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GMA NextGen Welcomes Three New Industry Trailblazers

March 26, 2026/in News, Press Release/by Admin

GMA NextGen Welcomes Three New Industry Trailblazers The Grounds Management Association’s (GMA) NextGen group is pleased to welcome three new members: James Williamson, Sonny Keywood and Calum Clarkson. The trio join after a strong application process with an impressive number of candidates from across the sector. The GMA NextGen group brings together young professionals who […]

How The Vale Resort Achieves Perfection with Baroness

March 26, 2026/in Machinery, News, Press Release/by Admin

How The Vale Resort Achieves Perfection with Baroness Maintaining top-flight playing surfaces across a large, multi-use facility demands more than just quality turfcare equipment – it requires absolute reliability, operational efficiency and a consistently high standard of finish. For The Vale Resort, Baroness has become an increasingly important part of that equation, with the recent […]

GMA NextGen Welcomes Three New Industry Trailblazers

March 26, 2026/in News, Press Release/by Admin

How The Vale Resort Achieves Perfection with Baroness

March 26, 2026/in Machinery, News, Press Release/by Admin

Full Sized Blog Element (Big Preview Pic)

GMA NextGen Welcomes Three New Industry Trailblazers

March 26, 2026/in News, Press Release/by Admin

GMA NextGen Welcomes Three New Industry Trailblazers

The Grounds Management Association’s (GMA) NextGen group is pleased to welcome three new members: James Williamson, Sonny Keywood and Calum Clarkson.

GMA NextGen Welcomes Three New Industry Trailblazers

The trio join after a strong application process with an impressive number of candidates from across the sector.

The GMA NextGen group brings together young professionals who act as ambassadors for the industry. Their mission is to inspire and support more young people into careers in grounds management, helping to secure a skilled and sustainable workforce for the future.

Introducing the New Members

James Williamson, Club Development Partner at Cricket Wales, has been a passionate sports person from a young age. Growing up in Cornwall, he supported sports development through a variety of coaching roles before moving to Cardiff in 2019 to study Sport and Exercise Science (BSc). After graduating, he chose to stay in Wales and turn his passion for sport into a full-time career. James now helps Cricket Wales create welcoming, sustainable cricket facilities across the country. James is particularly motivated to help young people discover the wide range of opportunities within the sector.

Sonny Keywood, Groundsperson at Brighton & Hove Albion FC, has always loved sport and spending time outdoors, making grounds management a perfect career. Sonny first learned about the industry through his dad, realising early on that it offered far more variety and opportunity than he had imagined. He enjoys the fast pace of his role and the day-to-day challenges that come with maintaining elite playing surfaces. He sees NextGen as a platform to raise the profile of the profession and help young people see grounds management as a respected and rewarding career choice.

Calum Clarkson, Groundsperson at George Heriot’s School, takes great pride in preparing top-quality cricket pitches and sports surfaces. Alongside his work maintaining the grounds at George Heriot’s School, he is Head Groundsman at Royal High Corstorphine Cricket Club. Growing up in sport, he understands how much high-quality surfaces matter for safety, performance and player experience. Having once been unaware of the career routes available in turf care, he is now committed to championing the profession and inspiring future talent.

Jack Langley, Co‑Chair of the GMA NextGen group, said: “James, Sonny and Calum bring real energy and industry insight to the existing group. Each of them has a brilliant story about how they found their way into grounds management, and they share a willingness to supporting young people entering the profession. We’re excited to have them on board and to see the impact they’ll make.”

Meg Lay, Co‑Chair of the GMA NextGen group, added: “The NextGen group exists to give young professionals a voice and to help drive the industry forward. James, Sonny and Calum each bring fresh perspectives and valuable experience. Their excitement is exactly what we need as we continue promoting the sector and inspiring the next generation.”

Find out more about the NextGen group by visiting www.thegma.org.uk/nextgen

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

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How The Vale Resort Achieves Perfection with Baroness

March 26, 2026/in Machinery, News, Press Release/by Admin

How The Vale Resort Achieves Perfection with Baroness

Maintaining top-flight playing surfaces across a large, multi-use facility demands more than just quality turfcare equipment – it requires absolute reliability, operational efficiency and a consistently high standard of finish.

How The Vale Resort Achieves Perfection with Baroness

For The Vale Resort, Baroness has become an increasingly important part of that equation, with the recent delivery of four LM551 fairway mowers adding to the finesse delivered by four LM331 surrounds mowers already at the venue.

Recognised as one of Wales’ most prestigious resorts, the site nestled among the Vale of Glamorgan countryside has undergone significant expansion over the years. Within the 650-acre private estate is a hotel, health and racquets club used by leisure members and six football and rugby pitches, for training by the FAW and WRU. Under the longstanding involvement of Head Greenkeeper Mike Bevan, the golf element has grown from a modest nine-hole layout into two 18-hole championship courses, maintained by a team of 12 greenkeepers.

“We try to limit the sharing of equipment between departments as, when you get a break in the weather, it tends to be the same machines that are in demand site-wide” explains Noel Werner, Golf Manager at the Vale Resort. “This drove a conscious decision to invest in equipment that is dedicated for golf. In exploring the options available in the mower market with the support of Geraint Richards at GJR Machinery, the quality of cut from Baroness stood out immediately.”

“We purchased four LM331 mowers in 2022 which are used daily during the main growing season on banks, tee and green surrounds and other peripheral areas. These mowers tick a lot of boxes – not just the quality of cut they deliver and the fact they stay on cut incredibly well, but from a maintenance and servicing perspective everything is super simple to work on.” Noel adds, “Their reliable performance is invaluable to us as such a busy resort where downtime just isn’t an option.”

Building on the success of the LM331’s, the club expanded its Baroness fleet further in October 2025 with the purchase of four LM551 mowers for the fairways. While winter conditions have limited their usage to date, expectations are high for the season ahead.

“The whole team are really looking forward to getting them out when new season growth arrives. Based on our experience with the surround mowers, we’re confident they’ll deliver the same precision, consistency and reliability on the fairways.”

Support has been another key factor in the relationship – with GJR Machinery and Baroness’s Paul Watson delivering fast, effective back-up when needed. “For a complex of this size, support is critical.” He emphasises, “Knowing there’s a team behind us, that understands our operation and is available to offer help and advice just further reinforces our confidence in the brand. It makes a massive difference.”

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)

GMA NextGen Welcomes Three New Industry Trailblazers

How The Vale Resort Achieves Perfection with Baroness

GMA NextGen Welcomes Three New Industry Trailblazers

How The Vale Resort Achieves Perfection with Baroness

Full Sized Blog Element (Big Preview Pic)

GMA NextGen Welcomes Three New Industry Trailblazers

GMA NextGen Welcomes Three New Industry Trailblazers

Introducing the New Members

How The Vale Resort Achieves Perfection with Baroness

How The Vale Resort Achieves Perfection with Baroness

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