Tag Archive for: Awards

Nomination deadline extended for national education awards

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Nomination deadline extended for national education awards: Earlier this year, the national Land-Based & Environment Learner (LBEL) Awards, an annual celebration of exceptional achievements in the lands-based and environment sector, opened for nominations.

So far, the Awards organisers are on course to receive a record number of inspirational nominations from tutors, lecturers, assessors, and employers.  All whilst delivering high quality education at a peak time for the Land Based Education Sector.

Nomination deadline extended for national education awards

Nomination deadline extended for national education awards

Due to popular demand, Lantra and Landex are extending the nomination deadline to 11:59pm on Sunday 22nd June 2025

Therefore, they are urging employers, colleges, private training providers and universities to nominate outstanding candidates for a prestigious award.

This exciting Awards programme will announce the winners at a ceremony to be held on 27th November 2025, at the National Conference Centre in Solihull. The event will spotlight talent from a variety of categories including agriculture, horticulture, greenkeeping and sports turf, animal care, floristry, environmental conservation, and many more.

The LBEL Awards not only recognises individual success and achievements but also aims to attract new talent to the land-based and environment industries, addressing the ongoing skills shortages being experienced.

As a reminder, the annual awards are open to individuals on a full-time or part-time Land-Based and Environment course or Apprenticeship in England between September 2024 and September 2025. The award categories include Agriculture; Aquaculture and Fisheries, Arboriculture; Forestry and Woodland Management; Equine and Farriery; Floristry; Landscape and Horticulture; Land-Based Engineering; Animal Care and Management; Veterinary Nursing; Environmental Conservation, Game and Wildlife; and Sports Turf and Greenkeeping.

Awards for the above categories apply across Private Training providers, Further Education (FE), Apprenticeships Awards (Level 2-3), Higher Education (HE) and Higher Apprenticeship Awards (Level 4-7). We will also have the Research Student of the Year category, where supervisors are encouraged to nominate a student studying a post-graduate level either for a Master’s Degree or a Doctoral Degree.

There are overall awards for: Research Student of the Year; Apprentice of the Year; Overall Winner; and Runners Up.

Submit your nominations here.

Online entries are being encouraged, as the quicker and more sustainable option. However, paper copies of the nomination form are available on request, by emailing lbels@lantra.co.uk.

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Women in Golf awards return to Foxhills

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Women in Golf awards return to Foxhills: The Women in Golf Awards is delighted to announce that the fourth annual ceremony will take place on November 27th 2025 at Foxhills.

The awards make a return to the Surrey venue following the resounding success of the 2024 event, that included golf tuition and networking opportunities followed by the gala awards ceremony in the evening. With plans to expand the event for 2025, and the overwhelmingly positive feedback from the 2024 awards, Foxhills was a natural choice to host once more.

Women in Golf awards return to Foxhills

Women in Golf awards return to Foxhills

“We couldn’t have been happier with the 2024 awards,” said co-founder of The Women in Golf Awards, Nicole Wheatley. “The team at Foxhills were fantastic to work with and the venue itself provided everything we needed for a wonderful day of networking and celebration. The last 12 months has seen the awards evolve further, and I’m delighted that we can work with Foxhills once again to deliver even more opportunities for everyone who attends.”

2025 has seen the Women in Golf Awards hold its first education day for past winners and nominees in collaboration with Bernhard Academy and Colt, Mackenzie, McNair. The event that was funded via sponsors contributions to the awards’ Women in Golf Fund, provided educational and networking opportunities while contributing to an insight paper identifying factors that prohibit women considering golf as a career.

“In addition to the golf, networking and celebrations that have previously been part of the awards, we are going to expand the educational opportunities on offer,” continued Nicole. “The generosity of our sponsors has allowed us to grow the Women in Golf fund and add personal and educational development opportunities on the day of the awards. The event is becoming a real vehicle for change in the industry and I’m very proud to be helping provide more opportunities for women to progress in their careers.”

“Since 1978, when the club hosted the third ever edition of the Women’s Open, Foxhills has had a strong affinity to supporting women’s golf, so we’re beyond thrilled to host the Women in Golf awards for a second year running, in 2025,” added Marcus Weatherburn, Director of Membership at Foxhills. “The 2024 event was such a positive experience for everyone at the club. To be in the room with so many inspiring women was a real privilege, and to know that we’d helped to make the event such a special occasion was hugely satisfying. Having heard Nicole’s plans for 2025, we’re delighted to be able to provide facilities for every aspect of the day and can’t wait to welcome everyone to Foxhills in November.”

