Yorkshire’s Head of Grounds, Richard Robinson, saw success at yesterday’s annual Grounds Manager of the Year Awards which were held at Edgbaston.
Robinson won the One-Day Pitches award thanks to Headingley earning the highest ratings for white ball decks across the country. Surrey’s Lee Fortis came runner up.
This was part of a double success for Yorkshire, with Scarborough’s John Dodds taking home the Outgrounds Pitches award for the seventh time. Dodds first won the award in 2012.
Seen by many as the jewel in the outground crown, Scarborough’s pitches are notorious for good bounce and carry, producing exceptional matches.
Winners John Dodds of Scarborough CC (left) and Richard Robinson, Head of Grounds at Headingley (right)
ECB Pitch and Grounds Advisor, Andy Mackay, said: “The role of grounds person is often that of the unsung hero, but without these people we simply wouldn’t be able to play cricket.
“It is a role that requires a high degree of skill at all levels of the game, but in professional cricket the role demands the very highest levels of expertise, professionalism, and dedication.
“Grounds people are usually the first to arrive and the last to leave on a match day and the sacrifices that are made to deliver our playing surfaces cannot be underestimated or overvalued. It’s important therefore that we host this event to celebrate and recognise this group and properly honour their service.
“With the introduction of the new Women’s Tier structure, 2025 has been the busiest year on record for our grounds teams and yet the standard of pitches in all formats continues to be very high overall, indeed, the pitch marks in white ball cricket are higher than they have ever been.
“The award winners fully deserve this recognition for the dedication and skill required to come at the top of such an elite field in such a challenging environment.”
Bernard Flack Memorial Trophy (Multi-Day Pitches)
Winner: Gary Barwell (Edgbaston)
Runner Up: Lee Fortis (Kia Oval)
One Day Pitches
Winner: Richard Robinson (Headingley)
Runner Up: Lee Fortis (Kia Oval)
Commendations: Gary Barwell (Edgbaston)
Outground Pitches Awards
Winner: John Dodds (Scarborough CC)
Runner Up: Josh Marden (Beckenham)
Outstanding Contributor: David Short (Lancashire County Cricket Club)
