WINNERS OF GMA AWARDS ANNOUNCED

The winners of the 2026 GMA Industry Awards were announced last week at a ceremony at Edgbaston Stadium.

The awards took place alongside the new GMA Conference, which ran throughout the day and offered workshops and discussions.

Hosted by renowned broadcaster Kelly Somers, the awards celebrated the people and teams who show outstanding skill across the grounds management sector.

The 2026 winners are:

Young Groundsperson of the Year (Sponsored by Origin Amenity Solutions)
Flynn Good

Newcomer of the Year (Sponsored by ICL)
George Legg

Volunteer Groundsperson/Team of the Year (Sponsored by Chappell Enterprises UK)
Trubshaw Cross

Community Groundsperson/Team of the Year (Sponsored by National Governing Bodies of Sport)
Stoneham Lane Football Complex

Best Managed Artificial Surface of the Year
University of Warwick

Environmental & Sustainability Impact Award
Liverpool F.C

Bowls & Croquet Groundsperson/Team of the Year
Dean Gibbons

Professional Cricket Grounds Team of the Year (Sponsored by Barenbrug)
Marylebone Cricket Club

Professional Tennis Courts Grounds Team of the Year (Sponsored by Advanced Turf Technology LTD)
The All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club

Professional Horse Racing Grounds Team of the Year
Warwick Racecourse

Professional Rugby League Grounds Team of the Year (Sponsored by Agronomic Services Ltd)
Castleford Tigers

Professional Rugby Union Grounds Team of the Year (Sponsored by MJ Abbott/Premier Pitches)
Bristol Bears

Professional Football Grounds Team of the Year (Sponsored by Reesink)
Lincoln City F.C

Professional Football Grounds Team of the Year (Elite) (Sponsored by SGL)
Manchester City F.C

University & College Grounds Team of the Year (Sponsored by Kubota)
University of Warwick

Independent School Grounds Team of the Year (Sponsored by ISEKI)
Whitgift School

GMA Grounds Manager of the Year (Sponsored by DLF Seeds Ltd)
Karl McDermott

Geoff Webb, GMA CEO said, "The GMA Industry Awards are always a key highlight in our calendar. They give us the chance to celebrate the hard work that drives our industry forward. We received a record number of entries this year which shows real strength and pride across grounds management. I want to congratulate all our winners and thank them for the great work they do every day."