INDUSTRY NEWS
GMA Industry Awards
More than 300 attendees from throughout the sports turf industry in the United Kingdom gathered for the Grounds Management Association ( GMA ) celebration at AMT Headingley Stadium .
The awards recognized leadership , innovation and outstanding achievement across every aspect of grounds care , from grassroots pitches to professional stadia , over 17 categories .
Attendees celebrated new talent emerging on the scene , with two female winners in the Young Groundsperson of the Year and Newcomer of the Year award categories , while longtime industry stalwarts were honored with Hall of Fame inductions and GMA Grounds Manager of the Year awards .
The awards ceremony recognized outstanding achievements in public and private sports venues and highlighted the progress of young grounds professionals as well as outstanding performance in environmental practices . Also new to 2023 was a Special Recognition Award which shone a light on a unique and inspiring individual who represents everything that is positive about the industry . The winners of the GMA Industry Awards 2023 are :
Young Groundsperson of the Year – Bethany Gibbs
Wellington School Newcomer of the Year – Meg Lay Gloucestershire CCC Volunteer Groundsperson or Team of the Year –
Clapton Community F . C Community Groundsperson or Team of the Year –
Yeovil Recreation Centre Environmental and Sustainability Impact –
Leicester City F . C Bowls / Croquet Groundsperson or Team of the Year
– Wantage Bowling Club Best Managed Artificial Surface of the Year –
Yeovil Recreation Centre
Professional Horse Racing Grounds Team of the Year – Lingfield Park
Professional Cricket Grounds Team of the Year – Marylebone CC
Professional Tennis Courts Grounds Team of the Year – Devonshire Park
Professional Rugby Union Grounds Team of the Year – Bath Rugby
Professional Rugby League Grounds Team of the Year – Leeds Rhinos
Professional Football Grounds Team of the Year – Stockport County F . C
Professional Football Grounds Team ( Elite ) – Leicester City F . C
University / College Grounds Team of the Year – Loughborough University
Independent School Grounds Team of the Year – Eton College
Special Recognition Award – Zeynu Bedru Harrogate RUFC
GMA Grounds Manager of the Year – Lee Marshallsay Eton College
American Sports Builders Foundation announced
The American Sports Builders Association ( ASBA ) announced a new philanthropic initiative , the American Sports Builders Foundation .
The first focus of the foundation is to fund and coordinate the building and renovation of sports facilities in communities that lack adequate resources to pay for them . These facilities can include courts , running tracks , sports fields , indoor gym facilities and more . The foundation ’ s goal is to complete at least one facility per year , and if feasible , increase to two per year . The inaugural facility will be in Orlando , the host city of ASBA ’ s Technical Meeting in 2024 . In years to come , facilities in locations outside of Technical Meeting host cities may be considered . ASBA members will be encouraged to nominate facilities in need of assistance .
42 SportsField Management | January 2024 sportsfieldmanagementonline . com