Tag Archive for: Awards

Hayley McQueen to Host GMA Awards

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Hayley McQueen to Host GMA Awards: Highly respected and award-wining sports broadcaster, Hayley McQueen, has been announced as host for this year’s GMA Industry Awards, held at the iconic Headingley Stadium on Wednesday 29 November 2023.

With a career spanning over 20 years, Hayley is best known for her work as lead anchor of Sky Sports News. As a well-established and highly respected TV sports presenter, reporter, award-winning producer, and event host, the GMA is delighted to have Hayley on board to host its prestigious annual awards ceremony.

Hayley McQueen to Host GMA Awards

Hayley McQueen to Host GMA Awards

Hayley has experienced life both in front of and behind the camera, having excelled in presenting and producing the news, daily talk and match day live build up as main match day anchor at Manchester United TV between 2006-2010.

Hayley’s work has taken her across the globe, reporting on some of the most high-profile sporting events in the world such as Champions League, World Cup, European Championships, and the Olympic Games. Having interviewed sporting royalty such as David Beckham, Usain Bolt, Jose Mourinho and Lord Sebastian Coe, Hayley has gained a reputation as a fun, warm and respectable broadcaster.

Other notable credits include Premier League TV, Fox Sports and Al Jazeera Sports as well as various hosting duties for Radio X, BBC 5 Live and flagship Football First Premier League highlights show, Match Choice and Sportswomen programmes. She is also one third of the award-winning podcast The Offside Rule, an all-female football podcast which has been running successfully for 10 years.

On presenting the awards Hayley said:

“I’m delighted to be hosting this year’s GMA Industry Awards. With a true love of sport, I know only too well the invaluable work grounds staff put in to making sport possible.

“To be able to celebrate the achievements of those who work tirelessly to produce such exceptional results is something I’m very much looking forward to. It’s going to be a great evening!’

Geoff Webb, CEO of the Grounds Management Association said:

“To have such a well-respected industry talent in Hayley hosting the Industry Awards is so exciting for the GMA. She is a trailblazer in her field and is therefore the perfect complement to a prestigious evening of celebration.”

Tickets to attend the awards ceremony at Headingley Stadium on Wednesday 29 November are now on sale at gmaindustryawards.uk/ticket-packages/

To discuss sponsorship and other brand partnership opportunities, email Sales Manager Jill Rodham at jrodham@thegma.org.uk. 

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GMA Awards judging panel announced

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GMA Awards judging panel announced: The GMA’s annual awards will take place later this year when we will celebrate industry excellence across sports turf and artificial surfaces.  

With the closing date to submit applications for the GMA Industry Awards fast approaching, the Grounds Management Association is delighted to announce the judging panel for this year’s ceremony.

GMA Awards judging panel announced

GMA Awards judging panel announced

GMA Awards judging panel announced GMA Awards judging panel announced The ten judges have been tasked with selecting seventeen worthy winners from an industry-wide talent pool who, among them, represent every corner of the sector. Comprising of leading industry professionals, the stellar line up includes seasoned professionals, some with long and distinguished careers; many have judged the annual awards several times before and keep coming back!

The 2023 judges include:

  1. Neil Stubley, Head of Courts and Horticulture at the All England Lawn Tennis & Croquet Club
  2. Adrian Kay, Head Groundsman at York Racecourse
  3. Meg Lay, Groundsperson at Gloucestershire County Cricket Club
  4. Lee Metcalfe, Senior Grounds Manager at Manchester City FC
  5. David Roberts, Director at Training Unlimited
  6. Anthony Facey, Area Sales Manager at Tuckwells
  7. Stuart Kerrison, Head Groundsman at Essex County Cricket Club
  8. Derek Walder, Operations Director at SALTEX
  9. Nasa Hussain, Head Groundsman & Facilities Manager at Yorkshire County Cricket Club
  10. James Wright, Senior Maintenance Manager at Leeds University

Derek Walder said:

“To be invited to judge the Industry Awards applications this year is a real privilege. Having worked in the industry for over 56 years, it’s fantastic to be able to play a part in supporting the sector by recognising the hard work and dedication of those who contribute so much to maintaining the grounds they manage.  

I’m very much looking forward to the judging process, as well as attending the ceremony in November to celebrate the profound and often unnoticed achievements of the industry.”

Geoff Webb, CEO of Grounds Management Association said:

“It’s wonderful to have received the support of such established industry professionals in helping us to shine a spotlight on the groundscare industry.  

Each judge comes with years of insight and invaluable experience from across all areas of the industry that will be put to good use when carefully considering applications and selecting our 2023 Industry Award winners.  

We look forward to welcoming the industry to Headingley Stadium this November to give a platform to those worthy of recognition.”

