Closing date: 20th April 2015

Groundsperson Apprenticeship 2015: Information for Applicants

Sussex County Cricket Club is offering an excellent opportunity for a person to train as an Apprentice Groundsperson, gaining a National Diploma Level 2 from Plumpton College. This apprenticeship would cover a two-year period starting in May 2015.

The successful candidate will:

• Be willing to be flexible in their working hours, especially during the cricket season
• Be willing to attend Plumpton College (one day a week)
• Demonstrate a ‘can do’ attitude
• Have their own transport to allow them to travel across the different sites at unsocial times

About us

Sussex County Cricket Club is truly unique and is believed to be the oldest professional sports Club in the world. Sussex won its first County Championship title in 2003 after a wait of 164 years, and became the dominant team of the decade, winning ten trophies in ten years. In 2011 and 2012 Sussex reached one quarter final and three semi- finals in the two cup competitions as well as rising each season up the table in Division One of the County Championship. In 2013 and 2014, Sussex finished third in the County Championships.

The Grounds Team play an essential and integral part in the success of the cricket team. In 2010, the ‘England and Wales Cricket Board’ awarded the County Ground, Hove the award for the best ‘one-day pitches’ that season. As well as preparing the wicket and the ground for match days at Hove, the team are also responsible for providing First Class quality practice facilities. Additionally, the Grounds Team are responsible for re-laying the wickets, the irrigation and ground rejuvenation. In addition to the main ground at Hove, they are responsible for the grounds at Preston Nomads Cricket Club, Blackstone and Horsham Cricket Club.

The Role

This is an exciting time to join the Groundstaff at Sussex County Cricket Club. As well as gaining experience of all forms of wicket preparation and the day-to-day maintenance of First class playing surfaces, at the end of the 2009 season the Club began a six year programme to re-lay the square, meaning that the successful candidate will gain hands-on experience of cricket wicket construction and will also play a role in the rejuvenation of the playing surfaces at Hove. During the last two years the County Ground has undergone an £8m re-development.

The successful candidate will spend blocks of time at each of the cricket grounds (Hove, Horsham CC, Blackstone and Preston Nomads CC) gaining hands-on experience.

Working hours during the cricket season can be long and therefore a flexible approach is needed. Working weekends and evenings is also often necessary during the season. Working hours outside of the cricket season are more flexible and on a reduced basis. College attendance at Plumpton will be normally be one day per week.

As well as working as a Groundsperson during the cricket season, during the winter months the Apprentice Groundsperson will spend much of their time preparing the ground for the following season.

While we are an equal opportunities employer, this particular role is physically demanding and so the candidate must be physically fit and able to perform the duties required.

Remuneration

The apprenticeship is for a 2 year period. In year 1, the pay will be £97 per week rising to National Minimum Wage in year 2. The Club offers 25 days’ annual leave per annum The Club has a personal pension scheme, with 3% Contribution from the employer, and 2% employee contribution.

The Application Process

If you would like to be considered for this opportunity, please complete the enclosed application form in full and return it to:

Kay Gunn, Head Of HR & Client Services, Sussex County Cricket Club, BrightonandHoveJobs.com County Ground, Eaton Road, Hove, East Sussex, BN3 3AN If you have completed the application form on-line you may email it back to: Kay.gunn@sussexcricket.co.uk

The closing date for completed applications is Monday 20th April 2015 at 10am.

For successful candidates, interviews will be held during the week commencing the 27th April 2015 at the BrightonandHove Jobs.com County Ground.