GAME CHANGERS
CONTRIBUTORS
KAREN MAXWELL Editor of Grounds Management magazine
DR DEBORAH COX Managing director, Lagan Valley Scientific
BETH GIBBS
Groundsperson, Wellington School
COLIN HOSKINS Freelance writer and industry expert
DR IAIN JAMES Head of facilities, England and Wales Cricket Board
NEIL RODGER
Principal project manager, STRI Group
BEN WEATHERALL GMA key account manager RL
ASH WILLIS GMA PR and communications manager
WELCOME
Education is everywhere With the Grounds Management Framework now established, the GMA is increasing its influence in education and knowledge sharing within the grounds management sector.
Over the past 18 months, the GMA has witnessed a strong uptake of its accredited training programmes with an uplift of 7 per cent – and remains the only industry association accredited by the Government’s matrix Standard.
The recent GMA Connect pilot events at Ashton Gate Stadium in Bristol and Durham County Cricket Club have successfully brought turf professionals together to share innovative ideas and best practice, and these will continue to be rolled out across the country throughout 2026.
Meanwhile, the GMA NextGen group continues to represent young professionals in the industry and plays a vital role in attracting new talent to ‘empower the next generation’ to explore a rewarding career in the sector.
THESE INCLUSIVE INITIATIVES WILL GIVE MORE CHOICE AND ACCESS TO THOSE PROGRESSING THEIR CAREERS
We have also welcomed the creation of a new Level 5 Sports Turf Technical Manager apprenticeship, developed by the industry-led Sports Turf Apprenticeship Trailblazer Group, which is expected to be delivered later this year. The apprenticeship incorporates the Foundation Degree in Sports Turf, so learners can gain an industry-relevant qualification as part of their training.
These inclusive initiatives and learning opportunities will ultimately give more choice and access to those progressing their careers within the industry. The GMA is committed to delivering quality services and adapting to the changing roles of the modern-day sports-turf manager by helping them to build the relevant skills, knowledge and behaviours to enable them to succeed and thrive.
Geoff Webb, GMA CEO
GROUNDS MANAGEMENT
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Published on behalf of the Grounds Management Association by: Think, 65 Riding House Street, London, W1W 7EH t: 020 3771 7200
Editor: Karen Maxwell t: 07866 736597
e: editor@thegma.org.uk
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e: jcarter@thegma.org.uk
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BRIEFING
7 INDUSTRY NEWS
The latest developments from across the grounds-care sector
9 GMA UPDATE
Lord’s and AELTC host Schools into Stadia; GMA Connect events off to a flying start; new Level 5 apprenticeship incorporates Foundation Degree in Sports Turf; GMA reveals exclusive member perks for SALTEX 2025; grounds advice for drought conditions
17 PAS UPDATE
Grounds volunteers get hands-on experience with pre-match prep at Wigan’s Brick Community Stadium
19 NGB UPDATE
The GMA and the ECB have teamed up to ensure all players have access to good-quality, safe cricket surfaces
FEATURES
22 BEST PRACTICE: WEMBLEY STADIUM
Karl Standley on why his 100 per cent recyclable ‘lay and play’ pitches have upped the ante at Wembley Stadium
26 BEST PRACTICE: COMMUNITY SPORT
How London Youth Sport Trust transformed a crumbling sports ground into a top-quality, sustainable grassroots venue
TECHNICAL
33 GRAY LEAF SPOT UPDATE
How worried should we be about Pyricularia oryzae in UK sports turf?
37 THE RISE OF HYBRID SURFACES IN UK SPORT
The latest developments in hybrid technology and the pros and cons of the two main systems
40 IN ACTION
30 INTERVIEW
Beth Gibbs talks to fellow NextGen member Ollie Mahon about the challenges of multi-sport grounds care
50 60 SECONDS WITH…
Warwick Independent School’s Matt Barr on ambition, putting the work in and winning the GMA Newcomer of the Year award
Products and services used by Hearts FC, Keswick’s Hope and Fitz parks, Highfield and Brookham School, AFC Bournemouth, Ipswich School and Pitch Prep NW
43 MAINTENANCE TIPS
Autumn operations
47 PRODUCT NEWS
Product news and launches from Origin Amenity Solutions, STIHL, Ventrac, Dennis, Campey Turf Care and Hunter Industries
GUEST INTERVIEW
MASTERING MULTI-SPORT
Beth Gibbs talks to her NextGen colleague, Ollie Mahon, about his career path and new role as head of grounds at Bradfield College, as well as the challenges involved in managing multi-sport surfaces
BY BETH GIBBS, GROUNDSPERSON, WELLINGTON SCHOOL
Beth Gibbs (BG) How did you embark on and prepare for a career in the grounds-care industry?
