Tag Archive for: GMA

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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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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Key appointment for GMA and SALTEX

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Key appointment for GMA and SALTEX: Jen Carter is the new head of communications at the Grounds Management Association, supporting the GMA’s five-year strategy which covers all the sectors of the groundscare industry, including the membership organisation’s flagship event SALTEX, with an expanded communications team.

Jen and her team’s work will focus on supporting the GMA to achieve its three long-term goals: to attract new talent and accelerate the growth of a diverse workforce; to support sustainable business growth and protect the sector’s interests, and to build the industry’s reputation and promote the sector’s contribution to society and the economy, and that cannot be done without the support of SALTEX.

Key appointment for GMA and SALTEX

Key appointment for GMA and SALTEX

The relationship between the GMA and SALTEX is inherently interlinked with the work done for both contributing significantly to the growth and success of the industry. The GMA and SALTEX work hand in hand – SALTEX is powered by the GMA and in turn SALTEX feeds into the GMA’s extensive work in supporting, and raising the profile of, the groundscare industry in all its guises.

Jen comments: “I’ve been aware of the work the GMA and SALTEX have done for the industry as my experience is rooted in the sports sector and I believe it’s essential for the long-term success of the industry that they function and flourish. I am really excited to play a part in their history and their future.”

Jen joins the GMA from Liverpool Football Club where she spent nearly eight years developing and executing strategic communications for the club’s major capital projects including the AXA Training Centre, the new Main Stand, LFC’s flagship retail store and for stadium developments such as concerts and major events.

Prior to that, she spent five years at a boutique sports marketing agency working with blue chip clients across golf, tennis, rugby, equestrianism, and swimming to deliver strategic PR, media relations and sponsorship activation at high profile sporting events such as Wimbledon, The Masters, The Open, US PGA Championship, The Ryder Cup and Presidents Cup.

These credentials make Jen the ideal candidate to lead the GMA’s communications team and take on responsibility for all external and internal communications, including PR and media relations, marketing, events marketing, and brand management, as well as overseeing the successful implementation of the 77th SALTEX exhibition, which is the largest free sports turf, amenities, and landscaping trade show in Europe.

She is supported by a strong marketing team which has recently expanded with the arrival of communications and marketing executive, Georgia Hadwin, joining Nathan Woodford-Rôtt as senior marketing executive and Ollie Swan as senior PR and communications executive.

Jen concludes: “As a team we’re very much focusing on raising the profile and increasing brand awareness and equity of the GMA and SALTEX. At the very heart of all of this we are supporting the GMA’s five-year strategy which supports all the sectors of the groundscare industry and to be involved in something so vast and important for so many is really exciting.”

As well as an expanded communications team to support delivery of GMA strategic objectives, the GMA’s Commercial & Events team has been bolstered by the addition of experienced Sales Manager, Jill Rodham who recently joined Sarah Cunningham’s team, having previously worked at BIGGA for over 9 years. Jill brings strong trade show experience of the grounds care sector and will support Sarah in building on SALTEX 2022’s success which has already seen a 20 per cent increase in show floor space to accommodate increasing demand for space from exhibitors.

SALTEX takes place at Birmingham NEC on 1-2 November 2023. Exhibitors wishing to secure their place at Europe’s largest free sports turf, amenities, and landscaping trade exhibition, should contact GMA Sales Manager, Jill Rodham at jrodham@thegma.org.uk or 07754 552405.

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GMA launch Grounds Management Framework

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GMA launch Grounds Management Framework: The Grounds Management Association (GMA) has officially launched the Grounds Management Framework (GMF) at an event hosted at Lord’s Cricket Ground and attended by key industry personnel, including GMA members and representatives of the National-Governing Bodies.

To support the sporting industry in better understanding how to maintain natural turf sports surfaces to the best possible level, as well as presenting grounds management as a viable career path, the GMA has developed the GMF, a set of standards for natural turf sports surfaces.

GMA launch Grounds Management Framework

GMA launch Grounds Management Framework

With the quality of playing surfaces directly impacting the standard, and amount, of sport played on them, the GMF shines a spotlight on the importance of grounds management to sport. It does so in a way that is simple to understand for people outside of the industry, like club chairmen and directors.

Developed by the GMA and experienced Sports Consultant, Tim Nicholls, the GMF combines long-standing Performance Quality Standards with relevant skills and knowledge.

Backed by National-Governing Bodies, the easy-to-use framework will determine whether users are at a ‘basic’, ‘good’, ‘advanced’, ‘high’, or ‘elite’ level and will ensure that those responsible for pitches are aware of the characteristics, resources, skills and knowledge required for their playing surface, and how to progress to the next level.

The framework is already in use on the Football Foundation’s revolutionary web app, PitchPower, in addition to the GMA’s training programmes, where courses and qualifications have been aligned to the levels of the GMF.

Speaking about the framework, GMA CEO, Geoff Webb says:

“The Grounds Management Framework has been in development for a long time and has been a big focus for us as an organisation, so it’s great to finally see it launched officially.

“The grounds management industry already employs around 26,000 people, with over 37,000 part-time volunteers, but more are needed if we are to keep up with the demand for sport. We need 1000 people a year to join our sector to keep up with demand, but we know that, with improved surfaces, almost 2 million more children will benefit.

“Our work is focused on getting the best for the industry and highlighting the hard work, knowledge and skill that goes into making sport possible – this framework will make it clearer for people inside and outside of the industry, from club chairman to stadium managers, to understand what it takes to prepare playing surfaces at all levels and will better support matching training and experience to quality of playing surfaces.”

Playing a key role in the development of the framework, Sports Consultant, Tim Nicholls says:

“The Grounds Management Framework has taken a lot of work and time to get it to where it is today. Although it’s just been launched, it’s already playing an essential role in innovative new strategies to improve our pitches, through programmes like PitchPower – I’m looking forward to seeing where it takes our industry, and its place in sport, over the coming years.”

The Grounds Management Framework is free-to-use and is targeted at grounds staff, grounds managers, club committees, and senior management at all levels including community clubs, local authorities, education, and professional sports clubs.

For more information and resources about the Grounds Management Framework, please visit: https://thegma.org.uk/GMF

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