The Grounds Management Association (GMA) Young Board of Directors has recruited four new young sports field managers to its ranks. The new additions will add fresh energy to the Young Board’s efforts to inspire the next generation of young people to join the sector.
Joining existing members are Meg Lay, Beth Gibbs, Liddy Ford and Jack Langley. Lay, who recently moved from Gloucestershire CC to Lord’s Cricket Ground, and Gibbs, who is part of Wellington School’s grounds team, join the Young Board fresh off the back of successes in the GMA Industry Awards 2023 where Lay won Newcomer of the Year and Gibbs won Young Groundsperson of the Year.
Ford joins the Young Board with a background in horticulture as well as a BSc in sport and exercise science. Her current role is as a part of the grounds team at St George’s Park, the Football Association’s base for all 23 of England’s national football teams.
Langley joins having progressed from Assistant Grounds person to Deputy Head Grounds person at Ashton Gate Stadium, a multi-sport facility that acts as the home of Bristol City Football Club and Bristol Bears. The four new additions will use their varied backgrounds across sporting and educational facilities, and enthusiasm for grounds management, to represent the GMA in activity that aims to inspire young people to join the sector.
Work will begin with three of the new Board members, Lay, Ford and Gibbs, representing the GMA as part of the all-female grounds team preparing the pitch at Emirates Stadium for Arsenal vs Tottenham in the Women’s Super League on Sunday 3 March 2024.