Tag Archive for: Shortlist

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.

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

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Innovation Awards shortlist announced

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Innovation Awards shortlist announced: Show organisers have revealed the final shortlist for the SALTEX 2021 Innovation Awards.

This year’s SALTEX Innovation Awards received a record-breaking 33 entries. From robotics to battery-powered mowers, tractors to utility vehicles, grow lights to chain saws, the entries included a wide variety of high-quality products, services and equipment.

Innovation Awards shortlist announced

Innovation Awards shortlist announced

Judged by an independent panel of industry experts it was decided that the following innovations would form the final shortlist.

  • AMS Robotics – Bigmow RTK and Parc mow RTK
  • Belchim Crop Protection – Enclean
  • EGO – EGO Power+ 107cm Z6 Zero Turn Riding Mower
  • EGO – EGO Professional-X CSX3000 Top-Handle Chain Saw
  • Etesia – ET Lander
  • Kersten (UK) – Hoaf Weedair 50i
  • Origin Amenity Solutions – Origin Amenity Solution Turf Science and Technology Centre
  • Reesink – Farmtrac FT25G
  • Ritchie & Ritchie Products – Reversible Bottom Blade
  • SGL – TurfPod
  • Turf Tank – Turf Tank One Line Marking Robot – logo functionality
  • Turfkeeper -TurfKeeper.com

The winner’s ceremony will commence in seminar theatre three on the first day of the show (3 November) where the overall winners will be announced across several categories including Robotics, Equipment, Information Technology, Environmental & Sustainability, Vehicles, Consumables and Machinery.

You can view all 33 entries here.

Pre-registration to SALTEX 2021 is essential this year. Attendees must print off their badges for entry to the show.

The safety of all our exhibitors, partners, visitors, contractors, and staff is our highest priority. For more information on Covid safety measures please visit https://gmasaltex.co.uk/covid-safety-measures/

Follow SALTEX on Twitter @GMA_SALTEX and Facebook – www.facebook.com/GMASALTEX

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

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Best Park Shortlist Announced

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Best Park Shortlist Announced: Four parks from across the UK have been shortlisted in Fields in Trust’s search to find the UK’s Best Park. Castle Gardens, Antrim; Cyfarthfa Park, Merthyr Tydfil; Pittencrieff Park, Dunfermline and Stanley Park, Blackpool have each been shortlisted following a public vote.

The UK’s Best Park is organised by green space charity Fields in Trust who, for over 90 years, have legally protected parks and green spaces ensuring they will always be available for future generations to enjoy. A record 364 nominations were received for UK’s Best Park 2019. Those nominations were supported by park users, communities, Friends of Parks groups, and landowners and an unprecedented total of 36,832 votes were cast for parks and green spaces across the UK.

Best Park Shortlist Announced

The shortlisted parks are:

  • Antrim Castle Gardens, Antrim. The nomination identified that Antrim Castle Gardens has completed a transformation “… from local gem to national treasure” and recognised the “passionate team driven by the ambition to put their place on the map”.
  • Cyfarthfa Park, Merthyr Tydfil was identified as “…a park for people of all ages and interests”. The park was celebrated for its “…sensory garden and meadowlands which provide a haven of tranquillity”; and “The woodland walks, a delight for dog walkers and nature-lovers …  it is a park for all”.
  • Pittencrieff Park in Dunfermline, Scotland is known locally as “The Glen” and was celebrated for its diversity “… from kid’s areas to glasshouses, peacock sanctuary and historical features …. rocky waterfalls, imaginative paths, well-stocked, neatly trimmed flower beds and herb gardens”.
  • Stanley Park, Blackpool, was described as “… a beautiful, tranquil place away from the hustle and bustle of the Blackpool seafront”. The “great volunteers and staff who keep it in tip-top condition” were also recognised in the online nomination.

In addition, 73 parks and green spaces have achieved “Much Loved” status, having been placed in the top 20% of all UK’s Best Park 2019 nominations throughout the UK. The “Much Loved” status recognises the support of local people who use and love these parks and green spaces.

Fields in Trust is a UK-wide charity that since 1925 has been legally protecting parks and green spaces in perpetuity. The UK’s Best Park Award recognises the role that parks play in our communities, supporting mental and physical health and bringing people together. The charity is concerned that many parks and green spaces are under threat and are at risk of being lost to development or a cycle of decline and disappearance.

Fields in Trust recently published research, the Green Space Index, which revealed that over 2.5 million people across Great Britain do not have access to a local park within ten minutes walk from home. With public sector cuts leading to pressure on parks and green spaces, there is a risk that a lack of legal protection could lead to more being sold off or developed. Yet these vital outdoor spaces deliver health and wellbeing benefits to those that use them regularly. Fields in Trust research reveals that overall, parks and green spaces contribute £34 billion each year in health and wellbeing benefits to their regular users and save the NHS £111million each year simply in avoided GP appointments.

Fields in Trust Chief Executive, Helen Griffiths said: “The increased number of parks nominated, and a record number of votes cast, show just how much the UK’s local green spaces are cherished by the people who use them. Recognising the UK’s Best Park is a way of revaluing our green spaces for the physical and mental health benefits they provide to their local communities. I congratulate all our “Much-Loved” parks and green spaces and wish the four Home Nation winners well for the UK’s Best Park award which we will announce on September 12th. 

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