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Kyle Walker To Host GMA Industry Awards

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Kyle Walker To Host GMA Industry Awards: The Grounds Management Association (GMA) is delighted to confirm that renowned sports broadcaster Kyle Walker will host the GMA Industry Awards 2025.

With a broadcasting career spanning Sky Sports, Premier League Productions (PLP) and the BBC, he has become a familiar face to sports fans, presenting programmes such as The Transfer Show, Saturday Social and Sky Sports’ ePremier League coverage.

Kyle Walker To Host GMA Industry Awards

Kyle Walker To Host GMA Industry Awards

His love for football has led him to interview many high-profile figures in the sport, including his namesake, AC Milan and England defender Kyle Walker.

In 2018, he landed his own show on BBC Radio Manchester, The Dead Good Show, before moving to BBC 5Live to host Talking Balls from 2019 to 2020. He also became a regular reporter for BBC Football Focus and Match of the Day.

He soon became the presenter of Sky Sports’ Transfer Show, the host of the Sky Sports ePremier League Show and a regular on Saturday Social and The Early Kick Off Show. His on-air talent was recognised when he was nominated for an SJA Award in The Ones to Watch – On-Air category.

2022 saw him co-present Sky Sports’ ‘Good Morning Euros’ and he was also a key part of Sky Sports’ coverage of the FIFA World Cup in Qatar.

Kyle Walker, GMA Industry Awards host, said: “I’m really looking forward to hosting the GMA Industry Awards and celebrating the work of grounds teams up and down the country. These are the people who make sure playing surfaces are in top condition, and their work often goes unnoticed. It’s going to be a fantastic night, and I can’t wait to be part of it.”

The GMA Industry Awards, the leading celebration of professional and volunteer grounds staff, return in 2025 to recognise contributions across a range of categories within the industry.

Taking place at the iconic Anfield Stadium, home of Liverpool Football Club, on Thursday 13 March, the awards are an unmissable occasion to acknowledge the talent within the entire grounds management sector.

Geoff Webb, CEO of the GMA, said: “We’re really pleased to have Kyle Walker hosting this year’s awards. He’s got a fantastic energy and a real appreciation for the work that goes on behind the scenes in sport. The GMA Industry Awards are all about celebrating the people who make sport possible, and I know that Kyle will help us to shine a spotlight on their achievements.”

Tickets for the GMA Industry Awards 2025 are available from £110 (GMA Member price). Experience the awards amongst the industry’s finest and celebrate the achievements of grounds staff at every level.

Further details about the awards, including ticket information and sponsorship, can be found here: gmaindustryawards.uk

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First Toro international master salesperson award

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First Toro international master salesperson award: Richard Wood from Reesink South East has been named Toro International Master Salesperson by Toro. This is the first time Toro has presented such an award outside the USA and only three are awarded a year globally.

Amy Dahl, Vice President of International Business at The Toro Company, presented the award to Richard under the guise of a launch event at BTME, with the Reesink UK team and an extensive Toro international team present.

First Toro international master salesperson award

First Toro international master salesperson award

She says: “We looked at all salespeople across the international division. Richard’s passion for the Toro products and his customers have seen him achieve over 50 percent market share in his area. With 30 years’ experience in the industry and 12 years at Reesink, he fits all the criteria for this prestigious award.”

The Toro International Master Salesperson of the Year Award is more than just an acknowledgment of high sales; it is a recognition of the ability to understand and anticipate the needs of customers.

Jon Cole, Divisional Business Manager at Reesink Turfcare, says: “Richard is consistent with his sales and has grown market share in what is a very competitive area. His customers feel he goes the extra mile for them every day. It probably hasn’t sunk in for him yet how much of a big deal this is globally.”

Richard’s three decades of experience prior to Reesink Turfcare come from dealer JSM, four years selling amenity chemicals and fertilisers for Sheriff Amenity, and before that sales jobs for other competitive turfcare machinery manufacturers.

