Tag Archive for: #GroundsWeek

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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How You Can Get Involved With #GroundsWeek

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How You Can Get Involved With #GroundsWeek: #GroundsWeek 2025, taking place from 17 to 23 March, is fast approaching.

This nationwide celebration, led by the Grounds Management Association (GMA), shines a spotlight on the professionals and volunteers who work tirelessly behind the scenes to make sports surfaces and green spaces thrive.

How You Can Get Involved With #GroundsWeek

How You Can Get Involved With #GroundsWeek

The week is all about recognition, whilst inspiring more people to appreciate and explore careers in grounds management. Whether you’re a professional grounds manager, a volunteer or someone who enjoys well-maintained outdoor spaces, there are plenty of ways to get involved and show your support.

Building on the success of the 2024 campaign, which reached an impressive 18 million people, we hope #GroundsWeek 2025 will reach a global audience, shining a spotlight on the vital role of grounds staff not only in the UK but across the world.

Ways to take part in #GroundsWeek 2025:

  • Download the #GroundsWeek Toolkit – Access ready-made graphics, templates and ideas to help you spread the word.
  • Share Your Story – Tell us about your experiences in grounds management for a chance to be featured during the week.
  • Join the Online Conversation – Keep an eye on @wearetheGMA across all social media channels and help us kick off the week by sharing our launch post on Monday 17 March.
  • Show off Your Grounds Team – Post a photo of your grounds staff or volunteers, or share a short video of someone at your club or organisation saying thank you.
  • Use the Official Hashtag – Tag @wearetheGMA in your posts and include #GroundsWeek to ensure your content reaches a wider audience.

#GroundsWeek is an opportunity for everyone to celebrate the people who make great outdoor spaces possible.

Get involved and help raise awareness of the vital work that goes into keeping pitches, parks and green spaces in top condition.

To find out more about #GroundsWeek 2025, please visit thegma.org.uk/groundsweek.

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

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Dates for #GroundsWeek 2024 Announced

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Dates for #GroundsWeek 2024 Announced: The Grounds Management Association (GMA) has announced that its annual awareness campaign, #GroundsWeek, is returning from 18 – 24 March 2024. 

The campaign, now in its fourth year, recognises the work of turf care volunteers and professionals in the UK, with a focus on inspiring new recruits to consider a career in the industry.

Dates for #GroundsWeek 2024 Announced

Dates for #GroundsWeek 2024 Announced

Research carried out by the GMA over recent years has highlighted a potential employment crisis, with a lack of new recruits entering the industry and a significant number of existing workers leaving. It’s not all doom and gloom, however, as research carried out in 2023 revealed that more young people are working in the grounds management sector than in previous years.

Grounds staff under the age of 35 now make up 27% of the workforce compared to 19% in 2022. There has also been an increase from 3% to 5% in the number of grounds managers aged 24 and under, and an increase in the percentage of grounds managers stating that they became involved in grounds management due to apprenticeships from 13% to 16%.

The number of people who became involved in the grounds sector ‘by accident’ has also reduced from 13% to 10%. The GMA’s ‘Sport’s Hidden Profession’ report in 2010 recorded that nearly 20% of grounds staff became involved by accident, therefore significantly more people are now making a conscious decision to pursue a career in grounds management. This change highlights that the grounds care sector is becoming increasingly recognised as a viable career route which other GMA initiatives, like the Grounds Management Framework, support by providing a key path of development for those looking to progress in the sector.

Geoff Webb, CEO of the GMA, says:  

“A key part of our role advocating for the industry and our members is laying the foundations for new talent to enter the sector. It’s hugely encouraging to see, after three years and lots of hard work introducing the sector to new audiences, that the number of young people entering the sector is starting to rise.

“There’s still a lot of work to be done, but initiatives like #GroundsWeek can have a really important role in encouraging more people to consider working in our wonderful industry.

“To help raise awareness and make as much noise as possible, we’re encouraging grounds staff and sports clubs across the country to engage with the campaign online and celebrate the vital contribution of grounds staff in making sport possible.”

To find out more about #GroundsWeek, keep up to date with all the latest content by following the GMA on social media:

You can also contact the GMA to find out how you can get involved by emailing communications@thegma.org.uk.

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#GroundsWeek 2023 kicks off

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#GroundsWeek 2023 kicks off: #GroundsWeek 2023 is officially underway, taking place from 20 to 26 March. The campaign, organised by the Grounds Management Association (GMA), recognises the work of turf care volunteers and professionals in the UK, as well as aiming to inspire more people to consider a career in the industry.

