Tag Archive for: Industry

GMA Industry Awards Shortlist Announced

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GMA Industry Awards Shortlist Announced: The Grounds Management Association (GMA) is pleased to reveal the shortlist for the 2026 GMA Industry Awards, taking place at the iconic Edgbaston Stadium on 12 March 2026.

Each year, the awards shine a spotlight on the individuals, teams and organisations who are raising standards across the industry. And this year, there’s an exciting new addition: the GMA Conference, taking place earlier in the day and setting the stage for an evening of celebration.

GMA Industry Awards Shortlist Announced

GMA Industry Awards Shortlist Announced

From grassroots volunteers to elite-level grounds teams, this year’s shortlist highlights the depth of talent and expertise that continues to elevate the grounds management industry across the UK and beyond.

The finalists were selected following a thorough judging process, undertaken by a panel of sector experts who reviewed entries across sixteen categories.

Jason Booth, GMA Chief Operating Officer said: “It has been inspiring to once again see the dedication shown by so many teams and individuals submitting entries for the GMA Industry Awards.

“This year we received a record number of submissions, and the calibre of work on display has been outstanding. It’s been particularly encouraging to welcome fresh faces into the mix. I would also like to thank our independent judging panel for their expertise and considered evaluation of each submission.”

The 2026 Industry Awards Shortlist:

Young Grounds Person of the Year (Sponsored by Origin Amenity Solutions)

  • Adam Hooper – Tottenham Hotspur F.C
  • Daniel Birrell – National Cricket Centre Jersey
  • Flynn Good – Leicester City F.C
  • Ged Newman – Manchester City F.C

Newcomer of the Year (Sponsored by ICL)

  • Jack Churchman – Cutcrew Ltd
  • George Legg – Stanley Park Sports Ground
  • Samuel Knowles – Nottingham Forest F.C

Volunteer Groundsperson/Team of the Year

  • Trubshaw Cross
  • Eddie Mills – Northfield Town F.C
  • Tom Banks – Kirkoswald F.C
  • Craig Dinsdale – Settle United AFC

Community Groundsperson/Team of the Year (Sponsored by the National Governing Bodies of Sport)

  • Yeovil Recreation Centre
  • AELTC Wimbledon Qualifying & Community Sports Centre
  • Stanley Park Sports Ground
  • Stoneham Lane Football Complex

Bowls & Croquet Groundsperson/Team of the Year

  • Dean Gibbons – Wantage Bowling Club
  • Port Sunlight Village Trust

Best Managed Artificial Surface of the Year

  • Stanley Park Sports Ground
  • Stoneham Lane Football Complex
  • University of Warwick

Environmental and Sustainability Impact Award

  • Liverpool F.C
  • University of Warwick

Professional Horse Racing Grounds Team of the Year

  • Newbury Racecourse
  • Warwick Racecourse

Professional Tennis Courts Grounds Team of the Year

  • Edgbaston Priory Club
  • Lexus Nottingham Tennis Centre
  • The Queens Club
  • The All England Lawn Tennis & Croquet Club

Professional Cricket Grounds Team of the Year

  • Marylebone Cricket Club
  • Warwickshire County Cricket Club

Professional Rugby Union Grounds Team of the Year (Sponsored by MJ Abbott / Premier Pitches)

  • Bristol Bears
  • Northampton Saints
  • Twickenham Stoop
  • Twickenham Stadium

Professional Rugby League Grounds Team of the Year (Sponsored by Agronomic Services Ltd)

  • Wigan Warriors
  • Castleford Tigers
  • Leeds Rhinos

Professional Football Grounds Team of the Year (Sponsored by Reesink UK)

  • Lincoln City F.C
  • Tranmere Rovers F.C
  • Stockport County F.C
  • MK Dons F.C

Professional Football Grounds Team (Elite) of the Year (Sponsored by SGL)

  • Liverpool F.C
  • Leicester City F.C
  • London Stadium
  • Manchester City F.C

University/College Grounds Team of the Year

  • University of Warwick
  • University of Nottingham
  • University of Leeds

Independent School Grounds Team of the Year (Sponsored by ISEKI UK & Ireland)

  • Culford School
  • Eton College
  • Whitgift School

Join us at the GMA Conference 2026
Designed for grounds professionals, the GMA Conference offers curated opportunities for advanced learning and development. Shape your own agenda and explore solutions to workplace-specific challenges, empowering you to make a tangible impact.

It provides a focused environment to tackle complex industry issues while earning recognised CPD points.

Registration of interest is now open for those who want to secure early access. To learn more about the GMA Conference & Industry Awards or to register your interest for the conference, visit gmaindustryawards.uk/conference.

For sponsorship opportunities, please contact Ben Muschamp at bmushcamp@thegma.org.uk.

