Volunteer Groundsperson/Team of the Year
Volunteer ground staff are often unsung heroes. They are a vital part of the workforce and are incredibly passionate about what they do. This award recognises the valuable work of volunteers who devote their spare time to maintaining the nation's playing surfaces, making sports possible for teams and communities across the UK. The award considers the quality of the playing surface achieved with the available resources, such as making the most out of the budget available to the individual/team, use of machinery, and the level of sport required for end users.
Deadline - 16 October 2026
Please remember to save your form if you are unable to finish it right now by clicking the save button at the bottom of the application form.
Entry Criteria
Who can enter?
This award is open to both volunteer teams and/or individuals.
Entry / Nomination Criteria
Individuals and/or teams can enter or be nominated by an employer or manager or third-party. The award is judged taking into account the 12 months prior to the award category application submission date.
Judging Criteria
The judges will be looking for evidence to support your entry in the following areas: 1) Evidence of optimising and/or maximising budget and resources available. 2) Evidence of use of appropriate and safe use of machinery and/or equipment. 3) Evidence of applied innovation – how this has been applied and had an impact on the playing surface, team and/or project. 4) Evidence of dedication and/or going above and beyond to support your team, club, project etc.
1. Contact Information
Please select if this application is for a team or an individual
*
Please Select
Team
Individual
Full name of team contact or individual
*
First Name
Last Name
Phone number of team contact or individual
*
Please enter a valid phone number.
Format: 00000000000.
Email address of team contact or individual
*
Confirmation Email
2. Facility Details
Place of work
*
Facility postal address
*
Street Address
Street Address Line 2
City
County
Postcode
Number of volunteer ground staff
*
Please upload your company or club logo:
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3. Achievements over the past 12 months [10 marks]
Highlight any achievements from within the last 12 months. This should include any developments within your facilities.
*
0/500
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4. Resources and responsibilities [10 marks]
What are your main responsibilities? What resources do you have to help carry out your duties?
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0/300
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5. Utilisation of equipment, including IT [10 marks]
Please provide details on a selection of machinery and usage of IT for the facilities and how the equipment is operated, maintained, and overhauled.
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0/300
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Please provide evidence where possible.
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6. Presentation and housekeeping [10 marks]
Describe the preparation involved in maintaining the presentation of your facilities. Please also describe how you monitor and utilise any information or records that you keep in order to deliver the end product.
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0/300
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Provide photographic evidence to demonstrate the presentation of pitches (if possible please include the date that the photo was taken).
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7. Usage levels [10 marks]
Provide an annual outline of the use of your facility.
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0/300
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Please provide evidence such as a games and training schedule etc.
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8. Improvements [10 marks]
Please provide details of any improvements you have made to the ground/facility during your time there and/or any challenges you have overcome in the past year.
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0/300
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Please provide photographic evidence where possible.
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9. Training, education, health and safety [10 marks]
Provide an outline of any relevant training, education, CPD and/or seminars you have undertaken throughout your career. Please demonstrate your responsibilities for health and safety and confirm if you have any of the following in place: H&S policy; risk assessments; safe systems of work; training and inductions; suitable PPE?
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0/300
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Please provide copies of certificates/results and evidence of H&S responsibilities where possible.
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If you require assistance with filling in this application form, please contact industryawards@thegma.org.uk
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