Tag Archive for: Returns

GMA Connect Returns With Six UK-Wide Regional Events

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GMA Connect Returns With Six UK-Wide Regional Events: The Grounds Management Association (GMA) will expand GMA Connect in 2026, rolling out six UK-wide events designed to bring practical, accessible learning directly to grounds staff and volunteers.

Following two successful pilot events in 2025, the 2026 GMA Connect programme will take place in Oxford, Cardiff, Manchester, Leeds, Southampton and Ipswich, ensuring grounds people can access hands-on learning closer to home.

GMA Connect Returns With Six UK-Wide Regional Events

GMA Connect Returns With Six UK-Wide Regional Events

As a core GMA member benefit, GMA Connect brings the Association’s learning experience into regional hubs whilst also welcoming the wider grounds management industry. Each one‑day event offers a mix of targeted seminar sessions and live demonstrations from leading suppliers, giving attendees the chance to see products, equipment and techniques in action.

Designed around real‑world challenges faced by local grounds teams, GMA Connect focuses on practical solutions and takeaways that can be put to use immediately on site.

2026 Schedule:

  • Abingdon School (Oxford) – Thursday 16 April
  • Cardiff City Stadium (Cardiff) – Wednesday 22 April
  • Joie Stadium, Manchester City (Manchester) – Thursday 14 May
  • Headingley Stadium (Leeds) – Tuesday 19 May
  • Stoneham Lane Football Complex (Southampton) – Thursday 21 May
  • Ipswich Rugby Club (Ipswich) – Thursday 4 June

What Attendees Say:

Sean Smith, Groundsperson at Croke Park, said: “Events like this are important because they’re accessible and give you the chance to see things outside your everyday routine. You can chat with different people, see what they do differently and share what you do differently. I would definitely recommend it to anyone thinking about attending.”

Ticket Information:

  • Joie Stadium, Manchester City: £10 for GMA members | £50 for non-members
  • All other events: Free for GMA members | £35 for non-members

“The two pilot events in 2025 were a huge success, so we’re delighted to be rolling out six events across the UK in 2026,” said Sarah Hunter, Head of Events at the GMA. “It’s all about delivering high-quality learning closer to home and making it more accessible and easier to fit around the busy lives of grounds people. GMA Connect is a core member benefit and these events allow us to bring the GMA learning experience directly into the regions.”

GMA Connect is open to grounds professionals and volunteers working across all levels of the sector, from grassroots to elite sport. The programme is supported by GMA Platinum Supporters MJ Abbott, Kubota, Howardson Group, ISEKI, Cramer and GKB, working in partnership with the GMA.

For more information and to secure your place, visit thegma.org.uk/connect.

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#GroundsWeek Returns for 2026: Join the Celebration

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#GroundsWeek Returns for 2026: Join the Celebration: The Grounds Management Association (GMA) has announced the return of its annual awareness campaign, #GroundsWeek, taking place from 23-29 March 2026.

Following a hugely successful campaign in 2025, which reached more than 20 million people worldwide, including audiences in Australia, #GroundsWeek is once again set to shine a spotlight on the professionals and volunteers who work tirelessly behind the scenes to keep the UK’s playing surfaces and green spaces thriving.

#GroundsWeek Returns for 2026: Join the Celebration

#GroundsWeek Returns for 2026: Join the Celebration

Last year’s campaign received widespread support from major sporting organisations including England Football, The All-England Lawn Tennis Club, Lord’s Cricket Ground, Wembley Stadium and England Rugby, helping to amplify the vital role of grounds staff across all sports and community environments.

CHAMPIONING A SKILLED AND ESSENTIAL INDUSTRY

#GroundsWeek is a nationwide celebration of the expertise that go in to creating and maintaining high-quality playing surfaces. The campaign aims to raise public awareness of the grounds management industry and encourage a deeper appreciation for the work involved.

The GMA is encouraging everyone connected to the industry – clubs, organisations, professional grounds teams, volunteers and anyone working in grounds care – to take part throughout the week.

DOWNLOAD YOUR GROUNDSWEEK ENGAGEMENT PACK NOW!

To make it easier than ever to get involved the GMA has launched a dedicated #GroundsWeek Engagement Pack, offering a suite of downloadable resources to make involvement simple and accessible. The pack includes social media graphics, editable templates and tools to help individuals and organisations celebrate.

“Grounds teams are essential but too often unnoticed,” said Geoff Webb, CEO of the Grounds Management Association. “#GroundsWeek is our opportunity to change that narrative and celebrate the people who make sport and outdoor spaces possible.

“The incredible reach of last year’s campaign showed the strength of our community when we stand together. In 2026, we’re determined to build on that momentum and shine an even brighter light on the people whose work benefits millions every single day.”