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SALTEX brings community clubs closer to industry

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SALTEX brings community clubs closer to industry: SALTEX 2025, Europe’s cutting-edge grounds management exhibition, returns to the NEC, Birmingham on 12-13 November with a fresh programme of features designed to provide resources and networking opportunities for grounds professionals and community clubs. 

The Community Sports Zone remains the go-to destination for clubs and volunteers seeking to engage with suppliers and manufacturers. Exhibitors including Campey Turf Care Systems, Dennis, SISIS, ISEKI and GreenTek will be on hand to showcase their latest products and services tailored to grassroots sports. Located next to the GMA Hub, the Zone also provides access to national governing bodies including the Football Foundation, England and Wales Cricket Board, Rugby Football Union and Rugby Football League who will be offering guidance and advice on sport-specific development.

SALTEX brings community clubs closer to industry

SALTEX brings community clubs closer to industry

A new major addition for 2025 is the Football Foundation Grant Funding Desk – a one-stop service for clubs seeking advice on how to secure vital support for grassroots pitches and facilities through grants and funding opportunities. The desk equips volunteers and clubs with the practical tools and guidance they need to grow and maintain their facilities – all within the professional context of SALTEX.

Visitors can access information on:

  • Up to £100,000 in grants for pitch maintenance machinery
  • The Huddle – funding support for catering units at clubs
  • Groundskeepers Corner – join a thriving online community of peers
  • Step-by-step guidance on grant eligibility and application processes
  • Home Advantage Programme – up to £250,000 to help clubs take on grass pitch sites

Community clubs and volunteers will also be able to benefit from a series of sport-specific meet-ups and guided tours for football, rugby (Union and League) and cricket, designed to help visitors network with fellow clubs, the GMA’s Pitch Advisory Service team and key National Governing Bodies.

Tours will start in the SALTEX Clubhouse before taking visitors around the exhibition floor, highlighting the most relevant exhibitors as well as key show features including the Community Sport Zone, The Workshop and the GMA Hub.

Each session offers practical guidance and the opportunity to explore support tailored to community clubs.

“We understand how vital grassroots sport is to the wider sporting ecosystem in the UK, and it’s important that SALTEX provides a platform to support clubs and volunteers alike,” said Sarah Hunter, Head of Events at the GMA. “This year, with the introduction of the Funding Desk alongside our ever-popular Community Sports Zone and Clubhouse sessions, we are giving visitors even more opportunities to access guidance and gain the tools and connections they need to thrive.” 

Join us at SALTEX and level up your experience. Register for FREE and be in with a chance of winning a Cramer Tools Lawn Mower, complete with charger and battery worth £2,240!

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GroundsFest Wins Prestigious Industry Impact Award

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GroundsFest Wins Prestigious Industry Impact Award: GroundsFest has been recognised for its exceptional contribution to the groundscare and landscaping industry, having won the Industry Impact Award at the EN Indy Awards.

The Industry Impact Award celebrates an exhibition or trade show that has demonstrably changed, influenced, or significantly contributed to the growth and advancement of the industry it serves – and in just three years, GroundsFest has done exactly that.

GroundsFest Wins Prestigious Industry Impact Award

GroundsFest Wins Prestigious Industry Impact Award

Since its launch, GroundsFest has grown into the UK’s largest industry event, uniting professionals and volunteers from every corner of the groundscare and landscaping sectors. From live machinery demonstrations and hands-on experiences to its unique combination of business, education, and entertainment, the event has created something truly special for the industry.

The judges praised GroundsFest for its genuine connection to its audience and the positive change it continues to deliver. Feedback included:

“The event really has its ‘roots’ in its target audience and is making a significant impact on the industry.”

“Support for their audience extends beyond the focus of business needs. The GroundsFest Academy is a great initiative, which shows a forward-thinking strategy of impacting the next generation.”

“This event clearly demonstrates support for its community. Measurable impact delivered and fantastic feedback received.”

Judges were particularly impressed by the fact that profits from the show are reinvested back into the industry.

That commitment is brought to life through the GroundsFest Academy, an educational initiative designed to give back to the industry by providing free training and development opportunities for professionals and volunteers alike. The Academy offers hands-on workshops, expert-led seminars, and interactive demonstrations.

“It’s great to see we’re making a difference,” said Christopher Bassett, Event Director of GroundsFest. “When we launched the show, we wanted to create something that genuinely supported the industry – not just for today, but for the future. GroundsFest, and the Academy, are about helping to put the industry on the map, providing opportunities for learning, and inspiring the next generation of professionals to come through.”

This latest recognition cements GroundsFest’s reputation as an event that not only celebrates the industry but actively helps it grow. With a firm focus on community, education, and long-term progress, GroundsFest continues to make a lasting impact.

