Tag Archive for: spotlight

GMA shines a spotlight on skilled grounds staff

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GMA shines a spotlight on skilled grounds staff: The Grounds Management Association (GMA) has launched this year’s #GroundsWeek campaign with a striking new video created in partnership with Brighton & Hove Albion and the World Snooker Tour (WST).

The film brings together two expert teams whose work is essential yet often overlooked, showcasing the specialist skills required to prepare both elite football pitches and professional snooker tables.

GMA shines a spotlight on skilled grounds staff

GMA shines a spotlight on skilled grounds staff

For years, people have often compared high-quality sports surfaces to “snooker tables”. This video brings that comparison vividly to life by following the Brighton & Hove Albion grounds team and a WST table fitter, to reveal the precision and care that is essential in both roles.

But behind this celebration, lies a challenge for the grounds management industry.

New findings from the GMA’s latest Workforce Insight Report show that many grounds professionals feel their work is less recognised than it was five years ago. This is a concern for a highly skilled industry that underpins sport and supports communities across the country.

And this is exactly why #GroundsWeek exists.

Across the UK, grounds staff work in all weather and often behind the scenes, to keep pitches and public spaces safe and playable. Their work supports sport at every level of sport and improves the health and wellbeing of millions. #GroundsWeek gives these dedicated professionals and volunteers the recognition they deserve and shines a light on their knowhow.

The campaign celebrates the people who look after sports surfaces, school grounds, community fields, public spaces and more – places that host everything from elite fixtures to grassroots matches, school sport and everyday recreation.

This new video aims to raise awareness of this essential work and highlight the consistently high standards that both grounds staff and WST table fitters achieve every single day.

Geoff Webb, CEO of the GMA said: “#GroundsWeek is our chance to celebrate the fantastic people who make sport happen. Their expertise ensures pitches, parks and community spaces are in great condition all year round. This new video shows the pride and professionalism in our industry, and we’re delighted to work with the World Snooker Tour and Brighton & Hove Albion to highlight the brilliant work grounds staff do every day.”

Phil Fifield, Head of Sports Turf at Brighton and Hove Albion said: “#GroundsWeek is a brilliant initiative by the GMA to give welcomed acknowledgement to those who bring sport to life. To celebrate the staff up and down the country for their tireless commitment and professionalism to the sports turf industry. It’s been a tremendous honour to work with the GMA and World Snooker Tour to showcase the care and dedication that goes into producing elite surfaces. I thank my staff also for their expertise and support but also their dedicated to their craft and endeavours away from the spotlight.”

Chris Barnes, Head Table Fitter at World Snooker Tour said: “When people watch sport either live in the arena or on television, they don’t always realise the huge amount of work that goes into preparing the playing surfaces. In snooker I work with a team of incredibly skilled and dedicated table fitters, and we spent countless hours striving to provide the best possible conditions for the players. #GroundsWeek is a great opportunity for fans in every sport to reflect on the work that happens behind the scenes.”

The GMA hopes the partnership with the World Snooker Tour will help #GroundsWeek reach new audiences and inspire greater appreciation for the people who shape and protect the spaces we all rely on.

#GroundsWeek is proudly supported by GMA Platinum Corporate Supporters Kubota, Howardson Group, ICL, MJ Abbott, Premier Pitches, GKB Machines, ISEKI, Cramer and GMA Gold Corporate Supporters Rada Controls, Aquatrols, Redexim, RT Machinery, SGL, Husqvarna and Jenkins Garden Machinery.

Get involved in #GroundsWeek

Download the #GroundsWeek Engagement Pack, access free resources and find out how you can take part: thegma.org.uk/groundsweek

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Future leaders step into the spotlight at SALTEX

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Future leaders step into the spotlight at SALTEX: The Grounds Management Association’s (GMA) future leaders and young professional ambassadors, GMA NextGen, are set to take centre stage at SALTEX 2025 with their first-ever takeover of the show’s renowned Learning LIVE programme. 

