INDUSTRY NEWS
All-female grounds crew makes history at North London derby
An all-female grounds team prepared the pitch at Emirates Stadium for Arsenal vs Tottenham in the Women ’ s Super League on March 3 , marking a significant milestone for women ’ s sports and the role of women in making sport possible .
Ahead of International Women ’ s Day , a sold-out crowd of over 60,000 fans flooded into the Emirates Stadium to watch the game , making it the highest attendance of a women ’ s domestic football match in the UK . It was also the most-attended sports fixture in London that weekend , including Premier League games , putting the grounds management industry firmly in the spotlight , highlighting the vital role of grounds staff .
In the months leading up to the match , the Women ’ s Super League and Women in Football , both sponsored by Barclays , collaborated with the Grounds Management Association ( GMA ), the leading membership organization representing grounds personnel in the UK , and Arsenal Football Club to help 13 female grounds professionals make history as the first all-female grounds team to prepare a Women ’ s Super League match .
The trailblazing group of women prepared the Emirates Stadium pitch ahead of the North London derby with the aim of encouraging young girls and boys to consider a career in grounds management .
Despite an uplift of women playing sport across all levels , however , only 2 % of the grounds management sector , which is responsible for maintaining the nation ’ s pitches , is female .
“ Grounds staff are essential in making sport possible , and , without them , we simply wouldn ’ t have the pitches we need for our nation ’ s enjoyment of sport ,” said Geoff Webb , CEO of GMA . “ We ’ re delighted to see some exceptional examples of women working in the sector celebrated at a such an important fixture in the Barclays Women ’ s Super League calendar and we hope their example encourages more people to consider careers in grounds management .”
The 13 women involved were from different venues across a variety of sporting and educational facilities and were led by Tara Sandford , groundsperson at Arsenal Football Club , who said , “ Being a part of the first all-women grounds team to prepare a Barclays Women ’ s Super League match has been hugely exciting for me on both a personal and professional level .
“ The consistent level of support we have seen for our women ’ s team this season shows how much the game continues to grow , and it ’ s important that we harness this to encourage more girls to pursue a career in football ,” Sandford added . “ I hope our all-female grounds team showcases the different opportunities that exist within football and inspires more women to get into the game .” The team included : Alexia Doughty , apprentice groundsperson at
Stratford Sports Club . Beth Gibbs , groundsperson at Wellington School and GMA Young Board member . Bobbie Murphy , apprentice groundsperson at
Arsenal Football Club . Carlie Lambert , apprentice groundsperson for
Worcestershire County Cricket Club . Emily Geach , volunteer groundsperson at Boconnoc Cricket Club and Tormarton Cricket Club .
Georgie Grimes , groundsperson for The FA at St George ’ s Park .
Jasmine Nicholls , groundsperson for Yorkshire County Cricket Club .
Liddy Ford , groundsperson for The FA at St George ’ s Park and GMA Young Board member .
Meg Lay , groundsperson at Lord ’ s , Marylebone Cricket Club and GMA Young Board member .
Phoebe Taylorson , apprentice groundperson at Middlesbrough Football Club .
Rachel Hunter-Worrall , groundperson at Queen
Ethelburga ’ s School in York . Tara Sandford , groundsperson at Arsenal Football Club . Zibby Parker , part-time groundsperson at Ipswich
Town FC and Essex County Cricket Club .
“ The Women ’ s Professional Game and Football Association are very proud to be a part of this showcase event , bringing some of the brightest talents working within our industry and beyond deservedly to the fore ,” said Nikki Doucet , CEO of the Barclays Women ’ s Super League and Barclays Women ’ s Championship .
“ To see a team of thirteen experienced and talented women prepare the iconic Emirates Stadium pitch in front of hundreds of thousands of spectators and viewers across the UK , was a highly significant moment in the GMA and grounds management industry ’ s history ,” said GMA Director of Communications Jennifer Carter .
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