The Grounds Management Association (GMA) is pleased to announce the addition of four new professionals to its NextGen group.

GMA NextGen, sponsored by Reesink UK, is comprised of talented young grounds professionals who represent the grounds management industry and act as ambassadors for the GMA. Their mission is to encourage more young people to consider a career in grounds management.

Luis Arregui, Deputy Grounds Manager at Real Madrid City, joins the GMA NextGen group with the aim of promoting a profession he believes is key to sports success. With a degree in Forest Engineering, he combines agronomic knowledge and a passion for sports to advance in his career, aiming to inspire the next generation in grounds management.

Flynn Good, Skilled Sports Turf Operative at Leicester City FC, is hoping to connect with others in grounds management and inspire future professionals. He began volunteering at his local club at the age of 10, driven by a love for maintaining high-quality playing surfaces and takes pride in his team’s impact on players’ success.

Jack Leather, Specialist Groundsperson at Liverpool FC, aims to raise awareness of grounds management as a viable career. Inspired by his father, Jack developed a passion for the industry early on. He enjoys seeing the direct results of his work and is especially passionate about using science and data to improve surfaces and sustainability.

Oliver Mahon, Grounds and Gardens Manager at Monkton Combe School, joins GMA NextGen to promote grounds management to the next generation. His love for sports, the outdoors, and machinery led him to study horticulture and agriculture. He takes pride in preparing high-quality pitches for students, enjoying their appreciation for his team’s work.

Jack Langley & Meg Lay, GMA NextGen Co-Chairs, said: “We’re excited to see more young professionals joining the GMA NextGen group and helping to raise awareness of the incredible career opportunities in grounds management. It’s an industry that offers so much variety, and we’re looking forward to working alongside our new members to showcase the value and impact of our profession.”

With an estimated 1,500 professional grounds staff potentially retiring each year, workforce development is a pressing priority for the industry.

The GMA NextGen group plays a vital role in addressing this challenge by not only promoting the opportunities available within grounds management but also providing a platform for emerging professionals to share ideas and learn more.

By engaging with younger generations, the group helps ensure a sustainable pipeline of talent to safeguard the future of the profession and maintain the high standards expected across sports and green spaces.

Jennifer Carter, Director of Communications & Marketing at the GMA, said: “We know the industry is facing significant challenges in terms of workforce shortages, but the GMA NextGen group continues to make a real difference in addressing these issues. They’ve done an outstanding job in attracting talented young professionals, not only to the group but also into the wider industry, showing the rewarding careers available in grounds management. We’re really pleased to welcome the four new members to the group and look forward to seeing their contributions as they help shape the future of our industry.”

For more information about the GMA NextGen programme or the new members, please visit thegma.org.uk/who /ambassadors.