You can found out more about this year’s judging panel at gmaindustryawards.uk/judges/

The deadline to submit applications is 14th August at gmaindustryawards.uk/awards-categories/

Tickets to attend the awards ceremony at Headingley Stadium on Wednesday 29 November are now on sale at gmaindustryawards.uk/tickets

To discuss sponsorship and other brand partnership opportunities, email Sales Manager Jill Rodham at jrodham@thegma.org.uk.

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

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Agrovista & DLF Seeds Sponsor Racecourse Groundstaff Awards

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Agrovista & DLF Seeds Sponsor Racecourse Groundstaff Awards: The 2023 26th annual Racecourse Groundstaff Awards is now open for submissions.

New for 2023, the Richard Linley Award will reward the best newcomer to British horseracing. The Award is named in honour of Richard Linley, the former BHA Senior Inspector of Racecourses who recently retired after 35 years of service.

Agrovista & DLF Seeds Sponsor Racecourse Groundstaff Awards

Agrovista & DLF Seeds Sponsor Racecourse Groundstaff Awards

The awards celebrate excellence in turf husbandry across British racecourses and are unique in that they remain the only dedicated awards for groundstaff within the sport.

The core Racecourse Groundstaff Awards celebrate the winners and runners-up across the three racecourse types: flat, jump and dual purpose. The winners of each category will go onto the RCA’s Showcase Awards on Thursday 23rd November at Aintree Racecourse where an overall Groundstaff Champion will be crowned.

The winners of the 2022 Racecourse Groundstaff Awards were announced last November with Agrovista Amenity, DLF Seeds and Duralock proud sponsors.  As with previous Racecourse Groundstaff Awards, an expert judging panel comprised of the representatives from the British Horseracing Authority (BHA) Racecourse Inspectorate, Professional Jockeys Association (PJA) and the National Trainers Federation (NTF) judged the awards, and the

2022 winners were as follows:

Flat Racecourse of the Year

Winner – York

Runner Up – Salisbury

Dual Purpose Racecourse of the Year

Winner – Ascot

Runner Up – Ayr

Agrovista & DLF Seeds Sponsor Racecourse Groundstaff Awards

Agrovista & DLF Seeds Sponsor Racecourse Groundstaff Awards

Jump Racecourse of the Year   

Winner – Cartmel

Runner Up – Warwick

Special Merit Award

Winner – All racecourses for fortitude and resilience particularly in light of COVID, changing regulation and climate change.

Neil Wyatt Lifetime Achievement                     

Winner – Brian Meikle, Kelso

Most Improved Newcomer                                 

Winner – Luke Randall, Warwick

Groundstaff Champion

Winner – Cartmel

Commenting on the awards, Holly Cook, Racecourse Services Manager, said: “The Racecourse Groundstaff Awards recognise and celebrate the hard work, dedication and commitment of the groundstaff teams across British Racecourses, and are highly coveted and strongly contested by racecourses. 2022 saw the return of the awards for their 25th renewal, following a hiatus during the COVID-19 pandemic and all of the entries from racecourses clearly demonstrated the ongoing commitment to providing the best possible racing surface.

Agrovista & DLF Seeds Sponsor Racecourse Groundstaff Awards

Agrovista & DLF Seeds Sponsor Racecourse Groundstaff Awards

“The RCA is extremely grateful to our partners at Agrovista Amenity, DLF and Duralock for their support of the awards.”

For more information about Agrovista UK, visit www.agrovista.co.uk/amenity

For more information about MM Sports Seed, visit www.mm-seeds.co.uk.

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GMA Awards sponsors announced

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GMA Awards sponsors announced: With nominations and entries within a month of closing, the GMA is delighted to announce confirmed sponsors of the 2023 Industry Awards. With support spanning the entire sector, sponsors range from leading sporting bodies to businesses within the groundscare industry.

ISEKI UK & Ireland has shown its commitment to recognising industry talent and supporting the sector by becoming this year’s Platinum Sponsor, in addition to sponsoring the Independent School Grounds Team of the Year award. Alongside ISEKI, other industry businesses sponsoring awards include:

GMA Awards sponsors announced

GMA Awards sponsors announced

Infinicut – Professional Tennis Courts Grounds Team of the Year

DLF Seeds – GMA Grounds Manager of the Year

Origin Amenity Solutions – Young Groundsperson of the Year

SGL – Professional Football Grounds Team of the Year (Elite)

Agronomic Services Ltd – Professional Rugby League Grounds Team of the Year

Sarah Cunningham, Director of Commercial and Events of Grounds Management Association said:

‘The GMA Industry Awards is one of the highlights of our calendar and we’re delighted to have received such positive support from across the industry. The event is created by the industry to celebrate the achievements of the industry, and it’s great to have leading organisations from the sector supporting the event.

