Professional Rugby Union Grounds Team of the Year
A prestigious team award recognising outstanding expertise in sports turf management at rugby union clubs and venues nationwide.
Deadline - 16 October 2026
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Entry Criteria
Who can enter?
This category is open to all rugby union venues that host tournaments with paying spectators attending. Entrants should be employed by a rugby union club and work at the stadium or training ground. A minimum of 10 fixtures played at the club/venue is required to enter this award.
Entry / Nomination Criteria
Teams can enter or be nominated by an employer, 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) Club infrastructure, staffing levels and number of pitches. 2) Internal pitch usage – club use, commercial use, hire etc. 3) Community use on pitches and/or external use e.g., hire, concerts, and major events etc (where applicable). 4) Evidence of optimising and/or maximising budget and resources available. 5) Evidence of use of appropriate and safe use of machinery and/or equipment. 6) Evidence of incorporating any relevant research development for improving the playing surface. 7) Entrants/Nominees must demonstrate strong technical ability. 8) Evidence of continual development, learning and implementation for staff (including training and mental health & wellbeing).
1. Contact Information
Full name of facility contact
*
First Name
Last Name
Phone number of facility contact
*
Please enter a valid phone number.
Format: 00000000000.
Email address of facility contact
*
Confirmation Email
2. Facility Details
Place of work
*
Facility postal address
*
Street Address
Street Address Line 2
City
County
Postcode
Number of grounds staff employed
*
Full-time, part-time, volunteer etc.
Approximate size of site
*
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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?
*
0/300
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5. Utilisation of equipment, including IT [10 marks]
Describe the range of machinery, tools, equipment, and IT systems used on site or in your role. How are these maintained and stored, and what procedures are in place to ensure they are safe, clean, and fit for purpose? How are sustainability and environmental considerations factored into this?
*
0/300
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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). Do you keep records up to date? Please provide evidence.
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7. Management and development of resources [10 marks]
How do you work/communicate with management/other members of staff? Recruitment and management of staff (this includes appraisals/development). How do you deal with complaints and if relevant, the media?
*
0/300
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8. Usage levels and other uses [10 marks]
Provide an annual outline of the use of your facility.
*
0/300
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Please provide evidence such as a games schedule, events etc.
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9. Training, education, health and safety [10 marks]
Provide an outline of relevant training and education the team has undertaken and 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? Provide examples and evidence.
*
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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