Tag Archive for: 2026

Winners Of The 2026 GMA Industry Awards Announced

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Winners Of The 2026 GMA Industry Awards Announced: The winners of the 2026 GMA Industry Awards were announced last night at a prestigious ceremony at Edgbaston Stadium.

The awards took place alongside the new GMA Conference, which ran throughout the day and brought the industry together for workshops and discussions.

Winners Of The 2026 GMA Industry Awards Announced

Winners Of The 2026 GMA Industry Awards Announced

Hosted by renowned broadcaster Kelly Somers, the awards celebrated the people and teams who show outstanding skill across the grounds management sector.

With #GroundsWeek just around the corner, taking place from 23-29 March, the awards also served as a reminder of the vital role grounds staff play in making sport possible.

The 2026 winners are:

  • Young Groundsperson of the Year (Sponsored by Origin Amenity Solutions)
    • Flynn Good
  • Newcomer of the Year (Sponsored by ICL)
    • George Legg
  • Volunteer Groundsperson/Team of the Year (Sponsored by Chappell Enterprises UK)
    • Trubshaw Cross
  • Community Groundsperson/Team of the Year (Sponsored by National Governing Bodies of Sport)
    • Stoneham Lane Football Complex
  • Best Managed Artificial Surface of the Year
    • University of Warwick
  • Environmental & Sustainability Impact Award
    • Liverpool F.C
  • Bowls & Croquet Groundsperson/Team of the Year
    • Dean Gibbons
  • Professional Cricket Grounds Team of the Year (Sponsored by Barenbrug)
    • Marylebone Cricket Club
  • Professional Tennis Courts Grounds Team of the Year (Sponsored by Advanced Turf Technology LTD)
    • The All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club
  • Professional Horse Racing Grounds Team of the Year
    • Warwick Racecourse
  • Professional Rugby League Grounds Team of the Year (Sponsored by Agronomic Services Ltd)
    • Castleford Tigers
  • Professional Rugby Union Grounds Team of the Year (Sponsored by MJ Abbott/Premier Pitches)
    • Bristol Bears
  • Professional Football Grounds Team of the Year (Sponsored by Reesink)
    • Lincoln City F.C
  • Professional Football Grounds Team of the Year (Elite) (Sponsored by SGL)
    • Manchester City F.C
  • University & College Grounds Team of the Year (Sponsored by Kubota)
    • University of Warwick
  • Independent School Grounds Team of the Year (Sponsored by ISEKI)
    • Whitgift School
  • GMA Grounds Manager of the Year (Sponsored by DLF Seeds Ltd)
    • Karl McDermott

Geoff Webb, GMA CEO said: “The GMA Industry Awards are always a key highlight in our calendar. They give us the chance to celebrate the hard work that drives our industry forward. We received a record number of entries this year which shows real strength and pride across grounds management. I want to congratulate all our winners and thank them for the great work they do every day.”

The GMA would like to extend a special thank you to our platinum sponsor ISEKI UK & Ireland as well as conference & award sponsors Origin Amenity Solutions, ICL, Chappell Enterprises UK, National Governing Bodies of Sport, Barenbrug, Agronomic Services Ltd, MJ Abbott/Premier Pitches, Reesink, SGL, Kubota, DLF Seeds Ltd and Advanced Turf Technology LTD, whose support made this event possible.

This year’s charity partner, MND Association, was at the heart of the evening, with guests generously donating to support its vital work in improving access to care, research and campaigning for people affected by motor neurone disease. Thank you to everyone who contributed, your generosity will make a genuine difference.

As we celebrate this year’s award winners, we also encourage the industry to continue raising awareness of the profession by getting involved in #GroundsWeek from 23-29 March. Our annual awareness campaign is all about championing the hard work of grounds staff, inspiring future talent and highlighting the crucial role they play in making sport possible.

