GMA Update - GMA launches new online Toolkit for volunteers

launch of the GMA’s Level 1 and Level 2 online training courses, with modules that cover the basic grounds maintenance tasks required at grassroots level. With face-to-face classroom learning currently on hold due to restrictions, the GMA is developing

Jason Booth GMA chief operating officer

NEW ONLINE TOOLKIT issues relating to grounds management. The GMA says it is committed to providing the best possible tools FOR VOLUNTEERS across all levels so that grounds management tasks are consistently completed to a high The Grounds Management Association (GMA) has announced standard, aligning with the Grounds and Natural the new Grounds Management Toolkit website as an online Turf Improvement educational resource aimed at volunteers maintaining football, Programme strategy that cricket and rugby league and union pitches is delivered in partnership with the national THE NEW GROUNDS MANAGEMENT Toolkit sport. And it is grateful for Sport England’s support website consolidates information from the Sport in enabling delivery of the Grounds Management England ‘Groundsmanship’ website and has Toolkit, giving the GMA the opportunity to make this reshaped its written content into short videos and resource free for all. easy-to-digest seasonal maintenance guides. Speaking about the new website, Tony Atherton, By relaunching the website, the GMA aims technical team lead of Sport England, said: “We’re to continue increasing the skills and capabilities really supportive of the GMA’s approach to upskilling of practising and future grounds volunteers. The grounds staff and volunteers, so handing over the resources also help the general public to engage Groundsmanship website was a natural progression further with common practices involved in grounds of the work we have achieved through this resource maintenance and to understand how to help get so far. I really hope the grounds community feels pitches ready for players across their community. that the Toolkit supports and complements their The Grounds Management Toolkit follows the hard work.” ■ governing bodies of its digital capabilities and touch points – such as The ‘Grounds Management Toolkit’, funded webinars – to keep its member community, and by Sport England, can be accessed via the wider public, educated and informed on key www.resources.thegma.org.uk