For more information, please visit www.groundsfestacademy.com

You can also follow GroundsFest on X, Facebook and Instagram @GroundsFestAcademy for much more news, reviews and insightful views

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BAGMA to highlight new industry EV training at SALTEX

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BAGMA to highlight new industry EV training at SALTEX: The British Agricultural and Garden Machinery Association (BAGMA) are pleased to be returning to SALTEX this November, showcasing their brand-new EV training course alongside a whole host of other member benefits.

Visitors to stand A030 can discover all the latest services and savings, as well as join fellow industry members for a special networking event as BAGMA brings a one-off Connect event to The NEC!

BAGMA to highlight new industry EV training at SALTEX

BAGMA to highlight new industry EV training at SALTEX

Recognising the ongoing shift towards electric vehicles and battery-powered equipment in the groundcare industry, BAGMA have teamed up with lecturers and industry partners to develop a new, practical one-day training course that’s set to become the benchmark for those operating Off-Highway Electric Vehicles (OHEV) & Electric Outdoor Power Equipment (EOPE).

The programme is designed to help technicians, sales staff, delivery drivers, engineers and workshop personnel gain a working knowledge of the hazards of high-voltage electric systems, best practice for handling and storage of battery packs and an awareness of all relevant legislation and compliance requirements. The course concludes with a short assessment and a certificate of completion which is an increasingly valuable asset as electrification continues to take the industry by storm.

Alongside training, stand A030 will also be the place to discover the exclusive offers and savings available from BAGMA’s range of approved Service Providers. Following a year of difficult trading conditions for many, make sure you’re making the most of your membership by speaking to a member of the BAGMA team about member discounts on finance, utility contracts, lease vehicles and more.

Members are also invited to join BAGMA for a very special BAGMA Connect networking event at SALTEX 2025. Join your peers, industry partners and a selection of BAGMA Service Providers for a drink in The Clubhouse from 3pm on Wednesday 12th November.

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Major industry players return to SALTEX

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Major industry players return to SALTEX: The Grounds Management Association (GMA) is excited to welcome back some of the biggest names in the industry to SALTEX 2025, Europe’s cutting-edge grounds management show. 

Returning to the NEC Birmingham this autumn, SALTEX will once again be the place where the entire sector comes together to see the latest innovations and get hands-on with the products shaping the future of grounds care.

Major industry players return to SALTEX

Major industry players return to SALTEX

Visitors can look forward to seeing the likes of Kubota, ISEKI UK & Ireland, SIHTL, Milwaukee, SGL, Husqvarna, ICL, Ransomes, Dennis & SISIS all back on the show floor – brands trusted by thousands of grounds professionals across the UK and beyond. Their return shows just how important SALTEX is as a platform where conversations happen, and deals are made.

Frank van Beusekom, Chief Commercial Officer, SGL says: “SALTEX provides an invaluable platform for us to connect with grounds professionals and volunteers, share our latest innovations, and demonstrate how our technology and services are helping sports venues around the world achieve exceptional pitch quality. We’re excited to engage with the industry, exchange ideas, and continue pushing the boundaries of performance and sustainability in turf care.”

From cutting-edge machinery to sustainable solutions and smart technologies, the returning exhibitors are ready to show what’s new and what’s next. If you’re maintaining elite stadiums, grassroots pitches, caring for green spaces or local community parks, you’ll find real-world solutions from the companies who know the job inside out.

Sarah Cunningham, Director of Commercial, Membership and Events, said: “We’re delighted to welcome back the industry leaders who continue to set the standard for innovation and quality. Their continued commitment to SALTEX shows how much value they see in being here – it’s where the industry meets face to face and builds relationships that make a real difference.”

Whilst the returning brands will once again be at the heart of the exhibition, new names like Boston Seeds, Boughton Loam, and Oasis will be making their debut at SALTEX 2025. They’ll bring fresh thinking and even more choice for visitors looking to source new products and services.

With hundreds of exhibitors already signed up and ready to showcase their latest innovations, SALTEX 2025 is shaping up to be an unmissable two days for anyone working in grounds care. This year’s show will feature the ever-popular Learning LIVE programme with headline speakers already confirmed, alongside the all-new machinery workshop with Tom Stidder, offering practical, hands-on guidance.

Combined with exciting new show features set to be announced in the coming weeks, SALTEX is designed to give visitors valuable time away from the day job and ideas they can take straight back to their own roles.

SALTEX 2025 takes place at the NEC Birmingham on 12-13 November. Register for FREE at www.saltex.org.uk and be in with a chance of winning a Cramer Tools All Terrain Lawn Mower ATM53A, complete with charger and battery, worth £2,240!

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

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