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Germinal Amenity announces 2026 grass seed mixtures

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Germinal Amenity announces 2026 grass seed mixtures: Germinal Amenity – the market leader in the development and supply of specialist seed products for the amenity sector – is delighted to announce its 2026 A Range of grass seed mixtures specially formulated for golf and sports turf applications. 

For 2026, Germinal Amenity has sought to improve the already impressive A Range mixtures such as Tour Leader, ForeFront Greens and A20 Premier Ryesport by sourcing new, highly rated grass varieties that complement the top-performing varieties bred by its research and development partners, Germinal Horizon, including AberRoyal and AberRegal.

Germinal Amenity announces 2026 grass seed mixtures

Germinal Amenity announces 2026 grass seed mixtures

New Varieties Added

This year, Germinal Amenity is introducing the new creeping bentgrass varieties, ‘Piper’ and ‘777’ to its A Range blends for golf greens. It is also adding the new perennial ryegrass variety, ‘AberWin’, to its top specification A20 Premier Ryesport mixture for winter sports.

With its exceptionally high shoot density – the foundation of good wear tolerance and recovery – and very attractive mid-green colour, the Germinal Horizon-bred ‘AberWin’ scores highly for live ground cover and visual merit all year round, even during the most testing of ground conditions.

‘777’ is the sister grass variety to the market-leading 007 DSB and tops the BSPB Turfgrass Seed List with a shoot density score of 6.8 and visual merit of 7.0. ‘Piper’ is a brand-new variety that will reach the full BSPB list in 2027 and scores even higher with shoot density of 7.2, visual merit of 8.1 and an impressive 7.2 for fineness of leaf.

Shoot density is a key trait that allows these grasses to out compete Poa Annua in golf courses.

Germinal Amenity is adding both ‘777’ and ‘Piper’ to Tour Leader, its landmark creeping bentgrass mixture that provides unrivalled performance, seasonal adaptability, high disease resistance, and vivid colour retention.

‘Piper’ is also being added to its ForeFront Greens which combines the proven performance of the AberMajesty browntop bentgrass blend with the best creeping bents available to ensure the highest levels of disease and stress resistance.

Commenting, Richard Brown, Amenity Director at Germinal, said:

“The availability of both Piper and 777 has been highly anticipated. We are delighted to be able to incorporate them into the A Range mixtures for 2026 where they will support even greater performance on low inputs for greenkeepers.

They will also significantly enhance the genetic diversity of our leading seed blends. Diversity underpins a lot of the performance of grass mixtures; when conditions get tough, the best variety in the blend will step up to do the job, whether this is coping with shade, drought or disease. Diversity reduces risk for greenkeepers and has long been the standard sought in sports turf management, and which we are making available to greenkeepers across the A Range and in our new mixtures for 2026.

Groundskeepers can have even more confidence in our top-spec blend for winter sports, A20 Premium Ryesports, with the inclusion of AberWin which will be the first time this breakthrough, high shoot density perennial ryegrass variety will be available to the amenity sector.” 

The A Range includes the full range of Germinal’s trusted and proven varieties for all landscape, golf and sports turf applications including ForeFront Greens, AberMajesty Blend, A5 Golf Tees and Tour Leader.

The A Range also offers Germinal’s pollinator-friendly wildflower products, including True Meadow. These mixtures have been formulated for a wide range of developed areas and natural habitats. They also include Regional Environmental (RE) mixtures which meet the requirements of government-sponsored biodiversity schemes in the UK.

The 2026 brochures from Germinal offer guides to unique ranges of grass, clover and wildflora amenity mixtures and are available now at germinalamenity.com or from Germinal Amenity’s Technical Sales and Amenity Turf Advisers.

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ICL and Syngenta reopen Turf Rewards for 2026

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ICL and Syngenta reopen Turf Rewards for 2026: ICL and Syngenta have confirmed the reopening of the Turf Rewards Scheme for 2026, continuing their joint support for turf professionals across the UK and Ireland through a structured rewards scheme designed to add value to everyday purchasing decisions.