Richard says winning was a huge surprise: “Winning this award really was totally unexpected – I was shocked! It’s done as part of a team with my depot at Sheffield Park and it’s going to be exciting sharing the news with everyone.”

Amy says: “Richard is so humble. I know he says he just goes out and does his job, but he couldn’t be more deserving.”

The last word goes to Alastair Rowell, Managing Director of Reesink UK, who talks about the pride he and the company have in Richard’s achievement.

“Richard has an obvious passion for the Toro products and his customers and makes a valuable contribution to the industry,” he says. “He goes above and beyond in his job and his work and it’s this commitment that has resulted in sales excellence and customer satisfaction for so many years. He’s done himself and the company incredibly proud, and I am proud to be his boss.”

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Mansfield Sand the Unsung Hero

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Mansfield Sand the Unsung Hero: At Warwick Schools Foundation, where sports and recreation are integral to student life, maintaining high-quality pitches and grounds is essential.

This responsibility falls to Grounds Manager Duncan Toon and his dedicated team of seven, who oversee the upkeep of the expansive sports facilities across each of Foundation schools – Warwick Preparatory School, Warwick Junior School, The Kingsley School, King’s High School, and Warwick Senior School.

Mansfield Sand the Unsung Hero

Mansfield Sand the Unsung Hero

Central to their maintenance strategy is the use of Mansfield Sand’s MM40 sand.

MM40 Sport, sourced directly from the renowned Two Oaks Quarry in Mansfield, is renowned for its superior quality and consistent performance. This medium sand – part of Mansfield Sand’s esteemed Mansil range – is designed for the maintenance and renovation of sports surfaces.

Its fine texture and exceptional drainage properties make it the preferred choice for elite sports venues across the country, including at Warwick Schools Foundation.

“I’ve always used Mansfield Sand, even when I was in my previous job at Birmingham City FC, and it has always performed well,” says Duncan.

The Foundation’s maintenance schedule relies heavily on sand application: “We have 400 tonnes delivered in the summer across the site, 120 tonnes in October, and depending on wear, another 120 to 200 tonnes in April”, Duncan outlines. “We do have a good profile here, but the more sand we can incorporate into our maintenance, the better.”

The importance of sand goes beyond general maintenance: “The biggest problem we have at the moment, even with the schedule that we have, is worm casts”, Duncan notes.

“Incorporating more sand into the profile helps with worms because if we can get a sandier top layer, it disperses the worm casts a lot more effectively when brushing. It also aids with drainage and deters birds when overseeding by covering the seed better.”

Duncan relies on MM40 on the majority of the Foundation’s sites, including on their cricket outfields, rugby pitches, and football pitches.

“The thing with sand”, Duncan reflects, “is that it might not be the most talked about product, but it is a vital part of maintenance programmes – and it certainly helps us to prepare for so many fixtures. The more games we put on, the happier people are.”

With its proven reliability, high-quality, and effective results, Mansfield Sand continues to be an indispensable partner for Duncan Toon and his team; ensuring that the grounds at Warwick Schools Foundation remain in top condition year-round.

For more information visit www.mansfield-sand.co.uk

You can also follow the company on Twitter/X – @MansfieldSand and Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/MansfieldSandSportSurfaces/

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T H WHITE Machinery partners with Buxtons

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T H WHITE Machinery partners with Buxtons: T H WHITE Machinery Imports is excited to announce a new dealership partnership with Buxtons, a leading groundcare and forestry equipment supplier based in the Midlands.

This collaboration will expand access to the industry-renowned Jensen woodchippers, providing exceptional sales and support to customers throughout the region.

T H WHITE Machinery imports partners with Buxtons

T H WHITE Machinery imports partners with Buxtons

Jamie Jagger, Jensen Sales and Dealer Support at T H WHITE Machinery Imports, commented on the partnership: “I am excited to be working closely with Buxtons to bring Jensen woodchippers to more customers in the Midlands. Their dedication to customer service and deep industry knowledge make them an ideal partner. Together, we will ensure that customers receive the highest level of support and access to top-quality equipment.”

