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Leicester City inspires future grounds professionals

October 22, 2026/in News, Press Release/by Admin

Leicester City inspires future grounds professionals Young people from local schools stepped behind the scenes at Leicester City FC’s training ground for an immersive careers experience designed to showcase the exciting opportunities available in sports turf and grounds management. Delivered through the Grounds Management Association’s (GMA) NextGen programme, the Schools into Stadia event connected students […]

Amenity Forum Conference brings sector together to navigate change

October 22, 2026/in News, Press Release/by Admin

Amenity Forum Conference brings sector together to navigate change The breadth of professional amenity management was firmly in the spotlight as 80 attendees gathered for the Amenity Forum Annual Conference at the British Motor Museum, Gaydon, on 8 October 2026. Held under the theme Navigating Change: Regulation, Stewardship and the Future of Amenity Management, the […]

Leicester City inspires future grounds professionals

October 22, 2026/in News, Press Release/by Admin

Amenity Forum Conference brings sector together to navigate change

October 22, 2026/in News, Press Release/by Admin

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Leicester City inspires future grounds professionals

October 22, 2026/in News, Press Release/by Admin

Leicester City inspires future grounds professionals

Young people from local schools stepped behind the scenes at Leicester City FC’s training ground for an immersive careers experience designed to showcase the exciting opportunities available in sports turf and grounds management.

Leicester City inspires future grounds professionals

Delivered through the Grounds Management Association’s (GMA) NextGen programme, the Schools into Stadia event connected students with industry professionals and provided first-hand insight into the skills, technologies and career pathways that underpin elite sport.

The event gave pupils exclusive access to Leicester City’s training ground facilities, where they explored the vital role grounds teams play in maintaining playing surfaces, supporting athlete performance, and ensuring professional sporting environments operate at the highest level.

Designed as a careers and industry insight day, the event showcased the breadth of opportunities available beyond the players and coaches seen on matchdays. Students participated in a guided tour of the training ground and Sports Turf Academy facilities before taking part in a series of practical workshops covering pitch preparation, turf science, equipment maintenance and grounds operations.

The day also highlighted the many routes into the profession, including apprenticeships, further education, volunteering, and work experience opportunities, helping young people better understand how they can build a career within the sports turf industry.

Flynn Good, First Assistant Pitch Manager Leicester City FC, and Chair of the GMA NextGen Board, said: “Schools into Stadia is about showing young people that there’s a whole world of opportunities behind the scenes of sport. Grounds management is a rewarding, skilled and innovative profession that plays a critical role in every sporting experience, yet many young people are unaware it exists as a career option.

“By bringing students into environments like Leicester City FC’s training ground, we’re helping them see what’s possible, meet the people working in the industry and understand the many pathways available to them. It’s inspiring to see the enthusiasm and curiosity these events generate, and we’re proud to be helping shape the future workforce of our industry.”

Jennifer Carter, Executive Sponsor of the GMA NextGen Board, added: “The future of our industry depends on inspiring and supporting the next generation of talent. Schools into Stadia gives young people the opportunity to see first-hand the breadth of careers available within grounds management and sports turf, while connecting them with the people and organisations helping to shape the profession.

“By opening the doors to elite sporting environments such as Leicester City FC’s training ground, we’re able to showcase the skills, innovation and passion that underpin every great playing surface. It’s fantastic to see students engaging so enthusiastically with the opportunities available and considering careers they may never have previously encountered.”

The event concluded with a pitch and putt competition, giving students another opportunity to engage with industry professionals while experiencing the collaborative and practical nature of careers within the sector.

Paige Watson- Quilter, Premier League Inspires Coordinator from Leicester City in the Community said: “The day gave our participants a valuable insight into the world of grounds management, offering hands-on learning opportunities and the chance to explore the skills, knowledge and career paths within the industry. The experience has inspired them to consider grounds management as a future career and opened their eyes to the exciting opportunities available across the sports industry.”

Schools into Stadia forms part of the GMA NextGen programme, which aims to inspire, educate and connect the next generation of grounds professionals by providing direct access to employers, industry experts and real-world sporting environments. By opening doors to elite venues such as Leicester City FC’s training ground, the initiative is helping to build awareness of the diverse and rewarding careers available across sports turf and grounds management.

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Amenity Forum Conference brings sector together to navigate change

October 22, 2026/in News, Press Release/by Admin

Amenity Forum Conference brings sector together to navigate change

The breadth of professional amenity management was firmly in the spotlight as 80 attendees gathered for the Amenity Forum Annual Conference at the British Motor Museum, Gaydon, on 8 October 2026.

Amenity Forum Conference brings sector together to navigate change

Held under the theme Navigating Change: Regulation, Stewardship and the Future of Amenity Management, the conference brought together professionals from across the sector for a day of lively discussion, knowledge sharing and practical demonstrations.

The programme reflected the diversity of professional amenity management, bringing together speakers from regulators, manufacturers and suppliers of products and technology, contractors, railway vegetation management, turf and grounds management, alongside organisations supporting professional standards and best practice.

Discussions explored the evolving pesticide policy and regulatory landscape, inspections and compliance, responsible vegetation management and the challenges of delivering effective solutions across different amenity environments.

The afternoon programme turned attention to building resilience, with presentations exploring soil health, water management and technological innovation. Practical demonstrations brought these themes to life, providing delegates with tangible examples of how knowledge and technology can support professional practice.

Strong delegate engagement was a feature throughout the day, with questions and discussions highlighting the value of bringing together different disciplines to share experiences, explore common challenges and learn from one another.

The conference also saw the launch of new glyphosate resistance guidance, developed in partnership with the Weed Resistance Action Group (WRAG), reinforcing the Forum’s commitment to providing practical guidance and supporting best practice across the sector.

Speaking following her first annual conference since taking up the Executive Officer role in May 2026, Corrina Urquhart said:

“One of the real strengths of the Amenity Forum is the diversity of the sector it represents. Although our members work in very different environments, they face many shared challenges. What was particularly encouraging was the level of engagement throughout the day and the genuine appetite to exchange ideas, share experiences and learn from one another.

“At a time when the pesticide policy and regulatory landscape is evolving, bringing together regulatory insight, operational experience and practical innovation is more important than ever. We’re building on the Forum’s progress, strengthening relationships and working with members and stakeholders to shape our longer-term priorities.”

Members of the Amenity Forum Board also played an active role in the conference, chairing sessions and helping to facilitate discussions throughout the day.

The Amenity Forum extends its sincere thanks to all speakers and session chairs for sharing their expertise and contributing to the day’s discussions, and to delegates for their enthusiastic participation.

Special thanks go to Kate Hopkins, whose many years of dedication to organising the annual conference continue to play an important part in its success.

The Forum also thanks conference sponsors Complete Weed Control, Languard, NSTS, BASIS, Lantra, ProGreen, ICL, Origin Amenity Solutions, Grounds Management Association and Weedfree for their valued support.

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Half Sized Blog Element (Single Author Style)

Half Sized Blog Element (Multi Author Style)

Leicester City inspires future grounds professionals

Amenity Forum Conference brings sector together to navigate change

Leicester City inspires future grounds professionals

Amenity Forum Conference brings sector together to navigate change

Full Sized Blog Element (Big Preview Pic)

Leicester City inspires future grounds professionals

Leicester City inspires future grounds professionals

Amenity Forum Conference brings sector together to navigate change

Amenity Forum Conference brings sector together to navigate change

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