GMA NextGen is made up of talented young professionals dedicated to championing the grounds management industry and inspiring the next generation. Their mission is to attract and engage young people by showcasing the diverse, rewarding career opportunities available in the sector.

Future leaders step into the spotlight at SALTEX

Future leaders step into the spotlight at SALTEX

For 2025, Learning LIVE – the largest free educational event of its kind in the industry – will feature two dedicated NextGen sessions on the Spotlight Stage. Topics include Diversity in the Grounds Industry and a panel of NextGen alumni discussing youth engagement, change-making and their own journeys into the group and, most importantly, how the sector can continue to attract the next generation of grounds staff.

The takeover doesn’t stop there. The reimagined SALTEX Clubhouse will also play host to a confirmed under 35s meet-up for networking and Q&As. Afterwards, visitors should stick around for the 3pm Happy Hour, where a special sporting star will swap the pitch for the decks and DJ the afternoon away – more details coming soon!

Learning LIVE highlights

  • Wednesday 12 November, 1:00pm – 1:45pm

Youth Engagement: Hear from past members as they discuss the importance of bringing young talent into the sector, the changes they want to see and why they got involved. Hosted by GMA NextGen members Jack Langley, Jack Leather and Flynn Good.

  • Thursday 13 November, 12:00pm – 12:45pm

Diversity in the Grounds Industry: An open and candid conversation on inclusion and representation, exploring how the sector can continue to evolve.

Clubhouse Meet-up

  • Wednesday 12 November, 1:45pm – 2:45pm

Join the dedicated NextGen Meet-Up and Q&A in the reimagined SALTEX Clubhouse. The informal session is the perfect chance to network with peers and be part of their growing NextGen community.

“SALTEX is a fantastic platform to showcase what GMA NextGen is all about, and to highlight the real career opportunities available for young people looking to enter the industry,” said Jack Langley, Co-Chair of GMA NextGen and Deputy Head Groundsperson at Ashton Gate Stadium.

“Visitors will also get the chance to hear from NextGen alumni who are now thriving in established careers, which we hope will inspire others to follow in their footsteps. It’s no secret that this is an ageing industry, so being able to take over Learning LIVE is a real step forward in our mission to attract and retain new talent in grounds management.”

Sarah Cunningham, Director of Commercial, Membership and Events at the GMA, added: “We’re incredibly proud to be showcasing the GMA NextGen group at SALTEX. They’re already making waves within the industry and bringing fresh ideas to grounds management, so by providing them with a platform at Learning LIVE will allow them to highlight their achievements and show the important role young professionals will play in shaping the industry’s future.”

To find out more about GMA NextGen, visit thegma.org.uk/nextgen.

Register for FREE at www.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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EVO expansion under the spotlight

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EVO expansion under the spotlight: After a four-year absence, May sees the return of The Arb Show, with GreenMech back and kickstarting their 30th anniversary celebrations with a showcase of their revolutionary EVO series.

The 2019 event was the launch platform for the EVO 165 range which, from introduction, set the benchmark for its category. EVO models are now available in both 6” and 8” capacities and in road-tow and tracked formats, many of which will be on display at Westonbirt Arboretum on stand C09-C10.

EVO expansion under the spotlight

EVO expansion under the spotlight

Launched in 6” diesel format, the EVO boasts more aggressive torque, more powerful bite and improved throughput. A petrol EVO 165P model quickly followed before the ‘big brother’ arrived in the form of the powerful 8” EVO 205D. GreenMech’s long and illustrious reputation for providing the ultimate tracked offering continues with the EVO Series, with fixed track, SAFE-Trak and SURE-Trak options now available.

Visitors will also have the opportunity to witness the performance first hand on GreenMech’s dedicated demonstration area, located on stand D06.

