Established in 1934, the Grounds Management Association (GMA) is the UK’s leading industry body for the sports turf and grounds care sector.

A not-for-profit membership organisation, the GMA promotes and protects the interests of professional and volunteer grounds people who make sport possible by keeping green spaces and playing surfaces safe, accessible, and sustainable across educational establishments, community facilities, and sports clubs at grassroot, amateur, and professional levels.

Together with members, we work with organisations, industry bodies, public sector authorities and technical specialists to develop and promote industry standards and best practice, provide education opportunities and career pathways, publish industry news and insight, and promote the profession to help attract and build a sustainable skilled talent pipeline for the future.

The GMA is a government accredited organisation meeting the Matrix Standard for the provision of high-quality technical information, advice, and guidance, and further supports the wider industry by providing a series of industry-leading knowledge building and networking events, including Europe’s largest sports amenities and landscaping trade exhibition, SALTEX.

The Annual Industry Awards provides an opportunity to celebrate the outstanding contribution of individuals and teams across the sector, helping to build the profile of grounds people and highlight the importance of the profession.

Our history: Starting life as the National Association of Groundsmen in 1934, the association became the Institute of Groundsmanship (IOG) in 1969 and was renamed the Grounds Management Association (GMA) in 2020.