This September, a landmark moment for Rugby will take place at the Twickenham Stadium as an all-female team of grounds professionals will prepare the pitch for the Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025 Final and Bronze Final, marking a historic first for the sport.
Led by the Grounds Management Association’s (GMA) NextGen group, alongside England Rugby and Women's Rugby World Cup 2025, the initiative aims to champion female representation in the sector and promote the diverse career pathways that grounds management has to offer.
Applications are now open for women working in the industry to join the 15-strong matchday team. These professionals will be responsible for managing the playing surface in the lead-up to, and during, two of the most high-profile fixtures in the women’s rugby calendar - both broadcast live on the BBC on Saturday 27 September 2025.
With women still underrepresented in the grounds management sector - making up less than 10% of the professional workforce - this initiative directly tackles the need for greater visibility, inclusion and long-term workforce sustainability.
Jim Buttar, Head of Grounds and Technical Operations at Twickenham Stadium, and GMA Board Member said: “We’re really proud to be hosting this initiative at Twickenham Stadium and to support the team delivering the pitch for such a major occasion. It’s no secret that our industry needs greater visibility and diversity, especially around female representation, so to see an all-female grounds team leading on one of rugby’s biggest stages will be a huge step forward. It sends a clear message about the opportunities that exist in grounds management, and we’re excited to play a part in that.”
It builds on the momentum of recent GMA initiatives designed to spotlight including the all-female grounds team that prepared the pitch at the Emirates Stadium for the Women’s Super League North London Derby between Arsenal and Tottenham in March 2024.
Geoff Webb, CEO of the leading membership organisation representing grounds personnel in the UK, the Grounds Management Association, says: “We’re incredibly proud to work with England Rugby and Women's Rugby World Cup 2025 to champion visibility and representation of our industry and the career opportunities that it presents. With women’s sport growing rapidly, it’s time the teams behind the scenes reflect that progress too. We want this to inspire more opportunities for women to consider careers in grounds management and to increase awareness of what a great opportunity a career in sports turf management offers, and to see that anything is possible.”
The opportunity is open to women across the sector with relevant experience, and successful applicants will take part in pre-event training and preparation ahead of matchday.
If you're working in grounds care and want to be part of this once-in-a-lifetime moment, register your interest here.
