With #GroundsWeek just around the corner from 17-23 March, 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 very best in the industry, recognising those who go above and beyond to maintain world-class playing surfaces and green spaces. 

A huge congratulations to all this year’s winners and finalists: 

• 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)   
  Ilkley 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   

The GMA would like to extend a special thank you to our platinum sponsor ISEKI UK & Ireland and award category sponsors, DLF Seeds Ltd, Syngenta, ICL, Agronomic Services, SGL, Husqvarna, Infinicut, Reesink Turfcare, Kubota UK and the National Governing Bodies of sport, whose support made this event possible.  

This year’s charity partner, LFC Foundation, was at the heart of the evening, with guests generously donating to support its vital work in creating life-changing opportunities for young people within the local Liverpool postcodes of L4 and L5. Thank you to everyone who contributed, your generosity will make a genuine difference.  

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. 
 
The GMA Industry Awards continue to grow, and we’re already looking forward to what’s upcoming for 2026. Stay tuned for more updates and, in the meantime, keep an eye on our social channels for event highlights and winner interviews. 

Thank you once again to all attendees, finalists, winners and sponsors, for such a brilliant evening of celebrating the grounds management industry.