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STIGA Hits the Ground Running with RFU Partnership

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STIGA Hits the Ground Running with RFU Partnership: The STIGA team have been hard at work delivering innovative ground-care solutions to rugby clubs across England, following its appointment as Official Groundskeeping Partner of England’s Rugby Football Union (RFU).

The multi-year partnership with the RFU underlines STIGA’s commitment to taking the pressure off volunteers and grounds teams, while helping to create world-class playing surfaces at every level of the game, from grassroots to the elite.

STIGA Hits the Ground Running with RFU Partnership

STIGA Hits the Ground Running with RFU Partnership

As part of the agreement, STIGA has already begun rolling out equipment to clubs and sports facilities nationwide. From England Rugby training centres to local community pitches, the garden care brand is supporting the upkeep of green spaces across the country.

Clubs have welcomed STIGA’s cutting-edge autonomous robot mowers and battery-powered equipment, designed to help deliver professional-quality results with minimal effort. Early feedback from clubs has been overwhelmingly positive:

“We are really excited to be part of this initiative.”

“Thank you for giving us the opportunity to use your robot mowers.”

“We’re looking forward to seeing what this super kit can do.”

Further demonstrating its commitment to the wider rugby community, STIGA has also launched an exclusive discount programme for all England Rugby clubs, players and members, available via stiga.com. A portion of proceeds from these purchases will be reinvested directly back into the RFU community, reinforcing STIGA’s mission to support rugby from the ground up.

This landmark partnership strengthens STIGA’s growing presence in the sports sector and builds on existing collaborations with leading clubs across Europe, including Stade Toulousain in France, Bayer 04 Leverkusen in Germany, Benetton Rugby in Italy and Lech Poznań in Poland. With more than 90 years of lawn-care expertise, STIGA continues to expand its footprint in the professional sports market, helping pitches perform at their very best, match after match.

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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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Husqvarna becomes Title Partner of the British Masters

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Husqvarna becomes Title Partner of the British Masters: Husqvarna, a global leader in robotic lawnmowing and part of Husqvarna Group, has signed a multi-year agreement to become the new Title Partner of the British Masters – one of the world’s most historic golf tournaments.

The 2026 Husqvarna British Masters will be staged at The Belfry on the iconic Brabazon Course in England. In addition, Husqvarna will also be the official robotic mowing partner of the DP World Tour.

Husqvarna becomes Title Partner of the British Masters

Husqvarna becomes Title Partner of the British Masters

“Golf is the perfect stage to demonstrate the performance of Husqvarna’s robotic lawnmowers, already delivering world-class results at over 1,700 courses worldwide. This partnership marks a shared commitment to reinvent golf course maintenance for a new era”, says Yvette Henshall-Bell, President Europe BU Husqvarna Forest & Garden Division, Husqvarna Group.

First played in 1946, the British Masters has a distinguished history with past champions including Peter Thomson, Tony Jacklin, Bernhard Langer, Ian Woosnam, Seve Ballesteros, Sir Nick Faldo, Colin Montgomerie and Sweden’s Alex Noren in the 2025 tournament. Six-time major winner Sir Nick Faldo, himself a Husqvarna Brand Ambassador, will return as host of the Husqvarna British Masters in 2026.

“As a former Champion, I take great pride in hosting this iconic tournament and it’s about to enter an exciting new era with this new partnership. I love Husqvarna’s products, and they will be out in full force at The Belfry next August to make sure the Brabazon Course is in perfect condition”, says Sir Nick Faldo.

As part of the agreement, Husqvarna also becomes an Official Marketing Partner of the 2026 DP World Tour, building on the successful partnership in 2025. In 2026 Husqvarna will be the Official Tournament Partner to the British Masters and the Amgen Irish Open, Corporate Partner to the BMW International Open, KLM Open and FedEx Open de France. With this elevated status, Husqvarna will showcase its products across DP World Tour channels throughout the season, and partner with green keepers and course managers to deliver consistent quality on the tournament courses.

Recently, at the AIG Women’s Open at Royal Porthcawl in Wales, 15 Husqvarna CEORA robotic mowers maintained all 18 fairways during the tournament, marking the first time robotic mowers have maintained fairways live on the world golf stage.

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The R&A to enhance learning at BTME 2026

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The R&A to enhance learning at BTME 2026: The R&A’s Sustainable Golf experts will once again be present at BTME in Harrogate this January, with the introduction of The R&A Clubhouse, a dedicated space designed to support learning, discussion and professional development throughout the show.

Located alongside The R&A’s stand in Hall 4, The R&A Clubhouse will complement the existing exhibition presence by providing an environment for structured talks, informal conversations and shared learning opportunities.

