The Grounds Management Association (GMA) is deeply disappointed by the recent comments made on Sky Sports’ ‘The Bench’ podcast.
Such remarks not only undermine the tireless efforts of grounds staff but also disregard the essential role they play in the success of every game.
As a result, the GMA has been in contact with the podcast’s producers, Sky Sports, and the Rugby Football League (RFL), to voice, on behalf of the profession, our disappointment at the comments made, however unintentional. We understand the feelings that many working in the industry have also expressed through social media.
Grounds teams are the bedrock of sports, creating world-class surfaces for athletes to play on, often working in challenging conditions to ensure all playing surfaces are in pristine condition.
It is extremely disappointing that current and former professional rugby football league players would belittle the vital work of our sector. Without grounds staff, sport would not be possible, and players would not have the high-quality and safe surfaces necessary to compete on.
The GMA has reached out to the grounds teams at Wigan Warriors and St Helens to offer our support.
Following our communication with the RFL, Sky Sports, and Jon Wilkin, we acknowledge and appreciate the apology from Jon. We are also pleased to see such a united front from within the industry, however, we do not condone any aggressive or offensive behaviour towards those involved.
We welcome the opportunity for our Chief Operating Officer, Jason Booth – formerly a groundsperson at Leeds Rhinos and Yorkshire County Cricket Club – to appear on a future episode of the podcast to highlight the critical work that goes into preparing the playing surfaces that these players rely on.