For International Women's Day we asked questions to a lot of women who work in the groundskeeping or gardening industry about their work. This time it's Sarah Hack from Wellington College
How long have you been working in this industry?
16 years.
What does the average day look like for you ?
My day at Wellington College can vary depending on seasons/ terms of the school calendar. I have lots of different sports to prepare from cricket, football. hockey, netball, lacrosse, tennis, rugby, cross country and rounders to name a few. Sometimes I do the large areas of grass mowing on the tractor and rotary mower. I also can be white lining the pitches ready for weekend matches orr just general tidying of areas like leaf clearing and clearing our two Astros courts. I can also do some machinery maintenance like greasing up the equipment.
What would you say is the biggest challenge working in this industry. Have you faced any challenges being a female in a male dominated environment
I find it can be quite hard work sometimes. But have stayed pretty fit doing this sort of work.
I don’t think I have found to be any challenges everyone I’ve worked with has been ok. Sometimes I can lift more than the guys or have more stamina in certain areas of the job.
Why did you choose to work in the industry?
Growing up my family have always had physical jobs and worked outside. I love most sports and being involved in preparing for different sports
and enjoy being a Groundsperson.
What advice would you give women wanting to join the industry?
Go for it if it’s your passion and you want to be a groundsperson. It can be very hard and physically demanding at times but I find it very rewarding.
Finally what is the best part about working in the industry?
I just find I enjoy the variety of it all and enjoy preparing for so many different sports and still on going learning.
