Tag Archive for: #GroundsWeek

Dates announced for #GroundsWeek 2023

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Dates announced for #GroundsWeek 2023: The Grounds Management Association (GMA) has announced that its annual awareness campaign, #GroundsWeek, is returning from 20 – 26 March 2023.

The campaign, now in its third 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 announced for #GroundsWeek 2023

Dates announced for #GroundsWeek 2023

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

Geoff Webb, CEO of the GMA, says: “Our job is to look out for the interests of our members and the wider industry. Part of that means ensuring new talent is entering the industry. The turf care industry provides a chance for younger people to learn new skills, work in a wide range of sectors and contribute to making sport possible. It also offers incredible career opportunities and health benefits. Connecting with new recruits is what #GroundsWeek is all about.

“As part of the campaign, we’ll be offering school students the chance to experience the buzz of turf care at the highest level, as they get pitch side at a professional football club. We’ll also be sharing real life stories from young people who are reaping the rewards of their amazing careers in turf care.”

“We’ll be highlighting the incredible work existing volunteers and professionals do to make sport possible and showcasing their invaluable impact on the nation, and making sure they get the recognition they deserve, from the public, sporting organisations and the industry.”

Neil Stubley, head of courts and horticulture at Wimbledon, adds: “Grounds staff up and down the country deserve the spotlight for their invaluable contribution, ensuring millions of people every week can enjoy their favourite sports. I’m looking forward to supporting #GroundsWeek, showcasing our work to a wider audience and helping people understand more about what goes into making sport possible.

“To help the campaign make as big an impact as possible, I urge grounds people across the country to keep an eye out for #GroundsWeek content and share it online. Make sure you and your colleagues are celebrated far and wide.”

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

–       Twitter

–       Instagram

–       Facebook

–       LinkedIn

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 polling reveals positive impact

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#GroundsWeek polling reveals positive impact: Following the first-ever #GroundsWeek (1-7 March 2021), an awareness campaign for the turf-care sector launched by the Grounds Management Association (GMA), polling reveals its positive impact for the future of groundscare. Following the campaign, the not-for-profit membership organisation measured results to inform future activities.

In a survey issued to professional and volunteer groundspeople, as well as industry suppliers, 79% of respondents stated that the week had helped celebrate the sector, fulfilling one the initial aims of the campaign; to mark the challenging year brought on by the pandemic.

#GroundsWeek polling reveals positive impact

#GroundsWeek polling reveals positive impact

Over 61% of respondents said that #GroundsWeek helped educate them on the turf-care sector and the tasks involved in grounds maintenance. These individuals agreed that they had learned something new and felt better-connected as a result of the week taking place.

#GroundsWeek also peaked interest in volunteering with 76% agreeing that the week raised awareness of the sector and 50% responding that they had got involved during the week itself. Individuals also shared their availability across social media for volunteering opportunities.

Scott Tingley, Head Groundsman at Watford FC, following #GroundsWeek, said:

“GroundsWeek enabled myself and so many others to promote our industry. We are in a very fortunate position at top level football clubs, but the industry is so much more than that. It’s important the industry is recognised at all levels to ensure we are attracting the next generation, and the Grounds Management Association has given us the platform to demonstrate that with their #GroundsWeek initiative.”

Overall, 29 million people were reached by #GroundsWeek content across social media and through media coverage, with over 6,000 positively engaging with #GroundsWeek content on social media platforms.

Geoff Webb, CEO of the GMA, commented:

“We were thrilled with the response and impact of this year’s #GroundsWeek campaign. It surpassed expectations and I was overwhelmed with the level of interaction online – especially seeing potential volunteers reaching out to grounds staff to find out how they could get involved.

“We are committed to helping further educate the wider public, and those who rely on the surfaces that grounds staff maintain, through #GroundsWeek 2022 to keep our industry thriving.”

The GMA has confirmed that #GroundsWeek will be happening once again next year from 28th February – 6th March 2022. So far confirmed as sponsors for next year’s event are; Agrigem Ltd (Nutrigow), British Sugar Topsoil, Infinicut, Premier Pitches, Kubota, SIS-Grass, John Deere Ltd, Redexim, Origin Amenity Solutions, Husqvana, and idverde.

For brands looking to support the campaign, please contact communications@thegma.org.uk

For further information about this year’s #GroundsWeek, visit: www.thegma.org.uk/groundsweek

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GMA announces #GroundsWeek 2022

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GMA announces #GroundsWeek 2022: The Grounds Management Association (GMA), the leading not-for-profit membership body for grounds professionals, volunteers and businesses, has announced the return of #GroundsWeek in 2022, to be held once again in the first week of March (28th February – 6th March).

This year, GMA launched the inaugural #GroundsWeek – a campaign celebrating grounds management professionals and volunteers, and galvanising a new generation of grounds enthusiasts to help avoid a major skills gap. The integrated digital and media campaign reached over 135 million people, secured support from 1,193 organisations and individuals, and generated over 3,000 mentions of #GroundsWeek on social media.