The Turf Rewards Scheme allows clubs and contracting businesses to earn reward points when purchasing selected ICL and Syngenta turf products. These points can then be redeemed against a wide range of rewards that support day-to-day operations, help improve efficiency, and add value to planned purchasing throughout the year.

ICL and Syngenta reopen Turf Rewards for 2026

ICL and Syngenta reopen Turf Rewards for 2026

New rewards for 2026 include the LightScout Quantum (PAR) Meter, a professional tool that allows turf managers to measure usable light for photosynthesis, rather than relying on visual assessments. This provides clearer insight when managing turf in shaded, low-light, or restricted environments.

For 2026, the scheme has been expanded to include Greenmaster Liquid Advance. Designed for professional turf managers, the range combines proven liquid nutrition with a biostimulant package containing MTU®, a patented molecule now available in turf for the first time. The inclusion reflects the growing role of liquid nutrition in modern turf management, particularly where flexibility, precision, and response under pressure are critical.

Two new Syngenta products, Comprevo and Vyplenza will also be added to the scheme in the coming weeks, further expanding the range of qualifying products available to turf professionals.

Turf managers across golf, sports, and amenity sectors are encouraged to sign up or resume using Turf Rewards in 2026 and make the most of the benefits available.

For full details and to register, visit www.turfrewards.com for the UK scheme or www.turfrewards.ie for the Republic of Ireland scheme.

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TGA Demonstration Day 2026 – Tickets Now on Sale

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TGA Demonstration Day 2026 – Tickets Now on Sale: The Turfgrass Growers Association (TGA) is pleased to confirm that tickets are now on sale for the 2026 TGA Demonstration Day, taking place on Thursday 2 July 2026, hosted by Grasslands Turf in Kent.

Tickets can be purchased HERE.

TGA Demonstration Day 2026 – Tickets Now on Sale

TGA Demonstration Day 2026 – Tickets Now on Sale

The Demonstration Day is the Association’s flagship technical field event, bringing together professional turfgrass growers, suppliers and industry specialists from across the UK for a full day of live demonstrations, knowledge exchange and networking.

Exhibitor, demonstration and sponsorship opportunities are now available, providing companies with a valuable opportunity to engage directly with TGA grower members and showcase products, services and innovations in a practical field environment.

The TGA is delighted to confirm the following exhibitors to date:

• Campey Turfcare
• Trimax
• Brocks Wheel & Tyre
• Industrial Pallet & Transport Services Ltd
• Rovadi Turf Equipment

Further exhibitor confirmations are imminent, and interest remains strong.

The Association is also pleased to confirm Agrigem Ltd as the official Show Programme Sponsor for the 2026 Demonstration Day.

The event will feature:

• Live machinery and equipment demonstrations
• On-field trials and technical showcases
• Trade stands from leading industry suppliers
• Networking opportunities with growers, agronomists and manufacturers

Discussion aligned with TGA production standards and sustainability priorities

The Demonstration Day forms a key part of the TGA’s ongoing commitment to supporting professional turf production, promoting best practice and strengthening collaboration across the supply chain.

Tickets, exhibitor bookings and sponsorship enquiries can be made via the TGA office or the Association’s website.

For exhibitor and sponsorship bookings, or for further information, visit www.turfgrass.co.uk or contact the TGA office.

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MM Seed: New and Improved for 2026

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MM Seed: New and Improved for 2026: MM Seed enters 2026 with a refined and strengthened range, building on its reputation for quality, performance and reliability across golf, winter sports, cricket and tennis.

With carefully selected cultivar updates and the continued inclusion of HEADSTART® GOLD as standard, the latest MM mixtures are designed to deliver stronger establishment, improved durability and consistent presentation in increasingly challenging conditions.

