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All-female grounds team make history

September 23, 2025/in News, Press Release/by Admin

All-female grounds team make history: For the second time in as many years, history will be made on the pitch, but by the team preparing it. On Saturday 27 September, an all-female team of 15 grounds professionals will take charge of the pitch at Allianz Stadium ahead of the Women’s Rugby World Cup Final and […]

PSD Groundscare Powers Ahead with Groundsfest Success

September 22, 2025/in News, Press Release/by Admin

PSD Groundscare Powers Ahead with Groundsfest Success: PSD are proud to announce a hugely successful appearance at Groundsfest 2025, where the stand attracted exceptional visitor footfall and generated widespread interest across the full machinery range on display. Supported by our valued manufacturers, we were delighted to showcase an extensive portfolio of professional groundcare and landscaping […]

All-female grounds team make history

September 23, 2025/in News, Press Release/by Admin

PSD Groundscare Powers Ahead with Groundsfest Success

September 22, 2025/in News, Press Release/by Admin

Full Sized Blog Element (Big Preview Pic)

All-female grounds team make history

September 23, 2025/in News, Press Release/by Admin

All-female grounds team make history: For the second time in as many years, history will be made on the pitch, but by the team preparing it.

On Saturday 27 September, an all-female team of 15 grounds professionals will take charge of the pitch at Allianz Stadium ahead of the Women’s Rugby World Cup Final and bronze medal match. It marks the first time in rugby history that a women-only grounds team has prepared the surface for a showpiece global final.

All-female grounds team make history

Brought together by the Grounds Management Association (GMA), along with England Rugby and Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025, the 15 behind the 15 will feature pioneering pitch professionals and volunteers from some of sport’s most iconic venues, from Wimbledon and Wembley to Lord’s, Leicester Tigers, UK Ryder Cup Venue, The Belfry and Ipswich Town FC – as well as leading schools and colleges.

The landmark initiative aims to spotlight female talent in grounds management and inspire more women to consider careers in the sector. It follows the landmark moment at the Emirates Stadium in March 2024, when the first-ever all-female grounds team prepared the pitch for Arsenal vs Tottenham in the Women’s Super League.

The move shines a light on both opportunity and challenge in the sector. The latest GMA industry data shows 77.5% of head grounds managers feel recruitment is the biggest challenge facing the industry. Almost half of groundspeople are aged 45–64, and around 1,500 retire every year. Women are key to closing the employment gap but currently make up less than 10% of the professional workforce.

Head of Grounds at Allianz Stadium Jim Buttar, says: “Encouraging more women to consider a career in grounds management is so important and where better to profile the profession than at Allianz Stadium during the Rugby World Cup Final.

“We are really pleased to be working with the Grounds Management Association and Women’s Rugby World Cup to bring in an all-female team for the final. Our team is really looking forward to meeting the 15 highly skilled women involved and supporting them as they prepare the pitch for the teams.”

The all-female grounds team is made up of:

Georgia Edge, All England Lawn Tennis Club, Wimbledon
Liddy Ford, Wembley Stadium
Beth Gibbs, Wellington School
Cheryl Hill, Leicester Tigers
Rachel Hunter-Worrell, Queen Ethelburga’s York
Jessica Jackson, Wellington College
Meg Lay, Lord’s Cricket Ground
Pippa Lewis, Haberdashers Boys School
Naquita Lloyd-Edwards, Weymouth and Portland Rugby Club
Emma Lynch, Lord’s Cricket Ground
Jasmine Nicholls, Yorkshire County Cricket
Anna Nilsson, Brabazon Golf Course at The Belfry
Zibby Parker, Ipswich Town FC and Essex County Cricket Club
Lucy Rogers, Kings Lynn Golf Club
Sofia Sousa, South Gloucestershire and Stroud College

Jennifer Carter, Director of Communications and Marketing at the GMA , said: “Everyone involved is proud to be part of history and looking forward to creating the perfect pitch for the showpiece matches.

“Last year we put women in grounds management on a national stage. Now, we’re taking this a step further, showcasing their skills and leadership on a global scale with the view to encouraging more people to consider in the industry.

“These females are fantastic role models – not only for their peers in the industry but for the next generation of women aspiring to work in sport and grounds.

“As a female myself having worked in the sports industry for many years, I know first-hand the perceptions and assumptions that are often made in a male dominated industry – we are here to break down barriers.”