GMA announces #GroundsWeek 2022

GMA announces #GroundsWeek 2022

Following the huge successes of the inaugural celebration week, GMA has confirmed that GroundsWeek will continue to celebrate and highlight the vital role professional grounds staff and volunteers play in making sport possible each year.

The research conducted by the GMA for #GroundsWeek 2021 showed the severe skills gap the sector was facing. Encouraging people to join the sector is vital, and while 32% of kids want to work in sport, the research found that only 5% understand vital but overlooked roles like grounds management.

This year’s focus was therefore about inspiring young people to enter the industry as a professional and encouraging sports fans everywhere to look at volunteering at their local grounds. Next year, the GMA will aim to build on this, highlighting the amazing community within grounds management and encouraging people from all walks of life to join the sector.

Geoff Webb, CEO of the GMA, said:

“We launched the first ever #GroundsWeek after a tough year, to raise the profile of our sector and show everyone within sport and beyond how important it is to ensure we can all take part in sport and physical activity.

“It’s safe to say that #GroundsWeek has been a huge success. We had teams, organisations, individuals, and sponsors coming together to cheer on grounds people everywhere. All the hard work that goes into sport behind the scenes was highlighted across the nation, and it was amazing to see so many get involved. We’re particularly grateful to our various sponsors who got involved this year in supporting our activity and we hope we can continue working with such fantastic businesses in 2022.

“By building on the success of our first #GroundsWeek, we want to make next year’s celebratory week even bigger and better than before.”

For more information about the GMA and the important work it does within the turf care sector, visit: https://thegma.org.uk/groundsweek

For anyone interested in sponsorship for next year, please get in touch with:

Luke Perry (07765130 712 / LPerry@thegma.org.uk)

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

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Turf Matters support #GroundsWeek

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Turf Matters support #GroundsWeek: Turf Matters is proud to officially support the Grounds Management Association’s #GroundsWeek, an inaugural celebration week for the turf care sector.

Managed by the Grounds Management Association (GMA), the leading not-for-profit membership body for grounds professionals and volunteers, the turf care campaign will take place 1-7 March 2021 and will celebrate and highlight the vital role that professional grounds staff, volunteers, and the turf sector play in making sport possible.

Turf Matters support #GroundsWeek

Turf Matters support #GroundsWeek

Following a difficult year for the sector due to the impact of Covid-19, #GroundsWeek aims to showcase grounds staff and the amazing work that they do – and have continued to do – despite sport coming to a grinding halt. It also comes after a year where parks and green spaces have been hugely valuable to the public’s health, with increased use for ‘daily exercise’ and physical activity.

To celebrate the week, Turf Matters will be highlighting the fantastic work done throughout the industry.

Geoff Webb, CEO of the GMA, said:

“After a tough year, GroundsWeek is a fantastic opportunity for every part of the sector to come together and celebrate all the hard work that’s gone on throughout the year. We want to inspire sports fans and the general public to realise the vital role we play and get even more people to enter the profession and lend a helping hand at pitches across the country.

“We’re grateful to those officially supporting #GroundsWeek, with businesses and partners helping us champion grounds staff and the amazing work they do.

More information on #GroundsWeek can be found here.

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

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Kubota set to support #GroundsWeek

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Kubota set to support #GroundsWeek: Kubota (U.K.) Ltd is proud to officially support the Grounds Management Association’s #GroundsWeek, an inaugural celebration week for the turf care sector.

Managed by the Grounds Management Association (GMA), the leading not-for-profit membership body for grounds professionals and volunteers, the turf care campaign will take place 1-7 March 2021 and will celebrate and highlight the vital role that professional grounds staff, volunteers, and the turf sector play in making sport possible.

Kubota set to support #GroundsWeek

Kubota set to support #GroundsWeek

Following a difficult year for the sector due to the impact of Covid-19, #GroundsWeek aims to showcase grounds staff and the amazing work that they do – and have continued to do – despite sport coming to a grinding halt. It also comes after a year where parks and green spaces have been hugely valuable to the public’s health, with increased use for ‘daily exercise’ and physical activity.

To celebrate the week, Kubota (UK) Ltd will be highlighting the essential role of the groundsman via its social media channels.

Kubota (UK) Ltd General Manager Henry Bredin commented: “At Kubota, we’re immensely proud of the fantastic relationship we share with professional groundsmen, who work so hard all year round to maintain and enhance sports and leisure facilities for everyone to enjoy. During #GroundsWeek we look forward to highlighting the incredible job that they do and how they use our equipment to achieve the best results.”

Geoff Webb, CEO of the GMA, said:

“After a tough year, GroundsWeek is a fantastic opportunity for every part of the sector to come together and celebrate all the hard work that’s gone on throughout the year. We want to inspire sports fans and the general public to realise the vital role we play and get even more people to enter the profession and lend a helping hand at pitches across the country.

“We’re grateful to those officially supporting #GroundsWeek, with businesses and partners helping us champion grounds staff and the amazing work they do.

More information on #GroundsWeek can be found here.

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

Get all of the big headlines, pictures, opinions and videos on stories that matter to you.

Follow us on Twitter and Instagram for fun, fresh and engaging content.

You can also find us on Facebook for more of your must-see news, features, videos and pictures from Turf Matters.