May 2022 ??? Preparing for a busy summer
Organisers delighted as #GroundsWeek grows its success
Grass Cutting Machinery The GMA launched #GroundsWeek in March 2021 as part of its Grounds For Sport initiative where funds were reinvested into helping raise the influence and profile of turf-care and grounds management with the main objective to support growth and diversification of future workforces. The objectives for #GroundsWeek 2022 were
to, once again, celebrate the vital role the groundscare sector plays in community and professional sport across the country, whilst encouraging more people to consider careers in grounds management. The quality of coverage stood out, with interviews with grounds staff on BBC Radio and a special segment dedicated to #GroundsWeek
airing multiple times on ITV News across the country. With a 51% increase in social media activity using the #GroundsWeek hashtag, the key messages of #GroundsWeek reached a greater audience than before, with many clubs sharing in depth insights into their grounds teams, including Leicester City F.C., Durham
County Cricket Club, Watford F.C., and Leicester Tigers amongst others. Through campaigns like #GroundsWeek, The GMA is aiming to create long-lasting change to benefit future generations so that people of all ages can play on safe, good quality pitches whether at clubs, parks or schools. With the pandemic slowly
becoming a thing of the past, with an engaged community of groundspeople and dedicated groundscare businesses, and with The GMA’s partners at the National Governing Bodies backing our work, it is confident that the groundscare sector will see more reasons to be positive about when #GroundsWeek returns in 2023. GMA
A wider look at the busy market Pages 16-21
Enquiry 34
Grassroots football facilities to be regenerated One hundred and sixteen projects across England will receive funding to create and improve pitches, changing rooms and pavilions, so that more local communities can access highquality facilities.
The announcement follows a joint ‘Expression of Interest’ submitted to UEFA by the Football Associations of England, Northern Ireland, Republic of Ireland, Scotland and Wales.
Projects have been chosen for their ability to deliver improved facilities in deprived areas, support multi-sport use and increase participation among currently under-represented groups, including women, girls and disabled players.
The governments of the UK, Ireland, Scotland and Wales have confirmed their support for the EOI submission and, given the Northern Ireland Executive is currently not meeting formally, officials there continue to observe the process closely.
The funding, combined with contributions from The FA, Premier League, clubs and other local partners, will improve the quality of community facilities, bring people together to enjoy playing sport in their local area, regenerate communities and enhance social cohesion. A total of £39 million will be provided for football facilities in England this financial year, out of a total of £230 million set to be invested to help to
build or upgrade up to 8,000 quality pitches across the UK over the next four years. The funding w il l al so support the construction or refurbishment of clubhouses, changing facilities and community buildings. Scotland will also receive a total of £2 million, Wales £1.3 million and Northern Ireland £700,000. Football Funding Enquiry 35
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READER ENQUIRY 36