Finalists get ready for the GMA Industry Awards
Three of the UK's leading sports venues have been shortlisted as finalists for the Syngenta sponsored Environmental & Sustainability Impact Award, as part of the prestigious Grounds Management Association (GMA) annual industry awards.
Announced by the GMA the finalists include:
Environmental and Sustainability Impact Award (Sponsored by Syngenta)
London Youth Sports Trust
London Youth Sports Trust is up for the Syngenta sponsored Environmental & Sustainability Impact Award at next week’s GMA Awards. The judges have highlighted how the team has worked with tight budgets to renovate a rundown sports ground, while using all the skills, applications and considerations for sustainable practices. They’ve created an awesome site for increased access to sport and reducing its environmental impact.
University of Warwick
The Environmental & Sustainability Impact Award at the GMA Awards - sponsored by Syngenta - will feature the grounds management team at the University of Warwick, where tree planting, improving pond life, developing bug hotels and moving to electric machinery has helped the huge team of 47 to focus on a new approach to environmental management of the sports facilities.
Liverpool Football Club
Good luck to Liverpool Football Club grounds team as finalists in the Syngenta sponsored Environmental & Sustainability Impact Award at the GMA Awards. They have been recognised for establishing wildflower meadows for pollinators, as well as planting a fruit orchard helping to integrate the existing landscape while boosting local ecosystems. Big in recycling and reducing waste, they’re already maintaining 80% of the landscapes with electric machinery, with the target to make it 100% by the end of the season.
The winners will be unveiled at a prestigious ceremony hosted at Liverpool FC’s Anfield Stadium on Thursday 13 March 2025.
#GMAIndustryAwards2025
Follow the Awards on X for the latest news and winners
The GMA Industry 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.
Other shortlisted finalists are:
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