INDUSTRY SUPPORT

#GroundsWeek is proudly backed by GMA Platinum Corporate Supporters Kubota (UK), Howardson Group, ICL Group, MJ Abbott, Premier Pitches, GKB Machines, ISEKI UK & Ireland and Cramer, alongside GMA Gold Corporate Supporters Rada UK, Aquatrols Europe, Redexim, RT Machinery, SGL and Husqvarna UK.

For more information and to download the Engagement Pack, visit thegma.org.uk/groundsweek.

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Learning LIVE returns to SALTEX 2025

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Learning LIVE returns to SALTEX 2025: The industry’s largest free education offering, Learning LIVE, is back for SALTEX 2025, delivering its biggest and most tailored programme to date.

Following a record-breaking 2024 that saw more education hours delivered than ever before and over 1,000 attendees engaging with sessions, this year promises even more opportunities to power up your skills and gain accredited CPD points.

Learning LIVE returns to SALTEX 2025

Learning LIVE returns to SALTEX 2025

With pressures mounting on grounds teams to deliver high-quality playing surfaces and green spaces, Learning LIVE provides real-world insights and sector-first knowledge, completely free of charge.

Among the highlights is James Haskell, one of the most recognisable personalities in sport. In his headline session, High Performance Mindset: Lessons from the Pitch to the Boardroom, James will draw on his career as a professional rugby player, media personality and entrepreneur to explore the role of elite playing surfaces in sporting success.

A first for 2025 will be the GMA NextGen’s takeover of Learning LIVE. Made up of talented young professionals dedicated to championing the industry and inspiring the next generation, NextGen will lead two dedicated Spotlight Stage sessions. Covering diversity in the industry and youth engagement, the sessions will see alumni share their own journeys into grounds management, their role as changemakers and ideas for attracting more young people into the sector.

Sarah Hunter, Head of Events at the Grounds Management Association (GMA), said: “Learning LIVE has become a cornerstone of SALTEX and of the wider industry. It’s the largest free education programme of its kind and it continues to grow in scale and impact.

“This year, we’ve worked hard to make the content more tailored than ever before, shaped around the real challenges and opportunities faced by people on the ground. It’s about equipping professionals at every level with knowledge they can take straight back to their venues.”

Key sessions from the Learning LIVE programme include:

  • The preparation and delivery of FIFA 2026 World Cup – Alan Ferguson, Senior Pitch Management Manager, FIFA
  • Public Parks: Gardening for People and Planet – Matthew Pottage, Head of Horticulture & Landscape Strategy, The Royal Parks
  • High Performance Mindset: Lessons from the Pitch to the Boardroom – James Haskell, Rugby legend, broadcaster, DJ and best-selling author
  • Course success at the 2025 Open Championship – Graeme Beatt, Course Manager, Royal Portrush Golf Club
  • UEFA Champions League, Nations League Final & Women’s EURO 2025 pitch preparations – Lee Guerriero, Stadium Operations and Pitch Expert, UEFA
  • Future-proofing turf management: Water resilience in a changing climate – Tony Hanson, Managing Director, Environmental Solutions International, Mark Hunt, Technical Specialist, Prodata Weather Systems, Roger Davey, Managing Director & Founder, Irritech and Dr Tom Young, Blue-Green Infrastructure Specialist, The Environment Partnership
  • Sustainable solutions at multi-sport venues – James Wright, Senior Maintenance Manager, University of Leeds, Andrew Turnbull, BioAgronomist, South West Agronomy, Sam Kingston, Grounds Manager, Wesley College and Andrew Bulter, Head of Grounds & Gardens, Repton School

From community sport funding and machinery security to grass seed innovation, pest and weed management and youth engagement in grounds careers, the full programme offers something for everyone across the sector.

Click here to view the full programme.

With more than 30 sessions across the Main Stage, Spotlight Stage and Community Sport Stage, there’s a wealth of knowledge on offer from some of the most respected names in the grounds management industry.

SALTEX 2025 takes place on 12-13 November at the NEC, Birmingham. Register for FREE at saltex.org.uk 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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Jupiter ATI Grinder Returns to GroundsFest

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Jupiter ATI Grinder Returns to GroundsFest: Hunter Grinders, part of the Howardson Group, is returning to GroundsFest 2025 to showcase its flagship machine – the enhanced Jupiter ATI ‘All in One’ Grinder, on stand OSA170 in the Centre Circle.

Renowned for its precision and reliability, the Jupiter ATI is a fully automatic relief and spin grinder designed to restore cutting units to the highest manufacturer standards. It offers a comprehensive range of automated features to improve efficiency, consistency, and safety in every grind.

