February 9, 2024 - Turf Matters

Dates for #GroundsWeek 2024 Announced: The Grounds Management Association (GMA) has announced that its annual awareness campaign, #GroundsWeek, is returning from 18 – 24 March 2024.

The campaign, now in its fourth year, recognises the work of turf care volunteers and professionals in the UK, with a focus on inspiring new recruits to consider a career in the industry.

Dates for #GroundsWeek 2024 Announced

Research carried out by the GMA over recent years has highlighted a potential employment crisis, with a lack of new recruits entering the industry and a significant number of existing workers leaving. It’s not all doom and gloom, however, as research carried out in 2023 revealed that more young people are working in the grounds management sector than in previous years.

Grounds staff under the age of 35 now make up 27% of the workforce compared to 19% in 2022. There has also been an increase from 3% to 5% in the number of grounds managers aged 24 and under, and an increase in the percentage of grounds managers stating that they became involved in grounds management due to apprenticeships from 13% to 16%.

The number of people who became involved in the grounds sector ‘by accident’ has also reduced from 13% to 10%. The GMA’s ‘Sport’s Hidden Profession’ report in 2010 recorded that nearly 20% of grounds staff became involved by accident, therefore significantly more people are now making a conscious decision to pursue a career in grounds management. This change highlights that the grounds care sector is becoming increasingly recognised as a viable career route which other GMA initiatives, like the Grounds Management Framework, support by providing a key path of development for those looking to progress in the sector.

Geoff Webb, CEO of the GMA, says:

“A key part of our role advocating for the industry and our members is laying the foundations for new talent to enter the sector. It’s hugely encouraging to see, after three years and lots of hard work introducing the sector to new audiences, that the number of young people entering the sector is starting to rise.

“There’s still a lot of work to be done, but initiatives like #GroundsWeek can have a really important role in encouraging more people to consider working in our wonderful industry.

“To help raise awareness and make as much noise as possible, we’re encouraging grounds staff and sports clubs across the country to engage with the campaign online and celebrate the vital contribution of grounds staff in making sport possible.”

To find out more about #GroundsWeek, keep up to date with all the latest content by following the GMA on social media:

You can also contact the GMA to find out how you can get involved by emailing communications@thegma.org.uk.

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Polaris RANGER XP Kinetic to attend Low Carbon Agricultural Show: Polaris Off Road is pleased to announce its attendance at the Low Carbon Agricultural Show, wherein it will be showcasing the RANGER XP Kinetic; its latest all-electric UTV.

Taking place 6 -7 March 2024, the Low Carbon Agricultural Show is the only event focusing on low-carbon practices, technology, and energy solutions available to achieve a profitable and sustainable farming future.

Polaris RANGER XP Kinetic to attend Low Carbon Agricultural Show

Richard Coleby, National Sales Manager at Polaris UK & Ireland said: “We are really looking forward to attending the Low Carbon Agricultural Show for the first time. It is a show that looks towards the future of sustainable farming, so it makes sense that we take our new electric RANGER XP Kinetic to showcase at the event. Not only is it completely electric, but this is our hardest-working and smoothest-riding UTV to date, so we’re looking forward to showing how it can support the farming industry in its journey to the future.”

Polaris can be found in the Low Emissions Vehicles section on stand LEV4.

Now available in UK dealers, the RANGER XP Kinetic is a 100%-electric three-seat UTV with an impressive powertrain providing 110hp and 140lb-ft of instantaneous torque – the most offered in a utility side-by-side vehicle. Boasting an industry-best 680kg payload capacity and the ability to effortlessly tow up to 1,134kg the RANGER XP Kinetic makes light work of the everyday. Thanks to being fully electric, the RANGER XP Kinetic also delivers smooth, precise control when operating at low speeds, particularly useful in scenarios like towing or backing up to a trailer.

The RANGER XP Kinetic is available in a Premium and Ultimate trim. The Premium trim features a single 14.9 kWh lithium-ion battery that offers an estimated range of 45 miles whilst the Ultimate trim has a battery capacity of 29.8 kWh with a higher estimated range of 80 miles*.

* Range estimates based on manufacturer data on typical customer driving usage and conditions. Actual range varies based on conditions such as external environment, weather, speed, cargo loads, rates of acceleration, vehicle maintenance, and vehicle usage.