A celebration of women in the grounds industry

Jennifer Carter, Director of Communications, GMA

The north London derby in the Women’s Super League (WSL), played in March, was not just a display of top-tier women’s football, but also a celebration of women in the grounds management industry. For the first time in football, an all-female grounds team, supported by the Grounds Management Association (GMA), prepared the Emirates Stadium pitch for the Arsenal vs Tottenham game, marking a significant milestone for the grounds management sector.

The initiative, a collaboration between the WSL, Women in Football, Arsenal FC, and the GMA, saw 13 pioneering female grounds professionals from across the industry showcase women at the forefront of the sector. This was a deliberate effort to encourage more women to consider careers in grounds management, an industry where women represent only 2% of the workforce. The GMA’s involvement underscores our commitment to diversifying the sector and promoting inclusivity.

The match itself was a testament to the quality of the WSL and the growing popularity of women’s football. A sold-out crowd witnessed a 1-0 victory for Arsenal, with the all-female grounds team’s efforts contributing to a seamless game experience.

It was incredible to see a team of 13 experienced and talented women prepare the iconic pitch in front of hundreds of thousands of spectators and viewers across the UK. The lack of visibility of women in this field remains a significant barrier, but we’re confident thatmoments like these will be pivotal in convincing more young people, especially females, to explore this promising career path.

It was incredible to see a team of 13 experienced and talented women prepare the iconic pitch

The team of women who took part are incredible ambassadors for the industry, and I have no doubt that their work will have inspired many and shed light on the grounds management profession.

This initiative demonstrates progress in terms of improving inclusivity - shining a light on the possibilities that exist for women in the grounds management industry and more broadly across sport. With the continued support of organisations like the GMA, WSL, and Women in Football, the future of women in the grounds management industry looks brighter than ever.

The GMA is looking forward to delivering similar activity in the near future.