As in previous years, the Women in Golf Fund will provide a number of free tickets for women working in the industry, who might not otherwise be able to attend. These are allocated via a ballot accessed through the website www.womeningolfawards.co.uk.  There will also be a limited number of subsidised tickets available to purchase later in the year. Women interested in these tickets can sign up for priority access on the website.  The 2025 sponsors and awards categories will be announced at the end of July with nominations open from Mid-August.

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Corey Finn Wins Department Head Award at Yas Island Ruwad Awards

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Corey Finn Wins Department Head Award at Yas Island Ruwad Awards: Corey Finn, Cluster Director of Agronomy for Viya Golf Abu Dhabi, has been honoured with the prestigious Department Head Award at Yas Island’s Ruwad Awards. 

This accolade celebrates exceptional leadership and excellence in departmental management, celebrating Corey’s’s instrumental role in overseeing golf course operations and ensuring top-tier conditions for world-class events such as the DP World Tour’s Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship at Yas Links.

Corey Finn Wins Department Head Award at Yas Island Ruwad Awards

Corey Finn Wins Department Head Award at Yas Island Ruwad Awards

With over eight years of experience working within Aldar golf facilities, Corey has been pivotal in managing world-class golf courses, including Yas Links Abu Dhabi, ranked the number one course in the Middle East and Africa region. His expertise in sustainable agronomy and tournament preparation has set new benchmarks in golf course management, ensuring the highest standards for prestigious international events like the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship.

Corey played a crucial role in hosting the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship, a key tournament in the DP World Tour’s season-ending playoff series. Under his leadership, Yas Links consistently met the highest standards required for professional play, enhancing both the quality of competition and the global reputation of Yas Island as a premier golf destination.

The Ruwad Awards, launched by Miral, celebrate the outstanding individuals and businesses that contribute to the growth and success of Yas Island as a global destination. This recognition highlights Corey’s dedication to innovation, sustainability, and operational excellence, reinforcing Yas Island’s position as a premier location for world-class sporting events.

“I’m truly honoured to receive this award,” said Corey Finn. “It’s a recognition of the passion and dedication I put into my work, and I’m incredibly grateful to be acknowledged among such talented professionals in the industry.”

In addition to this award, Corey’s contributions have been widely recognised, including winning the 59club Agronomy Team of the Year award for Best Conditioned Golf Course at Yas Links in 2021 and Yas Acres Golf & Country Club in 2022. Over the years, he has also mentored and empowered team members, fostering the next generation of turf management professionals.

The Ruwad Awards ceremony took place at Hilton Abu Dhabi, Yas Island, bringing together leading professionals, influencers, and industry experts to celebrate excellence and achievement in the businesses that shape Yas Island’s success.

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Origin Enterprises Announced as Sponsor of BALI Awards

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Origin Enterprises Announced as Headline Sponsor of BALI Awards: Origin Enterprises plc (‘Origin’ or ‘the Group’), the international group shaping the future of sustainable land use solutions, is pleased to announce a new headline sponsorship agreement for the prestigious BALI National Landscape Awards.

The sponsorship will be led by the company’s Living Landscapes division, which offers future-ready products, services, and advice across the sports, environmental, and landscapes sectors. Running from 2025 to 2027, the agreement reinforces Origin Enterprises’ commitment to the nature economy and landscape excellence and highlights its role as a leader in delivering innovative and sustainable solutions for the amenity, urban and infrastructure development, and environmental markets.

Origin Enterprises Announced as Headline Sponsor of BALI Awards

Origin Enterprises Announced as Headline Sponsor of BALI Awards

BALI National Landscape Awards Reflect Origin’s Commitment to Sustainable Land Use

The BALI National Landscape Awards, organised by the British Association of Landscape Industries (BALI), are the industry’s most coveted accolades, celebrating outstanding achievements in landscaping. BALI supports and inspires landscape contractors, architects, garden designers and suppliers to be leaders of an environmentally, ethically and commercially sustainable landscape services industry.

As a leader in sustainable land use and agronomic solutions, Origin’s sponsorship reflects its mission to support the professionals shaping the future of urban and rural landscapes.

TJ Kelly, Divisional Managing Director of Living Landscapes at Origin Enterprises, commented: “At Origin, nurturing the environment is central to our strategy, and our focus on shaping the future of sustainable land use reflects our dedication to responsible land stewardship. We are immensely proud to be the headline sponsor of the BALI National Landscape Awards and to celebrate the achievements of professionals shaping the future of our landscapes.”

“Through our sponsorship, Origin aims to inspire professionals across the industry to implement higher sustainability standards, invest in greener solutions, and push for a more regenerative approach to land management.”

Welcoming the partnership, Wayne Grills, Chief Executive at BALI, added: “We are delighted to have Origin Enterprises as our headline sponsor. Their expertise in sustainability and land management makes them an ideal partner in celebrating the outstanding achievements of our industry.”