As part of #GroundsWeek, an event called Schools into Stadia will offer school children the chance to experience real life grounds management at a professional football club. Schools into Stadia will take place at Lincoln City’s LNER Stadium and include activities such as pitch line marking.

#GroundsWeek 2023 kicks off

#GroundsWeek 2023 kicks off

According to research carried out by the GMA, the industry is facing an impending employment crisis. Currently, 40% of the workforce is over 50 and, without an influx of new recruits, this could result in a significant employment gap within 5 years.

The GMA has also announced it will be launching the Grounds Management Framework (GMF) during #GroundsWeek, a new programme designed to support grounds managers to improve the quality of pitches and help make sport possible for more people.

It’s estimated that improving existing grass pitches would mean 1.4 million more children could play football and rugby each week and a further 489,859 children could play cricket each season.

Geoff Webb, CEO of the GMA, says: “#GroundsWeek is all about shining a spotlight on the invaluable contribution of grounds people up and down the country. We also want to inspire the next generation to get involved, and showcase what an amazing industry this is to work in.

“We’re incredibly grateful to Lincoln City for hosting Schools into Stadia, which will give school students the chance to experience the buzz of turf care at the highest level. And the launch of the Grounds Management Framework will be a game-changer for grounds people current and future – as well as the people who take part in sports.”

The GMA is encouraging grounds staff and sports clubs to support #GoundsWeek on social media and has created a downloadable toolkit to help, including graphics and a guide, available on the GMA website.

Sean Clixby is an award-winning volunteer grounds person in Lincolnshire. He says: “I’m really grateful to the GMA for highlighting the work of grounds people. All our hard work is often done behind the scenes, so it’s fantastic to see our dedication being brought to the attention of a wider audience, both inside and outside the industry.

“I’ll be supporting #GroundsWeek on social media, as well as sharing the campaign content the GMA puts out. The GMA has created a really useful toolkit that makes posting as easy as possible, available to download on its website. I urge others in the industry to show their support too, to ensure the work of grounds people is celebrated as far and wide as possible.”

To download the #GroundsWeek tool kit, go to: thegma.org.uk/groundsweek

For more information about #GroundsWeek, keep up to date with all the latest content by following the GMA on social media:

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

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#GroundsWeek backed by key industry organisations

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#GroundsWeek backed by key industry organisations: The GMA announces #GroundsWeek 2023 sponsors: Barenbrug, Farol, Husqvarna, Infinicut, ISEKI, Kubota, Origin Amenity Solutions, Premier Pitches, Reesink Turfcare, Sports & Turf from British Sugar, and Turf Matters.

#GroundsWeek, returning from 20 – 26 March 2023 for its third year, is buoyed by support from key industry organisations representing all corners of the grounds care sector, from products and services to industry media.

#GroundsWeek backed by key industry organisations

#GroundsWeek backed by key industry organisations

The not-for-profit membership association launched #GroundsWeek two years ago amidst a challenging environment for the sector caused by the Covid-19 pandemic and lockdowns. With the objective of raising awareness of the vital work of grounds care volunteers and professionals in the UK, and with a focus on inspiring new recruits to consider a career in the industry, #GroundsWeek has since caught the attention of the sporting world.

The awareness week has featured in BBC Sport, ITV News and Sky Sports, and earned support from leading sports organisations from England Rugby and England Football, to Ascot and Wimbledon.

Keen to recognise the important role of sponsors in #GroundsWeek, GMA CEO, Geoff Webb says:

“We launched #GroundsWeek at a time when the sector needed support and deserved recognition. By supporting the week and backing the industry, our #GroundsWeek sponsors have helped us invest in campaigns that catch the attention of the media, highlight the vital work of grounds staff, and introduce new people to careers and roles in the sector.

“As a not-for-profit, support from the broader industry is essential if we are to expand on activity that looks to promote the sector. Initiatives like #GroundsWeek simply wouldn’t be possible without our sponsors – we are extremely grateful to have them on board.”

For more information about #GroundsWeek, its sponsors, and how to get involved with the week, visit https://thegma.org.uk/groundsweek

A thank you to the official sponsors of #GroundsWeek 2023:

Barenbrug, Farol, Husqvarna, Infinicut, ISEKI, Kubota, Origin Amenity Solutions, Premier Pitches, Reesink Turfcare, Sports & Turf from British Sugar, and Turf Matters

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

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