Tag Archive for: Into

Schools Into Stadia Heads to Home Of Cricket

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Schools Into Stadia Heads to Home Of Cricket: The Grounds Management Association’s (GMA) NextGen group is taking its inspiring Schools Into Stadia initiative to new turf, literally for the first time, as it heads to the legendary Lord’s Cricket Ground on Friday 27 June for its first ever cricket edition.

Designed to inspire a younger generation of groundspeople, Schools Into Stadia opens the doors to iconic sporting venues, offering local students a rare behind-the-scenes look at the world of grounds management, showing off the wide range of career opportunities in a sector that supports sport, recreation and community spaces across the UK.

Schools Into Stadia Heads to Home Of Cricket

Schools Into Stadia Heads to Home Of Cricket

From pitch prep to turf science, students will get hands-on with the skills and technology that keep the game running smoothly.

Created by the GMA’s passionate NextGen group – rising stars in the industry – Schools Into Stadia is all about sparking curiosity and showcasing the exciting career paths in grounds management. With support from Reesink UK, the initiative is building a future-ready workforce by championing the vital role of grounds teams in sport, recreation and community life.

Having already inspired students at venues like Wimbledon’s All-England Club, Anfield Stadium, Goodison Park and the King Power Stadium, the programme now steps up to the crease at Lord’s – cricket’s most hallowed ground.

The event will see local students experience the day-to-day responsibilities of a groundsperson including pitch preparation and understanding the science behind turf care. They’ll also hear first-hand from professionals about the pathways into the industry and how their work impacts everything from elite sport to grassroots facilities.

With workforce development a growing priority across the sector, initiatives like Schools Into Stadia are a vital part of the GMA’s strategy to engage the next generation and build a sustainable pipeline of talent.

Meg Lay, GMA NextGen Co-Chair and Groundsperson at Lord’s, said: “We’re excited to bring Schools Into Stadia to Lord’s and shine a light on the work that grounds staff do in cricket. Events like this give young people a real glimpse into the industry and help us show that this is a rewarding, hands-on career. If we want a thriving industry in the future, it starts with inspiring the next generation today.”

Lord’s Head Groundsman, Karl McDermott, said: “We’re proud to support the GMA and the NextGen group in delivering this event at Lord’s. Grounds staff play a vital role in making sport possible at every level, and we’re pleased to give students a chance to see that in action at the Home of Cricket. We hope it opens eyes and perhaps even sparks some future careers in the industry.”

To find out more about the GMA NextGen group and how they’re shaping the future of the industry, visit www.thegma.org.uk/nextgen.

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Lawn Mower Racing Roars into GroundsFest

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Lawn Mower Racing Roars into GroundsFest: GroundsFest 2025 is revving things up with one of its boldest and most exhilarating attractions yet — Lawn mower racing and the inaugural GroundsFest Cup.

Taking place across both days of the event, this professionally run spectacle promises edge-of-your-seat action, heart-pounding excitement, and a whole lot of fun.

Lawn Mower Racing Roars into GroundsFest

Lawn Mower Racing Roars into GroundsFest

This is no gentle ride around the garden. These are specially modified racing mowers, stripped of their blades but supercharged with adrenaline, skill, and competitive spirit. Expect high speeds, roaring engines, tight turns, and a field of elite riders battling it out on a custom-built track in front of a live crowd.

Organised by the West Midlands Lawn Mower Racing Association, some of the UK’s most experienced lawn mower racers will be competing for glory and the honour of becoming the first ever winner of The GroundsFest Cup. It’s fast. It’s furious. It’s fiercely competitive – but above all, it’s seriously good fun.

And there’s more to it than just the thrill of the race. GroundsFest visitors will get to see a range of lawn mower brands in action, used and pushed to their limits by the pros. It’s a unique chance to witness these machines in a whole new light — not just as tools of the trade, but as vehicles of pure entertainment.

