Tag Archive for: GMA

GMA shines a spotlight on skilled grounds staff

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GMA shines a spotlight on skilled grounds staff: The Grounds Management Association (GMA) has launched this year’s #GroundsWeek campaign with a striking new video created in partnership with Brighton & Hove Albion and the World Snooker Tour (WST).

The film brings together two expert teams whose work is essential yet often overlooked, showcasing the specialist skills required to prepare both elite football pitches and professional snooker tables.

GMA shines a spotlight on skilled grounds staff

GMA shines a spotlight on skilled grounds staff

For years, people have often compared high-quality sports surfaces to “snooker tables”. This video brings that comparison vividly to life by following the Brighton & Hove Albion grounds team and a WST table fitter, to reveal the precision and care that is essential in both roles.

But behind this celebration, lies a challenge for the grounds management industry.

New findings from the GMA’s latest Workforce Insight Report show that many grounds professionals feel their work is less recognised than it was five years ago. This is a concern for a highly skilled industry that underpins sport and supports communities across the country.

And this is exactly why #GroundsWeek exists.

Across the UK, grounds staff work in all weather and often behind the scenes, to keep pitches and public spaces safe and playable. Their work supports sport at every level of sport and improves the health and wellbeing of millions. #GroundsWeek gives these dedicated professionals and volunteers the recognition they deserve and shines a light on their knowhow.

The campaign celebrates the people who look after sports surfaces, school grounds, community fields, public spaces and more – places that host everything from elite fixtures to grassroots matches, school sport and everyday recreation.

This new video aims to raise awareness of this essential work and highlight the consistently high standards that both grounds staff and WST table fitters achieve every single day.

Geoff Webb, CEO of the GMA said: “#GroundsWeek is our chance to celebrate the fantastic people who make sport happen. Their expertise ensures pitches, parks and community spaces are in great condition all year round. This new video shows the pride and professionalism in our industry, and we’re delighted to work with the World Snooker Tour and Brighton & Hove Albion to highlight the brilliant work grounds staff do every day.”

Phil Fifield, Head of Sports Turf at Brighton and Hove Albion said: “#GroundsWeek is a brilliant initiative by the GMA to give welcomed acknowledgement to those who bring sport to life. To celebrate the staff up and down the country for their tireless commitment and professionalism to the sports turf industry. It’s been a tremendous honour to work with the GMA and World Snooker Tour to showcase the care and dedication that goes into producing elite surfaces. I thank my staff also for their expertise and support but also their dedicated to their craft and endeavours away from the spotlight.”

Chris Barnes, Head Table Fitter at World Snooker Tour said: “When people watch sport either live in the arena or on television, they don’t always realise the huge amount of work that goes into preparing the playing surfaces. In snooker I work with a team of incredibly skilled and dedicated table fitters, and we spent countless hours striving to provide the best possible conditions for the players. #GroundsWeek is a great opportunity for fans in every sport to reflect on the work that happens behind the scenes.”

The GMA hopes the partnership with the World Snooker Tour will help #GroundsWeek reach new audiences and inspire greater appreciation for the people who shape and protect the spaces we all rely on.

#GroundsWeek is proudly supported by GMA Platinum Corporate Supporters Kubota, Howardson Group, ICL, MJ Abbott, Premier Pitches, GKB Machines, ISEKI, Cramer and GMA Gold Corporate Supporters Rada Controls, Aquatrols, Redexim, RT Machinery, SGL, Husqvarna and Jenkins Garden Machinery.

Get involved in #GroundsWeek

Download the #GroundsWeek Engagement Pack, access free resources and find out how you can take part: thegma.org.uk/groundsweek

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Four GMA NextGen Members Receive Pioneer Marks

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Four GMA NextGen Members Receive Pioneer Marks: Four members of GMA NextGen have been presented with their Pioneer Marks as part of the Pioneer Legacy initiative, recognising the contributions of past and present members of the group.

The Pioneer Mark is a distinctive legacy number that symbolises the impact each member makes on the grounds management profession. The awards were presented during the GMA Industry Awards, held at Edgbaston Stadium last week.

Four GMA NextGen Members Receive Pioneer Marks

Four GMA NextGen Members Receive Pioneer Marks

Luis Arregui (#036) is Deputy Grounds Manager at Real Madrid and plays a key role in maintaining elite playing surfaces at one of the world’s most recognised football clubs.

Flynn Good (#037) is a Skilled Sports Turf Operative at Leicester City Football Club. He first entered the industry at the age of 10 by volunteering at his local club. He then joined Leicester City at 16 and now plays a key role in maintaining the club’s training pitches. Flynn was also named Young Groundsperson of the Year at the GMA Industry Awards 2026, recognising his outstanding contribution and promise within the industry.

Jack Leather (#038) works as a Specialist Groundsperson at Liverpool Football Club. Jack helps deliver high-performing playing surfaces across the club’s facilities, supporting the demands of elite football.

Oliver Mahon (#039) is Head of Grounds at Bradfield College. He oversees the maintenance and development of the school’s sports facilities, ensuring consistently high standards across multiple playing surfaces used by students and teams throughout the year.

All four members joined GMA NextGen in February 2025 and were formally recognised with their Pioneer Marks at the GMA Industry Awards.

