Tag Archive for: Stadia

First Cricket Edition Of Schools Into Stadia

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First Cricket Edition Of Schools Into Stadia: The Grounds Management Association’s (GMA) NextGen group bowled over students at Lord’s Cricket Ground on Friday 27 June, as the Schools Into Stadia initiative delivered its first ever cricket-focused edition.

Local school students were offered a rare behind the scenes look at one of the world’s most iconic sporting venues, whilst getting a hands-on introduction to the world of grounds management – a profession that plays a vital yet often overlooked role in sport.

First Cricket Edition Of Schools Into Stadia

First Cricket Edition Of Schools Into Stadia

The students got stuck in with practical activities led by the Lord’s grounds team, learning how to prepare a pitch and apply turf care techniques used at the highest level of the game.

They also had the unique opportunity to hear from industry professionals about their career journeys, gaining real insight into the skills and science that make sport possible.

Jack Langley, GMA NextGen Co-Chair, said: “Giving people an opportunity to come into professional venues in the first place is key. It’s great to show off what we’re doing and show the students that this career is a great opportunity.

“It’s second to none being outside, working outdoors, meeting people, learning science of the grass.”

The Schools Into Stadia initiative, supported by GMA NextGen sponsor Reesink UK, has now reached students at top-tier venues including Wimbledon’s All England Club, Anfield Stadium, Goodison Park and Ashton Gate.

Meg Lay, GMA NextGen Co-Chair and Groundsperson at Lord’s, said: “If you want to be out in the middle of an iconic venue like Lord’s or the Emirates, Anfield, Wembley, wherever it may be, there’s only a few ways you can do that – one of those is playing, you might be a coach, or you’re cutting the grass.

“We’re bumping shoulders with some of the biggest athletes in the world every day and it’s one of the only ways you can do it.”

With under 35 representation now on the rise in grounds management, initiatives like this are helping to future-proof the industry, making sure young people know that careers in grounds management are not only possible, but exciting and vital to sport at every level.

Gillian Haverson, Marketing & Communications Manager at Reesink UK, said: “The fact the students have been able to walk out onto the playing surface and see the place where in two weeks’ time, England will play a test match, is incredible. They’ve been able to do the pitch tests themselves, and I think that practical element is crucial for young people because they really get something out of that. It gets them thinking what the role of a groundsperson actually entails so it’s been very valuable.”

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

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

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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.

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.

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GMA NextGen Inspires Youngsters at Schools into Stadia

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GMA NextGen Inspires Youngsters at Schools into Stadia: As part of #GroundsWeek 2024, the organisation’s annual awareness campaign, the GMA’s newly refreshed NextGen (previously Young Board of Directors) hosted a Schools into Stadia event at Ashton Gate Stadium in Bristol on Tuesday 19 March.

The Schools into Stadia programme aims to showcase grounds management as a viable career pathway for young people in education. With support from the GMA, Reesink Turfcare and Bristol Bears Foundation, GMA NextGen member Jack Langley hosted the event which offered youngsters local to Bristol the opportunity to gain valuable experience and provide the group with a deeper understanding of what duties a groundsperson undertakes in their role.

GMA NextGen Inspires Youngsters at Schools into Stadia

GMA NextGen Inspires Youngsters at Schools into Stadia

A group of students were invited along to the home of Bristol City FC and Bristol Bears to take part in theoretical and practical learning. The group was split into two, with one half guided through an interactive theory session which touched on the various forms of grass seed, how it grows, and how to keep it healthy. The other group were taken onto the pitch and given the opportunity to interact with the various pieces of kit, even having a go at line-marking the pitch and deepening their knowledge of various day-to-day tasks a grounds person undertakes.

GMA Key Account Manager for football, Tom Rowley, then delivered a careers presentation to the group, highlighting the various pathways into the industry.
NextGen new recruit Jack Langley, Deputy Head Groundsman at Ashton Gate said:

“Inviting young people along to my place of work to give them a flavour of what a career in grounds can look like has been extremely rewarding, especially as some of the attendees have shown an interest in returning to experience work on a match day.

Within my new role as part of GMA NextGen, I’m keen to shine a spotlight on the industry and encourage more young people to join.”

Geoff Webb, Grounds Management Association’s CEO commented:

“The schools into stadia events always inspire. To work with sporting venues such as Ashton Gate and tap into the community schemes that engage young people and bring opportunities to work in sports turf is always rewarding. The insights these days bring puts our sector and profession into focus as a great career option.”

Following a day of learning, one of the students in attendance said:

“It was so interesting to see what goes on behind the scenes at a large stadium. I enjoyed learning more about the equipment and using the line marking machine.”

Following another successful School into Stadia event, the GMA NextGen with support from sponsor Reesink Turfcare will continue to raise the profile of the industry and work to inspire young people by hosting more events and activations across the country.

#GroundsWeek took place from 18 – 24 March 2024. Keep an eye on GMA social media channels to find out more about its NextGen.

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