Jupiter ATI Grinder Returns to GroundsFest

Jupiter ATI Grinder Returns to GroundsFest

Key Highlights:

Fully Automated Performance

Automatic traverse, indexing, and in-feed functions allow the Jupiter ATI to operate independently, giving operators time to manage other tasks in the workshop.

Exceptional Accuracy

Built on a solid cast bed, the grinder uses heavy-duty linear rails to ensure smooth movement and consistent results – accurate to within 0.05 mm.

Operator Safety and Comfort

A liquid coolant system helps control heat and dust, keeping airborne particles to a minimum and ensuring a safer, cleaner grinding environment.

Unmatched Versatility

With a 360-degree electric hoist and the capacity to grind both the top and front faces of bottom blades, the Jupiter ATI is equipped for even the most demanding tasks.

Smart Programming

Fully programmable for both spin and relief grinding, the machine features automatic wheel head docking, cycle countdown, and intuitive controls to simplify complex grinding jobs.

Built to Last

Featuring a cast bed, 240 V power supply, hands-free indexing, twin LED work lights, and full CE and H&S compliance – the Jupiter ATI is robust, reliable, and workshop-ready.

Whether you’re looking to save time, improve precision, or modernise your grinding process, the Jupiter ATI delivers on all fronts.

Visit Hunter Grinders on Stand OSA170 in the Centre Circle.

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Thank A Greenkeeper Day returns for 2025

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Thank A Greenkeeper Day returns for 2025: BIGGA is pleased to announce the fifth annual Thank A Greenkeeper Day on Tuesday 9 September 2025. This global celebration, launched four years ago, has now reached countless people worldwide, celebrating the fantastic work carried out by greenkeepers and golf course staff to enable tens of millions to enjoy the sport of golf.

This year, BIGGA wants to invite all the professionals in golf whether it’s golfers, members, owners, managers, suppliers, industry associations, media or general supporters of the game to join us in celebrating greenkeepers and their important role. Thank A Greenkeeper Day is an opportunity to ensure that greenkeeping is given the respect and recognition that these hardworking teams deserve.

Thank A Greenkeeper Day returns for 2025

Thank A Greenkeeper Day returns for 2025

Greenkeepers are the unsung heroes who ensure that golf courses are in their best possible condition for all to enjoy while ensuring that courses are stewarded environmentally and wildlife habitats are protected

While this day is all about the thank you, it is aimed to encourage proactive action across the industry to recognise the vital and highly skilled role greenkeepers play. At its core, this is about promoting greenkeeping as a professional trade and making a positive impact in working conditions and fair rates of pay for greenkeepers everywhere.

On Tuesday 9 September, we ask everyone who appreciates the value of golf to share their own stories, pictures and messages of thanks on social media. In the UK, use #ThankAGreenkeeper, and our friends abroad will be using #ThankASuper. All messages of thanks will be included in an international campaign that has positively added to the daily working life of many greenkeepers.

In addition to social media, there are several ways golf clubs, golfers and the wider industry can show support and appreciation to greenkeepers:

  • Golf clubs can organise a special breakfast or lunch for their greenkeeping staff
  • Players can take a moment after play to thank personally a member of the greenkeeping team and leave their own expression of thanks with their club
  • Industry partners and suppliers may play their part by promoting the importance of greenkeeping to their audiences and actively supporting their clients and contacts
  • Golf influencers and golf media can use their platforms to market tales, interviews and behind-the-scenes information emphasising the skills, knowledge and passion of greenkeepers.

BIGGA is collaborating with the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA), Australian Sports Turf Managers Association (ASTMA), Canadian Golf Superintendents Association (CGSA) and Federation of European Golf Greenkeeper Associations (FEGGA), amongst others, to make this year’s Thank a Greenkeeper Day more successful than ever. Together, these associations represent more than 31,000 golf course management professionals in 78 countries.

To help clubs and individuals with promoting their celebrations, BIGGA will be releasing a social media toolkit in August. This will include pre-made graphics, videos and template messages that will aid in the promotion of the day. To access the toolkit, ensure that you are included on BIGGA’s mailing list by contacting us internally.

While Thank A Greenkeeper Day is once a year, it’s worth noting that greenkeepers are on site working on golf courses every day of the year to keep and enhance them. Support, whether delivered in person, via a letter, or on social media, can have long-term positive effects on morale and create a respect and appreciation culture that will last long past this single day.

For more information on how you, or your golf club, can participate in Thank A Greenkeeper Day 2025, visit https://www.bigga.org.uk/about/thank-a-greenkeeper-day.html and join in on social media using the hashtag #ThankAGreenkeeper.

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

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