Jennifer Carter, GMA Director of Communications and Marketing, said: “The GMA is proud to recognise Luis, Flynn, Jack and Ollie with their Pioneer Marks as part of the Pioneer Legacy initiative. The group plays a hugely important role in representing the next generation of grounds professionals so recognising members in this way celebrates their contribution to the industry and highlights the important role young professionals play in shaping the future of grounds management.”

They join the ranks of respected NextGen alumni who have received their Pioneer Marks, which can be viewed here.

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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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GMA launches Workforce Insight Report

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GMA launches Workforce Insight Report: The Grounds Management Association (GMA) has released its new Workforce Insight Report, offering the most complete picture yet of the UK grounds management workforce.

The report shows the scale, value and pressures within the sector, and explains why fair and sustainable workforce practices are now essential for the future of the profession.

GMA launches Workforce Insight Report

GMA launches Workforce Insight Report

Grounds management is a skilled and important part of the UK’s sporting and recreational system. More than 30,000 people work in the sector, supported by over 13 million volunteer hours each year. These teams help maintain the pitches, parks and playing surfaces that communities and sports rely on.

The report shows that the workforce is committed and proud of its role, but also under strain. Nearly half of grounds staff are aged between 45 and 64, and around 15% plan to retire within three years. Recruitment and retention continue to be major challenges, and employers report increasing difficulty attracting experienced applicants. Many sites depend on overtime and goodwill to maintain quality.

Job satisfaction is generally high, but the research shows clear concerns around pay, benefits and work‑life balance. Rising workloads and pay compression linked to the National Living Wage are creating pressure points that could affect motivation and progression, especially for long‑serving staff. These issues reflect wider pressures across the sector, where budgets are tight and demand is increasing.

To support employers, the GMA has also launched a new public resource, “Working in Grounds Management: Securing the Future of the Profession,” which is a shorter guide including key findings, updated salary information and practical points for employers.

It is available through a simple download on the GMA website. The full Workforce Insight Report is available exclusively to GMA members through MyGMA.

Insights from the report will help shape the GMA’s Fair Work Strategy. The strategy aims to support employers to strengthen pay structures, improve wellbeing, develop skills and create clearer progression routes, in ways that are practical and financially realistic.

Geoff Webb, CEO of the GMA said: “Our pitches and playing surfaces depend on a skilled workforce. This report helps us understand the pressures staff and employers face, and why workforce issues are now business issues. The Fair Work Strategy will help the sector build a stable, motivated and resilient profession for the years ahead.”

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Eight Industry Leaders Join GMA As Platinum Supporters

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Eight Industry Leaders Join GMA As Platinum Supporters: The Grounds Management Association (GMA) is proud to welcome eight industry‑leading organisations as Platinum Supporters: Cramer, GKB, ISEKI, MJ Abbott, Premier Pitches, Howardson Group, Kubota and ICL.

These highly respected brands represent leaders in grounds care, turf management, engineering and sustainable innovation. Their partnership shows a joint effort to invest in the future of the grounds management industry. They support the thousands of professionals and volunteers who take care of the UK’s sports surfaces and green spaces.

Eight Industry Leaders Join GMA As Platinum Supporters

Eight Industry Leaders Join GMA As Platinum Supporters

A powerful collective of industry experts:

Together, the eight Platinum Supporters contribute a broad range of expertise:

  • Cramer – Innovators in advanced battery-powered equipment for sustainable grounds care.
  • GKB – Providers of high‑quality grounds care products and nationwide technical support.
  • ISEKI – Specialists in high-performance turf maintenance machinery used across the UK, and proud Platinum Sponsor of the 2026 GMA Industry awards and Conference
  • MJ Abbott – Experts in sports turf construction, irrigation, drainage, and engineering.
  • Premier Pitches – One of Europe’s leading specialists in the Installation and Renovation of all types of reinforced sports pitches.
  • Howardson Group – Manufacturers of the renowned Dennis and SISIS turf maintenance brands.
  • Kubota – Global leaders in machinery solutions for grounds, landscaping, and land management.
  • ICL – A global leader in turf nutrition, grass seed and plant protection, who are proud sponsors of the GMA’s 35 under 35 programme.

Their involvement strengthens the GMA’s expanding network of supporters who are committed to promoting standards across the UK.

“We’re absolutely delighted to welcome Cramer, GKB, ISEKI, MJ Abbott, Premier Pitches, Howardson Group, Kubota and ICL as our newest Platinum Supporters,” said Ben Muschamp, Head of Commercial at the GMA. “Each organisation brings significant value to our community. Their investment helps us continue supporting the professionals and volunteers who care for the nation’s sports surfaces and green spaces. We’re excited about what we can achieve together.”

As Platinum Supporters, the organisations will be instrumental in powering the GMA’s most important work – driving stronger membership support, elevating professional standards, amplifying sector advocacy and advancing vital research. Their involvement will also strengthen SALTEX, Europe’s premier stage for innovation and excellence in sports turf, amenities and landscaping.

As the highest tier within the GMA’s supporter framework – alongside the Bronze, Silver and Gold levels – the Platinum Supporter programme is designed for organisations seeking to make the greatest sector impact. It enables deeper partnership working and a more active voice in shaping the content and initiatives delivered across the year.

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