Living Landscapes

Origin’s Living Landscapes division unites expertise across its businesses in the Sports, Landscapes, and Environmental markets:

  • Sports – Delivering high-performance solutions in turf agronomy, seed, nutrition, irrigation, line marking, and plant protection, supporting world-class sports facilities and recreational spaces that contribute positively to their local environments.
  • Landscapes – Supporting urban and rural green infrastructure projects, creating biodiverse, vibrant, and sustainable environments that promote recreation, enhance well-being, and connect people with nature.
  • Environmental – Providing ecological consultancy, conservation advice, and habitat creation & management services, enabling businesses and government bodies to achieve their environmental goals while preserving natural beauty.

BALI Partnership

Through its expertise in urban greening, biodiversity enhancement, and turf and soil health management, Origin Enterprises will work with the BALI National Landscape Awards to promote future-ready solutions that improve climate resilience, enhance green infrastructure, and foster long-term sustainability in landscaping projects across the UK and beyond.

The 2025 Awards ceremony will take place on 5th December. To enter the awards or reserve seats at the ceremony, please visit www.baliawards.co.uk

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GMA Industry Awards Kick Off #GroundsWeek

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GMA Industry Awards Kick Off #GroundsWeek: The GMA Industry Awards 2025 brought the grounds management community together for an unforgettable evening at Anfield Stadium, celebrating the exceptional achievements of professionals across the sector.

With #GroundsWeek just around the corner from 17-23 March, the awards also served as a reminder of the vital role grounds staff play in making sport possible.

GMA Industry Awards Kick Off #GroundsWeek

GMA Industry Awards Kick Off #GroundsWeek

Sky Sports presenter, Kyle Walker, led the night’s celebrations which showcased the very best in the industry, recognising those who go above and beyond to maintain world-class playing surfaces and green spaces.

A huge congratulations to all this year’s winners and finalists:

  • Young Groundsperson of the Year (Sponsored by Origin Amenity Solutions)  
    • Thomas Heppell-Mooney – Lancaster University
  • Newcomer of the Year of the Year (Sponsored by ICL)   
    • Matthew Barr – Warwick Independent Schools Foundation
  • Volunteer Groundsperson or Team of the Year (Sponsored by Husqvarna)   
    • Tom Banks – Kirkoswald Football Club
  • Community Groundsperson or Team of the Year  
    • Stoneham Lane Football Complex
  • Environmental and Sustainability Impact Award (Sponsored by Syngenta) 
    • London Youth Sports Trust
  • Bowls & Croquet Groundsperson or Team of the Year  
    • Dean Gibbons – Wantage Bowling Club
  • Best Managed Artificial Surface of the Year  
    • Stoneham Lane Football Complex
  • Professional Horse Racing Grounds Team of the Year  
    • York Racecourse
  • Professional Tennis Courts Grounds Team of the Year (Sponsored by Infinicut)   
    • Ilkley Lawn Tennis and Squash Club
  • Professional Cricket Grounds Team of the Year  
    • Lancashire Cricket Club
  • Professional Rugby Union Grounds Team of the Year  
    • Leicester Tigers
  • Professional Rugby League Grounds Team of the Year (Sponsored by Agronomic Services Ltd)    
    • Castleford Tigers
  • Professional Football Grounds Team of the Year (Sponsored by Reesink UK)   
    • Stockport County Football Club
  • Professional Football Grounds Team (Elite) of the Year (Sponsored by SGL)   
    • Liverpool Football Club
  • University/College Grounds Team of the Year (Sponsored by Kubota UK Ltd)   
    • Lancaster University
  • Independent School Grounds Team of the Year (Sponsored by ISEKI UK & Ireland)    
    • Eton College
  • GMA Grounds Manager of the Year (Sponsored by DLF Seeds Ltd)  
    • William Rigg – Ilkley Lawn Tennis & Squash Club

The GMA would like to extend a special thank you to our platinum sponsor ISEKI UK & Ireland and award category sponsors, DLF Seeds Ltd, Syngenta, ICL, Agronomic Services, SGL, Husqvarna, Infinicut, Reesink Turfcare, Kubota UK and the National Governing Bodies of sport, whose support made this event possible.

This year’s charity partner, LFC Foundation, was at the heart of the evening, with guests generously donating to support its vital work in creating life-changing opportunities for young people within the local Liverpool postcodes of L4 and L5. 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 17-23 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.

The GMA Industry Awards continue to grow, and we’re already looking forward to what’s upcoming for 2026. Stay tuned for more updates and, in the meantime, keep an eye on our social channels for event highlights and winner interviews.

Thank you once again to all attendees, finalists, winners and sponsors, for such a brilliant evening of celebrating the grounds management industry.

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