Reay groundsman responsible for 'grass roots' at home of Welsh rugby
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CRAIG Campbell might work at the national stadium of one of the most passionate rugby nations in the world but you won’t see him switching allegiance anytime soon.
Despite being employed at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff – home of the Welsh rugby team – for almost 10 years, the head groundsman, originally from Reay, wore his Campbell tartan kilt while preparing the pitch for the Six Nations encounter between Wales and Scotland.
Working during the Six Nations and autumn tests means he doesn’t get the chance to head to Murrayfield to watch Scotland play as he has to ensure the playing surface at the Welsh national stadium is in pristine condition.
So when Scotland head to South Wales once every two years, the 45-year-old makes the most of it – showing his true colours while preparing the pitch on the day.
He said: “I always wear my kilt for Scotland games – this is the fourth time now. I do have to get permission from the stadium manager, who is very good and understands that I get a ‘home’ game every two years.
“I sit on the edge of the pitch right opposite the players’ tunnel so we do have the best and closest seats in the house of 74,500 seats.”
Mr Campbell started his career as an apprentice electrician for Rolls-Royce where he worked for nine years before being inspired to switch careers during a round of golf in Reay.
“I was a keen golfer playing at Reay where we lived and that got me into the idea of greenkeeping as an alternative career,” he said.
“So I went to the Elmwood college and did my HNC in Turf Management. I’ve been at the stadium for nearly 10 years. Prior to that I was a greenkeeper at Celtic Manor and was involved in the construction of the 2010 Ryder Cup golf course – I saw a small advert in the local paper, I applied and got really lucky and the rest as they say is history.”
His main duty at the stadium is to produce a world-class surface for any and all events, cutting and marking out for games.
They use artificial grow lights to encourage grass growth as it is the darkest stadium in Europe due to the least amount of light being able to enter the ground.
Mr Campbell is in close contact with national team manager Warren Gatland and his players about what they want to see from the pitch.
“We chat to the team management about how they want the surface to play and can to an extent make it firmer and faster or softer and slower depending on the type of game they want to play,” he said. “We also get player feedback.”
Mr Campbell worked at the stadium during the 2015 Rugby World Cup when it hosted eight matches including two quarter-finals.
He will not wear his kilt again until Scotland visit Wales in the Six Nations in two years’ time.
Despite Wales winning the encounter 27-23, he believes Scottish rugby is on the way up.
“I could only ever support Scotland but unless they are playing each other I cheer on my second team which is Wales,” he said.
“At the final whistle I felt a bit deflated but it was a good game and Scotland are improving which hopefully bodes well for the rest of the tournament.
“Our attention now is on to getting the pitch repaired and ready for Wales against France.”