We’re particularly looking forward to the evening being hosted at Headingley Stadium for the first time and are eager to welcome guests to a ceremony of celebration in the surroundings of such a historic sporting venue.’

Premier League, Rugby Football Union and Rugby Football League and England & Wales Cricket Board are amongst the National Governing Bodies who are keen to show their appreciation for the industry’s valuable contribution to sport by sponsoring awards for their respective sports.

Jason Booth, Chief Operating Officer at Grounds Management Association said:

‘To have sporting National Governing Bodies support the GMA Industry Awards this way is testament to the vital role grounds staff play in making sport possible and the importance of celebrating their work. As an organization, the GMA are determined to provide a platform to recognise the grounds care industry and the fantastic examples of work from volunteers to professionals.’

The GMA Industry Awards were created to celebrate excellence within the grounds care industry and in a year of expanded categories, there is now also the opportunity to nominate someone deserving as well as the chance for hopefuls to enter themselves.

The ceremony, which is set to take place on Wednesday 29th November, will be located at Headingley Stadium’s recently renovated events suite. A prime location for all-season sports, the stadium, which is home to Leeds Rhinos and Yorkshire CCC, is a natural fit to host the prestigious ceremony.

Nominations and entries are still open for the GMA Industry awards with sixteen categories available. The last date for nominations is 7th August, whilst entries are open until 14th August.

To apply for an award, complete the form on the GMA Industry Awards website: https://gmaindustryawards.uk/

Find out more about the Industry Award sponsors here: https://gmaindustryawards.uk/sponsors/

To discuss sponsorship and other brand partnership opportunities, email Sales Manager Jill Rodham at jrodham@thegma.org.uk.

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

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Instructors and Assessors shine in inaugural awards

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Instructors and Assessors shine in inaugural awards: The hard-work and dedication of Lantra’s Instructor and Assessor network were recently celebrated at the inaugural Instructor Excellence Awards at Stoneleigh Park, Warwickshire.

Over 40 Instructors were in attendance for the ceremony, which also saw Lantra hosting a networking session whilst delegates enjoyed a celebratory hog roast lunch.

Instructors and Assessors shine in inaugural awards

Instructors and Assessors shine in inaugural awards

Lantra staff presented winners with industry excellence awards for categories in 4×4, tractors, lift trucks, pesticides, pest control, health and safety, ground-based chainsaw, tree inspection, aerial arboriculture, plant and machinery and also landscape tools.

As well as individual industry awards up for grabs, there were also categories for outstanding contribution, best newcomer and longest serving Instructor. Trophies and winner prizes were kindly sponsored by Lantra partners EGO Power Plus and Cooper Pegler.

One of the highlights of the event saw Edward Willmott – a Lantra Instructor of 53 years – sharing an insightful and moving speech about his time teaching cattle hoof trimming whilst accepting his longest serving award.

Stephen Roberts, Head of Instructor Network at Lantra, said: “We were delighted to celebrate the fantastic achievements of our committed Instructor and Assessor network at the recent inaugural event ceremony.

The talented and often unsung individuals inspire and motivate Learners and the next generation daily, imparting key skills and knowledge whilst delivering crucial courses in the environment and land-based industries. A huge congratulations to all the brilliant and well-deserved nominees and winners!”

Sam Jones of SCJ Training, winner of the excellence in ground-based chainsaws and outstanding contribution awards, commented: “I’m so grateful to the Lantra Provider Network for voting for me in the recent Lantra Instructor Awards. It was even better that I actually won a couple of awards! I have been teaching chainsaws as well as other Lantra courses for many years and it is so fantastic to be recognised for my contribution to developing the skills of others.

“I am passionate about training and developing people” Jones continued. “To be awarded the Outstanding Contribution Award was a real surprise to me yet a welcome one as again, my hard work behind the scenes has been recognised.”

Off Road Consultancy’s Leanne Putt also said about the event: “We had a fantastic day and it was a great opportunity to network with other Instructors and Providers. It was a real surprise and an honour to have received an award. It’s nice to receive the recognition of the hard work that we all put in.

“I’m so grateful to be involved with Lantra as it’s such a friendly and supportive environment. I look forward to seeing everyone again next year for great food, great atmosphere and a thoroughly enjoyable day.”

Freelance Instructor Roger Madge added: “I am still on a high following the Instructor Awards on Friday. It was such a great surprise to have received an award and I am absolutely chuffed!

It was a fantastic day and so good to get together with Instructors, Providers and the staff at Lantra.”

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

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