About David Bates
With a career spanning almost two decades in the sports turf industry, David has extensive experience in the design, installation, maintenance and renovation of both natural and non-turf surfaces across a range of sports.
His expertise in the field has seen him head up a team working within RFU, ECB and Sport England to formalise frameworks with the goal of providing a commitment to establishing and managing high quality natural sports pitches throughout the UK.
Originally a county cricketer playing for both Yorkshire and Durham, he moved into groundsmanship; becoming the youngest Head Groundsman on the County circuit during his residency at Northamptonshire CCC. Quickly gaining a reputation for preparing some of the finest pitches in the country, he was awarded two commendations from the ECB and later appointed Chairman of the First Class Groundsman Committee, promoting research and development into cricket surfaces. He also held positions as a trainer and pitch advisor for the ECB, IoG and ICC.
Over the years, David has drawn on his unique insight as both player and groundsman to develop a range of ECB approved non-turf pitch systems and also class-leading cricket pitch covers; as well as leading both natural and non-turf cricket pitch development projects. He is currently working in a consultancy capacity alongside the ECB on the development of the next generation of cricket pitches.
Alongside his cricket groundsmanship expertise, David brings to the table a host of experience in the design, construction and maintenance of natural surfaces for sports including Rugby, Football, Hockey, Tennis and Athletics. He is well versed in agronomy and the Performance Quality Standards issued by governing bodies for all these sports and has provided advice on everything from the installation of drainage systems to flood damage mitigation and troubleshooting issues like grass plant disease and surface level issues. He has also led projects to install state of the art synthetic sports surfaces – including athletics facilities, 3G football pitches, artificial hockey pitches and Mixed Use Games Areas (MUGA).
As lead consultant at TTS, David’s role covers everything from agronomy and initial site surveys through to pitch design and project management for clients that include first class sports grounds, leading independent schools and grass roots clubs throughout the UK.