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Man City’s John Ledwidge Awarded Pioneer Mark 001

February 11, 2025/in News, People, Press Release/by Admin

John Ledwidge Awarded Pioneer Mark #001: The Grounds Management Association (GMA) is pleased to award John Ledwidge Pioneer Mark #001 in recognition of his contributions to the industry. The ‘Pioneer Legacy’ initiative celebrates individuals who have made a lasting impact on the industry through the GMA’s NextGen group, formerly known as the GMA Young Board. […]

Awards season begins for Toro

February 11, 2025/in News, Press Release/by Admin

Awards season begins for Toro: Entries for Toro’s renowned Student Greenkeeper of the Year Awards 2025 open on 1 March. Lecturers and employers can give their students the chance to unlock life changing opportunities by nominating them, or student greenkeepers can have faith in their own abilities and put themselves forward. Aside from industry-leading prizes […]

Man City’s John Ledwidge Awarded Pioneer Mark 001

February 11, 2025/in News, People, Press Release/by Admin

Awards season begins for Toro

February 11, 2025/in News, Press Release/by Admin

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Man City’s John Ledwidge Awarded Pioneer Mark 001

February 11, 2025/in News, People, Press Release/by Admin

John Ledwidge Awarded Pioneer Mark #001: The Grounds Management Association (GMA) is pleased to award John Ledwidge Pioneer Mark #001 in recognition of his contributions to the industry.

The ‘Pioneer Legacy’ initiative celebrates individuals who have made a lasting impact on the industry through the GMA’s NextGen group, formerly known as the GMA Young Board.

John Ledwidge Awarded Pioneer Mark #001

Pioneer Mark

Each Pioneer Mark is uniquely numbered and represents the individual’s contribution to supporting the next generation of grounds people.

The presentation of John’s award is particularly timely during National Apprenticeship Week, which highlights the crucial role apprenticeships play in creating career pathways in the industry.

Ledwidge, himself, began his career as an apprentice at Coventry City Football Club and, after 18 months away, returned as Grounds Manager where he was also part of the first GMA Young Board cohort between 2011-2014.

As the group’s inaugural chair, he played a key role in laying the foundations for its evolution into GMA NextGen which supports and develops emerging talent within the industry.

Since his time with the Young Board, Ledwidge has progressed through senior positions at Leicester City Football Club and is now Head of Grounds and Landscapes at Manchester City Football Club.

What they said

Jennifer Carter, Director of Communications and Marketing at the GMA, said: “John’s journey not only with the GMA but within the industry highlights his dedication to the profession and his ability to inspire meaningful change.

As the first chair of the Young Board, he showed great leadership that set the foundation for GMA NextGen. Seeing his achievements recognised with Pioneer Mark #001 is a proud moment for everyone who has worked alongside him.”

Commenting on the award, John Ledwidge said: “It is a genuine honour to be awarded with the #001 pioneer mark from the GMA. As the first chair of the young board and part of the founding group, we created something that had never been done before, hopefully laying the foundations for today’s NextGen group to continue the legacy we left.

Personally, I feel we all have a responsibility to encourage and develop new and emerging talent and to share our knowledge and expertise with them. I have always been proud of what I do and will always be grateful for the opportunities this wonderful industry has given me and my family, so it is such a pleasure to receive this recognition from the GMA.”

For more information about the Pioneer Legacy initiative or GMA NextGen, please visit thegma.org.uk/who/ambassadors/.

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

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Awards season begins for Toro

February 11, 2025/in News, Press Release/by Admin

Awards season begins for Toro: Entries for Toro’s renowned Student Greenkeeper of the Year Awards 2025 open on 1 March.

Lecturers and employers can give their students the chance to unlock life changing opportunities by nominating them, or student greenkeepers can have faith in their own abilities and put themselves forward.

Awards season begins

Aside from industry-leading prizes which include, for both award winners, all-expenses-paid trips to the USA to visit Toro HQ, R&D and manufacturing, educational opportunities, and a one-week work experience placement at a prestigious UK or overseas golf course, it’s as much the long-term benefits winning and taking part bring that make it worthwhile entering.

Jon Cole, Divisional Business Manager at Reesink Turfcare, award sponsor and main award judge, says: “The awards are the only in the industry to recognise young greenkeepers in such a way and bring extraordinary rewards for those who reach the finals.

The awards

These are some of the biggest prizes available in the industry, alongside an invaluable platform for young professionals to use to take their career to the next level.”

The finals on 9-11 September will be held at Rudding Park in Harrogate.

This award-winning family-owned luxury resort is home to two previous winners of the Toro Student Awards – Matthew Milligan who won in 2021 and John Norwood winner in 2019.

Finalists get to meet and compete with the best student greenkeepers in the country and network with influential industry leaders, increase skills and knowledge to enhance professional development and build lasting relationships in the greenkeeping community.

What the awards can do

David Timms, Reesink’s National Accounts Manager and young award judge, says: “The awards act as a massive stepping stone in these greenkeeper’s careers and taking part holds a lot of credence with future employers.

Entering couldn’t be easier and could be the beginning of the next stage of their lives.”

But really what it comes down to is passion. Passion for the industry and in the belief that a greenkeeper’s role makes a difference.

These are the reasons why the awards are the longest standing in the industry and why Reesink, Toro, organisers BIGGA and all the judges believe in them so whole-heartedly.

As John Keenaghan, 2024 BIGGA President and young award judge, confirms: “It’s a wonderful opportunity for young greenkeepers to show their passion in the greenkeeping world.”

For more details and how to apply head to reesinkturfcare.co.uk/students-awards. Entries can made from 1 March to 11 April.

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)

Man City’s John Ledwidge Awarded Pioneer Mark 001

Awards season begins for Toro

Man City’s John Ledwidge Awarded Pioneer Mark 001

Awards season begins for Toro

Full Sized Blog Element (Big Preview Pic)

Man City’s John Ledwidge Awarded Pioneer Mark 001

John Ledwidge Awarded Pioneer Mark #001: The Grounds Management Association (GMA) is pleased to award John Ledwidge Pioneer Mark #001 in recognition of his contributions to the industry.

Pioneer Mark

What they said

Awards season begins for Toro

Awards season begins for Toro: Entries for Toro’s renowned Student Greenkeeper of the Year Awards 2025 open on 1 March.

The awards

What the awards can do

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