MM Seed: New and Improved for 2026

MM Seed: New and Improved for 2026

Golf: Fairway and Greens Performance You Can Rely On

For fairways and high-wear areas, MM22, MM50 and MM13 remain core options, each offering distinct benefits depending on site requirements.

MM22 continues to be a trusted choice for divotting, repairs and renovation work on tees and fairways subject to heavy traffic. For 2026, MM22 is enhanced with the inclusion of Mumbai perennial ryegrass, a dense, fine-leaved and hard-wearing cultivar. This is complemented by Hastings and Sybille creeping red fescues, further improving density and visual quality.

MM50 also benefits from the addition of Mumbai, strengthening its ability to produce a dense, resilient sward capable of withstanding close mowing and sustained wear. Alongside proven cultivars such as Singapore, MM50 continues to deliver consistency and performance where presentation and durability are equally important.

For lower-input environments, MM13 offers a traditional yet highly effective solution for overseeding and renovation of tees, fairways and roughs. With excellent drought tolerance, good disease resistance and strong recovery, MM13 is particularly suited to sites where ease of management and reliability are key. Its ability to hold colour and performance through winter further enhances its appeal.

On greens, MM8 and MM9 provide specialist solutions for different playing environments. MM8 is a 100% fine fescue blend, ideally suited to links and heathland-style courses. Featuring top-rated cultivars such as Sybille, it delivers a fine, dense sward with low nutrient requirements, good drought tolerance and improved disease resistance, making it ideal for sustainable maintenance programmes and seasonal overseeding.

MM9 remains a premium browntop bent mixture for summer overseeding, autumn renovation and new green construction. Renowned for producing smooth, dense putting surfaces, MM9 offers excellent colour retention, strong disease resistance and tolerance to close mowing, making it a dependable choice for high-performance greens.

Winter Sports: Proven Mixtures and Smart Innovation

MM60, a market-leading winter sports mixture for over 30 years, remains a go-to option thanks to its fast germination, excellent wear tolerance and strong winter recovery. The inclusion of the Lionel cultivar provides enhanced resistance to Fusarium, supporting turf health during high-risk periods.

MM Tetrasport blends 75% tetraploid and 25% diploid perennial ryegrass, delivering the combined benefits of both species. The result is a hard-wearing, disease-resistant sward with excellent colour, deep rooting and improved drought tolerance, making it particularly well suited to stadiums, training grounds and pitches with limited irrigation.

New for 2026, MM Active Shield has been developed to address growing concerns around Grey Leaf Spot. The mix includes Fiesta 4 and Fabian, the most tolerant cultivars identified in DLF GLS trials, alongside other independently trialled varieties. Fast to establish even in cooler temperatures, MM Active Shield delivers greater root mass, improved plant strength, excellent wear tolerance and outstanding year-round colour.

Cricket and Tennis: Trusted at the Highest Level

MM50 continues its long-standing position as the market-leading cricket and tennis mixture, used by numerous county and international venues. The inclusion of Mumbai raises performance further, while Singapore supports rapid recovery from match play and wear. Tolerant of low cutting heights and quick to establish, MM50 remains a proven choice for cricket squares and tennis courts alike.

HEADSTART® GOLD: Performance Built In

All MM seed mixtures come with HEADSTART® GOLD as standard. This second-generation biological seed treatment accelerates germination and supports early root development through a carefully balanced blend of macro and micronutrients, including phosphorus, sulphur, copper and molybdenum. By promoting stronger roots during establishment, HEADSTART® GOLD helps improve stress tolerance, reduce inputs and deliver healthier turf faster.

Combined with MM’s high standards for seed purity and germination, the 2026 range offers professional turf managers dependable solutions designed to perform from day one – and well beyond.

The 2026 MM Seed product catalogue is now available through your local MM Seed distributor.

Visit the new and improved MM Seed website at www.mm-seeds.co.uk

You can also follow the company on X: @MM_Seed.

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