Bradman Oval’s groundsman Josh Woodcock received an extra special birthday present over the weekend.
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On Saturday he was presented with the Country NSW Groundsman of the Year award.
Mr Woodcock said it was “quite touching” to receive the award.
“It’s just nice to be recognised at the NSW Country level,” he said.
“It covers quite a large area and there are a lot of cricket grounds that compete [for the award]. There are a lot of curators out there that work very hard at their jobs. It’s [Bradman] a great little ground”
Mr Woodcock has been involved with Bradman for 17 years and over that time has got to know the wicket very well.
During that time, he has prepared wickets for several high profile matches.
Bradman Oval hosts one day international matches, women’s matches, cricket coaching clinics for children and adults, NSW representative trials, home games for Highlands District Cricket Association, social matches and large community events throughout the year.
He prepared the wicket for a hectic 2017/18 season, including the NSW Country final and the Spirit of Cricket four-day International tournament in January, in addition to local first grade cricket fixtures as well as a busy April season when other grounds had already closed.
He said the key to his team’s success was constant monitoring which involves preparing the wicket square and outfield for all the matches during the year and making sure equipment is ready to go.
Mr Woodcock said they started preparing the wicket at the end of each season for the season ahead and at the same time also renovated the outfield.
With the oval used all year round, both for cricket matches and social events such as the Wedding Fair, he said it was a challenge to balance these different uses and maintain a high quality wicket.
He thanked Bowral Cricket Club as well as Jock McIllhatton and Phil Kerr for their ongoing help in preparing and maintaining the wicket.
NSW Country Chairman Ian Hogg congratulated him on the award, from what had been a quality selection of cricket ovals throughout regional and rural NSW.
Executive Director of the Bradman Centre, Rina Hore congratulated Mer Woodcock on the award.
“Josh stands out as one of the most competent and consistent wicket curator’s in cold climates, in which he excels,” she said.
“We are extremely fortunate he applies his local knowledge and skills time and again to prepare and maintain Bradman Oval as an iconic community asset. This award is well-deserved and overdue.”