Ollie Mahon (OM) I was lucky enough to attend Brymore Academy in Somerset, which specialised in land-based studies in agriculture and horticulture. After gaining my Level 2 qualification, I studied for my Level 3 in Horticulture and Sports Turf at Bridgewater College, then joined Monkton Combe School as a junior groundsperson, where I gained qualifications in chainsawing, spraying and AVT/tractor training. Within five years, I was promoted to senior groundsperson and then grounds and gardens manager.
I’ve now joined Bradfield College in Berkshire as head of grounds. I also work at the Allianz Stadium [Twickenham], Twickenham Stoop, Ashton Gate in Bristol and The Rec in Bath as a member of match-day staff at these stadia.
I joined the grounds-care industry because I love sport and the outdoors, so being able to look after the grass and
spend time outside is a real privilege. I also really enjoy operating different machinery to perform all the tasks that we undertake as grounds staff. With all these things combined, I have the perfect job.
BG What does your role at Bradfield College entail?
OM I lead a team of five grounds staff (including myself), and we prepare and maintain multi-sport surfaces for pupil and community use. We also oversee the surrounding estate – to the best of our ability.
Bradfield has 10 football pitches, training grids, two lacrosse pitches, five cricket squares, six hard-court netball areas and two astro pitches. The estate also includes water meadows, so we deal with flood management related to the River Pang. We also oversee tree management, while a team of three look after a nine-hole golf course, which is used by the pupils, college staff and the public.
BG Can you share your team management tactics?
OM As I’m new to the role, I’ve been getting involved with as many different tasks as possible so I can learn as much as I can. I work closely with each team member so I can get to know them and find out how I might be able to help them improve and progress.
Regarding the pitches, I’ve kept them the same for the time being, but I’ll make small adjustments over the coming months while we do our renovations.
I also want to enable each team member to have experience of all tasks where possible so we can all cover sick days and holidays.
BG Can you explain what’s involved in multi-sport surface management in a school environment?
OM Working in a school environment is fantastic because we manage and maintain surfaces for various sports throughout the year and are specialists in each sport’s surface needs. Every term is
different as football fields are converted to cricket outfields, training grids and running tracks. The only surfaces that stay the same are the cricket squares.
When the pupils are away, the school hires out its pitches to local clubs, which can leave very little time for renovations.
BG How are you adapting your activities to deal with climate change?
OM It’s no secret that the world’s weather is changing. You only need
to look back on the last few years to see the difference in weather patterns. For example, this year we had one of the wettest autumn/winters then an incredibly dry spring/summer. And although we’ve managed to get more games on, we’ve had to adapt our practices as needed.
The college is adapting to be as sustainable as possible while still meeting our pupils’ needs. For example, the grounds team are looking to replace hand-held with battery equipment where feasable, and we are looking closely at the types of fertilisers we use and how much is actually required.
BG As a member of the GMA’s NextGen group, how are you helping to attract young people into the sector?
OM Being part of GMA NextGen is a fantastic opportunity to showcase what we do to the wider public.
I’m always on the lookout for opportunities I could give to young people who’re interested in a career in
I’M
ALWAYS ON THE LOOKOUT FOR OPPORTUNITIES I COULD GIVE TO YOUNG PEOPLE – WHETHER BY ANSWERING A DIRECT MESSAGE ON SOCIAL MEDIA OR OFFERING AN APPRENTICESHIP OPPORTUNITY
the industry – whether by answering a direct message on social media, or offering a tour of the site or an apprenticeship opportunity. I’m keen to point people in the right direction and encourage where I can.
BG What do you think are the required skill sets needed for people who are looking to join the industry?
OM I look for someone who shows a real interest in what we’re doing, has a willingness to learn and asks lots of questions. Also, having a love of the outdoors or sports really does help, and it also means that they understand the pitch requirements for that sport and what’s best for the players – this is really helpful when marking out a pitch from scratch, for example.
I would encourage people to visit their local sports club and offer to help the grounds staff. There’s nothing better than having a go because you never know if you’re going to like it until you’ve tried it out for yourself.
Above: Bradfield College (emblem below left) has an impressive array of sports facilities Left: Ollie on match-day duty at the Allianz Stadium at Twickenham