Lawn mower racing is guaranteed to turn heads and create excitement at GroundsFest 2025. It’s just one more way GroundsFest continues to break the mould and deliver something truly different to any other trade event.

Think you’ve seen everything a grounds management event has to offer? Think again. This is lawn mower racing. This is GroundsFest.

Who will take the chequered flag? Join us on 9 and 10 September at Stoneleigh Park, Warwickshire, to find out.

Register for your FREE tickets at www.groundsfest.com

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

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

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Future Workforce Inspired At Schools Into Stadia Event

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Future Workforce Inspired At Schools Into Stadia Event: The Grounds Management Association (GMA) NextGen group inspired the next generation of groundspeople at its Schools Into Stadia event at the prestigious All England Club.

As part of #GroundsWeek 2025, the event provided local secondary school students with a hands-on experience of life as a grounds professional at one of the world’s most renowned sporting venues.

Future Workforce Inspired At Schools Into Stadia Event

Future Workforce Inspired At Schools Into Stadia Event

With workforce development a priority for the industry, this initiative continues to play a crucial role in engaging young people and encouraging them to consider careers in grounds management.

The students had the opportunity to meet and learn from All England Club’s experienced grounds team, including Will Brierley, Senior Groundsman. Through practical sessions and insights from experts, students also gained an understanding of the essential work that goes into maintaining elite sports surfaces.

Meg Lay, GMA NextGen Co-Chair, said: “It was fantastic to see so many young people engaging with the profession and getting hands-on experience at such an iconic venue. Events like Schools Into Stadia are instrumental in introducing young people to the opportunities within the industry, and we are really pleased with the interest that was shown by all who attended.”

Neil Stubley, Head of Courts and Horticulture at The All England Lawn Tennis Club, and GMA Board Member, said: “Schools Into Stadia provided a fantastic opportunity to spark the interest of the next generation of Grounds Managers. The technical skills required in this industry are often overlooked, so teaching local students about the year-round maintenance of our grass courts was a great way to showcase the pivotal work that goes on behind the scenes to host The Championships, and most of all, inspire future careers in the profession.”

Fiona Harb, Head of Year 12 at Southfields Academy, said: “Educationally it was really good for our students. They were able to experience talks and hands on experience. For the students at our school, most of them have never been anywhere like this (All England Club) so it’s a real eye opener for them. It’s an industry that makes our students realise what goes on behind the scenes at these sporting venues.”

The proportion of under-35s in the grounds management sector has risen significantly in recent years, and the positive trend highlights the importance of continued engagement with events such as Schools Into Stadia, ensuring that young people are aware of the rewarding career paths available.

#GroundsWeek, running until Sunday 23 March 2025, continues to celebrate and recognise the crucial role of grounds staff across the UK. For more information on how to support the initiative, visit thegma.org.uk/groundsweek.

For more information about the GMA NextGen, please visit thegma.org.uk/who/ambassadors.

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

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Jayne Leyland inducted into Hall of Fame

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Jayne Leyland inducted into Hall of Fame: The Grounds Management Association (GMA) is proud to announce that Jayne Leyland, Portfolio Director at Origin Amenity Solutions, has been inducted into the prestigious GMA Hall of Fame. 

As part of the GMA’s 90th anniversary celebrations, this honor recognises Jayne’s outstanding contributions and long-standing dedication to advancing the turfcare industry.

Jayne Leyland inducted into Hall of Fame

Jayne Leyland inducted into Hall of Fame

With over three decades in the sector, Jayne Leyland is widely regarded as one of the most knowledgeable and influential grass seed specialists in the field. She has become a trusted resource for countless groundskeepers and turf professionals, who have come to rely on her expertise. Her work has helped shape turf management practices across the UK and beyond.

Born in Cheshire, Jayne began her journey at Reaseheath College, where she earned a Higher National Diploma in Horticulture (Golf Course Management). She first stepped into greenkeeping in 1993 at East Sussex National Golf Club and later held a role as assistant course manager at Chart Hills in Kent.

