At Warwick Schools Foundation, where sports and recreation are integral to student life, maintaining high-quality pitches and grounds is essential.
This responsibility falls to Grounds Manager Duncan Toon and his dedicated team of seven, who oversee the upkeep of the expansive sports facilities across each of Foundation schools - Warwick Preparatory School, Warwick Junior School, The Kingsley School, King’s High School, and Warwick Senior School.
Central to their maintenance strategy is the use of Mansfield Sand’s MM40 sand.
MM40 Sport, sourced directly from the renowned Two Oaks Quarry in Mansfield, is renowned for its superior quality and consistent performance. This medium sand - part of Mansfield Sand’s esteemed Mansil range - is designed for the maintenance and renovation of sports surfaces.
Its fine texture and exceptional drainage properties make it the preferred choice for elite sports venues across the country, including at Warwick Schools Foundation.
“I’ve always used Mansfield Sand, even when I was in my previous job at Birmingham City FC, and it has always performed well,” says Duncan.
The Foundation’s maintenance schedule relies heavily on sand application: “We have 400 tonnes delivered in the summer across the site, 120 tonnes in October, and depending on wear, another 120 to 200 tonnes in April”, Duncan outlines. “We do have a good profile here, but the more sand we can incorporate into our maintenance, the better.”
The importance of sand goes beyond general maintenance: “The biggest problem we have at the moment, even with the schedule that we have, is worm casts”, Duncan notes.
“Incorporating more sand into the profile helps with worms because if we can get a sandier top layer, it disperses the worm casts a lot more effectively when brushing. It also aids with drainage and deters birds when overseeding by covering the seed better.”
Duncan relies on MM40 on the majority of the Foundation’s sites, including on their cricket outfields, rugby pitches, and football pitches.
“The thing with sand”, Duncan reflects, “is that it might not be the most talked about product, but it is a vital part of maintenance programmes - and it certainly helps us to prepare for so many fixtures. The more games we put on, the happier people are.”
With its proven reliability, high-quality, and effective results, Mansfield Sand continues to be an indispensable partner for Duncan Toon and his team; ensuring that the grounds at Warwick Schools Foundation remain in top condition year-round.
For more information visit www.mansfield-sand.co.uk
Comments