test and/or ODI wicket. Which I believe I may have had the honour with curating women’s ODI between Australia and New Zealand in 2019, however going forward it is to be involved in enhancing the industry and establishing an academy for current and future curators, through initiatives like IGFH and The Perfect Pitch.
Favourite sport?
Cricket, still play when I can, currently for Prahran CC in Melbourne and PINT CC in Darwin.
Favourite sportsperson?
Matthew Hayden/Pat Cash.
What’s your dream job?
To create and run a curator’s academy/elite cricketing facility where research & development can occur while teaching and creating a curating fraternity literature to refer to and iron out bad practices but allowing teams/players and coaches to be a part of the process and develop a better relationship.
What’s your ultimate retirement goal?
To have made a positive difference in the industry/leave a legacy that sees the next generation of curators and turfies with the same aspirations and drive to make a difference and improve the trade.