Jennifer adds: “Groundspeople make sport possible, from grassroots games to the Women’s Rugby World Cup Final. It’s a fantastic career offering unique opportunities – like working at world-class venues such as Allianz Stadium.”

The event is part of the wider work the GMA is doing to secure the future of the industry. This includes the NextGen team, young ambassadors inspiring the next generation of groundspeople, and a new online hub to help people take their first steps in the sector.

To find out more about careers in grounds management, visit www.thegma.org.uk/what/support-the-sector/get-into-the-industry/

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PSD Groundscare Powers Ahead with Groundsfest Success

September 22, 2025/in News, Press Release/by Admin

PSD Groundscare Powers Ahead with Groundsfest Success: PSD are proud to announce a hugely successful appearance at Groundsfest 2025, where the stand attracted exceptional visitor footfall and generated widespread interest across the full machinery range on display.

Supported by our valued manufacturers, we were delighted to showcase an extensive portfolio of professional groundcare and landscaping solutions, highlighting both innovation and reliability. Visitors were able to explore the breadth of our established product line as well as experience exciting new product launches, including:

PSD Groundscare Powers Ahead with Groundsfest Success

EcoTech Hornet – A state-of-the-art, front-mounted flail remote-controlled tracked mower, purpose-built for high grass and the toughest terrain. With an adjustable track width and robust engineering for extreme mowing conditions, the Hornet delivers outstanding performance in overgrown vegetation and demanding environments.
ELIET EcoCure Topdresser – An advanced topdressing solution engineered to improve soil health and elevate turf quality, all while minimizing the workload for grounds teams. With a material spread of up to 8 metres, it allows for fast and efficient coverage of extensive areas.
SABO Professional Roller Mowers – Available in petrol and battery-powered models, these mowers deliver the premium striped finish contractors and groundskeepers expect, backed by durability and precision engineering. The battery model is ideal for stadiums and sports facilities while the petrol model is perfect for professional landscapers and contractors. There is also a universal lawn brush which features front mounted tines which loosen thatch, moss and organic matter, while the plastic brush bar lifts the grass blades which is perfect for sports stadium mowing.

Also making its UK debut, the SABO MowIt – a battery-powered large-area mower – wowed visitors with its versatility, featuring remote-control, semi-autonomous, and fully autonomous operation. Perfect for public parks, sports and recreation grounds, golf courses, and solar parks.

The response from both new and long-standing customers was overwhelmingly positive, with widespread recognition for the variety, build quality, and innovation across the PSD product range.

Stuart Mercer, Sales Director at PSD Groundscare, commented:
“Groundsfest 2025 has been a fantastic platform to engage with professionals across the industry. The level of interest in our machinery – particularly the EcoTech Hornet, the expanding SABO range, and our growing portfolio of battery-powered solutions – highlights the increasing demand for reliable and sustainable equipment. We are delighted with the feedback and look forward to supporting our customers as they take these innovations into the field.”

PSD Groundscare thanks all visitors, manufacturers, and partners for their support in making Groundsfest 2025 such a success. The event reinforces our ongoing commitment to delivering innovative, high-performance solutions designed to meet the evolving needs of grounds maintenance professionals.

For more information about the full PSD product range, please visit: www.psdgroundscare.com

For the latest industry news visit turfmatters.co.uk/news

Get all of the big headlines, pictures, opinions and videos on stories that matter to you.

Follow us on Twitter and Instagram for fun, fresh and engaging content.

You can also find us on Facebook for more of your must-see news, features, videos and pictures from Turf Matters.

Half Sized Blog Element (Single Author Style)

Half Sized Blog Element (Multi Author Style)

All-female grounds team make history

PSD Groundscare Powers Ahead with Groundsfest Success

All-female grounds team make history

PSD Groundscare Powers Ahead with Groundsfest Success

Full Sized Blog Element (Big Preview Pic)

All-female grounds team make history

All-female grounds team make history: For the second time in as many years, history will be made on the pitch, but by the team preparing it.

PSD Groundscare Powers Ahead with Groundsfest Success

PSD Groundscare Powers Ahead with Groundsfest Success: PSD are proud to announce a hugely successful appearance at Groundsfest 2025, where the stand attracted exceptional visitor footfall and generated widespread interest across the full machinery range on display.

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