AWARDS KICK OFF #GROUNDSWEEK

The GMA Industry Awards 2025 brought the grounds management community together at Anfield Stadium recently, celebrating the achievements of professionals across the sector.

With #GroundsWeek kicking off this week from 17-23 March, the GMA say the awards also served as a reminder of the vital role grounds staff play in making sport possible. 

Sky Sports presenter, Kyle Walker, led the night’s celebrations which showcased the best in the industry, recognising those who go above and beyond to maintain world-class playing surfaces and green spaces.  

This year’s winners were:

• Young Groundsperson of the Year (Sponsored by Origin Amenity Solutions)  - Thomas Heppell-Mooney - Lancaster University 
• Newcomer of the Year of the Year (Sponsored by ICL) - Matthew Barr, Warwick Independent Schools Foundation
• Volunteer Groundsperson or Team of the Year (Sponsored by Husqvarna) - Tom Banks, Kirkoswald Football Club 
• Community Groundsperson or Team of the Year  - Stoneham Lane Football Complex
• Environmental and Sustainability Impact Award (Sponsored by Syngenta) - London Youth Sports Trust 
• Bowls & Croquet Groundsperson or Team of the Year - Dean Gibbons, Wantage Bowling Club 
• Best Managed Artificial Surface of the Year - Stoneham Lane Football Complex
• Professional Horse Racing Grounds Team of the Year - York Racecourse 
• Professional Tennis Courts Grounds Team of the Year (Sponsored by Infinicut)- lkley Lawn Tennis and Squash Club
• Professional Cricket Grounds Team of the Year - Lancashire Cricket Club
• Professional Rugby Union Grounds Team of the Year - Leicester Tigers
• Professional Rugby League Grounds Team of the Year (Sponsored by Agronomic Services Ltd) - Castleford Tigers 
• Professional Football Grounds Team of the Year (Sponsored by Reesink UK)  - Stockport County Football Club 
• Professional Football Grounds Team (Elite) of the Year (Sponsored by SGL) - Liverpool Football Club 
• University/College Grounds Team of the Year (Sponsored by Kubota UK Ltd)- Lancaster University 
• Independent School Grounds Team of the Year (Sponsored by ISEKI UK & Ireland) - Eton College
• GMA Grounds Manager of the Year (Sponsored by DLF Seeds Ltd)- William Rigg – Ilkley Lawn Tennis & Squash Club 

In a statement the GMA said, “As we celebrate this year’s award winners, we also encourage the industry to continue raising awareness of the profession by getting involved in #GroundsWeek from 17-23 March. Our annual awareness campaign is all about championing the hard work of grounds staff, inspiring future talent and highlighting the crucial role they play in making sport possible.”