The annual awards highlight the outstanding contributions of individuals, teams and organisations who set the benchmark for excellence across the sector. 

This year’s shortlist was decided by a panel of ten leading grounds management professionals, tasked with selecting the standout candidates across seventeen different categories. The shortlist includes talent from grassroots volunteers to professionals at the highest level of sport, and the awards will honour a broad spectrum of achievements. 

Winners will be unveiled at a prestigious ceremony hosted at Liverpool FC’s Anfield Stadium on Thursday 13 March 2025. 

Young Grounds Person of the Year (Sponsored by Origin Amenity Solutions) 

• Ged Newman - Lincoln City Football Club  
• Bethany Gibbs - Wellington School  
• Thomas Heppell-Mooney - Lancaster University  

Newcomer of the Year of the Year (Sponsored by ICL) 

• Matthew Barr - Warwick Independent Schools Foundation
• Alexander Weeks - Lord's Cricket Ground
• Mark Dawson - Hale End Arsenal Youth Academy

Volunteer Groundsperson/Team of the Year (Sponsored by Husqvarna) 

• David Stephens-Row - Battisford & District Cricket Club
• Tom Banks - Kirkoswald Football Club
• Offerton Cricket Club  

Community Groundsperson/Team of the Year (Sponsored by the National Governing Bodies of Sport) 

• Yeovil Recreation Centre   
• Rothwell Juniors Football Club  
• Stoneham Lane Football Complex   
• Eddie Mills - Northfield Town Football Club

Bowls & Croquet Groundsperson/Team of the Year  

• Adel War Memorial Association 
• Dean Gibbons - Wantage Bowling Club 

Best Managed Artificial Surface of the Year  

• Scottish Rugby Union   
• Stoneham Lane Football Complex  
• Yeovil Recreation Centre  
• Repton School 

Environmental and Sustainability Impact Award (Sponsored by Syngenta) 

• London Youth Sports Trust  
• University of Warwick  
• Liverpool Football Club 

Professional Cricket Grounds Team of the Year  

• Warwickshire County Cricket Club  
• Yorkshire County Cricket Club  
• Lancashire County Cricket Club  
• Worcestershire Cricket Club 

Professional Tennis Courts Grounds Team of the Year (Sponsored by Infinicut) 

• The All England Lawn Tennis & Croquet Club  
• Ilkley Lawn Tennis and Squash Club 

Professional Horse Racing Grounds Team of the Year  

• Newbury Racecourse   
• York Racecourse 
• Sedgefield Racecourse 

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

• Hull KR   
• Castleford Tigers  
• Hull FC 

Professional Rugby Union Grounds Team of the Year  

• Leicester Tigers  
• Bristol Bears
• Northampton Saints   

Professional Football Grounds Team of the Year  

• Burton Albion Football Club
• Wigan Athletic Football Club
• Stockport County Football Club

Professional Football Grounds Team (Elite) of the Year (Sponsored by SGL) 

• Liverpool Football Club
• Manchester City Football Club
• Tottenham Hotspur Stadium & Training Centre  

University/College Grounds Team of the Year    

• University of Warwick  
• Swansea University   
• Lancaster University  

Independent School Grounds Team of the Year (Sponsored by ISEKI UK & Ireland) 

• Uppingham School  
• Eton College  
• Abingdon School 

For sponsorship opportunities, please contact Emily Herrington by emailing eherrington@thegma.org.uk. To find out more about the GMA Industry Awards, please visit: gmaindustryawards.uk.