The R&A to enhance learning at BTME 2026

The R&A to enhance learning at BTME 2026

Led by R&A professionals and industry specialists, The Clubhouse programme will run across the three days of the trade exhibition, offering practical insight, experience-led discussion and discussions on the key challenges facing modern golf course management.

As in previous years, The R&A will be represented by a broad team drawn from across the organisation, including Sustainable Agronomy, Championship Agronomy, Golf Course 2030 Research and Education programmes. Specialists attending from Great Britain and Ireland, Europe and Asia-Pacific will be available throughout the week to engage with industry professionals, share experience and contribute to conversations around sustainable, performance-led course management across different environments and regions.

The R&A team will be based in Hall 4, providing a central point for visitors to find out more about the independent agronomy support available to golf venues and to speak directly with R&A agronomists and specialists working at both a strategic and practical level.

The R&A Clubhouse programme begins on Tuesday 20 January with a focus on Excellence in Agronomy – Performance Delivered Sustainably, exploring how course teams can balance performance expectations with long-term sustainability. On Wednesday 21 January, the theme turns to International Insights into Sustainability and Greenkeeping, drawing on global perspectives and shared experiences from across the industry. The programme concludes on Thursday 22 January with Championing Leadership of Golf Courses, supporting collaboration and understanding between course managers, club leaders and decision-makers.

Richard Windows, Assistant Director – Sustainable Agronomy Services at The R&A, said: “BTME provides an invaluable opportunity to bring the industry together and encourage open discussion around the issues that matter most to golf courses. The R&A Clubhouse has been designed to facilitate meaningful learning, with contributions from our own specialists and wider industry experts, allowing attendees to gain insight that is both relevant and practical.”

Daniel Lightfoot, Director – Sustainable Golf at The R&A, added: “Having colleagues from across Sustainable Agronomy, Championship Agronomy, Golf Course 2030 Research and our education programmes together in Harrogate allows us to support a wide range of conversations. By combining R&A expertise with industry-led discussion in the Clubhouse, we hope to provide a forum that encourages shared understanding and informed decision-making.”

BTME 2026 takes place at Harrogate Convention Centre, with the trade exhibition running from 20–22 January 2026. You can find out more on each of the clubhouse activities here: https://www.btme.org.uk/attendees/what-s-on/feature-areas/the-r-a-clubhouse.html

For more information on The R&A Sustainable Agronomy Service, or to arrange a meeting with the team at BTME, please contact sustainableagronomy@randa.org

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Duo Receive Pioneer Marks From The GMA

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Duo Receive Pioneer Marks From The GMA: Two previous members of the GMA Young Board, now known as GMA NextGen, have been awarded their Pioneer Marks as part of the Pioneer Legacy initiative, recognising the contributions of past and present members of GMA NextGen.

The Pioneer Mark is a distinctive legacy number that symbolises the impact each member has made on the grounds management profession.

Duo Receive Pioneer Marks From The GMA

Duo Receive Pioneer Marks From The GMA

Will Graves (#002) joined the industry in 2010 as an apprentice at Merchant Taylors’ School and became part of the first Young Board in 2011, later serving as Chair in 2014. He went on to join the ground staff team at Watford Football Club while also gaining experience at Wembley Stadium.

He said: “My time working with the Young Board of Directors was a real highlight of my career to date. We all worked hard to make a positive difference and increase opportunities for those both inside and outside of the profession. I am very grateful to both the GMA and Reesink UK for everything they did and continue to do to support the group.”

Harry Boxell (#022) served four years on the Young Board from 2016. He began his grounds management career at 16 and progressed through roles at Tottenham Hotspur and Godolphin, before taking on the role of Head of Grounds and Gardens at Embley Park in 2017. He is now Estates Manager, overseeing the 130-acre Grade II listed parkland.

Harry says: “I vividly remember driving down from Newmarket for the interview and being struck by the beauty of the buildings and grounds, while also recognising the potential for further enhancement.”

“Throughout my career, I have had the opportunity to meet and learn from many inspiring individuals,” He added. “Some of my most memorable experiences were through my involvement with the Young Board of Directors. We met regularly and were fortunate to visit venues such as the Stade de France, Parc des Princes (home of Paris Saint-Germain), and several other prestigious sites.”

Jennifer Carter, GMA Director of Communications and Marketing, said: “The GMA would like to thank Will and Harry for their contributions during their time with the NextGen, formerly known as the Young Board.

“It’s really important that we recognise the contributions they have all made to the grounds management industry by awarding them with their pioneer marks. We’re excited to continue the legacy and are now looking to recruit the next generation of passionate individuals to carry the group forward.”

The duo join the ranks of respected NextGen alumni who have received their Pioneer Marks, which can be viewed here.

GMA NextGen are now welcoming new members under 35 who are ready to make a difference in the grounds management industry.

If you’re passionate about shaping the sector’s future, express your interest here. 

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