The new partnership leverages T H WHITE’s expertise as the exclusive UK distributor of Jensen products, alongside Buxtons’ outstanding reputation for customer care and service in the Midlands. Jensen woodchippers are recognised for their reliability, robust build, and top-tier performance—making them a trusted choice for professionals in forestry, arboriculture and landscaping.

Buxtons has a long-standing reputation as a premier supplier of groundcare and forestry equipment, with decades of experience in providing tailored solutions and advice to their customers.

Kelly Burgess, Sales Director of Buxtons, shared her enthusiasm for the partnership: “We are proud to join forces with T H WHITE Machinery Imports to offer Jensen woodchippers to our customers. The Jensen range perfectly complements our existing portfolio of high-quality equipment, enabling us to provide robust and efficient solutions to meet the needs of forestry and arboriculture professionals in the Midlands. We look forward to building strong relationships with new and existing customers through this exciting partnership.”

Nathan Jacobs, Jensen Business Manager at T H WHITE Machinery Imports, expressed his confidence in the partnership: “Buxtons is a fantastic addition to our dealer network, and we are thrilled to have them on board. Their commitment to delivering exceptional service aligns perfectly with our values at T H WHITE. With their expertise and strong customer relationships, this partnership will ensure even better access to Jensen woodchippers in the Midlands.”

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ISEKI UK proud to be part of Watcombe’s journey

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ISEKI UK proud to be part of Watcombe’s journey: Seventeen months ago, a new under-14 girls’ football team was started in South Devon for girls’ who were unhappy at their current clubs.

Fast forward a season and a half, and Watcombe Wanderers have won promotion in their first season and now have two teams whose kits are proudly sponsored by ISEKI UK and Ireland.

ISEKI UK proud to be part of Watcombe's journey

ISEKI UK proud to be part of Watcombe’s journey

In September 2023, team manager Martin Campbell, a fully licenced coach, was approached to start the team, and during the recruitment process, he received a message from ISEKI Vehicle Sales Manager Phil Catley about his daughter, Maddie.

After starting the season late due to not having enough players, Maddie and the other girls quickly formed a formidable team, eventually finishing second on the last day of the season to claim promotion to Division Two.

With the football side of the team performing beyond expectations, Martin wanted to build the team’s identity with new kits and hoodies before they started their second season. To do this, he sent a message to the parents, and Phil replied.

“They were playing like footballers, so we wanted them to look like footballers,” Martin said. “It can seem like a small thing, but before I joined the ambulance service I was in the service industry for 25 years in sales. Every time you put on a new suit, you feel like someone; you feel like something, and that’s what I wanted for the girls with their own kit.

“Like any grassroots club, we rely on volunteers and parents to drive the club, and when it came to kit sponsorship, we asked the parents, and Phil came forward and said I might be able to help.

“Like anything, people come forward with good intentions, but we all sat here thinking, ‘Why is a big national company going to be interested in a little backstreet girls’ football team on the outskirts of Newton Abbott.’

“But the response from ISEKI was positive, and they sponsored two kits and hoodies for the girls, and I have to say they look outstanding.

Without the sponsorship from ISEKI, the girls wouldn’t be able to play football with a nice kit on their backs and be proud of them. They wear the hoodies when they go to school or when they’re walking down the street with their mum and dad. So, what might seem like a small thing has made a significant difference to our team.

We are currently placed second in the second division and are chasing promotion to the first division, which will be a massive achievement for a new team to go from third division to first division in two years.”

“Women’s football is enjoying massive growth these days, so to be able to support an up-and-coming grassroots team is something to be very proud of especially with the amount of work we do with the GMA’s Pitch Advisory Service in advising on the supply of machinery to local sports clubs” said Alan Prickett Sales Director of ISEKI Uk & Ireland.

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