In addition to showcasing a selection of machines from the EVO Series, The Arb Show will be the first UK outing for the ECO 135 – a new concept 5” capacity entry-level woodchipper, ideally suited to the more price-conscious arborist, landscaper and rental markets.

The entire GreenMech range comes with a 3-year, no-quibble guarantee and the support of their nationwide dealer network. The team will also be on hand across the two days to answer any questions and explain the variety of flexible finance options available via GreenMech Finance.

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Two services in the spotlight for Agrovista Amenity

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Two services in the spotlight for Agrovista Amenity: At BTME Agrovista Amenity will showcase two unique services – the online Agrovista Amenity Academy and the all-new AgronomyReports, which takes place at Harrogate Convention Centre from 24 to 26 January 2023.

Located in Hall one stands 120 and 125, there will be a particular spotlight on two of the company’s informative services.

Two services in the spotlight for Agrovista Amenity

Two services in the spotlight for Agrovista Amenity

The Agrovista Amenity Academy, which is free to sign-up to, provides in-depth knowledge on Agrovista Amenity’s market leading products (Product courses), as well as a wide range of areas in turf management such as turf disease, chemical, product application, seed and turf pests (Knowledge courses).

The Product courses have been designed so that the individual can fully understand and get maximum benefits from the products they purchase. With product and knowledge courses being added on a regular basis, Academy students are guaranteed to have a wide variety to choose from.

The Academy has already shown significant growth with over 12,000 CPD points awarded so far. Furthermore, many greenkeepers and course managers are benefitting from a CPD partnership with BIGGA, which enables BIGGA’s members to embark on any course they choose without having to go through an employer.

Alongside the Academy, the company will also be demonstrating its unique new soil analysis service called AgronomyReports, which features adaptable nutrition programmes supported by real time weather reports. This incredible new service will ensure that customers have all the information they need to make valuable decisions and help them to use the right products at the right time.

The Agrovista Amenity team will be out in force and will be on hand to discuss and advise on any individual requirements.

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

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Two services in the spotlight

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Two services in the spotlight: At BTME 2022 Agrovista Amenity will showcase two unique services – the online Agrovista Amenity Academy and the all-new AgronomyReports.

The show, which takes place at Harrogate Convention Centre from 23 to 27 January 2022, will be a great opportunity for visitors to find out about all the exciting developments that have taken place in the past two years since the last BTME.

Two services in the spotlight

Two services in the spotlight

Located in the Blue Zone on stand 164, there will be a particular spotlight on two of the company’s informative services.

The Agrovista Amenity Academy, which is free to sign-up to, provides in-depth knowledge on Agrovista Amenity’s market leading products (Product courses), as well as a wide range of areas in turf management such as turf disease, chemical, product application, seed and turf pests (Knowledge courses).

The Product courses have been designed so that the individual can fully understand and get maximum benefits from the products they purchase. With product and knowledge courses being added on a regular basis, Academy students are guaranteed to have a wide variety to choose from.

The Academy has already shown significant growth with over 9,000 CPD points awarded so far. Furthermore, many greenkeepers and course managers are benefitting from a CPD partnership with BIGGA, which enables BIGGA’s members to embark on any course they choose without having to go through an employer.

Alongside the Academy, the company will also be demonstrating its unique new soil analysis service called AgronomyReports, which features adaptable nutrition programmes supported by real time weather reports. This incredible new service will ensure that customers have all the information they need to make valuable decisions and help them to use the right products at the right time.

Agrovista Amenity will have a presence at BIGGA’s Continue to Learn education programme. Presented by Jonathan Telfer, Business Manager at Lancrop Laboratories on behalf of Agrovista Amenity, the seminar will provide a deeper look into soil as a chemical, physical and biological system, with one eye on the future regarding legislation and restrictions.

Jonathan will be delving further into his own experience of using AgronomyReports and will be explaining in more detail how it could be of huge benefit to many turf managers.

The Agrovista Amenity team will be out in force and will be on hand to discuss and advise on any individual requirements.

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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