She transitioned into advisory roles by joining Barenbrug as an area manager, where she provided expert technical support and helped launch several landmark grass seed products, including RTF, SOS, and RPR.

Currently with Origin Amenity Solutions, Jayne continues to make significant contributions to turf management education, working closely with clients such as St Andrews Links Trust and Manchester City. She remains an active member of the BSPB Amenity Crop Group, overseeing turfgrass seed trials at STRI in Bingley and serving multiple times as chair.

Geoff Webb, Grounds Management Association Chief Executive Officer said: “Jayne’s dedication to advancing turf management through her research and product development has had a profound and lasting impact on our industry. Her work has not only enhanced the quality of our green spaces but also inspired those around her to strive for the same high standards. Jayne’s award exemplifies the expertise that the GMA Hall of Fame celebrates, and we are genuinely honoured to recognise her achievements and contributions as part of our 90th anniversary celebrations. We look forward to seeing her continue to shape the future of turfcare for years to come.”

Jayne Leyland, Hall of Fame Inductee, said: “I’m truly overwhelmed and deeply honoured to receive this recognition. I never set out for awards – I’m just doing a job! A job I love in an industry that’s meant everything to me. It feels strange to be celebrated for something that has always been a passion and a privilege. I hope this inspires others to find joy and purpose in what they do, just as I have over the years. I’m grateful to be part of this community and share in something so special.”

To find out more about the Grounds Management Association Hall of Fame, please visit: www.thegma.org.uk/who/hall-of-fame

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COMPO puts life back into the greens

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COMPO puts life back into the greens: Two products from COMPO EXPERT have helped to put some much-needed life back into the greens at Kilsyth Golf Club, according to Head Greenkeeper Brian Hill.

Brian has been at Kilsyth Golf Club in central Scotland for just over 30 years. Throughout that time, he has always worked with Agrovista Amenity, the exclusive national distributor of COMPO EXPERT’S turf products in the UK.

COMPO puts life back into the greens

COMPO puts life back into the greens

Brian’s first point of contact at Agrovista Amenity is Ramsay MacGregor and it was Ramsay who recommended the COMPO EXPERT range of products to him.

“I trust Ramsay 100% because I know he is going to give me something that works, and it is not going to bust the bank,” said Brian. “I’m going to get a great product every time from him and that is why I took on-board his suggestion about COMPO EXPERT.”

COMPO EXPERT believes in sustainable, integrated turf management by focusing on modern fertilisation concepts, consistent regeneration of growth and optimal support of the plant’s own physiological processes. All of which promote vitalisation, stress tolerance and root development while providing optimum turf quality.

The innovative product range includes specialty mineral and stabilized fertilisers, slow and controlled release fertilisers, water soluble and liquid fertilisers as well as biostimulants, trace elements and soil conditioners.

Brian first applied Ferro Top® microgranular fertiliser to his greens late last year and the success of that product resulted in him applying Floranid® Twin Eagle NK, a slow-release fertiliser, this year.

“We first applied Ferro Top® in autumn and the results I got coming out of winter were brilliant,” he said. “It has a nice bit of iron in it and makes the sward nice and dense.”

“I then went on to using the Floranid® Twin Eagle NK – which I applied at the end of June and the results have been phenomenal. We haven’t got an irrigation system here, and I’ve only got a bowser, so my timing of products is key. As soon as some rain was forecast, we applied the Floranid® Twin Eagle NK. Honestly, I put it on and couldn’t believe it – the greens have been unbelievable. I’ll look at going again with it in September and then I’ll apply Ferro Top® to prepare for winter.

“The greens are so green, so lush, and the COMPO products have put so much life back into them.

“A lot of fertilisers claim to do amazing things, but COMPO products actually do what they say they will. We don’t have a big budget and therefore every product I put down needs to work. With the COMPO products I know that I’m going to get results every time.”

For more information about Agrovista UK, visit www.agrovista.co.uk/amenity

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

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